I want to use an Elektron Octatrack to sequence notes on a Roland TB03 via MIDI. I have configured the Octatrack to send note and clock data via MIDI. I know it is working because I can enter MIDI trigs into the Octatrack and have them drive another MIDI synthesizer I own, an Erica Synths Pico which is fitted with an Erica Synths Black MIDI to CV module. However I can only get things to partially work with the TB03. If I enable Octatrack Chromatic mode, I can play notes on the TB03 by pressing Octatrack keys. If I enable Octatrack Tracks mode, then the Octatrack will successfully start and stop the TB03. However in Tracks mode the note data doesn’t seem to be sent to the TB03 - the TB03 simply plays some of the patterns that are stored on its own internal sequencer. I have been careful to ensure that the MIDI channel used by the TB03 is the same one the Octatrack is sending notes on. However I note that the TB03 will get clocked by the Octatrack even if no MIDI channel is set on the Octatrack side. So how do I set up the TB03 (and possibly the Octatrack) so it plays the MIDI notes sent by the Octatrack, in the same way the Erica Pico system works? What special incantations do I need?
OK after mucho messing around I figure out the answer - simples - the pattern has to be clear for the TB03 to play incoming MIDI notes. If it’s not then it will play the internal pattern notes. So hold down the pattern number and press pattern clear
on the left.
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