I think that so far the OT is probably the best device at this exact thing to date, you have a mixer and a fader built right in, so once set up literally could not be simpler.
Amongst a million and one other things of course 
I’ve been down that route, had the KP3 twice. Transitioning is not that easy… fading up the loop while turning down the gain knob (or changing the input to mic, as a way to mute the RCA inputs) is less than ideal, imho.
You could always have a dj mixer in between, but then again if you want to process the loop with the KP3 effects, you would have to remember to change the input to mic or turn down the gain to avoid a doubling effect, since touching the XY pad let’s the input sound come in (assuming you would use it in send mode, which makes the most sense). Although its sampling is as straight-forward as possible, that caveat made me sell it for the second time (plus: it degrades the sound quite a bit, effects are more quantity than quality, and I still needed a mixer in between, which brings me this other comment of yours:
That beeing said, I already had the OT, but was looking for a way to minimize / simplify my setup (ie. easier, no-brainer looping)… I eventually came back to the OT, precisely for the reason you’re mentioning: there’s no other hardware looper - NONE - which has some kind of crossfading between both sources… which is a reason I’ve cried to multiple developers - of both hardware and software - hoping they would create something similar. (ie. a standalone iOS app that mimics some of the features of the Xone DB4 - looping, good quality fx, matrix routing - without the need of buying a 2k, gigantic mixer).
So far, no luck… and ALSO, I’ve gone the iPad route as well… made multiple setups, specially since my setup is mostly Digitakt and it’s now class-compliant… so very tempting.
There’s issues there as well: first of all, and the most obvious -stability. I can’t shake the feeling that it might crash mid set (it has indeed happened at least once live - I think due to an electrical problem - and I’ve had many apps crashing on me over the years). You could get a pretty nice setup with a few apps, but the main problem (for me) is that is not as easy to get a crossfader curve where you get 100% signal of both channels in the middle, which is kind of the idea if you want to mix tracks, imho. but if you want to mix with individual channel volumes… it’s much easier. I managed to do this crossfading thing btw, but it involved creating custom MIDI mappings with specific curves to be able to make it behave that way…
OK so… back to the Octatrack.
My current setup is simply OT and DT. I had a Faderfox UC4 to have quick access to some parameters, but I think I might leave it out, and face those limitations as a way to simplify my music even further - a never ending quest I’m on.
I’ve come to get accustomed to transitioning with the OT, BUT… it did take many, many moments of frustration until I got it right. And even now, that I’ve been using it for years… the unexpected might happen. So there’s still things to consider, but I have to agree that I’m going deeper and deeper into this method, trying to make it more sophisticated, and my transitions are getting more interesting - sometimes almost turning into tracks themselves, which is something I quite enjoy.
I can explain my setup further, but this post is long enough already! shit, this always happens when I discuss this stuff… hehe
Anyway, hope this helps. As an alternative, There’s now finally (relatively) cheap, small pedals with MIDI DIN in, which is something that took a LONG time. EHX has it’s 1440, now Boss joined with it’s RC-5 (IIRC that’s the model) so if you want something more straight forward and less prone to failure or accident (bad kind of accident) then you could consider a DJ mixer and one of those (I think I like EHX’s more, looks more hands on… yes, it’s not a single device, but it’s what we have, unless until Elektron comes up with a mixer/looper kind of thing (which I don’t think will happen soon since the OT sort of is that + much more)… or maybe someone else takes advantage of that hardware gap.
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I only did it a few times, but using the octatrack to capture a loop then mix between that loop and the new material on your other gear, is actually quite brilliant.
You can do amazing things.
Just lately Im thinking of revisiting this approach.
Euro system plus octatrack? That’s basically godmode.
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I think the OT isn’t for everyone. It takes a lot of practice, sweat an tears… The 1010 BlackBox is a simple straight forward solution to loop recording. A laptop with a backing track for transitions is just as doable, even if you are needing to sync, just using tap tempo…I mean come on, modular synths are beautiful for their imperfection. Why not add more.
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It works so well on OT, it’s worth to invest the time into learning the Octatrack imho.
Also OT would provide so much more, beside the looping.
You can use a specific part if you don’t want to have one track on all patterns reserved for transitioning.
You’ll have to prepare well and go through everything with a fine tooth comb again before going on stage, tho. One trig not set on a track or a mistake in scene setup could mess up everything.
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I agree. Once you finally lock down how to do it, it’s so liberating.
I started to make a flex looping guide for others, to help. As many of the videos I had to watch to finally get there didn’t seem to satisfy me.
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What sets the OT apart is all the amazing things you can do once the transition loop has been recorded. Throw down a trig on the 3 and beat juggle away. Throw down a bunch of trigs and randomize slices. PLock some reverse sections for DJ style spinbacks, or do the same with scenes. It’s not just a simple looping device.
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Just have to throw this in the mix even though it is a bit more expensive second hand than a second hand octatrack mi. Xone Db4 does really exactly the thing you want to do. Worth saving up for.
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In some cases yes, but in others no. My friends hold minimal house parties and invite reaaaally nice DJs (often their own label heads) to headline. My friends open up with their live act, then the DJ continues and closes the night.
In this sense, transitions are pretty important imo. Keeping the groove interesting but consistent is hard.
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another vote for the kp3 - a perfect solution in my experience. also note that tempo doesn’t really matter at all for a lot of cases, you can dial in the tempo you are working at and then a loop at any point will still be seemless. no need for midi sync.
Dave is being modest. He is recommending one of his favorite tools and he has groovy video demo. 
WARNING: may induce GAS
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I’ll have to agree with a bunch of what @AdamJay has said in this thread.
I’ve played live next to DJ’s and other live electronic acts (and a few live bands too). I have found Octa is my ultimate weapon. I highly recommend it (for producing creativity as well). Though, I also read through all the non-OT methods described in this thread and agree they will work fantastically as well. Most loopers are great and do what you need, but many rely on cat-like reflexes and timing. I require something a bit more quantized, dialed/locked in and that is REALLY dependable because if I’m super honest sometimes there are other factors on stage that distract you (some cocktails, people, nerves, 4am and you’re super tired etc).
I understand there are many ways for each individual to maintain their artistic integrity by their own means, gear, and decisions. That’s what makes us artists. I talk a lot with my music/DJ/producer fam about OT, but never try and push it on them. I know it’s not as easy as a DJ mixer (which I also own), but gosh darn it if I don’t feel like a true artist playing it (no fanboy here HAHAH)
There are more ways to use it to transition than just the live sampled loop with crossfader trick. (The one I personally prefer because I can also remix live and not lose more than 1 track).
Check out this wicked one by a true artist that I deeply admire @biologik 
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still saving !!! 
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Yeah it’s quite the undertaking I’ve been drooling over that one since I saw one of @DaveMech’s videos. I would though trow it out there that the one other thing against it, other than the price, is that it’s a massive bit of kit. Quite a difference between lugging that or the OT to a gig.
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That’s why I mentioned the EHX 1440. In midi clock sync mode, it records at the next beat after you pressed rec and it also closes the loop at the next beat after you pressed rec.
Sounds like a pretty convinient set and forget thing. You just have to hit the footswitch between two beats. That should work even with lights blinding and people searching for their beer inbetween your equipment^^
I don’t have one, tho.
*Edit Quantization can be set to 4 beats or 3 beats per bar.
I usually try to avoid part changes on my OT when playing live (I use the one bank one track approach), because I can make spontaneous use of eqs without having to worry about the next part change. Don’t want to have one track reserved for transitioning either, so the EHX 1440 looks promising.
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wow, I must have filmed that with a potato!
thanks for the shoutout! 
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After working with a lot of different setups I can only advise you to get Ableton and a small controller. If you are afraid of bullys who want to see a dwaless setup you can put the computer under the table and put a midi fighter twister or small Faderfox controller next to the modular to control the loops.
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What did you try and how did it not work out? Not wanting to prove you wrong, just wanting to learn.
Just like Binkbeats! Master Ableton loop performances, …and his custom M4L script is available on his webpage.
https://www.binkbeats.com/binklooper
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Sure! I tried the Octatrack. A few things did not work as I wanted to in this setup. First I had to use two channels for each instrument, one for monitoring and one for recording. Then I missed a visual feeback that tells me which channel is currently recording and which is playing back. Then the recording buffer was too short for my setup. The OP asked for a few bars to loop but I wanted to use the same setup for ambient music.
Another thing I tried was a looper from Electro Harmonix. It kind of worked but the setup was VERY basic. No effects, only one audio input and sync was working on a 50/50 chance.
In Ableton I can set up a looper for each of my devices and trigger the recording of a loop with the push of a button on my midi fighter or Push2. Then I can smoothly fade from the incoming signal to the recorded clip and prepare something else on the synth / drum computer. This goes for an infinite number of tracks, there is no limit for recording length and I can even save the stuff that I liked to use it in later productions.
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