Using Octatrack to control other gear

Elektron Gear Octatrack
1

I am very new to the octatrack. I want to use it in conjunction with my Line 6 HX Effects.
I want to be able to use the LFOs send CC to the HX - this could be nice, because parameter of any effect on the HX is CC assignable. OK I think I might be able to to figure this one out.

What I also really want to be able to do is to send automation data to the HX.
Imagine this -

  1. I press a button on the HX effects that sends e.g. a CC to the Octatrack
  2. The Octatrack responds by sending CC21 (values 1 throughout 127) back to the HX
  3. The HX recieves this information an CC21 controls e.g. reverb level on the HX
  4. Now the octatrack can be used to send “one-shot” automation data

Is this even possible?
Would be amazing to be able to do this, image the possibilites when performing live!

I could play a guitar solo, press button and the distortion would gradually turn more and more aggressive.

Thanks!

2

Welcome.
I have OT and HX Stomp.
Warning, I had HX freezes sending it midi clock and CCs. Midi clock only or CCs only worked.

Midi learn is easy with HX or OT.

I didn’t try new Helix control center (OS 3.0 and above).
Sending a CC corresponding to active midi track lfo’s depth is possible (CC DIRECT CONNECT off). This wouldn’t be one shot, you’d have to send a CC with 0 value to stop it.

You can also mute a midi track with CCs.

If you want to trigger the lfo, I think you need to send a midi note, or CC59 with a specific value between 0 and 127 (this can mimic note reception for OT, value corresponding to note number, see note mapping below). Edit : this CC59 may not work mimick a regular note to midi tracks, but works to trigger Plays Free tracks.

If you can send notes or CC59 stuff, I’d rather trigger a Plays Free midi track, allowing you to trigger a whole sequence with several CCs, one shot or on/off.

elektron-octatrack-2270628
elektron-octatrack-2270628596Ă—842 135 KB

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3

Thanks! I will check this out later.
I guess there probably will be different ways to send CC changes over time via midi, also without using the lfo. Perhaps just send a step sequence of trigless trigs with CCs with values gradually changing? I’ll look into it - but feel free to bring on your experiences!

4

Yes. 64 steps, 2 values increments should be not too steppy.

I used sequences from OT to control HX, I just sent Program Changes from HX to OT.

Btw a Program Change sent by HX can load an OT pattern with some automation. :wink:

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5

Nice!
Can I then play back the sequence only once - or does it loop automatically?
Could be nice if it could be only once :wink:

6

Yes, there are several ways of making a track into a one shot sequence, each with different advantages and disadvantages.

Using “plays free” which decouples the track from the sequencer and it can then be started and stopped manually, quantized to different values or unquantized.

Using one shot trigs which after they played have to be re-armed.

Using 1st trig condition which makes the trigs only play once. They´ll play again if the pattern is changed or OT is stopped and started again.

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7

Yep. Plays Free tracks have a one shot option.

In case of a one shot pattern, 1ST trig condition is a good idea.

Unfortunately no one shot trigs (nor slides) for midi tracks.

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8

Also have Command Center apparently.
Possible to send notes, hence control Play Free tracks, or theoretically trigger lfos (to be tested).

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9

True! It can send notes, program changes, CC and more I think. I will look into this soon!

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10

Thank you!

At this point in the video (10:14) it seems like he is recording automation on a midi channel - sorry for being a noob, but it is possible to record automation of CCs like that and playing them back in a loop?
I will make sure to get more into the octatrack before asking about everything :slight_smile:

11

Yes, that’s what he’s doing there. :slight_smile:

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