I love my MK1. One thing I could recommend checking on any Elektron device would be the knobs. Especially the MK1’s. You need to push in while turning to get a faster movement. After a few years of doing this the knobs tend to skip, or have a problem turning. I think on the MK2 they may have made it so you can turn faster just by turning faster. Anyways, just something to check if you are buying a “used” Octatrack MK1. Good luck.
MK2 is the better machine. Better knob response, easier to gainstage the inputs, easier to read what the LEDs are saying as they’re built in to the buttons, better screen and easier to navigate with the extra buttons. But the MK1 is still an octatrack, so it’s up to you whether the advantages are worth the extra money.
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I also prefer the mk1, it’s the one I still have (mk2 got sold on a while ago, but the mk1 is a keeper!). I’d love for some smart person to make a top plate and buttons in the style of the mk1 for my Syntakt and Digitakt.
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If I could trade MK2 black for my MK1 I think I might. But, like @brian3kb, I do like button style. Reminds me of the Burroughs adding machine, or some old typewriter. Closer to the MachineDrum and MonoMachine’s feel and look. I do wonder at times if I would enjoy the MK2 improvements, or if I’m just so used to my old friend, that I wouldn’t notice much.
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well…i must say, i do like MKI better, in both cases; maybe it’s the round buttons? 
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Does this have p-locks?
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Debatable.
Mk2 has that awful coating on the buttons that melts. Leds under the buttons… makes it harder to see whats going on if you have a habit of hovering fingers over buttons (which I do)
Square buttons are just puke.
OLED screens are eye burners and dont last as long as LCD. MK1 screen is bigger.
Mk1 has a much more ergonomic feel, and looks better.
Personal preference though init.
Mk1 still worth it? Fuck yeah.
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Good to know. I don’t have any of the new boxes with square buttons, but when they came out I heard similar things.
It’s the one of the things that’s kept me from getting one.
I just prefer the MKI look of all those boxes.
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You need ENIAC for plocking.
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Just the midi side is endless hours of fun. You can get such interesting sounds from modulating stuff via midi and OTs designer lfos are still amazing for that. Tons of cheap midi capably gear around, old rack stuff etc…
Yesterday I had 4 midi tracks modulating a cymbal machine + sample on the Rytm into growling madness. That’s something that just does not feel like much fun when doing it with software for example…it’s tons of fun with an OT.
If you’re more into polyphony and intricate arrangements, there might be better alternatives, but as an idea generator and modulation mad hatter OT is totally worth it.
And OT still has an audio side to it.
I like the Mk1 better btw…don’t know why.
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There’s more to it than that. I like the balanced audio ins & outs on mkii, for one.
But yeah, it’s not like you’re missing out on major features.
The Octatrack doesn’t have a distortion circuit, the distortion is digital.
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I must have gotten confused with a different thread about the A4
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Aren’t you just thinking of the analog four here?
Both the MKI and MKII OT use the same firmware, and the distortion doesn’t have a circuit it’s part of the lo-fi effect which is digital. Or do you mean how it sounds when you clip/saturate the AD/DA?
Edit: Sorry I see I’m late to that comment…
Yes I got this thread mixed up with another one
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Bought MKI day one, still on it today, never feel the need to change.
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Hello everyones, Should one be cautious about buying an Octatrack MK1 ? Compared to the MK2, you can find some great deals on used MK1 units. I’m considering getting one to pair with my Digitakt II; even though the features are nearly identical, is it impossible to shake off concerns about the MK1 being older hardware?
MK1 rocks and doesn’t get sticky buttons. Don’t even think twice about it if the price works best for you.
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