( this is a secret skunkworks project @license and i may or may not be working on :shushing_face: )

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Probably not super advanced but i made a couple of videos about the octa :slight_smile:

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Oh my! That is incredibly intriguing. I’m trying to imagine the possibilities. No pressure, but any hints about what sorts of things might be under exploration?

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Translation between message types is at the fore. “Assisted” sequencing is something else I’d like to explore (and implement as a subset of that, if that makes sense at all)

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I still have so much to learn with both Norns and Octatrack… my mind is seriously boggled when confronting them individually. But that sounds incredible!

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thank you so much for this video. i learned SO MUCH. really well done. thank youuuu.

EDIT: @oora how do you have your resampling track 7 configured on the faderfox video?

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great vid!
i’ve had my OT8 and RYTM up for sale on Reverb but after watching your vid…i kinda want to wire up my PC12 to the OT8!
:stuck_out_tongue:

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I used my «quasi async livelooping with pickup machines» in this weekends Lines Community Stream(also Cheat Code2 as an FX send on the OT). The loops are quite dense, but you get an idea of the movement.

The set starts around 27.30 here:

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Quite a bit of Octatrack action in this lines community stream! :slight_smile:

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Is there a way to do sound on sound looping but run the feedback path of the loop through an external effect?

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I think so. Set a pickup machine to record input a (dry signal in) and c (output from your external effect). Record a loop then turn up the cue output of your pickup machine (or just enable the track for cue output depending on your cue mode/preference). Your cue output goes to external effect in. Now overdub on the pickup machine. Use AB and CD inputs if your instrument/effects are stereo.

Haven’t tried this specifically but I think you can also use an internal track as your “external effect”. Track 1 is pickup and track 2 is your feedback loop effect track. Set track 1 to record input a as before and src 3 to record track 2. On track 2 (flex machine) set the record buffer to record track 1 and set a recorder trig to record every bar with a playback trig to play back every bar. You may have to offset the recorder trig or playback trig with micro timing so that it’s not one bar behind. Now the OT effects on track 2 are in your feedback loop. I’ll test this out later to make sure it works - seems like fun.

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Very cool, interested to see what you find

I’m late to the game but I’ve just got my first Octatrack (MKII). I’ve also got some other Elektron boxes (Model:Cycles and A4 MKII) that I acquired after getting rid of my eurorack stuff (the idea was to do something like “less sounds, more music”). I’ve started to learn the sequencer on the M:C since I think it’s the least complex of them. I’m most excited about the OT thou.
Whats the best starting point to get familiar with the device (I’m going to print the manual and read this thread from start to end). Youtube links are appreciated.

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Recently started to try to “learn” the Octatrack for a second time. My recommendation is to pick a specific thing that you want to accomplish, then find content to help you to achieve that end.

This step has been the difference between success & failure for me.

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Always have the manual easily accessible.

Merlin’s Guide (A polished version of Merlin's OT guide here - Octatrack - Elektronauts) is a classic.

Here is a map of lots of videos (it might be old though) Elektron Octatrack Video Tutorial Index by Modula... | MindMeister

My first recommendation is to load up some of your own samples and mess around. And don’t expect anything productive while you learn: it’s worth the effort.

Also: there was an big update recently. So youll want to ensure you’re using OS 1.40A and have the new manual.

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This is something that really helped me learn the Octatrack.

I would say this is also good advice. Create a “sandbox” or “playground” project and don’t worry about “breaking” stuff in there. Just practice, try different things out, don’t worry about the results. Removing the frustration of “mistakes” will allow you to concentrate more on the workflow and getting that right.

The biggest thing for me, though, since you mentioned the model:cycles is to get familiar with difference between how sounds are managed on the Octatrack. On the M:C, sounds are stored in each pattern. On the Octatrack, each pattern will use the same sounds (samples) unless you change parts. That’s a high-level, quick overview of the main difference, but it’s critical to know. You’re going to create a pattern in the OT, then change a sample in a new pattern and wonder why your original pattern is all messed up. It’s OK - we’ve all done it!

Check out elektronauts (tons of information there), or come back here with questions.

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I’m curious how everyone is using Octatrack in conjunction with their DAWs? I’m having my annual “why don’t I just use my computer?” crisis and I had the idea to use my Octatrack as master sequencer and route audio from my interface to the inputs. Of course the downside is that I would need to pipe the audio back to my computer for recording but I think I have enough in’s and outs to make it work.

Anyone else doing something similar?

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My “sandbox” is a project called “TRIALS” and I’m slowly figuring it out.
Having a ton of fun learning.

Something I see often is people saying to turn off the time stretch… I have kind of figured out how to do this, but curious if there is some menu setting I am missing that does it over all tracks?
Also, (and this is my inexperience talking very loudly) is there a way to play a sample without it starting over when the pattern resets? I have some longer ambient textures that I’d love to have occur slowly over time, but am currently restricted to covering the “reset” sound with effects and creative muting of tracks.

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There are numerous ways to do this – the one I’d reach for first is one-shot trigs. They trigger once, then you need to re-arm them for them to do anything. If memory serves, you get a normal trig and function-press it. It’s been a while, so sorry if this is incorrect :slight_smile: In the manual, however!

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The crossfader and scene locks.