#414

Is it possible to play and mix let’s say 7 5min long field recs samples and trigger their various cue points at different times with the Octatrack?

#415

Should be possible using ‘static machines’ yes. You are however limited by how fast you can trigger your cue points.

1 Like
#416

Considering to expand my setup with octatrack. Currently it’s modular and norns shield.
Looking for recommendations for use cases.
I’m doing mostly ambient stuff.

#417

simple use would be to use norns as a send/receive from the octatrack.

#418

i have norns right before my octatrack in the audio chain. two of it’s stereo outs going into OT input c+d. you can run your modular into the norns, which goes into the octa that way, so it will be ready for effects processing scripts or loopers like cheat codes/compass. then midi from norns going into the octa midi in. i use a merger here, because i also like using a midi controller (lpp) as well, plus if i want to do midi loopback , i can just use the passthrough script and send the octatrack’s own midi back into itself without any rewiring. but this way, you can use norns sequencer apps for any synth in your setup as long as you route midi out from octa, into your first synth, then thru to each additional piece of gear. assign them to their own individual midi tracks with their respective unique midi in channels and you can record sequences from norns into each track. there are a lot of ways to configure that setup, but i find this the best “set & forget” chain

i feel like send & receive would take up too many inputs, not to mention cue outs that could be used for other pedals. plus if you’re looping, you probably want some of those effects pedals to be in the incoming signal before they hit the looper, at least i do. so i’ll have digitone(2 out)>(stereo in)thyme(2 out)>(stereo in)ventris(stereo out)>(2 in) Fates [does norns have 2 ins/outs? i dont remember] (stereo out)>octatrack c&d inputs-Thru track “C D”
then if i want to run the modular audio in, i can route that signal to Octa input A OR i can route it through the digitone external ins, that way i can process it with my entire effects chain and it goes straight to the norns. maybe send/return would be better depending on the setup. every time i do that, even with a pedal, i feel like im wasting inputs

2 Likes
#419

Do you happen to have any videos of this setup in action?

#420

For simple send retun i have Zoom L-12 so not sure if that use case warrants the octatrack price :slight_smile: I recently got instruo Lubadh (2 loopers in a module) and that got me thinking that having 8 of those might be neat. How easy is octatrack as a bunch of unlinked loopers?

#421

you might be able to find some here. i know they’re in there somewhere
https://www.instagram.com/future__________/?hl=en

oh, here’s one where i’m using Fugu midi to sequence the digitone. midi from norns through octa, to digi. digi audio through norns and into octa

#422

thanks, can I mix then slots? (samples)

#423

Not sure what you mean?

#424

Right sorry yes I wasn’t very clear. So you load the static machines and then allocate samples to slots (16 pads). Is it possible to mix the samples? Like pad1, pad2 etc… volume separately.

#425

It requires some thinking and setup work, the necessary steps are listed here or here, and there are some caveats regarding overdubbing listed here.

Please also keep in mind that with the method described in the linked posts you will only get 4 pickups, not 8, as you need a corresponding flex machine for each pickup for setup work (incl. clearing a pickup). Perhaps you might be able to expand this to 7 pickups, but I have not tried that.

But having to have a corresponding flex machine for each pickup is also a blessing in disguise, as it allows you to use the loop recorded in the pickup with all the editing & sequencing power of a flex machine.

EDIT: And each of the pickup/flex machines can be stereo, which is quite a benefit if you want to loop material that has already been treated with stereo FX.

Fun fact: Although I came up with the aforementioned method and have used it for several years, I am eyeing on the Lubadh myself. :smiley:

1 Like
#426

If you are triggering slots on the same track, you won’t have seperate volume control for each sample…only track volume.

What you could do is change each sample vol in the sample attributes page.

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#427

the manual says to treat the sample edit page as the first stage in preparing samples. so yeah, you would go there to normalize, add or reduce gain, things like that. but you can also p lock a specific volume, either on the amp page or in compressor volume if you want to have a specific volume setting per slot that you haven’t prepared beforehand in the sample itself’s attributes

4 Likes
#428

Yes. I had imagined the OP was triggering them free hand, not sequencing. Plocks are definitely doable.

Another thing would be to assign vol to crossfader and manually adjust at will.

Many ways to mangle a cat on the OT.

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#429

Makes sense, but always good to be reminded of this workflow. :+1:t3:

#430

hi! Considering picking up an Octatrack mk2 but as a first time user, thinking its a bit overkill and the mk1 might be fine…almost half the cost. Mostly to use as an arrangement tool, post DAW/Norns. From what I gather, the differences are mostly cosmetic, bar the headroom thing, but that seems controllable with some effort. Does the mk2 have any features which really set it apart?

thanks!

#431

couple of extra buttons make a lot of difference with octatrack. also i think sampling in mk1 is 16bit only. OT is a difficult instrument to love for some, so i don’t think you should create additional obstacles for yourself :grinning:

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#432

24 bit too.

Personally I would spend such a price difference on other sound toys. Though the gap is narrowing between the two in used prices.

I think MKIs look better too.

1 Like
#433

Yeah I am still leaning towards the MK1. Looking at the moment, used MK2 is 900 and MK2 between 550-750. Do you think £650 for an MK1 is a good price?