#107

Hey there. Octatrack has four outs. Any track can be sent to any combination of those four outs.

4 Likes
#108

can’t speak about the force (also keep in mind it has a similar OS but different workflow, it is not an mpc), so i can only talk about the one and the live.

mpc one
pros: small, more buttons (better interface)
cons: no ssd option (very important imho) , no battery (you can use an external portable powerbank tho), no multiple outs, no phono preamp, smaller pads.

mpc live
pros: very solid, big pads, ssd option (i have a 500gb samsung evo installed, perfect!), more outs, phono preamp, battery (about 6 hours autonomy).
cons: heavier, bigger, less buttons (more button combos or menu diving)

keep in mind that the mpc’s NEED external storage, the internal one is pretty small and it is better not to save anything on it and dont remove anything of the factory content, they don’t like it and it can cause glitches, freezes etc… you can install ssd (live, X) or use sd cards (up to big sizes), thumbdrives or usb hdd.

seeing all pros and cons i’d suggest the live. overall a more solid release. i have the mk1 which lacks cv\gate outs unfortunately, but the mk2 has those and the internal speakers (which initially seemed a bad joke to me, but people are reviewing them as pretty good to sketch out ideas or to play to very small audiences, friends, collaborators)

2 Likes
#109

Is it good as a sampler? I did not look into it because it seemed pretty complex

#110

such an amazing tool!! I got it maybe 17-18 years ago and it was a massive upgrade from my beloved SK-1…I’ve even left the thrift store’s $9.99 sticker on mine so no one thinks I paid $300+ for one online! running it through a filter and reverb really softens the digital harshness, and I’ve gotten a few great songs by sampling an A (like from a Rhodes or string patch) and playing them with the built-in patterns. also the ability to stack samples makes such rich and organic sounds!

for years it was my X-factor production tool but alas, the OP-1 has more than taken its place. I was even able to program in some synth patches to replicate the built-in VSS-30 sounds I loved. so it’s on loan to a friend but I will never ever get rid of it!!

3 Likes
#111

It’s exceptionally powerful, but does seem quite complex in addition. I’m sure it’s simply a case of getting used to it, as with anything, though. Many friends with Elektron samplers liken the Drambo feature-set to those units. I’ll see if I can find a decent video of somebody utilising the range of functions it has within a sampler scenario.

1 Like
#112

Drambo Yes!
I’ve been experimenting with various abstracted sequencing/sampling/chopping approaches with it and have gotten some really interesting results. They just released a wavetable module, updated the flexi sampler and I’ve heard there is some kind of granular module in the works. The wavetable was an additional $5 and I’m fine with some extra cost add ons if it helps for this platform to grow. Borderlands covers some great approaches for me now and since I got my head around AUM as a host, the ios world has really opened up for me.

1 Like
#113

I have to confess, I’ve barely scraped the surface of what it can do but I’ve been really impressed with my explorations so far & the things I’ve seen/heard others doing with it shows really impressive power and versatility.

The wavetable IAP makes sense to me - it’s considerable extra functionality and I’d rather a developer got payments to spur on development than gave everything away forever after collecting the entry fee. That said, I believe the AUv3 hosting may well be a free upgrade!

#114

I think I am going to buy a Morphagene in the end and place it in a skiff together with my Nebulae v2. Anyone who has experience in recording in real time in the morphagene? Can I just plug my zoom h6 into it with a mono cable to record in real time?

#115

I’ve been struggling to determine a solid sample based workflow and I’m hoping that I may have found a halfway decent solution. I’ve been eye balling an Octatrack, MPC 1000, Polyend Tracker, Maschine+, MPC One, even Push 2 and just couldn’t find a solution that really checked all the boxes. I didn’t necessarily want all the maintenance that may come with an MPC 1000 and wasn’t really in love with what I’d seen of the work flow or the current OS on MPC One as I had previously owned an MPC Live. The Octatrack was super enticing but I also wanted pads if I could help it for something a bit more immediately playable which I’ve heard people have mixed results with. The Tracker looked great but only samples in mono which just doesn’t work for sampling my heavily stereo focused modular, and Maschine+ just looks a little too much like a preset machine for my tastes and is also a bit pricey. That’s not to say all of these boxes aren’t incredibly well made/designed, there’s just a very specific criteria that I had and couldn’t decide which would suit it.

I’ve since ordered a 1010 Bitbox Micro, a Pod 64x case, and a Novation Launchpad Pro mk3 and hope that this might be the route for me. I’ve got a direct midi over trs connection with the launchpad and bitbox which gives me super quick sequencing or sample playback from the pads, I can sequence it from Ansible or even PNW if I’m feeling like it, stereo samples direct from the modular, I can pull a .als file from SD for projects I’ve made, can resample and mangle with my effects in my modular, and I can now use ableton more effectively with a controller made for it on days I’m feeling like staying ITB. Should all be here tomorrow and looking forward to seeing if I’ve finally nailed down what I’ve been hunting for after all this time! Boi that turned out longer than I expected

2 Likes
#116

I didn’t see anyone mention the S2400 by Isla Instruments. It might be an interesting option for those looking for a simple workflow, and it has faders!

The machine is based on the E-mu SP-1200, which the hip-hop crowd swears on. As for me, I’m just hoping to get a solid and inspiring sampler with character (think 12 bit, aliasing, input and output filters). It is supposed to be direct, easy-to-use and not heavily menu-based. Another feature which I liked is the included looper (currently it has 8 mono channels with 20 or so seconds recording time each). Also multiple ins and outs, including RCAs with phono.

I ordered mine for a reduced price during the preorder period. Now, the shipping is about to start, but it will take a few months to handle all the preorders (around 1000 units, I believe, but no one knows for sure). The community around the S2400 seems to be very enthusiastic about it, and so am I, as this will be my first sampler!

Note that this is only the second product of the company (actually it’s a one-man operation), so it might not be as refined as something made by a large manufacturer. But from what I unterstand, a good care was taken of the hardware, which includes decent-quality faders and custom molded caps. Design-wise, it’s rather okay. Not sure about the pad action, as it was not emphasized much.

7 Likes
#117

WOW that thing is cool. If I didn’t need something immediately, that honestly would’ve been a pretty damn good contender. Thanks for the heads up on this!

1 Like
#118

re Isla, I’m a happy Kordbot owner… have watched the development of the S2400 - look forward to how you find it

#119

finally managed to totally upgrade my s950!
max ram, new display and especially swapped the floppy for usb!
it took me about an hour. only screwdriver needed.
easy peasy!
here some pics:

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12 Likes
#120

How are you getting on with this? I’ve had mine about a month, built up a euro system around it, and I like it a lot. Incredibly powerful little thing!

1 Like
#121

I’ve really only had some surface level interactions with it so far but it seems really effective! It doesn’t strike me as a great sample mangler but I’ve got a Morphagene for that. I have noticed that having everything in euro has been really great for me to be able to flesh out an idea without leaving the format though. I have fairly severe ADD that I can no longer take medication for due to a heart condition (genetics wooo) and so figuring out ways of getting around the constant distractions has been tricky but something ive noticed is the longer i can sit in front of ONE interface, the better. The more that I jump from machine to machine or modular to computer, the sooner I lose my focus during the gaps between and then the idea is lost.

So long story short, being able to put together some even fairly basic drums and other samples amidst a really fluid and free flowing patch has been super rewarding. It’s especially nice because I keep my Bitbox in a Pod64X so I can take that small guy anywhere along with my launchpad and still be able to throw together sequences like I would if i had something like an MPC (even if it is limited in comparison). The fact that I have the option to use any interface to trigger and manipulate samples with it as the tiny brain is fantastic and means that im not really limited to how i interact with samples which is also fantastic.

4 Likes
#122

this is a really great elektron specific idea for creating the same type of sounds you get from count to 5 or tensor & other granular loop based pedals with p locks:

8 Likes
#123

Hey. I’ve messed around with a couple different mics on combination with the Morphagene, Blooper etc. Zooms, SDCs, ribbons…

Wondering though if anyone might have some sleeper suggestions for cool mics for creating interesting loops within the modular realm. I guess extra perks would be not needing any external pre’s. And yes I’m open to Lofi type sounds as well. Though I’d like both options.

I’d like to record: pianos, Wurlitzer, percussion, cats.

Thanks!

#124

On the modular side of things, the ginko mic module is pretty great for sampling. You can extend the mic’s range with a stereo male to female cable. Ginko Synthese – MIC- Full DIY Kit – Thonk – DIY Synthesizer Kits & Components

Making mics out of things like old telephone receivers are great “character” mics as are the old mics that used to come with reel to reel machines. I have had a pair of these for decades and like them a lot VINTAGE AKAI TERECORDER MULTI TWO MICROPHONES IN CASE | eBay

That being said, they will need amplifiers to get to modular level.

1 Like