My roommate and I both have Octatracks. We both use them for completely different tasks for the most part. He will construct entire tracks on his and makes heavy use of resampling and the fader and in my case it gets used as the brain of my setup (main clock, sequencer, mixer, and looper.) We end up teaching each other a lot about the device every time we jam because our approaches are so different.
Youre absolutely right with everything you said about the OT. But what i like the most.. is that out of all tiny desk concerts, you choose the Anderson Paak one to be in your video. Cudos to that! 🙌
The Octatrack doesn’t *feel* old. I’m always still learning new stuff with it. I mostly use it as a sampler and performance mixer. 10 years later and I still haven’t touched pickup machines yet - but I’m still working my way there. This thing is a beast, and the best of the best still use it in all of these unique ways. It’s crazy.
@@MidlifeSynthesist I believe the term is “anachronistic” - the Octatrack is anachronistic because it is simultaneously ahead of its time and behind it. It’s out of place chronologically in the scheme of hardware history. It’s why everyone is dying for at least another refresh so we can get basic features like midi over USB or the big ask, which would be audio over usb or Overbridge.
There's an amazing video out there of a guy starting with just the open inputs on the unit, raising the noise floor, and resampling it into an entire melodic masterpiece using nothing but the internal sampling capabilities... Oh, and he does it on the original octatrack as well. This thing is a beast
The best advice I ever got for the Octatrack was "pick a role and just learn THAT role". If you want it to be a mixer (it's amazing there are no other samplers with four inputs on the market!) then learn about audio routing, scenes, etc. If you want it to be a sample based synth, then only focus on the audio mangling options. This way it doesn't feel so overwhelming.
I got that same advice and it was a game changer!! Absolutely the best way to take it in is one step at a time. Thanks so much for sharing that my friend, happy 2025!
Versatility is spot on. The filter distortion is unreal and I process my drum machines through it. The LFO is great for side chaining/volume shaping input audio also :).
huge shoutout to what @ezbot does with it. I bought it in spring as a sampler and now i run my whole studio through it with his fx (especially the hyper fx are just GOLDEN)
I bought an octatrack recently. Still figuring it out but am having a lot of fun doing so. At the moment it is a performance mixer for an analog 4 and a syntakt and is a sample sequencer.
I almost never see anyone playing the original Octatrack on YT anymore. I bought mine in 2011/2012, and it's still a central piece of my set-up. Aside from its sampling ability, it's great for those who don't have a mixer, as it has 4 1/4 inputs.
I've always wanted an Octatrack. But I struggle, especially now, given its age and audio format restrictions. Provide a new, current DPS to handle any possible input wav (bitrate, frequency, multichannel) and better storage solutions, and you've got an easy MKIII. No other box in the Elektron range demands a MKIII than the Octatrack.
The akai force has a fader that you can map to pretty much anything as well. I personally never wanted an octatrack. No overbridge and only 8 parts was a deterrent for me. I am always curious to try one though just to see what all the hype is.
I remember going up to Flying Lotus one night after he played back when Octatrack first came out. I was all excited about it and he said, what is it. I couldn’t really explain it to him but I said well it’s sort of a hardware version of Ableton. He just smiled and walked away.
I use it as a sampler for beat making (Boom Bap and Lofi) I also have an MPC X and here’s my thoughts…. My favorite part of the Octatrack is the sequencer. It reminds me of the Redrum in Reason and the Fruity Loop drum tracks. I love the left to right flow and the ability to create trig conditions. The biggest issue I have with the Octatrack is there’s no "undo" function.. Just changing a start or end point on a slice can create havoc lol… but you can always reload. The MPC has spoiled me but for some reason I can use the same sample on both devices but I don’t end up with the same results…. Which is a good thing I guess. Oh and I can’t forget the price of a new Octatrack MK2 is 😱☠️
The fact that a zillion videos are available for it doesn't necessarily make the Octatrack all that more accessible. It just shifts your time from playing around with it to endless watching videos.
interesting thought: with the mpc 3.0 update, since you can now program macros into the qlinks, you could replicate something like the scene crossfader, with each knob being like a different pair of "scenes"
"OCTATRACK MKIII COMFIRMED!" I say this every day when I wake up. What a machine, absolutely nothing like it. It's not a sampler, it's a sampling-process-maker, you can basically invent your own workflow, and you might only invent and perfect a few of those workflows in the time you have with it. Each of the four makers you mentioned has a VERY different work ethic with the machine, and none of them "use it to its full potential"---which is a feeling I had to get over, that I was somehow not doing enough because I really only have like two flows worked out with it (basic drum machine flow and 8-track loop flow). (Well... EZBOT might be using it to its fullest potential. Those templates are crazy.)
Been eaiting for the mkiii for years, ende up buying a bunch if other gear in the meantime. Mostly pedals but yea, might end up just biting the bullet wnd buying the mkii.
I finally bought the OT quite recently because I know it can do some amazing things that I would like to use in my music. But what I struggle with is understanding how it works. I am not very knowledgeable when it comes to any electronic devices (bought my first smartphone in my late 30s if that gives you an idea of what kind of person I am). I definitely want to learn this, I love the stuff that some people do with it but simply I am not even starting from zero, rather from -1000 as a result of not being into all the gadgets etc. I purchased and printed Synthdawg's manual and I quite like the way he explains the things but I am afraid it will take me another 2000 years to make a full track on it. Maybe one day....
Got into elektron gear about a year ago, currently have a syntakt and digitakt 2 and im very much into live performance... boy would I kill for a Octatrack mk3. I think id rather wait for that to come out than to invest in a mk2
Same here. I think that 2025 is going to be a big year for Elektron. There's the rumored release of Tonverk, but my gut is telling me that Elektron will also release an Octatrack successor by the end of 2025. My hope is that it won't just be a sampler, but a multitrack recorder. I'm thinking Elektron's answer to the Deluge.
I honesty think we won't see one. The versatility of the OT doing mostly everything goes against Elektrons modern way of gimping boxes to collect them all, it's practically a different company to back then. If we do see it surface I think it will be gimped also in some way and have things missing . I still can't believe they gimped the Digitone keys not having MIDI arp
...and the USB is STILL on that 2011 level...I really really wish they would make an MKIII with all the overbridge bells and whistles the takt series has now. And a few pads... And 4 times the DSP power... Bring it :)
digitakt 2 has 3 lfo for the sample machines, but for the midi tracks only 2 lfo. if you havent tried the midi learn on the digitakt two it is a real nice workflow speed booster. especially with presets. preset per piece of hardware you sequence is a great starting point!
Honestly my OT has been gathering dust for the last year. Might be time to bring it back out and load some new samples on it. A new sample pack makes it feel like a brand new instrument
The Octatrack and Digitakt 2 both seem SO cool to me in their ability to create complex "glitching" sounds in such a tactile way. I will have to try one some day because when it comes to that style of producing, the more glitch/IDM/glitch-hop oriented approach, I don't find it satisfying to do it on the hardware I have now. The MPC is dope, but there are SOME things I don't find enjoyable on it still. Ableton with Push 2 is great when I'm in studio mode, but I love creating outside of the studio i.e. in my living room sitting in front of the window haha. I'm just so torn between saving for a Push 3, OT, or DT2 and this video didn't help! But I should just shut up and use what I have in the mean time!
Push 3 doesn’t have a proper song mode and it’s the most expensive Groovebox on the market. Be really sure you want one before splashing that much cash. I know a few people with buyers regret.
@@e-conrecords4665 Yeah, I usually build my arrangements as scenes in session view on Ableton before even getting into arrangement view, so I'd just stick to that before finishing on the computer. I find session view really useful for developing variations of themes and fills, stuff like that. I could see how the lack of that feature would be annoying for some uses, but I don't really see it as a problem.
I have 3 Elektron boxes. I swore I would never buy into the Oct hype, especially since I heard about the steep and deep learning curve. I only watched this video because I like your content. Now, you've got me waiting for the MKIII. Elektron needs to pay you sumuthin'. If you can get ME to think about getting one, there will be a lot of others too. BUT, MKIII ONLY!! Or....Ta Da.......The Tonverk.
i finally got a used mk2! I’ve never heard anyone talk about this before i bought it, but mine had screen burn in :( Despite that, the Octatrack is the only piece of gear that ive had that i will never sell. It just does things that nothing else can.
I have the same feeling about my Analog 4 mkI. I got mine used, stupidly cheap, it has an issue with the CV outs, and the screen may be on it's last stages of life, but man, that's my desert island synth. As said on the video, this boxes are music making devices, but also can act as FX processor, or a small mixer, and that's a cherry on the top.
I use mine on everything. I think it would be cool if you could play samples in poly keys with it. Also, I don't really like how it auto saves. My first box as a Korg EA-1. I like how nothing saved unless you asked it to. When you jumped patterns all parameter would jump back to previous settings. Does anyone else feel the same way or have any tips?
Whoa, Sweet sponsor! Despite that I rarely call/use my sales rep, I love Mike and it makes me feel good to know he’s a conversation away. Sometimes human connection is a great thing and I’m happy they’ve kept this model in a changing world.
the akai force runs circles around the octatrack, it just has so much more features and is so much more powerful while being easy to use compared to the OT its not even funny.
I agree. I‘m playing (and owner) with all (!) Elektron-boxes. And sell the most after a while. OT2 never. And on place 2: The Digitone 2. Both a great machines
Yes, the OT's fader is a game changer. But if you "only" own a DT or DT2, you can use this : th-cam.com/video/dlCfQ3sP-LM/w-d-xo.htmlsi=jIZYT0CHzShyCeTb
ive wanted a Octo for years but knew as a groove mega box it was too much for me. gassed for a xy. bought a move and am soo happyu i did. you should limit test a move. i think youd be surprised.
@@beatsbyjiro8291 I have a few posted here and on my Insta if you want to check them out🤘🏻 This year I’m planning to use this as one if my main instruments, hope to see you there! Cheers!
Apparently the mk3 will never happen because the original designer doesn’t work at Elektron anymore. They would probably just make a new device that is similar and call it something else.
I can agree to call it “King” simply because of how I feel about kings: generally very high maintenance parasites that contribute little to nothing the wellbeing of their people. I had (and loved) the Octatrack for a while, but it’s NOT a well designed device, and it takes your energies away from music. It can do many things but the vast majority are unnecessarily bureaucratic, and troubleshooting is a nightmare because of all the internal idiosyncrasies. Nowadays IMO the only thing for which it can make sense is the live input manipulation (basically a performance mixer), for everything else (and if you’re creative for that too) there are far better options out there. In my experience most people that love the Octatrack are victims to the Stockholm Syndrome: they’ve suffered so much to learn it that they now feel an unbreakable bond to the machine. To top it all off: the MK1 muddled the sound big time, I believe in the MK2 they changed the converters and that probably makes a big difference. I understand its importance from an historical perspective, the impact it had, but here’s so much good gear out there it’s absurd that we’re still celebrating this beyond the nostalgia aspect
He has both and so do I. They make a good pair. I got my deluge back when it was much cheaper though, still on 7seg screen. If I had to pick only one now it would be the deluge - OT can barely make any sound on its own, but you can get close to producing an entire track on the deluge. And now with the 1.2 community firmware you can export stems out of it.
@ I totally agree, I currently have an MPC One+, but I'm thinking about using Deluge again in the future. Is it possible to download a multitrack file from Deluge now?
I tried the Octatrack and a gave up... The workflow wasn't for me... I know the Analog Four and the Analog Rytm, but I couldn't do anything good with the Octatrack :) I know it's my fault !
I totally get you ! I sold my first OT and then got another and that’s when I fell in love! There’s definitely more options now thankfully! Happy 2025 my friend!
Hi everyone! It may not belong here but is there any (series of) tutorial(s) which explains the most "basic" functions of each machine? I think I have a vague understanding of what the different machines are supposed to be used for but most tutorials either try to explain to whole machine within 60 minutes (which obviously is not possible) or they go so deep, that they easily lose me after 30 minutes. I would be looking for something that gets me going... and from there I'd dig deeper... once I feel comfortable enough. As a first step, I'd consider using the unit for live looping / transitions between A/B. Once I'd feel comfortable enogh, I'd probably look into the FX section, etc. Trying to build (hand's-on) experience and expertise without being overwhelmed! I do love EZBOT's videos - and they leave me speachless - but I lack too much basic knowledge to replicate the things that he does. There are indeed a lot of videos/tutorials about OT but I feel like I still haven't found the right one(s) for me! I will of course be grateful for any valuable feedback! PS: Private lessons aren't an option for me - at least not for the time being. Thanks in advance for any help and useful tips! :)
Thavius Beck has created excellent courses for most of the current Elektron lineup on AskVideo. There are two courses about the Octatrack which helped me get up and running with my mine very quickly. I just checked the site, and there's currently a 60% discount, making each course $10.
“ Some Thoughts on Elektron’s Octatrack by Merlin” is a .pdf manual you can search, I think it’s a bit more accessible than the official octatrack manual, although the tutorials at the back of the official manual could help you too!
1:00 because nothing better has come up since then unfortunately. even the ableton push standalone is shitty (cause of the hardware formfactor, otherwise i would use it)
I’ll never sell mine but I’ll also never forgive it for not being able to cross fade between scenes on MIDI tracks. That and no MIDI over USB are its biggest omissions.
I got rid of the OT because of the mutes killing the sound dead. No delay, reverb or note tails. I got used to jamming on the DT by using mutes, couldn’t do this on the OT. So kept the DT and sold the OT. Also the delay and reverb are better on the DT. Incredibly powerful machine though!
I have both an Octatrack and a Force, I'm sorry to tell you the Force is far far far advanced as a sampler #Groovebox than Octatrack.... But true it's a great sampler
hah wow! really?? that's something you don't ever hear these Elektron guys mention. that makes me a little sad, but ultimately happy i picked up two Nunomo Qun mk2s. most amazing tiny pocket daw with 4 note polyphony on the sequencer. chain em up & that's 8! cool sounding synth inside too! (& infinity more).
That's just for gear snob. The MC-707 is way better and more powerful. But hipster doesn't like Roland. And Ableton + push + midi controller left it in the dust.
People love the Octatrack because it's incredibly flexible and playable. It's not gear snobbery at all! It's arguably the best live performance tool for an electronic musician. Octatrack isn't meant to replace your MC-707 - They are two totally different products, and can compliment one another. And what is this wild claim??!! Hipsters don't like Roland? 😂 WTF are you talking about? What hipsters? I have an Octatrack, and I'm DEFINITELY not a hipster lol... I don't really think Midlife Synthesist seems like a hipster either 😂. Roland is one of the most successful synth manufacturers on the planet with an absolutely awesome inspiring line up of influential products! I don't think anyone is saying Roland products are not awesome. This video just reminds us of how awesome and relevant the Octatrack still is today... And I agree 100%!
Octatrack is flat... always... yes a wonderfull sampler with awesome possibilities, but sounds flat and boring... For exemple digitakt doesn't have this lack of sound...
My roommate and I both have Octatracks. We both use them for completely different tasks for the most part. He will construct entire tracks on his and makes heavy use of resampling and the fader and in my case it gets used as the brain of my setup (main clock, sequencer, mixer, and looper.) We end up teaching each other a lot about the device every time we jam because our approaches are so different.
Youre absolutely right with everything you said about the OT. But what i like the most.. is that out of all tiny desk concerts, you choose the Anderson Paak one to be in your video. Cudos to that! 🙌
The Octatrack doesn’t *feel* old. I’m always still learning new stuff with it. I mostly use it as a sampler and performance mixer. 10 years later and I still haven’t touched pickup machines yet - but I’m still working my way there. This thing is a beast, and the best of the best still use it in all of these unique ways. It’s crazy.
THIS!!! There’s always a new layer to uncover, and that is awesome. Thanks for watching! Cheers!
@@MidlifeSynthesist I believe the term is “anachronistic” - the Octatrack is anachronistic because it is simultaneously ahead of its time and behind it. It’s out of place chronologically in the scheme of hardware history.
It’s why everyone is dying for at least another refresh so we can get basic features like midi over USB or the big ask, which would be audio over usb or Overbridge.
There's an amazing video out there of a guy starting with just the open inputs on the unit, raising the noise floor, and resampling it into an entire melodic masterpiece using nothing but the internal sampling capabilities... Oh, and he does it on the original octatrack as well. This thing is a beast
whats the vid?
@@enso3460 max marco - Octatrack: No Samples Necessary - Comb Filter Synthesis
@@enso3460 th-cam.com/video/DhjEjB7Jgh8/w-d-xo.htmlsi=a2cg1mFzR1-sRYAl
max marco - octatrack: no samples necessary
Max Marco is the GOAT
Couldn't agree more. Long live the king. Great video!
@@JayHosking Thanks so much!! Huge salute to one of my favorite Octatrack Artists!🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻 looking forward to your music in 2025 brother🤘🏻
The best advice I ever got for the Octatrack was "pick a role and just learn THAT role". If you want it to be a mixer (it's amazing there are no other samplers with four inputs on the market!) then learn about audio routing, scenes, etc. If you want it to be a sample based synth, then only focus on the audio mangling options. This way it doesn't feel so overwhelming.
I got that same advice and it was a game changer!! Absolutely the best way to take it in is one step at a time. Thanks so much for sharing that my friend, happy 2025!
exactly this x1000, eventually as it morphs roles in your setup, you'll slowly learn most of it. probably not all hahaha
Versatility is spot on. The filter distortion is unreal and I process my drum machines through it. The LFO is great for side chaining/volume shaping input audio also :).
huge shoutout to what @ezbot does with it. I bought it in spring as a sampler and now i run my whole studio through it with his fx (especially the hyper fx are just GOLDEN)
100%!!!
Me too! HyperFX is such a sick template!
I was wondering which template to get now that I'm experimenting with running my digitakt and digitone through the ot.
@ just get them all tbh, that patreon sub is well worth it. also substans
I bought an octatrack recently. Still figuring it out but am having a lot of fun doing so. At the moment it is a performance mixer for an analog 4 and a syntakt and is a sample sequencer.
I almost never see anyone playing the original Octatrack on YT anymore. I bought mine in 2011/2012, and it's still a central piece of my set-up. Aside from its sampling ability, it's great for those who don't have a mixer, as it has 4 1/4 inputs.
I've always wanted an Octatrack. But I struggle, especially now, given its age and audio format restrictions. Provide a new, current DPS to handle any possible input wav (bitrate, frequency, multichannel) and better storage solutions, and you've got an easy MKIII. No other box in the Elektron range demands a MKIII than the Octatrack.
The new version should have the ability to record straight to an SSD. Oh yeah, and have at least 1 Gb of memory.
A beautiful love letter to the OT! Thanks, man. I wholeheartedly agree.
If you’re someone who likes the tactile clicky feel of Elektron buttons, the mki boxes feel even better
Record buffers/ trigs, flex machines, parts, the slider, FX, dual stereo i/o, and epic sequencing.
This!! Thanks so much for watching! Cheers!
The octotrack has a headphone output unlike a new iPhone
😂👍🏼👍🏼
lol!
Octatrack is GOAT!
This explains all the bleating I hear coming from my studio.
Your videos make it more accessible than it otherwise would be. THANK YOU!!!
And so are you EZ!! Happy 2025 brother🙌🏻
Even not close.
@@olafsigursons who is better on OT? voltagectrlrtv is pretty much my pick but ez bot template is a hell of a achievement
Just bought the digitone 2 ! Looks phenomenal
Nice!!
@ never delved into Elektron before so will be full noob !
Love ya vids man
@ thanks my friend!
The akai force has a fader that you can map to pretty much anything as well. I personally never wanted an octatrack. No overbridge and only 8 parts was a deterrent for me. I am always curious to try one though just to see what all the hype is.
Octatrack is pretty great for sampling workflows. I am glad I own one. It takes years to get comfortable with though.
I remember going up to Flying Lotus one night after he played back when Octatrack first came out.
I was all excited about it and he said, what is it. I couldn’t really explain it to him but I said well it’s sort of a hardware version of Ableton. He just smiled and walked away.
loved your passion, I've never really heard people talk about this bad boy - very cool will check it out
What a great video! Never thought about getting one seriously until this video.
4:06 The digi mkII's has three LFO's. Which is nice.
m8 has four lfos if you want….🤷🏾♂️
@@lebronsinclair8012 you can loopback on DT1 and have 10 simultaneous LFOs on one track if you want. On DT2 you can have up to 48.
I use it as a sampler for beat making (Boom Bap and Lofi) I also have an MPC X and here’s my thoughts…. My favorite part of the Octatrack is the sequencer. It reminds me of the Redrum in Reason and the Fruity Loop drum tracks. I love the left to right flow and the ability to create trig conditions. The biggest issue I have with the Octatrack is there’s no "undo" function.. Just changing a start or end point on a slice can create havoc lol… but you can always reload. The MPC has spoiled me but for some reason I can use the same sample on both devices but I don’t end up with the same results…. Which is a good thing I guess.
Oh and I can’t forget the price of a new Octatrack MK2 is 😱☠️
The fact that a zillion videos are available for it doesn't necessarily make the Octatrack all that more accessible. It just shifts your time from playing around with it to endless watching videos.
Such a helpful video! Thank you 🙏🏻
I think many people forget that the NORD Lead's have had Morph capabilities since 2004.
It's perfect❤ Just lacking overbridge😢
interesting thought: with the mpc 3.0 update, since you can now program macros into the qlinks, you could replicate something like the scene crossfader, with each knob being like a different pair of "scenes"
The Octatrack was certainly unique... It takes people a long time to even understand what all it does, because it's so different than everything else.
"OCTATRACK MKIII COMFIRMED!" I say this every day when I wake up. What a machine, absolutely nothing like it. It's not a sampler, it's a sampling-process-maker, you can basically invent your own workflow, and you might only invent and perfect a few of those workflows in the time you have with it. Each of the four makers you mentioned has a VERY different work ethic with the machine, and none of them "use it to its full potential"---which is a feeling I had to get over, that I was somehow not doing enough because I really only have like two flows worked out with it (basic drum machine flow and 8-track loop flow).
(Well... EZBOT might be using it to its fullest potential. Those templates are crazy.)
I'm still waiting for Elektron to release the HexaDecaTrack...
😂
Been eaiting for the mkiii for years, ende up buying a bunch if other gear in the meantime. Mostly pedals but yea, might end up just biting the bullet wnd buying the mkii.
I finally bought the OT quite recently because I know it can do some amazing things that I would like to use in my music. But what I struggle with is understanding how it works. I am not very knowledgeable when it comes to any electronic devices (bought my first smartphone in my late 30s if that gives you an idea of what kind of person I am). I definitely want to learn this, I love the stuff that some people do with it but simply I am not even starting from zero, rather from -1000 as a result of not being into all the gadgets etc.
I purchased and printed Synthdawg's manual and I quite like the way he explains the things but I am afraid it will take me another 2000 years to make a full track on it.
Maybe one day....
Very brave! If it doesn’t work out for you, the Digitakt is still very creative but easier to learn.
Keep at it! I’ve been using it for about four years and there’s sooo much to uncover! Cheers!
Elektron needs to stop playing and drop the OT3
Facts!😂
MK3 is the 6th reason, right ? I like your 5th rarely heard for OT but this machine inspires from her aesthetic . Grace cannot be explained...
Got into elektron gear about a year ago, currently have a syntakt and digitakt 2 and im very much into live performance... boy would I kill for a Octatrack mk3. I think id rather wait for that to come out than to invest in a mk2
Same here. I think that 2025 is going to be a big year for Elektron. There's the rumored release of Tonverk, but my gut is telling me that Elektron will also release an Octatrack successor by the end of 2025. My hope is that it won't just be a sampler, but a multitrack recorder. I'm thinking Elektron's answer to the Deluge.
This has my hyped!
I honesty think we won't see one. The versatility of the OT doing mostly everything goes against Elektrons modern way of gimping boxes to collect them all, it's practically a different company to back then. If we do see it surface I think it will be gimped also in some way and have things missing . I still can't believe they gimped the Digitone keys not having MIDI arp
Coincidentally, I have just committed to trying the Elektron workflow with a second hand Digitakt. This is dangerously interesting.
The original DT was my gateway drug into the Elektron world. Beware!
DT was my entry as well!! Amazing machine!!
...and the USB is STILL on that 2011 level...I really really wish they would make an MKIII with all the overbridge bells and whistles the takt series has now.
And a few pads...
And 4 times the DSP power...
Bring it :)
cool video, i absolutely agree! 👍
Thanks so much! Cheers!
Elektron boxes are definitely instruments. I have a Dt2 and Syntakt. I didn't like the Octotrakt bcus it was giving octopus... BUT NOW .... I get it.
digitakt 2 has 3 lfo for the sample machines, but for the midi tracks only 2 lfo. if you havent tried the midi learn on the digitakt two it is a real nice workflow speed booster. especially with presets. preset per piece of hardware you sequence is a great starting point!
That’s awesome! DT2 is definitely on my wishlist! Cheers!
Honestly my OT has been gathering dust for the last year. Might be time to bring it back out and load some new samples on it. A new sample pack makes it feel like a brand new instrument
That’s a great idea! It’s always amazing to rediscover your old gear. 😊 🙌🏻
The Octatrack and Digitakt 2 both seem SO cool to me in their ability to create complex "glitching" sounds in such a tactile way. I will have to try one some day because when it comes to that style of producing, the more glitch/IDM/glitch-hop oriented approach, I don't find it satisfying to do it on the hardware I have now. The MPC is dope, but there are SOME things I don't find enjoyable on it still. Ableton with Push 2 is great when I'm in studio mode, but I love creating outside of the studio i.e. in my living room sitting in front of the window haha.
I'm just so torn between saving for a Push 3, OT, or DT2 and this video didn't help! But I should just shut up and use what I have in the mean time!
Push 3 doesn’t have a proper song mode and it’s the most expensive Groovebox on the market. Be really sure you want one before splashing that much cash. I know a few people with buyers regret.
@@e-conrecords4665 Yeah, I usually build my arrangements as scenes in session view on Ableton before even getting into arrangement view, so I'd just stick to that before finishing on the computer. I find session view really useful for developing variations of themes and fills, stuff like that. I could see how the lack of that feature would be annoying for some uses, but I don't really see it as a problem.
Off to buy one. Thanks for influencing me 😅
PS. The iPad dis hurts
I have 3 Elektron boxes. I swore I would never buy into the Oct hype, especially since I heard about the steep and deep learning curve. I only watched this video because I like your content. Now, you've got me waiting for the MKIII. Elektron needs to pay you sumuthin'. If you can get ME to think about getting one, there will be a lot of others too. BUT, MKIII ONLY!! Or....Ta Da.......The Tonverk.
At least as per the leaks, Tonverk doesn't seem to have a crossfader and hence wouldn't be comparable to Octatrack.
I thought the MK3 was under that red sheet! It'll be released as soon as I buy a MK2!
Hail to the king bebé!!!
i finally got a used mk2! I’ve never heard anyone talk about this before i bought it, but mine had screen burn in :(
Despite that, the Octatrack is the only piece of gear that ive had that i will never sell. It just does things that nothing else can.
I have the same feeling about my Analog 4 mkI. I got mine used, stupidly cheap, it has an issue with the CV outs, and the screen may be on it's last stages of life, but man, that's my desert island synth. As said on the video, this boxes are music making devices, but also can act as FX processor, or a small mixer, and that's a cherry on the top.
I use mine on everything. I think it would be cool if you could play samples in poly keys with it. Also, I don't really like how it auto saves. My first box as a Korg EA-1. I like how nothing saved unless you asked it to. When you jumped patterns all parameter would jump back to previous settings. Does anyone else feel the same way or have any tips?
Whoa, Sweet sponsor! Despite that I rarely call/use my sales rep, I love Mike and it makes me feel good to know he’s a conversation away. Sometimes human connection is a great thing and I’m happy they’ve kept this model in a changing world.
Totally! It’s great to support companies that still value personal connections! Cheers my friend!
Monomachine too boasts 3 LFOs per track and similarly to the OT seems to have some features and approaches that Elektron has now sadly left behind.
the akai force runs circles around the octatrack, it just has so much more features and is so much more powerful while being easy to use compared to the OT its not even funny.
Just ran to hug mine 😂
I want mk3 👉🏻👈🏻
Akai Force x-fader baby
I agree. I‘m playing (and owner) with all (!) Elektron-boxes. And sell the most after a while. OT2 never. And on place 2: The Digitone 2. Both a great machines
The Digitone 2 seems fire!! Thanks for watching, fellow OT Comrade! 🙌🏻🙌🏻
nice intro
Yes, the OT's fader is a game changer. But if you "only" own a DT or DT2, you can use this : th-cam.com/video/dlCfQ3sP-LM/w-d-xo.htmlsi=jIZYT0CHzShyCeTb
I was literally writing the word "epic" as you said it.
😂
ive wanted a Octo for years but knew as a groove mega box it was too much for me. gassed for a xy. bought a move and am soo happyu i did. you should limit test a move. i think youd be surprised.
Is any synth made before 2025, still worth it in 2025? YES.
LOL, Is it though?😜 cheers!
my top 2 instruments of 2024 are Octa & Blofeld
Dave smith’s TEMPEST is definitely more dominant but still have octa
Lets hear your beats on it!
@@beatsbyjiro8291 I have a few posted here and on my Insta if you want to check them out🤘🏻 This year I’m planning to use this as one if my main instruments, hope to see you there! Cheers!
I regret selling mine. probably buy another this year lol
Apparently the mk3 will never happen because the original designer doesn’t work at Elektron anymore. They would probably just make a new device that is similar and call it something else.
I can agree to call it “King” simply because of how I feel about kings: generally very high maintenance parasites that contribute little to nothing the wellbeing of their people.
I had (and loved) the Octatrack for a while, but it’s NOT a well designed device, and it takes your energies away from music. It can do many things but the vast majority are unnecessarily bureaucratic, and troubleshooting is a nightmare because of all the internal idiosyncrasies.
Nowadays IMO the only thing for which it can make sense is the live input manipulation (basically a performance mixer), for everything else (and if you’re creative for that too) there are far better options out there.
In my experience most people that love the Octatrack are victims to the Stockholm Syndrome: they’ve suffered so much to learn it that they now feel an unbreakable bond to the machine.
To top it all off: the MK1 muddled the sound big time, I believe in the MK2 they changed the converters and that probably makes a big difference.
I understand its importance from an historical perspective, the impact it had, but here’s so much good gear out there it’s absurd that we’re still celebrating this beyond the nostalgia aspect
Which will you choose Octatrack or Deluge ?
He has both and so do I. They make a good pair. I got my deluge back when it was much cheaper though, still on 7seg screen. If I had to pick only one now it would be the deluge - OT can barely make any sound on its own, but you can get close to producing an entire track on the deluge. And now with the 1.2 community firmware you can export stems out of it.
@ I totally agree, I currently have an MPC One+, but I'm thinking about using Deluge again in the future. Is it possible to download a multitrack file from Deluge now?
I tried the Octatrack and a gave up... The workflow wasn't for me... I know the Analog Four and the Analog Rytm, but I couldn't do anything good with the Octatrack :) I know it's my fault !
I totally get you ! I sold my first OT and then got another and that’s when I fell in love! There’s definitely more options now thankfully! Happy 2025 my friend!
@@MidlifeSynthesist Thanks! Happy 2025 to you as well!
Hi everyone!
It may not belong here but is there any (series of) tutorial(s) which explains the most "basic" functions of each machine?
I think I have a vague understanding of what the different machines are supposed to be used for but most tutorials either try to explain to whole machine within 60 minutes (which obviously is not possible) or they go so deep, that they easily lose me after 30 minutes.
I would be looking for something that gets me going... and from there I'd dig deeper... once I feel comfortable enough.
As a first step, I'd consider using the unit for live looping / transitions between A/B.
Once I'd feel comfortable enogh, I'd probably look into the FX section, etc.
Trying to build (hand's-on) experience and expertise without being overwhelmed!
I do love EZBOT's videos - and they leave me speachless - but I lack too much basic knowledge to replicate the things that he does.
There are indeed a lot of videos/tutorials about OT but I feel like I still haven't found the right one(s) for me!
I will of course be grateful for any valuable feedback!
PS: Private lessons aren't an option for me - at least not for the time being.
Thanks in advance for any help and useful tips! :)
Check out the manual by Synthdawg!
Thavius Beck has created excellent courses for most of the current Elektron lineup on AskVideo. There are two courses about the Octatrack which helped me get up and running with my mine very quickly. I just checked the site, and there's currently a 60% discount, making each course $10.
“ Some Thoughts on Elektron’s Octatrack by Merlin” is a .pdf manual you can search, I think it’s a bit more accessible than the official octatrack manual, although the tutorials at the back of the official manual could help you too!
1:00 because nothing better has come up since then unfortunately. even the ableton push standalone is shitty (cause of the hardware formfactor, otherwise i would use it)
nah tonwerk is coming ;p
I’ll never sell mine but I’ll also never forgive it for not being able to cross fade between scenes on MIDI tracks. That and no MIDI over USB are its biggest omissions.
So true!!!! I still hope Elektron give us a new update someday🤘🏻 cheers!
You do know that ipads are class compliant right? They are very powerful tools my friend.
Absolutely! Extremely powerful, but they just don’t inspire me 😅 If they inspire you then rock on that Ipad my friend🤘🏻cheers!
It is DPS not DSP
I had ONE job😂😅
I got rid of the OT because of the mutes killing the sound dead. No delay, reverb or note tails.
I got used to jamming on the DT by using mutes, couldn’t do this on the OT. So kept the DT and sold the OT.
Also the delay and reverb are better on the DT.
Incredibly powerful machine though!
I think you can use the x fader and map the volume to it for the samples you’re using and it doesn’t kill the tails
@ - yes there a couple of workarounds, but nothing straightforward like just pressing mute. Unfortunately.
Cheers though 👍
@@leftmono1016 Yup its annoying I agree. I also love my DT so I get it.
use a midi controller and mute tracks with the amp volume makes that trick
@ - yes, another work around. But the DT’s mutes just work how you’d want them to work without any messing about.
Slider = macro knob
Slider > Macro Knobs😜
dn2 hsa 3 lfos, but no designer
That's no goat. That's a sampler.
I want my MK3… that ain’t workin lol
I have both an Octatrack and a Force, I'm sorry to tell you the Force is far far far advanced as a sampler #Groovebox than Octatrack.... But true it's a great sampler
nothing even comes close to octatrack!
Facts!
you say this because you never got chance to generate sounds or retouch samples on REGEN, the true king of the beat...
😱
Too much ability 😅
And still it can’t play chords or record proper note length in the sequencer.
I’m not sure anyone looking at the OT wants to play chords on it 🤷♂️
That’s what synths are for 👍
hah wow! really?? that's something you don't ever hear these Elektron guys mention. that makes me a little sad, but ultimately happy i picked up two Nunomo Qun mk2s. most amazing tiny pocket daw with 4 note polyphony on the sequencer. chain em up & that's 8! cool sounding synth inside too! (& infinity more).
MK3 or nothing
That's just for gear snob. The MC-707 is way better and more powerful. But hipster doesn't like Roland. And Ableton + push + midi controller left it in the dust.
People love the Octatrack because it's incredibly flexible and playable. It's not gear snobbery at all!
It's arguably the best live performance tool for an electronic musician. Octatrack isn't meant to replace your MC-707 - They are two totally different products, and can compliment one another.
And what is this wild claim??!! Hipsters don't like Roland? 😂 WTF are you talking about? What hipsters? I have an Octatrack, and I'm DEFINITELY not a hipster lol... I don't really think Midlife Synthesist seems like a hipster either 😂. Roland is one of the most successful synth manufacturers on the planet with an absolutely awesome inspiring line up of influential products! I don't think anyone is saying Roland products are not awesome. This video just reminds us of how awesome and relevant the Octatrack still is today... And I agree 100%!
Octatrack is flat... always... yes a wonderfull sampler with awesome possibilities, but sounds flat and boring... For exemple digitakt doesn't have this lack of sound...
Skill issue
Why does he wave his hands around like this? Nervous ?
@@PhillyBoyRoy I’m Latino, my whole family talks with our hands😂