Octatrack's MIDI sequencer

[stickmann]

Octatrack is one of the better hardware MIDI sequencers I've used. It is limited by only have 8 MIDI channels available. It does have capability to do 4 note chords, has an awesome arpeggiator, and can change CC's with parameter locks which can be pretty cool too. I didn't have any issues with timing, it seemed to sync well.

[sushiluv]

it´s good at midi, every track can have different length and measure, notelengths are not recorded but you can p-lock them.

[m.o]

Is it possible to transfer MIDI tracks files to the Octatrack (via USB/CF) or do you have to 'record' or program MIDI?

[Peter Hanes]

Originally Posted by m.o

Is it possible to transfer MIDI tracks files to the Octatrack (via USB/CF) or do you have to 'record' or program MIDI?

Octatrack does not read standard MIDI files.

[bullrunner]

Does anyone feel limited by the OT having just 8 tracks of midi?. Would there be good workflow if one had a Cirklon feeding the OT midi sequences? Or should I consider just getting a Spectralis 2?
Thoughts?

[vibralux]

Best midi sequencer i have used. I especially love the differnt tracks can have different lenghts feature. And the most important thing to me - microshifting, meaning that you can offset every step by tiny amount of time so you can make real grooves instead of classic 4/4 boredom. Sick machine.

[droolmaster0]

It's a decent midi sequencer. It improves greatly on the ones in the machinedrum and monomachine by allowing tracks to be of different length. Using the user drawn lfo's to generate sequences is very cool.

On the other hand, there is no intertrack modulation, and there is no display where you can see the values for a track all set up on the screen.

Something like a Schrittmacher/cirklon/octopus goes a lot further. However not everyone wants to pay that much for a dedicated midi sequencer.

[suntsu]

OT is really good at MIDI Sequencing ! And I think That 8 tracks are sufficient but it depends of what you want to do with it ;-)

Anyway the OT is a really good machine

[Gil missFlag]

How easy is it to input notes and midi sequences without a keyboard?

[chembros]

^ You just have to hold down the step you want to edit and turn a knob to select the pitch.

[suntsu]

The Octatrack MIDI sequencer consists of 8 dedicated MIDI tracks.

It is used to control external, MIDI equipped, gear. Each MIDI track can trigger a chord of up to 4 notes with adjustable velocity and length, control pitch bend and aftertouch as well as 10 freely assignable control change parameters.
The MIDI tracks can be assigned any MIDI channel and several tracks can share the same channel.

If several tracks are assigned to the same MIDI channel the track with the lowest number has priority in regard to parameter collisions.

The MIDI tracks function almost exactly the same way as the audio tracks. Parameter locks, LFO modulation, copy and paste commands are available. Each MIDI track also features micro timing, individual track length and time signature settings.

OT MANUAL v1.2 Page 110

The encoding is pretty easy and powerfull in combination with the arpegiator

[disco judas]

sounds great!

1000$ on ebay!

[AikiGhost]

Originally Posted by bullrunner

I am thinking of getting the Octatrack and I know people are happy with it as a sampler

Some are some aren't, personally I'm selling mine.

[suntsu]

There are always pro's and con's...

[disco judas]

can you pitchshift samples without interpolating?

can you control grainynes of timestretch?

[suntsu]

can you pitchshift samples without interpolating?

No, how this could be achieved ? Pitchshifting without interpolation ? This is impossible, the samples are what they are and the infos that lies inside the samples are always the same even if they are pitchshifted or not... But maybe I didn't understood your question ?
If you mean, can we vary the playback speed, I'll say yes it is possible but I'm not sure about what you're really asking...

can you control grainynes of timestretch?

No, the algorythm exists, he is performant and that's all, you cannot modify the quality of the time strech but you can choose between two mode "Beat" or "Normal".

[Catabolic]

Originally Posted by suntsu

No, the algorythm exists, he is performant and that's all, you cannot modify the quality of the time strech but you can choose between two mode "Beat" or "Normal".

There is also a dial that lets you, in essence, fade between Beat and Normal given that you have picked Beat. It's in the setup menu for the timestretch.

99% of the time Beat sounds better to me.

[foodeater]

Originally Posted by bullrunner

Does anyone feel limited by the OT having just 8 tracks of midi?. Would there be good workflow if one had a Cirklon feeding the OT midi sequences? Or should I consider just getting a Spectralis 2?
Thoughts?

I like to record the OT's MIDI into a MPC 1k. If 8 tracks feels limiting it depends on how you like to work. I use it mainly to create short phrases that I sample with the OT and it's great for live adjustments and playing while recording multitrack audio. If you like to setup a lot of long, dense, intricate sequences it wouldn't be my first choice.

[disco judas]

Originally Posted by suntsu

No, how this could be achieved ? Pitchshifting without interpolation ?

change the samplerate is how its done

thanks!

[Gil missFlag]

Originally Posted by chembros

^ You just have to hold down the step you want to edit and turn a knob to select the pitch.

Thanks. Would you recommend the Octatrack solely as a MIDI step sequencer for external synths? I'm primarily a keyboard player and have used an MPC and a keyboard controller to record sequences, but due to an injury (tendonitis) I need to take some time off playing the keys and I'm looking for a different, intuitive way to sequence my synths and make music. Pattern memory and the capability to sequence a drum machine and 3 more mono synths is a must. I'm unhappy with the MPC 2500 as a step sequencer. The octatrack also looks small and portable which is an advantage over other step sequencers.

[chembros]

Yes I think it's a great midi sequencer and I would definitely recommend it. I'm sure there are other midi sequencers out there that may be better, such as the Cirklon, but the Octatrack is also a killer sampler and audio mangler. If you were only going to use it for midi you could probably get something else but if you'll use the sampler aspect of it then I'd say go for it. A matter of taste but the Octatrack's fx are pretty sweet sounding. The reverb is decent and I really like the filter. As for patterns you can have 16 banks of 16 patterns. I use the Octatrack with a Tempest drum machine and 3 synths and I love it. Once you back to playing keys you can play a midi keyboard's notes right into the Octatrack's sequencer which will support up to 4-note chords.

[Gil missFlag]

Thanks!

[m.o]

Regarding note entry, since one of the latest updates to the OT firmware, there is now the "chromatic" button mode where the 16 step buttons represent piano kays.
This can be used with midi tracks to do 'live'/realtime recording..

[Synthpark]

I am looking into this. Sweetwater sells it for 1000$.

It has only one Midi out whereas the MPC has 4 (MPC 4000).

For midi, this is essential to get the tightest groove.
Don't know if I go for it ...

[disco judas]

Originally Posted by m.o

Regarding note entry, since one of the latest updates to the OT firmware, there is now the "chromatic" button mode where the 16 step buttons represent piano kays.
This can be used with midi tracks to do 'live'/realtime recording..

sounds cool!

[Synthpark]

Originally Posted by vibralux

Best midi sequencer i have used...

Originally Posted by sushiluv

it´s good at midi, every track can have different length and measure, notelengths are not recorded but you can p-lock them.

It seems to be not a general-purpose midi squencer like the MPC. I just bought an OT.

[bullrunner]

Just a note: best price I have found is at JRRshop .com $884 but they are currently waiting for a new shipment due to hit midweek...I am hoping to see one very soon! The latest OS update pushed me off the fence with increased sample time and looping.


By the way I am still considering getting the Cirklon and using the OT as slave. Has anyone else been thinking like a true slut and getting both the OT and a Cirklon? Admittedly I would be tapped out after buying both for a longtime...but they could be flipped if they didn't work out.
Gear lust is a true b*tch.
Now I have to write some music

[joostoftoday]

Originally Posted by Synthpark

It seems to be not a general-purpose midi squencer like the MPC. I just bought an OT.

So if you hold down a chord for 1/4 it only records the 1/16 step ?! damn I really wanted to by a OT for midi sequencing instead of a mpc but this would be really bad.

[Goa-Dubs]

Originally Posted by joostoftoday

So if you hold down a chord for 1/4 it only records the 1/16 step ?! damn I really wanted to by a OT for midi sequencing instead of a mpc but this would be really bad.

Them elektron boxes dont do what the MPC does.No way.But you can try.Some people enjoi using them to sequence.Excellent box.Will get another one if i dont dissapear back into the jungle.