Hi quick octatrack question

[gbravetti]

You can have tracks playing at different speeds.

For example if your sample that is 8Bar long, you can set an OT track to play at 1/2 speed, so each step with last 2x 16/bar giving you an 8Bar long track.

In the same way you can set independent lengths and tracks will loop unlinked/asynchronous.

That I’ll do it with four tracks, same sample started with a one shot trigger, no time-stretch, then subtle pitch modulation and level/pan automation.

[avantronica]

hmm, analogous to tape then ,nice !

[miketheman]

Perhaps even possible with just two tracks?

I´m thinking each track with their own one shot trigger, into delay with an double LFO setup (first LFO with ONE setting controlling the delay time, second LFO with ONE setting increasing the LFO speed)… sloooooooooowly increasing the time parameter?

Fire off the samples, then turn each delay lock ON? And let the LFO´s take care of the rest?

Just from top of my head though. Maybe I´m forgetting something here…

[cygnus]

cygnus
i have a sample that is longer than 64 steps. is there a way i can play the entire thing and also have it loop ? if not then do i need to make another trig on a pattern and somehow arrange for the sample to begin where the last one left off>??

also; if i have all 8 tracks used up with samples loaded, do i need to switch projects before i can load new samples onto those tracks? for example; all 8 tracks have samples loaded on them, and i have actually 40-50 more samples and i want to be able to load a pattern on the fly that uses an all new sample “set” . plz helps

Hy cygnus,

depending on your way of “composing” there are several ways to do what you describe.
I think the easiest way would be the following:

1. Fill your slot list with the samples you like to loop (static or flex machine, for longer samples static machines are well suited, since their length is not limited by the available RAM, only by the capacity of your CF-Card)
2. Select an empty pattern
3. Use Function + Arrow down to select play mode “slot”
4. Select one of the 8 tracks by tapping on it (by default they probably are all using static machines, which is fine)
5. Start your first sample-loop by hitting a trig-button - it starts playing and looping
6. Select another of the 8 tracks
7. Start your second sample-loop by hitting a trig button - it starts playing and looping

Repeat step 4 and 5 if you want up to 8 samples looping together.
Change the activited samples by hitting a different trig-button (in slot-mode).

With the described method you would not need any pattern going. Probably you even do not need the sequencer running at all. You can just “play” your loops live, by activating them with manually with the trig-buttons.
However, if you want them to start at a defined time in sequence, you can program trigs in your pattern. One-shot-Trigs are well suited to set the start of your looping-action. Regular trigs will restart the loop in sync depending on the sequencer-movement.

But: It is also easy to combine sequenced patterns with manual live action, e.g. by “freeing” some tracks from the sequencer (by selecting plays-free-mode within the pattern-menu).

So, in principle, there are at least three ways to do what you described:
a) without sequencer running (you just do not need it running, to start a sample)
b) controlled and synced by the pattern-sequencer
c) with some tracks synced by sequencer and some started (played) manually.

Another thing: You say:

“i want to be able to load a pattern on the fly that uses an all new sample “set” .”

A new “set” means you would have to load a new project, if by “set” you mean the “slot-list” of the static or flex machines.

However, if you just want to have a pattern, that uses certain samples from your list, this is easy and you do not need a new project for this. Just use trigs in your pattern. Any trig can play any sample from you slot-lilst. Just “hold” the trig and select your sample from the list by using the “level-knob” (this is called “sample lock” and is tdecribed in the manual, page 89).
With “sample lock” you chose the sample on a per-trig-basis. But the “default” sample of a track is still defined by your “part”-setting. That means, you must change part if you want the “default” sample of a track to be changed. Parts can be assigned to patterns … so with for example by changing from pattern 01/part 1 to pattern 02 (with part 2 assigned to pattern 02) it would be possible what you asked …

Sounds complicated? Not at all. You just have to experiment(!) to find your preferred way of doing things with the OT.

Have fun!

this was extremely helpful. thank you!

[cygnus]

[quote=“CliffordMilk”]After three years, I still find new things to do with the OT. You made a very good choice Avantronica!

perfect - that’s been my experience with A4, it rewards digging deeper and curiosity ! #keepsgettinbetter[/quote]
can i ask u a question
i bought an a4 last yr and i use it quite a bit but,
mostly just for doing basslines and lead arp/sounds, future sounding shit
and its always u know, set track length to 64 steps, button-in a nice pattern,
this is completely within my needs, but, is there a bit more to do with this synth?
i mean, not rly from a sound design perspective, but (and i know this is an octatrack thread so sorry for going off topic) but whats some of the stranger territories on the a4? i’ve been staying safe w/ it so far. i do not understand the arpeggiator yet either

[avantronica]

[quote=“avantronica”][quote=“CliffordMilk”]After three years, I still find new things to do with the OT. You made a very good choice Avantronica!

perfect - that’s been my experience with A4, it rewards digging deeper and curiosity ! #keepsgettinbetter[/quote]
can i ask u a question
i bought an a4 last yr and i use it quite a bit but,
mostly just for doing basslines and lead arp/sounds, future sounding shit
and its always u know, set track length to 64 steps, button-in a nice pattern,
this is completely within my needs, but, is there a bit more to do with this synth?
i mean, not rly from a sound design perspective, but (and i know this is an octatrack thread so sorry for going off topic) but whats some of the stranger territories on the a4? i’ve been staying safe w/ it so far. i do not understand the arpeggiator yet either [/quote]
the a4 for me rarely sounds safe - i look for the dark corners with it, mostly without the sequencer - start here and never look (feed)back
++++++++++++++++++
Let the OT get here soon mr postman, looking fwd to trying this stuff out, especially w/o the sequencer

[cygnus]

ok so ive got this track with this super long stringy part, and its at least 128 steps long
for that track its

start silent - auto
plays free - X’ed in
oneshot trk -

fuck it

super confusing. please help? manual does not help me either

i just want to it to play when i trig it from the sequencer and then let it loop itself

[cygnus]

wait ok so i got it

sample set to loop in the editor

but now do i have to play it manually everytime i want it to trig?

in the t3 settings where the sample is loaded , i have to change it to “plays free” to allow for this non-re-trigging play. so i assume yes this means i am forced to play it manually?

[rhizome]

how long is your sample? each track can be set to run as slow as 1/8 of the tempo. if that’s not long enough, you need to use a one shot trig or manually trig the track. plays free is not necessary in this case.

[cygnus]

how long is your sample? each track can be set to run as slow as 1/8 of the tempo. if that’s not long enough, you need to use a one shot trig or manually trig the track. plays free is not necessary in this case.

for the sample to run its whole course it needs 128/128
when i do individual track scales and drop the track down to 1/2, or even 1/8… it still retriggers after 64 steps. with no trig it just starts over on its own

[cygnus]

or is there some way to change projects (and therefore sets of sounds) without having to stop the sequencer or pause play?

[cygnus]

also i guess i would need a way to have the machines from the previous pattern switch to “static” on the next pattern change… is this possible?

[Cocker]

If what you’re looking to do is the same as what I’m thinking then I would have the sample set to looped and use a one-shot trig for playback. The sequencer will loop every 64 steps but your (long) sample will only loop when it reaches the loop point you have set in edit. I’ve played back entire 5-6 minute long stems tunes of tunes I’ve exported from my daw in this way. As long as they were exported from the daw at correct tempo as being used in the OT. Helps greatly if these are in lengths of common multiples of the number of steps in the OT sequencer. ie 16, 32, 64

[cygnus]

If what you’re looking to do is the same as what I’m thinking then I would have the sample set to looped and use a one-shot trig for playback. The sequencer will loop every 64 steps but your (long) sample will only loop when it reaches the loop point you have set in edit. I’ve played back entire 5-6 minute long stems tunes of tunes I’ve exported from my daw in this way. As long as they were exported from the daw at correct tempo as being used in the OT. Helps greatly if these are in lengths of common multiples of the number of steps in the OT sequencer. ie 16, 32, 64

This seems to be the only way
Kinda lame huh? Wish I could trig extra long samples without having to manually launch

[cygnus]

ok one last question

from pattern to pattern, do the machines loaded into tracks remain consistent or can they be changed?

and if i have a loop going how do i make it so that it stops once i switch patterns?

[Cocker]

You need to have a look at Parts. Parts can be assigned to patterns. There are 4 parts that can be used. If you have all your tracks maxed out with samples the way you like on say Pattern A1- save that as Part 1. Then move to a new pattern, say A2 - assign all new samples and fx - save as Part 2. Both patterns A1 and A2 can have entirely different samples, fx and settings using Parts.

I would read this. Has parts (plus a few other things) explained pretty well.
The Elektron manual is confusing in relation to parts.

http://www.elektron-users.com/index2.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_view&gid=611&Itemid=30

[cygnus]

also im experiencing a weird issue where the main volume knob of the octatrack does not change the main volume …

[Cocker]

also im experiencing a weird issue where the main volume knob of the octatrack does not change the main volume …

yeah bit odd really but the main volume controls the output level to the headphones only. if you hold function and turn the level knob you will see the track level indicator change to say “main” meaning you’re now changing the main out level. i usually always leave this as it is to be honest. for good gain structure etc.

[nedavine]

[quote=“rhizome”]how long is your sample? each track can be set to run as slow as 1/8 of the tempo. if that’s not long enough, you need to use a one shot trig or manually trig the track. plays free is not necessary in this case.

for the sample to run its whole course it needs 128/128
when i do individual track scales and drop the track down to 1/2, or even 1/8… it still retriggers after 64 steps. with no trig it just starts over on its own [/quote]
Set the master length to 128 otherwise it retriggers everything at 64. I do it all the time as I usually need 8 bars not four.

[bambrose]

Set the master length to 128 otherwise it retriggers everything at 64. I do it all the time as I usually need 8 bars not four.

What a tip !
Thanks I’d missed completely that this was possible, I thought 64 was the maximum. That has made my day.