In this recent EZBOT video, host Matthew Piecora and guest Andrew Huang share a huge variety of tips and tricks for using the Elektron Octatrack.
It’s a testament to the machine’s depth, and perhaps its learning curve, that – more than a decade after the Octatrack was introduced – that so many users have so much to discover.
In this video, Piecora & Huang share tips for using the Octatrack for mixing, sampling, effects, arranging, recording, live performance and more.
Elektron Octatrack Tips & Tricks:
00:00 Intro
00:24: MIXER AND FX-BOX
00:48 PARTS
01:22 STACKS OF TRACKS
02:00 EASY SAMPLING
03:51 DELAY AS A LOOPER
05:03 CROSSFADER RESOLUTION
05:40 GLITCH YOUR TRACK
06:56 MIX VS SEND
07:31 THE MUSIC SHOULDN’T STOP.
07:58 RESET YOUR PARTS
08:06 WHY MUTE YOUR SCENES?
08:38 SETTING UP THE TRANSITION TRICK
09:04 RECORDER 1-SHOT TRIGS
09:24 TRACK TRIGS AND SWING ALL
09:55 FLEX LOOPER THEORY
10:22 GAIN STAGING IS IMPORTANT
10:58 THE TRICK IN ACTION
11:39 THE SETUP
11:56 A NOTE ABOUT TIMESTRETCH
13:57 HOW TO USE ONE-SHOT RECORD TRIGS
15:21 PITCH RISER
15:44 LIVE REVERSE
17:00 BUILDING THE ECHO FREEZE
17:57 REVERSE ECHO FREEZE
18:47 A TIP FOR MAKING SCENES
19:36 OVERDUB LOOPER
21:18 PRE OR POST LEVEL?
23:06 WHERE TO SAVE SAMPLES
23:46 SAFETY ENGINEERING
ive owned a ton of devices over the years… and i still think the octratrack is probably the absolutely most versatile box of anything out there, unmatched in the sheer variety of things it can do – as well as many numerous things which cannot be done on anything else
its definitely not for everyone… but at the same time it is certainly IMHO the most unique piece of electronic music gear which also retains a cutting edge of professionalism and usability
These things do not look very inviting but I understand people like them. I know how hard it was to get my head round an Akai when I bought one of those new from A1 in Manchester. I do not find the design of Electron inspiring.