Octabam is an open-source firmware remixing project that lets Elektron Octatrack owners build custom versions of the OS 1.40C firmware, combining community modifications with experimental DSP features.
Rather than distributing a modified Elektron OS, the project builds a new firmware image from the user’s own copy of OS 1.40C.
If you’re an Octatrack owners, Octabam promises to give you new effects, expanded MIDI functionality, additional sound-design options and bug fixes that aren’t available in the stock firmware.
Current modules include an auxiliary send bus with delay and eight-line FDN reverb, new filter/saturation/modulation effects, six experimental per-track inserts, MIDI-driven parameter locks, expanded Octakit functionality, a LO-FI pitch fix, tempo-synced delay, and a recorder-loop click fix.
The project also provides a framework for combining future community-developed modifications into customized firmware “remixes,” with automated compatibility checks and emulation/testing tools intended to catch conflicts before an image is flashed. The project currently supports both Octatrack MKI and MKII for the shared OS 1.40C image.
Note: Octabam is an unofficial firmware modification, so back up your projects before trying this out.
If any readers have given Octabam a try, leave a comment and share your experience.
We live in a wonderful time… for software and hardware.
Fantastic stuff, but such a pity it can only be done from a Mac or Linux. Hopefully PC users won’t be left behind.
true!
but maybe good time to meet a friend you havent seen for a while that has a mac and have a nice cup of coffee (or whatever) together while you update your Octatrack ??!
My only friends have knobs and buttons unfortunately…
You could set up a USB stick to boot Linux from in order to do this from your WinPC. No need to even install Linux.
embarrassing for Elektron, that they dont listen to their end-users so they take the OS in their own hands…
its not that easy..it cost a lot and they have responsibility that this project does not have. with limited resources you need to make decisions, you cant do everything
meh, not really. the velocity at which firmware and proprietary data can be decoded and manipulated is totally different in the current AI age. there’s no way any company is going to be able to keep up with an involved community.
Now I’m excited, looking forward to giving this a try ?
What I would like to
See is a computer editor for Octatrack.
I know there was a failed attempt I wasted 100$ for it.
But sure Elektron or community could do
Better
Check out Octratrack manager https://davidferlay.github.io/octatrack-manager/docs/intro