The Octatrack Notebook : Reference & Guide 447 NOTES 15.10 Pattern Chains This section if focused on the arranger options and function. However its a good point to conclude with a reminder that patterns can also be chained in the sequencer. In similar fashion, a selection of patterns from the same bank can be chained to play in series. A pattern can appear only once in the chain. Chaining patterns is performed in normal mode and when NOT in the arranger mode. ▌CREATING A CHAIN OF PATTERNS. • Ensure arrangement mode is off (LED unit). Recording or normal mode is ok for setting pattern chains. Select the bank from which to build the pattern chain, Press [BANK] - [Trig [1] - [16] for A to P. • Hold [PTN] + Trig [1] - [16] …. Continue to hold [PTN] as well as holding additional patterns to the chain using Trig [1] - [16]. The order entered will determine the playback order. Patterns must be held simultaneously to be added to a chain. • Patterns will be shown on the display in the pattern section with a double arrow between the current and next pattern to play. Press [PLAY] to play the chain. • Press [STOP] to stop the chain playback and reset the start position to the beginning. • Press [STOP], [STOP] to unlink and reset a chain. Arrangements 15 Pattern / Pattern Chain
448 The Octatrack Notebook : Reference & Guide NOTES
So we come to the final section which captures most topics not previously covered and tends to focus on housekeeping duties rather than creative processes. These of course are essential but are not normally day to day practices. It is therefore important to have a quick and easy reference to tasks that are less familiar. In addition a summary and quick reference of Octatrack commands is provided. While this producer guide is aimed at the Octatrack MkII, it also makes sense to cross reference the command keys / shortcuts so that the book can benefit MkI owners too. The recommendation here is to at least familiarise once with the content contained in this section. While it may be a dry read and less inspiring it will serve well if a future need arises and its good to at least know whats contained here. There is not that much that's left to be said. Octatrack is an amazing device and while some of the functionality reflects its 10year plus vintage, it is still today one of the most powerful performance samplers on the market. It has stood the test of time and is as relevant today where technology is moving fast as it was when it was released. As always the hope is that you have found this producer guide useful, that you have captured your own notes in the sections provided and made it personal to you and your workflow. That the provided reference has been built on and becomes an even bigger font of knowledge as you capture more experience. Thank you for your support and enjoy the onward journey. System 16 The Octatrack Notebook : Reference & Guide 449
450 The Octatrack Notebook : Reference & Guide 16 System 16.1 System Menu & Global Status NOTES The system menu contains a number of functions that are globally applied with Octatrack. Access to the system option is in the Project menu [PROJ] under the SYSTEM options. Status of Octatrack can be viewed here. ▌VIEWING OCTATRACK OS VERSION, BATTERY AND CF STATUS. • Press [PROJ] to access the Project Settings. • Navigate to the SYSTEM menu using [UP] [DOWN]. • Press [RIGHT] or [YES] to access the right side sub menu of options. • Navigate to the STATUS Option using [UP] [DOWN]. • Press [YES]. The current status of the compact flash card memory, battery state and the current OS version is displayed. This display is for indication purposes and edits cannot be made in this screen. • [NO] to Exit. Menu Function Command What does it do? System USB Disk Mode [YES] set disk mode Sets the compact disk to be accessible from a PC / Mac via the USB connection. The Compact flash will act as a general mass storage device allowing file access, back up and management. Unmount / eject from PC / Mac before exiting USB Disk Mode. System OS Upgrade [YES] enable update Will read an upgrade .bin file from the compact flash root directory and perform the update. System Date / Time [YES] Edit clock Sets the overall system date and time. This will be retained actively in Octatrack. System Personalize [YES] Access Options Settings for the generic Octatrack behaviour and adjustable to suit specific workflow. System Card Tools [YES] CF Manager Allows management of the compact flash files and the formatting of the compact flash card. System Status [YES] View Status Adds a new row below the currently selected row. Replicates the current row.
The Octatrack Notebook : Reference & Guide 451 NOTES System 16 16.2 OS Updates An operating system upgrade may be required to fix problems or add new functionality. This can be performed from the system menu for update over USB or the Start Up menu for MIDI Upgrade. Octatrack can be connected to a PC / Mac either with USB or MIDI (Via a MIDI Interface) MIDI Upgrade performed in the Start Up Menu using 5 Pin MIDI In. Always follow the manufacturers instructions for upgrades documented with each OS release. These should be available from the Elektron site. These instructions here are generic guidance only as each update may have specific and unique instructions. Always use the official OS upgrade instructions. Or Or Interface MIDI Upgrade performed in the System Menu using USB. (SYSEX File) (.BIN Binary File) USB USB MIDI OCTACARD CP CARD FOR OCTATRACK 866x PROFESSIONAL 32GB
452 The Octatrack Notebook : Reference & Guide ▌UPDATING OCTATRACK USING USB & DISK MODE. 1. Download the upgrade .bin binary file from the Elektron site and follow the OS update instructions supplied. This method is the preferred and recommended process for normal updates. 2. Connect Octatrack to a PC or Mac using the USB connectors. Ensure the Compact Flash is installed. 3. On the Octatrack, Select the PROJ Settings menu , Press [PROJ]. 4. Navigate with [UP] [DOWN] to highlight SYSTEM. 5. Press [RIGHT] or [YES] to select the System sub-menu. 6. Navigate with [UP] [DOWN] to highlight USB DISK MODE in the sub menu. 7. Press [YES] to select. The Octatrack Compact Flash card will appear as a storage device on the PC / Mac. 8. Copy the downloaded upgrade .bin file from the PC / Mac onto the mass storage device, which is actually the Compact flash card. Ensure the file is located in the compact flash root directory (top level, not in a sub folder). 9. Unmount or ‘eject’ the mass storage device i.e. the compact flash from the PC / Mac to exit disk mode. 10. On the Octatrack, Select the PROJ Settings Menu, Press [PROJ]. 11. Navigate with [UP] [DOWN] to highlight OS UPGRADE in the sub menu. 12. Press [YES] to select. A confirmation prompt will be displayed asking to acknowledge the update. 13. Press [YES] again to confirm and commence upgrade or Press [NO] to exist and cancel. The current project will sync before upgrading. 16 System NOTES
The Octatrack Notebook : Reference & Guide 453 NOTES System 16 ▌UPDATING OCTATRACK USING MIDI MODE. 1. Ensure Octatrack is powered Off. 2. Download the upgrade .syx binary file from the Elektron site and follow the OS update instructions supplied. This method is only advised when recovering a crashed device and not for routine updates. 3. Connect Octatrack to a PC or Mac using the MIDI In connector. A MIDI to USB interface may be needed for the connection. 4. On the Octatrack, Hold [FUNC] and Switch On to power up. The START UP Menu should be displayed. 5. Select MIDI UPGRADE, Press Trig [3]. 6. Octatrack will wait for the sysex transfer to start and message ‘READY TO RECEIVE MIDI UPGRADE ….’ is displayed. 7. Use a Sysex application such as Elektron’s Transfer tool to send the sysex file to Octatrack. 8. The Octatrack Trig buttons will illuminate in sequence to indicate the data transfer progress. 9. The message ‘PREPARING FLASH’ followed by ‘UPDATING FLASH’ will be displayed. 10. The OS upgrade is complete.
454 The Octatrack Notebook : Reference & Guide ▌UPDATING OCTATRACK FROM ANOTHER OCTATRACK. 1. Connect the Octatrack with the up to date OS - MIDI Out (Source), to the Octatrack to be upgraded - MIDI In (Destination). 2. On both Octatracks, Hold [FUNC] and Switch On to power up. The START UP Menu should be displayed on each screen. 3. On the destination Octatrack to be upgraded, Select MIDI UPGRADE, Press Trig [3]. 4. The destination Octatrack will wait for the sysex transfer to start and message ‘READY TO RECEIVE MIDI UPGRADE ….’ is displayed. 5. On the source Octatrack with current OS, Select SEND UPGRADE, Press Trig [4]. 6. The destination Octatrack Trig buttons will illuminate in sequence to indicate the data transfer progress. 7. The message ‘PREPARING FLASH’ followed by ‘UPDATING FLASH’ will be displayed on the destination Octatrack. 8. The OS upgrade is complete. 16 System NOTES SOURCE OCTATRACK Contains current, up to date OS. The Elektron Turbo Protocol can be used for faster upgrades if both machines have MIDI In / Out connected in both directions as shown DESTINATION OCTATRACK Will be upgraded. MIDI for Upgrade MIDI for Turbo Speed 4 3
The Octatrack Notebook : Reference & Guide 455 NOTES 16.3 Start Up Menu Several other options are available within the start up menu as well as upgrade tools. These are not functions that are expected to be used in the daily process with Octatrack. In fact they may be rarely used. An empty reset is a destructive process and will delete all Octatrack on board RAM data. This is normally retained through the battery backup. The Compact Flash will remain intact and is not affected and only RAM is wiped clean. This may be useful if issues occur with RAM or prior to transferring ownership to clear memory. A self test may be helpful when repeatable hardware issues occur with Octatrack and prior to contacting technical support or the supplier. ▌PERFORMING AN EMPTY RESET. 1. Hold [FUNC] and Switch On to power up. The START UP Menu should be displayed on each screen. 2. On the destination Octatrack to be upgraded, Select EMPTY RESET, Press Trig [2]. 3. Confirm the action and follow the instructions as presented..Octatrack RAM will be cleared and reset. ▌PERFORMING A SYSTEM SELF TEST. 1. Hold [FUNC] and Switch On to power up. The START UP Menu should be displayed on each screen. 2. On the destination Octatrack to be upgraded, Select TEST MODE, Press Trig [1]. 3. Octatrack will perform a series of diagnostic checks and the results will be presented. A normal results if everything is OK is shown below and any deviations then the results, should be recorded and then to seek technical support. 4. Buttons can be pressed to see if there is a response. FUNCTION TEST DRAM : [*] SRAM : [*] USB ULPI : [OK] ATA : [OK] RTC : [OK] CODEC : [OK] DSP : C0 [OK] C1 [OK] BATTERY : [OK] System 16
456 The Octatrack Notebook : Reference & Guide 16 System 16.4 Time & Date NOTES A generic clock exists which can be manually set. This is used for general time and date functions such as file management. This can be edited in the SYSTEM options of the [PROJ] Project setting menu. ▌SETTING TIME & DATE. 1. Press [PROJ] to access the Project Settings. 2. Navigate to the SYSTEM menu using [UP] [DOWN]. 3. Press [RIGHT] or [YES] to access the right side sub menu of options. 4. Navigate to the DATE/TIME Option using [UP] [DOWN]. 5. Press [YES]. 6. To navigate in the time and date function, Press [LEFT] [RIGHT]. This will select the month, day, date, hours, minutes or seconds. Highlight with an underline the desired element to change. Others are dotted underlined. 7. Press [UP] [DOWN] to adjust the value. 8. Press [YES] to confirm a value change. 9. Press [NO] to exit the menu. 2O22 - O1 - 11 Year Day Date Hour Min Sec 15 :42 :34
The Octatrack Notebook : Reference & Guide 457 NOTES System 16 16.5 Compact Flash Card Management A set of ‘Card Tools’ are available within the SYSTEM menu. This function can be used to format an installed compact flash card. This will erase any previous data so be careful not to delete any required files. Also the ability to manage a compact flash card files is possible. ▌FORMATTING THE COMPACT FLASH CARD. 1. Ensure the existing or a new compatible, compact flash card is installed. 2. Press [PROJ] to access the Project Settings. 3. Navigate to the SYSTEM menu using [UP] [DOWN]. 4. Press [RIGHT] or [YES] to access the right side sub menu of options. 5. Navigate to the CARD TOOLS Option using [UP] [DOWN]. 6. Press [YES]. 7. Navigate to highlight FORMAT CARD using [UP] [DOWN]. 8. Press [YES] to select format. Note that this option will erase and delete any data contained on the installed compact flash. Ensure a back up available. Press [NO] to cancel 9. Press [YES] again to confirm formatting or Press [NO] to exit the menu. 10. All data and partitions will be erased. Summary of File Management Options (Full details in the Sets / Project Section) Section Function What does it do? FILE MANAGER MK DIR Make directory. Creates a new directory on the compact flash card in the selected location. FILE MANAGER RENAME Changes the name of an existing folder or file FILE MANAGER DELETE Deletes an existing folder or file from the compact flash card. FILE MANAGER COPY Copies an existing folder or file located on the compact flash card. FILE MANAGER CUT Copies and removes a file (not directories) to allow it to pasted to another location. This lifts and drops rather than creating a copy. This option is available in the COPY slot when pressing [FUNC] in the file manager FILE MANAGER PASTE Pastes a copied folder or file to a selected location on the compact flash card. FILE MANAGER Workspace 1 Location Marker Hold [T1] - [T4] to store the current folder location as a marker to ‘Workspace 1’ which can then be recalled Pressing [T1] - [T4] FILE MANAGER Workspace 2 Location Marker Hold [T5] - [T8] to store the current folder location as a marker to ‘Workspace 2’ which can then be recalled Pressing [T5] - [T8]
458 The Octatrack Notebook : Reference & Guide 16 System 16.6 Personalize NOTES Personalize settings within the SYSTEM menu allow some default behaviour settings to be changed and to customise settings. ▌CHANGING THE PERSONALIZE OPTIONS. 1. Press [PROJ] to access the Project Settings. 2. Navigate to the SYSTEM menu using [UP] [DOWN]. 3. Press [RIGHT] or [YES] to access the right side sub menu of options. 4. Navigate to the PERSONALIZE Option using [UP] [DOWN]. 5. Press [YES]. 6. Navigate to highlight the desired option using [UP] [DOWN]. 7. Press [YES] to toggle the option on / checked or off / unchecked.
The Octatrack Notebook : Reference & Guide 459 NOTES System 16 Section Function What does it do? PERSONALIZE QUANTIZE LIVE REC On - Quantize notes to full steps in LIVE RECORDING mode. Off - Quantize to micro timing 1/384th resolution. PERSONALIZE PREVIEW WITHOUT FX On - Previews the sample without any track effects. Off - Previews the sample through the active track effects. PERSONALIZE MUTE FOCUSES TRACK On - Will also make track active when muted with [FUNC] + [Tx] Off - Will only mute with [FUNC] + [Tx] PERSONALIZE CUE FOCUSES TRACK On - Will also make track active when cued with [CUE] + [Tx] Off - Will only cue with [CUE] + [Tx] PERSONALIZE CUE MUTES TRACK On - Will also mute the track when cued with [CUE] + [Tx] Off - Will only cue with [CUE] + [Tx] PERSONALIZE DISABLE FUNCTION + ENCODER On - Will disable all ‘turn encoder’ options used with [FUNC] Off - Will enable all ‘turn encoder’ options used with [FUNC] PERSONALIZE DISABLE YES / NO ARM On - Will disable the one shot trig [YES] [NO] arming options but continue to allow [FUNC] + [YES] or [NO] to arm. Off - Will allow [YES] [NO] to arm one shots. PERSONALIZE DIS STOP-STOP ARM On - Will disable the one shot trig [STOP] [STOP] arming options while sequencer is stopped. Off - Will allow [STOP] [STOP] to arm when seq is stopped. PERSONALIZE DIS PAGE AUTOCOPY On - Will disable the automatic replication of trigs when extending the pattern / track length. Off - Will automatic copy trigs into a pattern / track extension PERSONALIZE DEFAULT TRIG MODE Selects the default track trig mode that will be set when creating new projects PERSONALIZE DEFAULT REC MODE Selects the default track trig mode for track recorders that will be set when creating new projects PERSONALIZE SAVE SAMPLES TO Audio Pool - Saves the data to the audio pool of the set when saving recorded audio or sample from within the audio editor. Project Folder - Saves the data to the project folder of the set when saving recorded audio or sample from the audio editor. PERSONALIZE SHORT SAMPLE NAME How the flex and static sample slots will display the name. BEG-END - First 5 + last 5 letters will make up the name (default) BEG ONLY - First 10 letters will make up the name END ONLY - Last 10 letters will make up the name PERSONALIZE RECORD QUICK MODE On - Will disable the need for [Tx] + [RECx] to record. Pressing the [RECx] button alone will initiate recording. Off - [Tx] + [RECx] is required to record. PERSONALIZE EXT LEN GRID-REC On - Includes note length data when recording in GRID RECORDING mode using an external MIDI device. PERSONALIZE LED BRIGHTNESS Sets the brightness to (Low, Mid or Maximum) of the button LED’s and the display. Personalize Options
460 The Octatrack Notebook : Reference & Guide 16 System 16.7 Memory Allocation NOTES Allocation of the on board Random Access Memory (RAM) can be managed by accessing the MEMORY allocation set up found in the CONTROL options of the [PROJ] Settings. Memory can be reserved to track recording to ensure resilience of sampling. It is important to remember a few points on memory:- • Higher sample bit rates will use more memory. The quality is higher with higher sample rate and hence a balance should be made. 16 Bit is default and will also save to this format. • The ability to extend recording into Flex memory is possible • It is recommended to stay with defaults unless a specific need arrises for example for heavy flex track usage or sampling sessions. Project Total 85.5MB RAM Available Flex RAM Flex Machine Slots Total 64MB (Used Shown Checked) Memory is allocated and reserved in the MEMORY options. Example: 16 Seconds or 32 Seconds Track Recorder Sampling Memory 2.7MB per Track Memory Indicator Displays Reserved (White), Available (Black) and Used (Dotted) RESERVE RECORDINGS = NONE, allocate all to Flex RAM RESERVE RECORDINGS = R1..R1-R8 RESERVE LENGTH = Recording time allocated to selected buffers 85.5MB Default ~64MBDefault ~21MB
The Octatrack Notebook : Reference & Guide 461 ▌CHANGING THE MEMORY OPTIONS. 1. Press [PROJ] to access the Project Settings. 2. Navigate to the CONTROL menu using [UP] [DOWN]. 3. Press [RIGHT] or [YES] to access the right side sub menu of options. 4. Navigate to the MEMORY Option using [UP] [DOWN] then Press [YES] to select the menu. 5. Navigate to highlight the desired option using [UP] [DOWN]. 6. Turn (LEVEL) to adjust the setting. The equivalent step length and memory usage will be displayed when adjusting the recorder format, reserve recordings and reserve length parameters. 7. Exit the menu, Press [NO]. This, as well as closing the page, will also clear the buffers and activate the new settings / adjustments made. NOTES System 16 Section Function What does it do? MEMORY FLEX FORMAT Bit depth of the sample when loaded to a flex slot (Static unaffected). 24 Bit - Samples at 24 bit or 16 bit retain bit depth. Uses more memory but higher quality audio. 16 Bit - High rates are reduced to 16 Bit. More economic on memory but lower audio quality. Samples save with this setting will default to save at 16 Bit. (Default) MEMORY DYNAMIC RECORDERS No - Track recorders will only use track recorder memory, default being 16 seconds of sample recording time. Adjusted in Reserve Recordings and Length. (Default) Yes - Allows memory use to extend beyond track recording limits and into flex memory. MEMORY RECORDER FORMAT Bit depth used when track recorders are sampling. 16 Bit (Default) or 24 Bit. Higher bit rate higher memory usage, but higher quality. MEMORY RESERVE RECORDINGS Defines which track recorders (Default R1-R8) are allocated to the reserve memory and therefore affected by reserve length. R1-R8 - Assigns memory to the recorder. If a recorder is not assigned then sampling cannot be performed unless dynamic recording is set to yes where Flex RAM is used. None - All track recorder memory is added to Flex RAM. The full memory allocation is therefore in Flex RAM. Reserve length has no effect. If set to none then sampling cannot be performed unless dynamic recording is set to yes where Flex RAM is used. MEMORY RESERVE LENGTH Works in conjunction with the reserve recordings setting. Allocates a sample time length to the track recorders assigned in reserve recordings. Track recorders sample this length. Dynamic recorder setting will allow the reserved time to be exceeded and run into Flex RAM. Default is 16 Seconds, range is 1s - 64s. The sequencer step equivalent is displayed when adjusting this setting (see below) Memory Options
462 The Octatrack Notebook : Reference & Guide 16 System Function Action MKII Command MKI Command Description General Copy [FUNC] + [REC] [Function] + [REC] Copies depending on the page in context General Clear [FUNC] + [PLAY] [Function] + [PLAY] Clears depending on the page in context General Paste [FUNC] + [STOP] [Function] + [STOP] Pastes depending on the page in context General Project Menu [PROJ] [Function] + [Mixer] Opens the project settings menu General Save Project [FUNC] + [PROJ] N/A - No dedicated PROJ button in the MkI Saves the Project Transport Play [PLAY] [PLAY] Plays the sequence pattern Transport Stop [STOP] [STOP] Stops the sequencer Pattern playback Mixer Mixer Level [FUNC] + (LEVEL) [Function] + (LEVEL) Main parameter of mixer menu Navigation Scroll Up [UP] [UP] Moves through various menu options. Use [FUNC} or [Function] for faster scrolling. Navigation Scroll Down [DOWN] [DOWN] Moves through various menu options. Use [FUNC} or [Function] for faster scrolling. Navigation Scroll Left [LEFT] [LEFT] Moves through sub menus or toggles a selection. Navigation Scroll Right [RIGHT] [RIGHT] Moves through sub menus or toggles a selection Navigation Scroll (LEVEL) (LEVEL) Scrolls when in a menu the options Navigation Backup [NO] [NO] Cancels and / or backs out of sub menu’s Navigation Confirm [YES] [YES] Activates selected menu option Sequencer Tap Tempo [FUNC] + [TEMPO] [Function] + [TEMPO] Tap x4 or more to select a tap tempo Sequencer Nudge Tempo [Tx] + [LEFT] [RIGHT] [Tx] + [LEFT] [RIGHT] Temporary Nudge tempo BPM +/-10% Sequencer Nudge Trigs [FUNC] + [LEFT][RIGHT] [Function]+ [LEFT][RIGHT] Nudge trigs 1 step back or forth (GRID REC) Sequencer Sample Lock [1] - [16] + [UP][DOWN] [1] - [16] + [UP][DOWN] Open sample lock menu (GRID REC) Sequencer Micro-timing [1] - [16] + [LEFT][RIGHT] [1] - [16] + [LEFT][RIGHT] Open micro timing menu (GRID REC) Sequencer Grid Recording [REC] [REC] Selects Grid Recording Mode Sequencer Live Recording [REC] + [PLAY] [REC] + [PLAY] Starts Live Recording Mode Sequencer Live Recording [REC] + [PLAY] + [PLAY] [REC] + [PLAY] + [PLAY] Starts Live Rec Mode - Quantized On/Off Sequencer Step Recording [REC] + [STOP] [REC] + [STOP] Step recording mode on Sequencer Step Rec Mode [REC] + [STOP] [STOP] [REC] + [STOP] [STOP] Step recording toggle standard or jump mode Sequencer Set Trigs [1] - [16] [1] - [16] Assign trig steps in Grid Recording Sequencer Lock Trig [FUNC] + [1] - [16] [FUNC] + [1] - [16] Place trigless locks & one shots (GRID REC) Sequencer Trigless Trig [1] - [16] + [NO] [1] - [16] + [NO] Convert lock trig to trigless trig Sequencer Lock Trig [1] - [16] + [NO] [1] - [16] + [NO] Convert trigless trig to lock trig Sequencer Trigless Trig [1] - [16] + [NO] [1] - [16] + [NO] Convert sample trig to trigless trig Sequencer Trigless Trig [FUNC] + [9] - [16] [Function] + [9] - [16] Trig trigless trigs, not sample trigs (Not in Rec Mode - Tracks & Chromatic Mode only) 16.8 Octatrack Key Combo Quick Reference - Pt 1 Key: [Tx] = Track Buttons 1-8, [1] - [16] = Trig Buttons 1-16, [A] [B] = Scene A & B, TRK PARAM = 5 Track Parameter Buttons MkI Front panels are labeled with full words and are not shortened like MkII, [FUNC] MkII = [Function] MkI
The Octatrack Notebook : Reference & Guide 463 System 16 16.8 Octatrack Key Combo Quick Reference - Pt 2 Function Action MKII Command MKI Command Description Sequencer Copies Trig [1] - [16] + [REC] [1] - [16] + [REC] Copies the trig Sequencer Paste Trig [1] - [16] + [STOP] [1] - [16] + [STOP] Pastes the trig Sequencer Clear locks [1] - [16] + [PLAY] [1] - [16] + [PLAY] Clears all parameter locks for the trig Sequencer Clear Live Rec [NO] + [Tx] [NO] + [Tx] Clears trigs during Live Recording Sequencer Clear Live Rec [FUNC] + [NO] [Function] + [NO] Clears param locks during Live Recording Sequencer Clear Live Rec [NO] + push (DATA ENTRY) [NO] + push (DATA ENTRY) Clear the param lock during Live Recording Sequencer Metronome [FUNC] + [MIX] [CUE] + [TEMPO] Toggles Metronome On / Off Sequencer Preview [1] - [16] + [YES] [1] - [16] + [YES] Preview track trig - audio on main out Sequencer Preview [1] - [16] + [CUE] [1] - [16] + [CUE] Preview track trig - audio on cue out Track/Pattern Select Track [Tx] [Tx] Selects Audio or MIDI Track 1-8 Track/Pattern Play Sample [Tx] + [PLAY] [Tx] + [PLAY] Trigs samples assigned to the track machine Track/Pattern Stop Sample [Tx] + [STOP] [Tx] + [STOP] Stops sample play on track machine Track/Pattern Mute [FUNC] + [Tx] [Function] + [Tx] Mute Track Track/Pattern Select Bank [BANK] + [1] -[16] [Bank] + [1] - [16] Selects the active Bank A-P Track/Pattern Select Pattern [PTN] + [1] - [16] [Pattern] + [1] - [16] Selects an active Pattern 1-16 Track/Pattern Pattern Settings [FUNC] + [BANK] [Function] + [Bank] Selects pattern settings (Not in GRID REC) Track/Pattern Track Trig Menu [FUNC] + [BANK] [Function] + [Bank] Selects track trig menu (GRID REC) Track/Pattern Audio editor [FUNC] + [BANK] [Function] + [Bank] Selects track trig menu (GRID REC) Track/Pattern Copy Page [PAGE] + [REC] [Pattern Page] + [REC] Copies active pattern page Track/Pattern Clear Page [PAGE] + [PLAY] [Pattern Page] + [PLAY] Clears the active pattern page Track/Pattern Paste Page [PAGE] + [STOP] [Pattern Page] + [STOP] Pastes active pattern page Track/Pattern Arranger [FUNC] + [ARR] [Function] + [Pattern] Opens the arranger menu Track/Pattern Arranger [ARR] N/A - No dedicated ARR button in the MkI Turns arranger mode on or off Track/Pattern Setup [FUNC] + [TRK PARAM] [Function] + [Trk Param] Opens secondary setup page for track params Track/Pattern Scale [FUNC] + [PAGE] [Function] + [Pattern Page] Opens scale setup page Track/Pattern MIDI Sync [FUNC] + [MIDI] N/A - Function + MIDI opens parts menu in MkI Opens MIDI Sync menu Track/Pattern Cue [CUE] + [Tx] [Cue] + [Tx] Cues the selected track Track/Pattern Cue [CUE] + [RECx] [Cue] + [Record] Cues selected audio input Track/Pattern Cue [CUE] + (LEVEL) [Cue] + (LEVEL) Adjusts the cue level of track Track/Pattern Trig Mode [FUNC] + [UP] [DOWN] [Function] + [UP] [DOWN] Trig mode, when not in a scrollable menu Track/Pattern Map / Track [MIDI] + [UP] [DOWN] [MIDI] + [UP] [DOWN] MIDI Map select (Audio Note In Map / Track) Key: [Tx] = Track Buttons 1-8, [1] - [16] = Trig Buttons 1-16, [A] [B] = Scene A & B, TRK PARAM = 5 Track Parameter Buttons MkI Front panels are labeled with full words and are not shortened like MkII, [FUNC] MkII = [Function] MkI
464 The Octatrack Notebook : Reference & Guide 16 System Function Action MKII Command MKI Command Description Track/Pattern Scroll [FUNC] + [UP] [DOWN] [Function] + [UP] [DOWN] Speed up scrolling, when in a scrollable menu Track/Pattern Reset (DATA ENTRY) + [NO] (DATA ENTRY) + [NO] Push Data Entry + NO to reset its parameter Track/Pattern Initialise [TRK PARAM] + [PLAY] [Trk Param] + [PLAY] Initialises the track settings page Track/Pattern Copy [TRK PARAM] + [REC] [Trk Param] + [REC] Copies the track params page Track/Pattern Paste [TRK PARAM] + [STOP] [Trk Param] + [STOP] Pastes the copied track params to the page Track/Pattern Randomise [TRK PARAM] + [YES] [Trk Param] + [YES] Randomises selected parameter page settings Track/Pattern Reset [TRK PARAM] + [NO] [Trk Param] + [NO] Resets parameters to state of last saved part Audio Audio Editor [AED] [Function] + [Bank] Open Audio Editor Audio Audio Editor [FUNC] + [AED] N/A - No dedicated AED button in the MkI Opens Audio Editor Slice Grid Audio Edit Sample [Tx] + [BANK] [Tx] + [Bank] Opens track machine sample in audio editor Audio Record Buffer [RECx] + [BANK] [Record] + [Bank] Opens active track buffer in audio editor Audio Record Menu [FUNC] + [REC1] / [REC2] [Function] + [Record] Opens recording setup menu Audio Record Menu [FUNC] + [REC3] N/A - No dedicated REC3 button in the MkI Opens recording edit menu Audio Record [Tx] + [REC1] [Tx] + Record AB Initiate sample recording from AB Audio Record [Tx] + [REC2] [Tx] + Record CD Initiate sample recording from CD Audio Record [Tx] + [REC3] [Tx] + [MIDI] Initiate sample recording from internal audio Audio Re-Arm [Tx] + [YES] [Tx] + [YES] Re-arms track one shots - [Tx] been pressed Audio Dis-Arm [Tx] + [NO] [Tx] + [NO] Dis-arms track one shots - [Tx] been pressed Audio Preview [CUE] + [YES] [CUE] + [YES] Previews selected sample to cue out from audio editor, sample slots and file browser. Audio Preview [FUNC] + [YES] [Function] + [YES] Previews selected sample to cue out from audio editor, sample slots and file browser. Part Edit Part [FUNC] + [PART] [Function] + [MIDI] Open Parts editor Part Reload Part [FUNC] + [CUE] [Function] + [Cue] Reload the active part from saved state Scene Mute Scene [FUNC] + [A] or [B] [Function] + [A] or [B] Mute selected scene A or B Scene Assign Scene [A] or [B] + [1] - [16] [A] or [B] + [1] - [16] Assign scene A or B to a scene slot 1-16 Scene Copy [A] or [B] + [REC] [A] or [B] + [Record] Copies scene A or B Scene Paste [A] or [B] + [STOP] [A] or [B] + [Stop] Pastes the copied scene into scene A or B Scene Clear [A] or [B] + [PLAY] [A] or [B] + [Play] Clears scene A or B Naming Select Letter [FUNC] + [ARROW] [Function] + [ARROW] Left, Right, Up, Down, selects letter Naming Erases Letter [FUNC] + [NO] [Function] + [NO] Deletes Letter Naming Inserts a Letter [FUNC] + [YES] [Function] + [YES] Inserts a letter or space Naming Selects Char [RIGHT] [LEFT] [RIGHT] [LEFT] Navigates back and forth through name Naming Change Char [UP] [DOWN] [UP] [DOWN] Increments, decrements selected character 16.8 Octatrack Key Combo Quick Reference - Pt 3 Key: [Tx] = Track Buttons 1-8, [1] - [16] = Trig Buttons 1-16, [A] [B] = Scene A & B, TRK PARAM = 5 Track Parameter Buttons MkI Front panels are labeled with full words and are not shortened like MkII, [FUNC] MkII = [Function] MkI
The Octatrack Notebook : Reference & Guide 465 NOTES
466 The Octatrack Notebook : Reference & Guide NOTES
Index 17 The Octatrack Notebook : Reference & Guide 467
468 The Octatrack Notebook : Reference & Guide Index A AMP 147 Architecture 9 Arming 224 Arp 403, 405 Arrangement 16, 421, 426, 435 Arrangements Mode 424 Arranger 422 Attributes 314 Audio 277 Audio Editor 292, 309 Audio Pool 16, 46 Audio Structure 12, 148 Audio Track 20, 52 Auto Channel 369, 384 B Bank 16 C CC Control 384 CC Direct Connect 369, 384 Chain 250, 294, 445, 447 Chorus 340 Chromatic 63, 67, 378 Clear 23, 58, 202 Clock 418, 456 Compact Flash 14, 457 Compressor 345 Conditional Locks 236 Control Change 384, 386, 414 Copy 23, 58, 169, 202 CTRL 1 369, 393, 411 CTRL 2 369, 393, 411 Cue 287 D Data Entry 17 Delay 350 Delay Compensation 291 Delay Control 63, 74, 383 Demo 6 Disconnected tracks 65 E Effects 153, 294, 325 Envelope 151–152 EQ 333 F File Manager 39, 320
Index The Octatrack Notebook : Reference & Guide 469 Fill Mode 236, 241 Filter 329, 344 Flanger 337 Flex Machines 93 G Glossary 10 Grid Recording 184, 202 I Inputs 278, 290, 363 L Length 189 Levels 57, 170 LFO Designer 269 LFO’s 257, 263 Live Recording 186 Lo-Fi 348 Lock Trig 220 M Machine 16, 19, 81 Master Track 61, 155 Memory 14, 142, 460 Metronome 194, 197 Micro Timing 199 MIDI 16, 361 MIDI Arpeggiator 402, 406 MIDI Channels 367, 369, 372 MIDI Control 365 MIDI Mapping 374 MIDI Mode 388, 394 MIDI Structure 13 MIDI Sync 366, 415 MIDI Track 21, 394 Mixer 280 Modulation 264 Mute 56, 77, 284, 433 N Naming 25 Navigation 17 Neighbor Machines 104 Noise Gate 290 Note Trig 220 Nudge 199 O One Shot 220, 222 One-shots 224 OS Updates 451
470 The Octatrack Notebook : Reference & Guide Index Outputs 278, 363 P Parameter Locks 214 Parameter Pages 20, 56 Part 16, 157–158 Paste 23, 58, 169, 202 Pattern 16, 79, 177, 183, 209, 250, 416 Personalize 458 Phaser 337 Pickup Machines 106 Probability 242 Program Change 415–417 Project 16, 28, 34 Project Menu 38 Q Quantize 132, 201 Quick Mute 63, 76, 382 Quick Reference 462–464 Quick Start 7 R Randomization 22 Rearming 224 Recorder Trig 220, 231 Recording 123, 132, 140, 188, 390 Recording Buffer 140 Recording Edit 143 Retrig 200 Reverb 353 Routing 62, 280 S Sample Locks 214 Sample Trig 220–221 Samples 137, 322 Sampling 126, 132, 144 Scale 189 Scene 16, 157, 165 Send / Return 295 Sequencer 194, 254 Set 16, 28, 30 Slices 63, 71, 300, 306, 381 Slide Trig 220 Slots 63, 69, 380 Solo 284 Spatializer 340 Start Up Menu 455 Static Machines 86
Index The Octatrack Notebook : Reference & Guide 471 Swing Trig 220 System 449, 467 System Menu 450 T Templates 49 Tempo 194, 316, 432 Thru Machines 100 Time & Date 456 Time Stretching 144, 316 Track 16, 63–64 Track Recording 125, 130 Transport 418 Trig Conditions 236 Trig Count 248 Trig Modes 63 Trigless Trig 220, 228 Trigs 59, 63, 78, 111, 202 Trim 296
472 The Octatrack Notebook : Reference & Guide
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