The Elektron Octatrack is notoriously difficult to wrap your brain around – because it can do so many things and be used in so many ways, but you have to configure it.
Fortunately, Elektron guru Matthew Piecora (aka EZBOT) has released a new tutorial that digs into the idea of using the Octatrack as a performance mixer. It’s an hour+ deep dive, with lots of musical examples.
If you’re an Octatrack owner, you’ll want to check this out, because Piecora shares lots of great insight. Check it out, and share your thoughts on the video and the Octatrack in the comments!
Topics covered:
00:00:00 Start!
00:01:35 How the ‘Performance Mixer’ works
00:03:53 Demo of using some effects for Techno
00:04:54 Using the beat repeats
00:05:58 Significant changes to this template from prior templates
00:08:45 Why I am making these templates
00:10:14 More changes from previous versions
00:10:38 Performance Mixer 3.0.6B – The DJ Template
00:14:24 4-bar loopers are now on all template variants and why
00:15:20 Why we use 4-bar loopers instead of 8
00:16:16 How I clock the Octatrack and why
00:18:26 I’ve adjusted the noise riser volume and now you can too
Ezbot should be getting paid by Elektron.
Is your sequencer too difficult to “wrap your brain around”? Have you tried using it to combine four other devices that are equally difficult to “wrap your brain around”?
It is a bit mindblowing that the Octa still holds its ground after 15 years. Even Elektron haven’t been able to make an improved fully featured sampler since. Or has someone done it, i may have lost track since being deeply invested in the Octa. And yes, i did grind through the learning curve before Youtube tutorials, but the pain was well worth it. Also needs to be mentioned that this thing has never failed as the centerpiece and brain of live sets. Although i didn’t enjoy the learning curve the reward was equally great!
I’m sure this is brilliant but it’s all greek to me (and I own an octatrack lol).
I built a website for MANY loops because I started playing loops with the Octatrack – It’s a fantastic 8-track DJ setup!
Check https://deutscheindustrieprodukte.de/ if you need anything. Also all free if you’re broke (Just get in touch with me).
Mark Broom is also a good role model for practical use of the
I love my octatrack but every time I learn more about what it can do it becomes even more of a beast that intimidates me, i think in electronic music production it has earned its place as the greatest device around