How to get the most out of your Elektron Gear | feat. Octatrack MKII & Analog Rytm MKII | Thomann

[@TEHBILB]

A tip I use with conditional trigs - it's easy to have a trig only appear 1 out of 4 times for example, but what if you want it to trig 3 out of 4 times? if you place another trig just before it and remove the sound triggering from it (i.e. a "triggerless trig"), set its condition to 4:4 (or whichever), then for the actual trig you want to hear, set it to Not Pre (pre with a bar above it). So the trig that you can actually hear will happen three times, then the fourth time the silent trig just before it will trig (silently!), causing the sound trig to not happen the fourth time.

[@ThomannSynthesizers]

Omg this is brilliant. I was wondering how to do that. Thanks a lot! Best, Felix

[@TEHBILB]

@@ThomannSynthesizers No probs! Obv you can do much more complex stuff with Pre (and I've still not delved into the Neighbour condition either) but this one's relatively simple yet quite useful. Another one I've been getting into lately is trig conditions on plocked triggerless trigs with parameter slide, causing unusual evolutions between notes. Keep the vids coming, love the sound.

[@MichaelLandis23]

oh wow this is a very good tip!!! I've wondered this exact thing before :)

[@hepogen]

Something that just bother me here. Why don't you just 3:4 trigger with first and 1:4 with last one? Or what is it that should be happen?

[@cwehden]

@@hepogen Because 3:4 will only trigger on the third loop of four, it won't trigger on the first 2 cycles, the invisible negative pre trig solves this.

[@internalreality]

parameter locks and proper sequencing is what makes these machines absolutely amazing. digitakt was my first ever piece of gear and im still learning cool things after a year of owning it.

[@ogasi1798]

8 years into OT and still finding ways to smile, analogue four and rytm too. Life machines and worth every penny

[@ThomannSynthesizers]

Any useful out of the box tips you can share? I‘m actually only getting into the OT since around september of last year. Feels like I know about 5% of its features and its already 200% useful :D Best, Felix

[@ogasi1798]

Thomann Synthesizers sure. I use all 8 tracks very quickly, sample them as a loop once happy, start new pattern that relates to a new part and free up 7 tracks by using the mixdown on just one track, then save that mix of the 8 tracks and make edits to that, save and redo the process, this is how you can build full songs easily, learn the arranger as it allows scenes and tempo per pattern to be saved , you can still edit while the arranger does the donkey work, use the cue outs as much as possible and control what comes in from the outside world with the slider , pre slice empty tracks so that when you feed audio in from outside that is already subject to slices, I mean I can keep typing but then you have to read it 😂 set the fader to control looped audio, so have several loops in one file that is sliced and allow the fader to pick those loops for you, easier to keep up if you only use 4 loops in such a file as you need to manage the fader position, or go crazy and have 16 sliced loops , random lfo designer page and assign lfo to select a sliced hi hat loop, so you have 16 versions of one hi hat and the lfo each trig picks a different one. This breathes life and humanity into the audio. I mean you really can keep exploring for years and years, I made a whole track once using just 4 steps and lots of probability of audio and midi tracks. 4 steps only 👍🏻 , also made a techno track with just the sample of the metronome, super fast retrigs mixed with fader on pitch and lots of fx while sampling back to itself you'll be amazed at what texture you can create. Strings, drums, percussion, anything from the tiniest sound. Explore, explore, always experiment ,

[@ThomannSynthesizers]

@@ogasi1798 Haha I can work on these tips for a while. Thanks a lot for taking the time to share them!

[@allyouracid]

@@ThomannSynthesizers i have an Octatrack since >5 years and I also constantly learn new things. It's just such a giving, versatile magic box of endless possibilities... I kinda feel I'll never know all of its functionalities. I recently started playing with the midi arp, and it's really fun. Only drawback is that i can't properly use scenes in the midi section, but that's for a good reason (latency iirc).

[@reec6389]

Rather than using LFOs I more often make use of live recording automations into the sequencer. For me easier and quicker workflow. Activate recording mode, press play and live-tweak a parameter i.e. Filter and it will be recorded into your sequence. Much easier and random than choosing LFO waveform, speed depth destination etc...

[@wasnoida8779]

I do both and i think its delicious!!! Especially if you put the random waveform lfo on a sequence which is already automated u get some really interesting stuff!!

[@sourt_t]

The Rytm comes pre-loaded with samples of single waveform cycles (like single saw wave, pulse wave, and triangle wave at different pitches). If you don't know how to use these, load them with loop enabled on the sample page. With loop enabled, you basically can turn one of your rytm tracks into a (somewhat rudimentary) subtractive synthesizer using these single-cycle waveforms. You can get some cool results messing around with the amp envelope, filter, effects, and LFO. Make sure to alter the amp envelope so the sound decays because otherwise it will play indefinitely on default.

[@lennartrauhe]

Sehr nice! Das mit den Texturen im Rytm z.B. richtig coole Sache :) Bin ma gespannt was der Felix noch so zustande bringt in den nächsten Jahren, der hat's drauf und die Motivation steckt echt an! ;)

[@chevere4209]

Just picked up the RYTM mk2 and I’m already in love with it’s sound. Something I’ve noticed people do is chopping breakbeats. With that analog compressor I could imagine it would sound nice! I know you gotta go old school with the chopping, but I’m curious if it’s worth it. Especially with the small amount of drive space for samples, still trying to find the best way to organize. As an Octatrack user I’m quite used to much more space 😂.

[@shaunlopezdotcom]

This is great. More of these please for the analog RYTM. Thank u!

[@robert.melter]

I like to modulate the starting point from the slices of a sliced loop. LFO wave random. So your slices have always a variation, that makes sometimes super cool effects. Greets, nice Vid!

[@ThomannSynthesizers]

Great idea, thx for sharing!

[@redheart6995]

Super helpful, the octatrack can seem so daunting and your short tips helps a lot!

[@ThomannSynthesizers]

I started to already read the manual 2 weeks before I actually bought it, in the hopes of not being overwhelmed at first. It did actually help quite a bit but still took a few days to get used to the layout. Best, Felix

[@redheart6995]

@@ThomannSynthesizers thanks Felix, i will read the manual then!

[@michaelrasmussen8590]

Great video and hope to see more in depth video tutorials like this about the Octatrack and Analog Rytm!

[@dezdurham]

Best tutorial I’ve seen on these machines yet! Thank you!

[@harrywilcock2030]

great tutorial thanks, just what I needed. More Rytm II videos please! Im really enjoying the onboard sampler. Finally samples in my dawless rig!

[@happylittlesynth]

Great vid. Love these types of stories you're doing. Look forward to more!

[@LukeLine]

I love these Elektron tips and learning vids! Keep them coming please 🙏🏽🎛

[@ThomannSynthesizers]

Alright, noted! Glad you enjoyed it

[@mmafrance]

congrats for this creative patch, i loved to listen to it while you were explaining reallly nice tricks.

[@HanjoSynth]

Digitakt user tuning in! :D Elektron boxes are the best music making machines in the market today. Absolutely love mine, looking forward getting into the OT too! Loving the content, keep sharing!

[@oliviercornelissen8916]

This was helpful to some of me thank you! 🤘

[@modularinspiration]

All great tips and explore the subtleties of repetitive versus interesting 16 step loops

[@pawel_dobrowolski]

Thanks a lot for really well done, helpful and inspiring tutorial :)

[@unclemick-synths]

Great tips - applicable to other gear too e.g. MPC.

[@elektricendz8017]

Awesome tutorial, thanks! Very inspiring

[@ThomannSynthesizers]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@zipnone1996]

Elektron gear is great :) challenging at first but very rewarding

[@ThomannSynthesizers]

Exactly!

[@romi2910001]

Hi thanks for this vid can you move the entire patern from left to right , let's say like 5 or 8 steps..? Thanks

[@KordTaylor]

Nice info. Thank you!

[@Painsoreal]

Exciting and helpful video 🤓

[@DaveS-Ace]

Excellent video

[@tobiasflc630]

could you share which first two samples you used on the Octatrack ? and thanks for the tutorial!

[@lamdahalbe]

I love my AR MK2 + Digitone-Combo. The AR kick alone is worth its price

[@ThomannSynthesizers]

I have yet to try the digitone, but I'm sure it's great as well. Best, Felix

[@yigitcankahraman9106]

Great tips! Much appreciated!

[@brokenstring21]

Is there a way to quickly determine which of the 12 sound pads you have assigned to 1 of the 16 step sequencer buttons? It would be nice to be able to "see where my kicks are assigned" without having to touch/activate the kick pad. It would be nice to know where my hi hats where previously assigned without having to hit the hi hat pad. Each of the 16 steps sequence buttons should have 12 small lights under it(totallying 192 small lights on the machine, 12 little lights nice and tight under each of the 16 buttons.) Each one assigned a color correlating to the 12 sound pads. That way for instance, I would know "Pad 7 MT/Purple" was assigned to step sequence button 1, 7, 12, & 16 because the little purple light under step sequence button 1, 7, 12, & 16 was lit purple whilst the other 11 little lights under those step sequence buttons remain dim. (unless I assign another of the 11 remaining sound pads to one, then those colors would light up too accordingly.)

[@ThomannSynthesizers]

All you have to do to select a track without triggering the sound is to hold the „track“ button while you select the pad. this way you won‘t trigger the sound 👍

[@brokenstring21]

@@ThomannSynthesizers Oh, cool! thanks ; ).

[@henrikfisch]

Could have watched you just jamming along for an hour. Great video. Even though I do not have one of the Electrons it's nevertheless very usefull, gives good ideas ... and foremost: It's good vibrations! :)

[@ThomannSynthesizers]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it ❤️

[@tendingtropic7778]

very cool! general question: what kind of camera's / hang up devices are common to use for these kind of videos? (to look from 'above') ?

[@ThomannSynthesizers]

The camera in this case is a Sony A7s II with SMC Takumar 35mm Vintage Lens. The overhead rig is a build of various parts from the Triad Orbit product line.

[@tendingtropic7778]

@@ThomannSynthesizers thanks for the quick reply

[@ThomannSynthesizers]

You‘re welcome ✌️

[@earlsfield]

Would you kindly share samples you made for AR? DMFAM ones especially. AR is a great machine, both when it comes to punchy boom sounds, but also with tiny plucky impulse-driven silky percussion, glitches and blips. As for tips on both of these devices - use maths and logic - that is how you get to places you want to be - using lots of triggerless trigs in combination with pre and nei and you can get stuff that will never repeat twice

[@kudlak696]

Great video. THX

[@salif130]

thanks for the video . I will not say no more video on the beast :p

[@andreasl597]

Macht Ihr bitte auch eins für den Digitone?

[@ThomannSynthesizers]

Bisher noch nicht geplant, aber ich hab extra drauf geachtet, dass die tips hier überwiegend auf die ganzen Elektron Geräte anzuwenden sind. Zumindest mit einer kleinen Abstraktionsleistung. Werde aber bestimmt irgendwann mal den Digitone austesten! Gruß, Felix :)

[@andreasl597]

@@ThomannSynthesizers abstrahieren? Klar, krieg ich hin! Schönes, musikalisches Wochenende. Gruß Andreas

[@ThomannSynthesizers]

Danke, dir auch ✌️

[@dukeGed]

amazing, im planning to go rytm mk2 i have babyfacepro fs, so only 4 channels to record? any tips ? or just go overbridge route? thank you

[@ThomannSynthesizers]

Yes, Overbridge should do the trick here. Might even be better in terms of latency 👍

[@paulluna8099]

I know a lot of people are going to hate me for saying this but this reminds me of editing samples in Ableton.

[@sonkefrerichs563]

Elektron makes really great instruments. I love my Digitakt. I would try Overbridge because it allows me to record my Digitakt on my computer (Mac Mini 2018 i3 with 16 GB with StudioOne 5) with extremely low latency, and the beat sits perfect in the grid from the start (better than with normal audio interface). By the way: tolles Video, sehr sympathisch, macht Spaß, zuzuschauen! 😊👍

[@ThomannSynthesizers]

🙏❤️

[@Neurotypique]

Not so much of a tip but usually I try to match the number of elektron with the protons I already have

[@dvoryanskov]

Brilliant!

[@pruch1968]

Class 👌

[@ThomannSynthesizers]

❤️

[@jojjeboy]

Great, but probability on individual trigs aren't a new thing?

[@frankiewylde7649]

true but probability on the entire pattern was just added recently :)

[@delorianwhiteman3504]

I accidentally clicked on this video but I found it fascinating

[@ogasi1798]

Get some elektron and be even more fascinated

[@iskariot3180]

The end result reminds me of Floating Points!

[@peladoclaus]

Dream machines for the starving musicians...

[@christopherknowles]

No Toki, you stops copies me.

[@MS9_official]

👏

[@Kkidzz]

easy......just move your hands as quickly as possible making ridiculous finger gestures.

[@ThomannSynthesizers]

Yes that‘s tip #7. Sorry I forgot to mention.