OCTATRACK Tutorial #2 - sampling

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A lot of people expressed happiness about my first Octatrack Tutorial • Octatrack Tutorial #1 ...
But I felt it wasn't enough. Because the Octatrack is quite open, there's not one way to do things, and it's making it difficult to explain things in a simple way, easy for everyone to understand. In this tutorial I'm hoping to explain basic sampling, as well as some basics of how things are routed, so that beginners and non Elektron users can get going with basic sampling on day one.
If this isn't enough for you, be sure to check out my first octatrack tutorial as well. • Octatrack Tutorial #1 ...
Ps. As LyingDalai has pointed out, there might have been some misunderstanding regarding input volume.
Changing the DIR will only affect the direct monitoring volume, not recording volume. Setting it to 127 is a good way to hear what level is going to be recorded, but it won't change the recording volume. It can be set to 0 and still record at full volume. Changing the GAIN will change the incoming recording volume/ level. So if the level is too high or low, the GAIN parameter is the place to fix it. In this tutorial I'm using DIR to pass through the incoming audio to the mixer. This audio is not affected by any track effects.
cheers
cuckoo

[@AlexpxThreeTen]

Seven years later and this is still a very useful tutorial on sampling even on the MKII. Thank you so very much Cuckoo!

[@pepejul]

This is so good, I just got an octatrack 5 days ago, read the whole 140 pages manual as well as Merlin's guide, and I feel like a leaking basket full of sandy bits of knowledge. Your tutorial is really helping patching my basket. Thank you so much for taking the time to do this!

[@kollagebeats]

Maybe one of the most essential videos to watch if you're getting or have just gotten an Octatrack! Thank you sir!

[@PnPModular]

hey Cuckoo as a long time watcher and OT/Rytm owner I have signed up to support you on Patreon, really appreciate the time you have put into the youtube community to create these videos.. people like you deserve feedback as you make owning this kit possible.. top guy thanks mate

[@timt6626]

I just pulled the trigger on an OT Mk2 to accompany my Digitakt (sample addict here). After all these years, I think this is still the number one tutorial to watch.

[@VoidVertex]

I have anxiety problems and long tutorials on music tech gear relax me so thank you. I am getting an Octatrack soon.

[@VincentsVideoVisions]

same!

[@eighth_wave]

Same 🙂

[@beyondthegong]

Cuckoo is the best cure there is for anxiety..

[@josemarquez950]

Same, and I got an Octatrack

[@jcostello7447]

You know, Ive searched & searched for sampling with octatrack. Many posts say "Sampling with Octatrack" but show NOTHING besides bad beats, bad sound and poor camera work. Your the best Cuckoo.....thank you very much...keep up the GREAT work!

[@suboscillator]

Great job as usual! One of the hardest things about the Octatrack for me was getting to the point where I didn't panic every time I switch off the power. I found out that you don't need to save the project at the end, you can just save the part. The project will remember your settings automatically. Only time you need to save project is if you want to create a 'restore point'. So recorder buffers, modified sample slots, and parts. That's what you've got to remember to save every time.

[@truecuckoo]

Yeah. It's good pointing this out. Different things can be saved. But the buffers can never be saved.

[@qwerwerterytrtyutyuiyuiouiop]

Your tutorials are outstanding. Just wanted to say thanks for the love. Keep creative and best wishes to True Cuckoo!

[@StephenMcLeod]

Thank God for Cuckoo.

[@jemangedeschats]

Just got a MKII and I gotta say this is the best tutorial i've found about sampling. Thanks a lot man 😎

[@BoyRatty-ds7yb]

Cheers Cuckoo! What a wonderful exploration of the OT. Only had my MKII 8 days..a beast of an all in music production machine with endless possibilities. X

[@CaseWoo]

Fantastic tutorial for both newbies and even existing OT owners. Thank you!

[@alienanxiety]

Continue to be a reservoir of knowledge, my friend! Kudos. I love it when you tell the audience to "pay attention"!. :) cheers!

[@alexfont]

You are the man cucko! I've got it few weeks ago and thinking to sell it, too complicated.. but thanks for people like you i would keep it and take out all of the good things it has. PD. Cucko for president!!

[@jpromano_]

Hey @Cuckoo very helpful stuff. Will definitely be supporting you. Just picked up the OT MKII and I’m loving it, thanks for your videos

[@adamstetzer2910]

Very grateful for this video. The pace is slow (on purpose), which I found very helpful as a beginner. Very thorough. This helped me getting started on a OT MK1 with very little knowledge. Just outstanding content. Thank you!

[@schepler2]

Thank you again, Cuckoo. I really appreciate your generosity in sharing your knowledge. Kudos, man!

[@ivanmihov3671]

Love this machine only had it for 2 weeks, and it has taken the top spot in my rig. I got along with it right away, not sure why people find it so confusing and hard to use, everything is pretty logical

[@truecuckoo]

Cool. Yeah I agree. It's really logical. But there are a lot of corners and functions to find and memorise. I guess the average user just wanna sample and play.

[@AR_1979]

Thank you! I am on the Octratrack mk 2, but this is of great help to me, just starting out sampling. :D Keep on rocking man!

[@Nosoultosell]

One of the best overviews on Octatrack sampling I've seen. Nice work man!!! Helped me a lot!!! =]

[@thamitri13]

Ordered one, last one left in that webshop, it will be delivered end of the month. They're out of stock at Elektron now. Meanwhile I was looking up some tutorials. And then I found this video by the musical version of Bob-Ross. No pun intended. You video is relaxing, slow, but that gives me time to overthink what you are saying, It's very informative, and it makes me enjoy my Octatrack which I don't have yet.. It made me watch all 45 mins in one. So yeah I subscribed, and I'm definitely going to watch some more. And I'm going to check your website too for the donations. Peace and CU CU!

[@TrueToTheCraft]

Thanks for your videos. You've helped me through RYTM AFour and now the Octatrack. Might appreciated.

[@truecuckoo]

I'm glad to hear it! Then all my work is put to good use!

[@redheart6995]

Thanks a lot! That is soooo helpful! Just got an OT mk2 and this is just what I needed!☺️

[@moreausylvain]

6 years later... best tutorial !

[@truecuckoo]

🙏🏼

[@hiding_my_name]

Six years later and I'm still watching.

[@studiourgence7770]

Thank you so much Cuckoo. So helpful.

[@politesociety]

Didn't learn anything new, but it's nice to see other people working through common uses of the OT, and how they approach them. Also nice to see other people have to deal with some of the annoying parts of the OT ;) Nice work! Thumbs firmly erect.

[@norfolkchillihead]

Love your tutorials dude, this is really useful for Elektron newbs!

[@wega4105]

And the OP-1 tutorial is the best around on Yt!!!

[@pedropedropedro795]

Your tutorials are excellent. Thanks for the amazing effort. Without you I’d be quite lost in learning my octatrack. Donating of patron for more future goodness. peace.

[@truecuckoo]

🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼 thank you so much Pieter!

[@monsieurgatman]

Many thanks Cuckoo for all your tutorials

[@truecuckoo]

Thank you for checking them out mate!

[@oscillated139]

Thanks. You really helped to make sampling so much easier.

[@famousarmystudio]

great follow up vid to the first Octatrack tutorial.

[@gianlucacali2635]

So much info in a calm and relaxing mood... Thanks...

[@truecuckoo]

❤️

[@midinerd]

37:47 - the tracks are saved as R-- so you don't have to bump the time index for each track

[@mixrasta]

Here we go! Freakin cool : ) when my record jumped into the tutorial. Thank you Brother!

[@truecuckoo]

+mixrasta Yes Mixrasta! I've got your record on my turn table a lot. Ready for chill time anytime :)

[@davilafriend]

Amazing! Thanks @Cuckoo

[@alanvega9902]

Awesome tutorial ! Many many thanks!!!

[@bicycleninja1685]

Thanks for the tutorials!

[@Raimondje]

Thanks for your nice tutorials!

[@ildarkinildarkin]

Amazing unit, thanks for video!

[@gushrecords]

another very helpful video Cuckoo thanks so much mate..

[@beng543]

BBB - best beard in the business!

[@J43rv1]

Cuckoo, two possible topics for your future OT vids once you get your liveset all set up 1) MIDI - How would you sync your devices to the OT (if you would do such a thing) 2) Liveset structure for songs/performing - How would you organize and perform with the OT?

[@truecuckoo]

+Yeknom0913 Yes. I think MIDI sync is just a matter of finding the right menu options. Send midi clock, and program change if the other machines are Elektron machines, and set the other devices to receive midi clock etc. A live set structure, as well as using the arranger, would be very useful indeed. The arrenger is much more powerful than song mode on the Analog series. Very good for preparing live sets.

[@nevkarma]

immensely helpful, i really appreciate you

[@VSavanyu]

Thank you for your useful Cuckoorial!

[@moralrevulsionLive]

Excellent video you helped me decide buy an mpc x instead😂♥

[@truecuckoo]

Haha great 🤣 The Octatrack is not for everyone it seems. I believe it’s one of those love or hate machines.

[@moralrevulsionLive]

@@truecuckoo funny the fact all my other gear is elektron im in love with elektron. But im a 90s kid i like instant in seconds vinyl chop and 4 outs...😂😂 a lot of people say tho together with OT if you slave it to the mpc you free its spirit from 'centerpiece' and mixer duties and it can tranform into whatever synth you want it to be. But then again. 2 samplers and master sequencers its kinda overkill in my head😂 or?

[@inigomedinamurua8346]

Thank you!! great tutorial!

[@kotn2]

Cuckoo the best teacher!)

[@spacey_jones]

These are so great, thank you!

[@truecuckoo]

HD version being encoded right now. Give it a few minutes and reload ;-).

[@D3DNS1D3]

+cuckoomusic thanks for making music fun! i really enjoy your videos. i just have old school drum machines (mc808, mc307, emx1..) don't really know what i'm doing but your videos make me feel like that's ok because i just try and get sounds that i like. feel free to listen to what i've made so far on my channel. i would love to learn how to sample.. cheers

[@zerix01]

+[ D3DNS1D3 ] Most of us started with gear like this not having a clue what we are doing. Definitely nothing wrong with that. you can get to some really good and sometimes emotional sounds from just pure trial and error.

[@D3DNS1D3]

zerix01 thanks for the positive support! i've been really amazed what has been created so far and i'm not looking back...

[@unknownheroes2035]

thanks for this Vid . i got a lot of new inspirations ;)

[@xenosoul1363]

Thanks, this was a great tutorial that taught me alot.

[@sergioobernardi]

thanks for this video and keep it on! learned much more in 45min than by divin in the manual for couple of days. 😆 cheers from spain ✌

[@truecuckoo]

Great! Then it's all worth the effort! :D

[@RobertHalvarsson]

cuckoomusic 2

[@l_r_6l_r_695]

Super coooool mate, learned a lot! Take care!

[@mattgooderson5297]

Once again Cuckoo, you have saved me from selling this wonderful machine!!! It is not too long, it is perfect! I got stuck with: 1) How to change the BPM of the sample if the Octa gets it wrong on the CALC BPM FROM SELECTION 2) I was also trying to put the Hi Hat in a triplet mode but could not find how to change the grid from 16 notes to 8T mode However, thanks again, you are the best!

[@truecuckoo]

+Matt Gooderson thanks! Good to hear. I like the Octatrack more and more the more I use it. If you're in the sample edit mode, the sample has a ATTR page with the ORIGINAL TEMPO attribute. Just change it to change the bpm of the sample. Triplets is more difficult. If one track should be all triplets you have to enter funct+edit and set scale mode to Per track. Then for that track set the scale mode to 3/4x in the funct+scale setup page. If you just want some trigs to be triplets, either use microtiming (trig+right left) or the RTRG and RTIM playback parameters.

[@mattgooderson5297]

Cuckoomusic, YOU REALLY ARE A STAR! Thank you so much, you have really been my friend while I learn the OP1, Analog RYTM, Analog Keys and Octatrack. Yes, I went in pretty hard!

[@bedpicnic7889]

yes! you're the man!

[@alexanderripley4362]

This is great, I can't afford this kit yet, but I will because of this demo.

[@UncleGordon1978]

First time I watched this before buying OT and now I FEEL INSANE! I JUST LISTENED AND LEARNED SO MUCH MORE!

[@stephenlangevin5270]

Finally a. video that allows me to wrap my head around the recording buffers. Just picked up an MK2, and was lost having never owned an Octatrack. Different machine, but the principles still apply. Thank you, this was so helpful.

[@truecuckoo]

Thanks! Yeah since both machines are more or less identical I’ve not made any new tutorial on the MKII.

[@jszack]

I think I just purchased a preowned Octatrack (Mk1) only so that I could take advantage of more of your tutorial videos!

[@chauffeurCA]

thank you... very good video.

[@darkblackdog]

THX for this tutorial :)

[@tommyRfrancis]

You are awesome, thank you.

[@truecuckoo]

Thank you Tom! I appreciate it

[@undklang]

Hi Andreas, i really like all your videos... you are helping me a lot, to step back to make music... since i lost it some years ago. so thanx a lot... :)

[@truecuckoo]

Hey Ben, I'm happy to hear that. Keep it up mate! We all loose it from time to time, don't we?

[@undklang]

+cuckoomusic Thanx, i lost it for more than over 15 years now... and this year i went back, step by step... i am looking to find my new workflow, in the past, 15 years ago everything was a little bit different. i tried ableton live for some years from time to time and can´t get into PLAYING music... i was Dejing with records... but now everything is going on with computers, controllers and so an, i like it but in the end with your help i ended up with an OP-1 and i am waiting of the time, when i can by an octatrack! So thanks for your work, it means a lot for me! ;9

[@HeyPhilbie]

Hey Capt Cuckoo, thanks for the vid, now the lights been turned on, I can see again! - out of the box, and onto the studio desk again.....thanks.

[@truecuckoo]

+philbie000 cool! Great :)

[@dennism7659]

Fantastic Cuckoo! A couple days ago I was ready to throw my OT through a window but after this video I actually understand and can get things done with flex machines...great job!

[@truecuckoo]

Very happy to hear that! I was once new to the Octatrack as well, and there were no tutorials at the time. I can definitely understand your frustration.

[@dennism7659]

I've been using my OT as an EFX processor for awhile, but never really understood how flex-triggers-record buffers worked together until your tutorial. This machine is so deep, yet the manual's explanation of many concepts is so odd I'm grateful for tutorials like yours. Thanks again!

[@telekollektiv]

Thank you so much!

[@rokutis669]

thank you , you are great. it was very helpful!!

[@ephemeralinspiration1218]

Thanks for helping me get started :-)

[@ALYOUTUBERZ]

You are so east to watch thank u for that man

[@Advadva]

Thank you!

[@lying-dalai]

Hey Cuckoo, thank you dear for this tutorial ! There is always something to grab even for a long-time user :) One thing though. P. 57 of the manual states "The DIR parameters don’t affect the volume of incoming audio when sampling. Even if they are set to 0 sampling is therefore possible. AB/CD DIR are however affected by AB/CD GAIN settings." So what you say on 4:24 is wrong ! (kzbin.info/www/bejne/jXu3kH2ljLRlqrcm24s) DIR is for direct volume, but you can sample quiet sources. I usually set DIR to zero, so I can confirm it works like this. It might be a good thing to add a caption that correct it ;) Cheers, L : D

[@lying-dalai]

+Larc Tald A quoi ? Au tuto de Cuckoo ou à ma remarque ? Je disais que le paramètre DIR accessible via le mixeur sert à configurer le volume du monitoring direct des sources extérieures. C'est d'ailleurs ce qu'on utilise pour couper le son des sources extérieures en entrée de l'OT. Ce paramètre n'a aucun effet sur le volume des enregistrements. Pour paramétrer le volume des enregistrements, c'est le GAIN qui a un effet (p. 45 : "AB/CD GAIN : These settings affect the volume of incoming audio when sampling")

[@truecuckoo]

Hey, that's exactly what I was trying to say, man! Perhaps I was being unclear. Direct monitor at 127 is what is recorded. Setting it to 127 is a good way to hear what is going to be recorded. But it's only the gain setting that is affecting the actual recording volume (and what you hear as well). So yeah. Completely agree. What was I saying?

[@lying-dalai]

+cuckoomusic You say "that's the level it's recorded" talking about the DIR parameter. Or at least that's what I understood on time 4:24 of the video (kzbin.info/www/bejne/jXu3kH2ljLRlqrcm24s) As you say GAIN affects the level it's recorded. DIR, not at all. :)

[@truecuckoo]

+Lying Dalai "That's the level it's recorded, whether the direct is off or on". I was trying to describe that Level 127 is the level that's being recorded. So pushing it to 127 is a way of hearing the level that's going to be recorded, right.. whether it's on or off. But I guess my phrasing is open for misunderstanding for sure. he he.

[@lying-dalai]

+cuckoomusic OK I get it now ^^ : my sorry mistake ! I think that actually it's your finger indicating DIR that trapped me ! Well, this precise matter is now sorted, at least :D Please forgive my picky remark. And again, thank you dear for taking the time for educating others with your own finding, and succeeding in doing it pedagogically ! You're a positive vibes generator, and the Earth knows it needs it :D

[@RobertMaxwellMediaCorp]

3:21 "I have connected....... a cable." Hahaha!

[@jameswhite4709]

Until it moved, i assumed you had a camera on your face, and that window was in the corner. I nearly lost it when you moved it by hand!

[@mattsmith9845]

THANKYOU Mr! 😉

[@techstyle123]

I think you could easy open a small music shop...and do all your work from there....good luck you do a great job keep up the good work

[@thisnorthernsoul7466]

you da man! i want octatrack

[@avecesdigolaverdad]

youre the best

[@toffchunks]

thks a lot for sharing your knowledge 😋

[@TerekkiTerekki]

Thankyouuuu cuckoooo

[@truecuckoo]

You're welcomeee! Thanks :D

[@hovyg9239]

your the man :)

[@TwilightBrothers]

Hi Cuckoo, another fantastic tutorial, many thanks for that again... Between the Octatrack and the OP-1 what is you choice and why ? cheers

[@LaBeatrie]

both

[@LaBeatrie]

because

[@wega4105]

Tack!

[@aidanvinum]

Do a new Tutorial for beginners on OCTATRACK MK2, pleaaase. The way you did on latest firmware for OP-1.

[@truecuckoo]

Thanks! I’ve been thinking about it!

[@wellnesswitcher]

Yesss, I would love a tutorial on the MK2! I just bought a used Octatrack MK2 and am trying to follow along on the original Octatrack videos and I get lost !!! An updated tutorial would be much appreciated!!! I love your videos. Very helpful. :)

[@tsak5897]

Just bought a MK2 ! hope there'll be a new tuto soon :)

[@dennisrochat7747]

Like, really really cool!

[@iveno_]

@@truecuckoo YES I am watching this anyway and hope that I finally get one recording with the mk2, it's being frustrating watching some other tutorials and not being able to do any further. I am glad I just rented it!

[@djdigitaladdict8407]

nice video, once again, thanks!!!ouch...by the way, 4 frustrating hater`s...

[@markymark560]

I was looking at getting one but looking at your tutorial it looks like alot of peering in to that tiny screen and negotiating pages of menus. It reminds me of the old akai samplers with the small editing screen.

[@robertsyrett1992]

At around 34:00 you describe having to save tracks individually, do you still have to do this with the Mk II?

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

Good video but lot of menu changes in MKII version of the OT! For example, machines are accessed from the FUNC+SRC menu versus the old way that you show. Had to actually read the manual on this part!

[@melokit-music]

Thank U Mr CuCkOo 🕵

[@flymarsmusic7486]

thanks !

[@swampdweller5]

Great video as always... Completely lost it once you got to the editor view. Perhaps it works differently on the OT Mark2? Anyway, always appreciate you.

[@chingi125]

thanks a lot, can i find the mixrasta vinyl tune anywhere in the web? loved it!

[@owsley66a]

Thank you man! but the whole community is waiting for an easy and clear Octatrack tutorial on PARTS and PATTERNS. The only existing tutorial is just useless. I think that these functions are the heart of the machine and the only way to compose a full track or for variations in a live situation….. otherwise the Octatrack is a beautiful static machine!!!! :-D :))))

[@truecuckoo]

+piero papini Yeah.. patterns is pretty straight forward to get into. It's in a lot of ways like all the Elektron machines. Parts, however, requires a unique-to-Octatrack mindset. It's not complicated, but I'm scratching my head as of how I should make use of it musically. Basically a part is redirecting the tracks to play different samples. effects and track settings, but with the same Pattern/ triggers. So if you've got a sliced drum loop in one part, and a different sliced drum loop selected in a second part - changing parts will have the track play back the different drum loop if you change parts. This could be cool if you want to pump in variations within the same pattern, but it requires some planning.

[@owsley66a]

+cuckoomusic Thank you buddy! See you soon with new tutorials. Take it easy! ;)

[@owsley66a]

easy to say but kinda complicated to do it :-D

[@wellnesswitcher]

Is there a way to set chromatic mode to (for example), track 1 and set track 2 to slices mode ?? I find it hard to grasp that when in chromatic mode all the tracks are now by default in chromatic mode also and you would have to switch them back and forth EVERY time when playing a live set!?!....please help!!!

[@DayflightTrok]

Ok, that would be fine because I never used it😀 Another thing is live sampling in a Live Performance, where you do not have time to dig deep into preparation parameters

[@Kiki-cb5pd]

Hey cuckoo thank you so much for you videos. What website I can use to donate for you?

[@kenfrancis4850]

Amazing. Do you think you'll ever do a MK2 tutorial? Or cover any new ground/techniques? thanks

[@scrutchscrutch6220]

Thanks you for Tutorial #2! I have one question Cuckoo, possibly two. @40:30 you address saving the created pattern. From what I understood you entered the project page and simply saved. After, you mention the user should be able to turn off Octatrack and come back to the project in the same exact way in which you would "perfrom" or continue creating with. Even though I'm a novice at the Octatrack, I was very easily able to understand this directive, however. I followed the exact instructions, switched Oktatrack off/on for a quick test, and essentially the project was gone. I understand that some samples may have been left in the recording buffers, but the save samples where not in their parameter locks anymore either. Did I do something wrong? At this point I haven't tried it again since my project last night was one of my first victories on the Octatrack learning curve. Cheers, Scrutch

[@masonkiller1]

[@midinerd]

13:51 nice dadada ref :)

[@driesanalog4187]

tnx a lot cockoo!