Review: Octatrack at year 8 - Is it still worth it?

There are a few sampling and LFO tricks used in this video, all of which can be found in my In-Complete Book of Electronic Music Ideas, Tips and Tricks (hint: it's in-complete because it's always being updated…):
► Patreon: / loopop
Gear used in this video:
► Octatrack: amzn.to/2M7sB3Z
► Cremacaffe stand (I recommend Spike XL, Kosmo was used here): bit.ly/cremacaffeloopop
► Organelle: www.critterandguitari.com/
► Befaco Crush Delay: www.befaco.org/en/sinte-modul...
► Mutable Instruments Clouds: mutable-instruments.net/modul...
The intro to this video was inspired by Recovery by Rival Consoles - check out his beatiful music here: www.rivalconsoles.net/
The second jam in this video (with the saxophone...) was inspired by the HOSH Radio Edit of Keep Control by SONO
Other places I hang out:
► Web: loopopmusic.com
► Facebook: / loopopmusic
► Instagram: / loopopmusic
► Twitter: / loopopmusic
My music:
► Bandcamp: loopop.bandcamp.com
► Spotify: bit.ly/LoopopOnSpotify
► Apple Music:bit.ly/LoopopOnAppleMusic
TIMELINE:
0:00 Intro
0:50 #1: Live sampling
3:10 #2: Audio I/O x 4
5:10 #3: Crossfader
7:00 #4: Time/Pitch
10:15 #5: Power slicing
11:30 #6: “Plays free”
13:00 #7: Audio streaming
13:20 #8: LFO designer
15:10 #9: Built in FX
16:25 #10: A lot more...
17:55 Is it easy to use?
18:45 Track machines
21:20 Static & flex slots
23:20 Recorders & buffers
25:00 Banks & parts
26:45 Trig key modes
28:25 Summary
Want to email me personally?
► Ziv (at) loopopmusic.com
NOTE: Occasionally I’ll try out affiliate marketing and include affiliate links. This means that I may earn a commission when you click on or make purchases via affiliate links. The content of this clip is entirely my opinion, and was not paid for or dictated in any way by the company creating the gear. Without addressing the particulars of products shown here as they might be under NDA, gear shown on this channel may be either sent by the manufacturer, on loan for review or bought at a discount.
​

[@User173]

I HIGHLY recommend anyone trying to understand the octa to sit down and write a song, even a BAD song, it doesn't matter, it's just important to force you to understand the Octatrack in a holistic sense rather than trying to understand aspects of it in a vacuum. And I mean try and write a traditional song with verse, chorus, bridge, etc. This will FORCE you out of loop-itus. You write say, 70% of a solid loop and then copy that pattern to 16 for posterity. Then copy to patterns 2,3,4,5, and in those patterns remove some aspects to form some build up. Suddenly you realize "hey, I need another part for the chorus, but I don't have a spare track. changing a sound on a track will change it across patterns, so how do I do that?" parts, the answer is parts. Parts will allow you to change out samples and write whole new pieces so you can have a chorus with different basslines etc.

[@farawayskies]

Hmm...don't have a clue what the fuck you're talking about, but I'm pretty sure I need it.

[@Wouterferdinand]

How would you apply parts? I understand the method, however I don’t see how to apply it without losing as you said the sample on all patterns. I am using a Digitakt, but since it’s quiet familiar to each other I suppose it will work there as well.

[@aikighost]

Or you could just get an MPC live :)

[@nworbnimajneb]

@@Wouterferdinand copy the original part then change the copy. you can configure new part to start tracks silently so you can transition into them from the original part

[@moralrevulsionLive]

@Murada king of the jungle

[@thesnipecatcher116]

Huge Thanks for this video! I've had my Octatrack since last September and have worked a ton on it...the learning was indeed tough for me, but I slowed down and took it one step at a time and now it's my favorite hardware box ever (so far). The video either made certain things more clear or showed me a couple things I didn't know, so thanks so much!

[@twisttome]

This is the best and the most informative channel about gear I ever watched. Just thank you!!!!

[@Vishnu-xn4vx]

Loopop blasting that sax, badass, amazing video

[@sutusmihaly]

..hi 🙂 just want to mention,that your reviews are by far the most profound and well structured and therefore highly comprehensible I stumbled across YT..thanks a lot for your insights and knowledge 🖤🖤❤

[@TheChannelofaDisappointedMan]

Quality presentation. Like your calm delivery, perfect pace for the content.

[@metokyo4960]

This channel is simply owesome! Clear explanations and this nice voice makes me feel at home.

[@Domzxz]

MeTokyo just wanted ti say the same! totally agree!

[@richarquis]

If you listen closely, he actually makes quite a few really funny jokes, but they're subtle. I love how detailed he gets, but it's a bonus that he makes me laugh as he does it.

[@digitalcomplexity7155]

Awesome - I finally made the commitment and got one - Thanks for the CLEAR info loopop!

[@Hesohi]

I have been using Octatrack for 5 years. Your explanation of 'Parts' and how they work is the best i've seen. Quality Review.

[@Taylor-op8tv]

You are so good at what you do. Thanks again.

[@BonchegoBonchego]

I just like learning about different tools. Even if I’m never going to use it myself

[@digitalcomplexity7155]

Hopefully you learned enough like I did the last few years and bought one (like I just did), cause it's an awesome machine you wont regret it.....

[@plazahotelmusic]

Enriched

[@sawermusic]

wow, loopop! It's funny, I just received mine 4 days ago. Great to discover that you make a video about the octatrack. Super video, great work, as usual. It gives me even more wish to master this machine.

[@mixchief]

Super informative review, thanks loopop

[@ActualKaktus]

Marketing is powerful. New is not always better, but the consumer mindset we've been trained to adopt convinces us that it is. The Octatrack isn't perfect, but it's still a monster that perfectly encapsulates design Elektron's ethos. I don't think we need a new Octratrack, and we won't see one until Elektron squeezes every last bit of DSP out of it. GAS is the enemy of creativity. You'll spend a lot of time learning/integrating new hardware and plugins into your workflow....time that can be spent making music. Always ask yourself why you need it and how it will integrate. Do you have other tools that can handle the job? Scrutinizing your purchases will serve your better in the long term. You'll end up with a studio filled with things that are actually useful. Your creative workflow will improve, and your wallet will thank you.

[@JimBo-jf2qp]

I need this on a sticky note in front of my laptop / desk! Very well said. I've been going through an acquisition phase, and it's made me less productive for sure. It takes a while to learn a new piece of gear - the UI, the workflow, the shortcuts etc all take time to become second nature. My wallet and heart are thanking you for these words of wisdom :)

[@JamesBermingham]

@@JimBo-jf2qpI second that. I need to see this too 😵‍💫

[@JimBo-jf2qp]

@@JamesBermingham We've got this, man! My acquisition phase has really slowed down, and I'm taking the time to appreciate what I have. Good luck on your journey, dude! :)

[@gabrock55]

Just wish in this case 'new' at least meant the mkII was developed and released with overbridge in mind because that is an absolute super power for the digitakt and some of their other hardware, and seriously helps take "just couch another jam session" into a fully fledged mixed song idea in less than a minute of set up time. I don't have either of the 2 of these units and unfortunately that'll probably continue to be the case specifically because Elektron had said they don't plan on releasing an octatrack with overbridge in the future, real bummer.

[@JOHNG_TV]

I always knew i wanted this but now i know im getting it next! When the smoke settles and I've taken over the world they can blame you, this video & Elektron!!!

[@jq7065]

10 years on and the Octatrack is still easily the best bit of hardware I've ever owned and will ever own. I'm a big Ableton fan but there is something that is absolutely magic about Octatrack as it forces you to do things you would never do. If anyone is reading this and on the fence...get it, it takes time (for me a year - being very lazy with it) but when it all gels inside your head and makes sense it's like the eccie of all time. I use this for experimental music seriously and techno for fun.. ITS AMAZING

[@nachoci6876]

I wonder what can you do with it that you can't do with a DAW.

[@jq7065]

@@nachoci6876 I covered that in previous comment, you can do anything in a DAW but this makes you think differently due to the limitations

[@ildafons]

I have Digitakt and quite not sure if I should get an Octatrack. I'm looking at Syntakt to complement my Digitakt but definitely Octatrack is actually thing-in-itself.

[@G.GordonMidi]

I know this comment was years ago, but since I’m about to get one- what ended up being the easiest way for you to wrap your head around it? Any particular tutorial videos you’d recommend?

[@jq7065]

@@G.GordonMidi EZBot has some pretty good stuff online… other than that, just keep at it, it’s not as complicated as people make out but just start with simple things. I’m still learning stuff every time. MIDI sequencer is phenomenal!

[@josue.guevara]

I was waiting for a video on the Octatrack. Thanks!

[@in_10z]

That jam at the end was gorgeous!

[@AgustinDavidF]

I really like all your videos. Thanks for sharing them!

[@grandmasterjo1]

What a brilliant teacher. Perfect voice, modulation, flow and clarity. Command of language and information excellent. Thank you.

[@howardanderson3061]

Thank you for a very helpful and informative KZbin! I have not tackled the Octatrack yet but I'm still learning the Digitakt. One of the features that originally attracted me to the Octatrack was, the almost seemingly endless amount of LFO's that are available.Especially when utilizing the neighbor tracks. Thanks again!

[@monsieurpatate303]

Great tuto as usual, Thank you As an OT owner, there is a big effort to learn but after in use, it is very simple and intuitive

[@bussauto6564]

hey there - this is enormously helpful. Thank you for the energy you have shared here. peace

[@solaryzer]

Great tutorial/demo ,, i never really understood the work flow of the Octatrack , but after watching this i do , and think its quite an impressive piece of gear .

[@AirArtStudiosOfficial]

After years of trying to a wrap my head around this, it finically clicked last night when I moved my sample folder into the “set” audio folder. Man it’s a great weapon now. So creative

[@peirama2]

Your people need a full octatrack tutorial from the best reviewer out there !

[@johnctwenty3]

fantastic loopop.

[@sissamuyudakayennayer1016]

Great great video. Parts are also very usefull for midi and program change messages to other gear. You made me love my octatrack even more

[@weepwow]

This is a very useful video and even better than just a simple overview for anyone using Octatrack. Now that I have spent just a few weeks after getting an Octatrack Mk2, watching this video again, summarizes and glues together a lot of what Ive managed to learn to this point. (for example at 25:00 about 'Parts'). Of course, a long way to go in actual practice.

[@aki_gong6271]

Great document as usual, thank you so much for throwing light to non Octatrack owners yet :) great work

[@JensHoglin]

Great work Loopop junior! :-)

[@alcomatt]

Stellar as usual. Thanks!

[@AsyncLive]

this machine is absolute beast, I mean it's released in 2011 - and still kicking nuts

[@natura808]

I have instruments that were made 30-40 years ago and still kicking nuts...

[@DocTheopolis]

Nicely done!

[@justingoers6999]

The PART concept is the strangest to wrap your head around but once you master it it allows you to really go wild with your sounds and then instantly reset them with the PART RELOAD command. This technique alone is not only super power powerful, but it's also the only way to quickly get back to settings that you like in the particular BANK / PATTERN if you've been doing some heavy tweaking. So while you don't HAVE to learn it, I'd say it's well worth your time. I think it's easiest to think of the PARTS as KITS that are linked to specific patterns. And you get four of those PARTS per BANK. It's also worth noting that you can easily COPY the PARTS from BANK to BANK with the standard Elektron copy scheme (FUNCTION + RECORD) while you're on the part menu.

[@NunyaB1s]

So... part is more like a "scene" in other gear?

[@earlsfield]

Thanks for the amazing video Ziv. I just swapped my Digitakt for Oktatrack and am super happy with your clear explanations of the most complex elements of the device.

[@loopop]

My pleasure thanks for the comment

[@DesignTalNadav]

perfect tut. i'll try it out on my machine. having trouble with ideas and flow. THANKS

[@lambertlambert7076]

The saxo playing is so great ! Just enjoying it.

[@AndrewJohnClive]

Loopop... I think you need to give us a definitive overview/tutorial on using Octatrack as a looper. I think it's the most under-utilised mode becasue of the head-scratching nature of it!

[@amfimoll9428]

Amazing look at this machine! Thanks a lot!

[@zipnone1996]

it's such a good tool - hard to use all the features at once but once you're comfortable it fits in nicely with any work flow

[@M1L31]

thanks for this review. you made me got an Octatrack - thanks a lot ;)

[@ElectronisoundsAudio]

Thank you for this! I'm new to Octatrack and have so much to learn! 🤗😁👊

[@driesanalog4187]

maybe this is a good one for you: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hKPLgYJ9r9Nqgqs

[@thesilence4456]

Whenever I want to thoroughly understand a piece of gear before deciding I turn to the loopop

[@browe]

I've continuously used my Mk I since I bought it at its original launch--all for live use with other musicians in a trio setting. Cannot believe that I'm contemplating getting the Mk II after all this time 😄

[@internalreality]

i love your channel and admire your skill

[@dudemanxx]

I've bought so much cheapish gear trying to convince myself I don't need this thing but it literally checks every box I have when looking for a performance oriented sampler. Great review (admittedly only about 8 minutes in but whatever). Think I'll have to start saving up

[@stainlexz]

great review. Thank you!

[@bsotodo7523]

"loopop junior" ahahaha! Thanks for the video. This is just what I was looking for :D

[@dominicstocker5144]

Really enjoyed the video. I think that it would be very cool if future versions of the Octatrack could get tight DAW integration

[@iamhated1292]

Sax! my first instrument (as a 9 year old lol) really digging your videos. Most of them make their way to my favs ❤

[@joelebenny]

Such a good video, I learned a couple things ! hank you so much !

[@circuitousvibes5226]

I've had my MKI OT for just under three years now. I love it. It's not perfect, and it takes a while (about a year, I think) to get a useable workflow going. Indeed, I was laughing at parts of this video because things can get pretty complicated, very fast. That said, this is becoming a primary instrument in my live ambient performances because of how deep and malleable the machine is. The effects send is very useful to me, as are slices and the LFOs, and it sounds really good. I learn something new about it almost every day. That to me has been one of the best parts: I don't feel like I can ever stop learning about what the OT can do.

[@Freddy_VHS]

Verry good tutorial! I just got the OT for a couple of days and im getting the hang of it. Still im confident to say that i dont even know 10% of what this beast is capable of

[@maxmarco]

Octatrack is always worth it - if you're willing to invest the time and effort. Took me 3 years to feel 'comfortable' on Octatrack

[@LloydRobinson]

I totally agree, I choose to buy 4 Elektron machines around the same time, thats a lot of learning. The Octatrack being the hardest to understand.

[@maxmarco]

wow! I'm surprised you're still alive, that sounds like a serious case of Elektron overdose :D

[@LloydRobinson]

lol im ok now. Like you say take your time with Octatrack. The others are a similar level of learning and I am taking it in.

[@maxmarco]

The converters are perfectly fine; I can't pick them out in a blind test. The plate and dark reverb are great and I love them, however the spring reverb I have yet to embrace. The lack of a hard limiter is probably the biggest faux pas in terms of FX, and I don't consider either EQ suitable for use on the master bus. Overall in my experience the pitch shifting and time-stretching are some of the weaker aspects, but they are still very functional in a variety of contexts and have a certain charm when abused.

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

yes and yes- it was a long steep initial curve but worth it.

[@trentEA]

I'm willing to pay for an OT course and I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one. I really don't want to give up on this awesome machine. Great video!

[@slimpickins6007]

You read my mind with videos sometimes i swear! Ive been kicking back and forth investing in an octatrack. Thank you!

[@sonicneutronic]

You and me both.

[@slimpickins6007]

Smoke DeGrasse Tyson to be honest i wish i had done the same but i got the Digitakt before i even realized what the Octatrack could be for me. But it helped me love the elektron workflow and features. And i dont think i will ever part with my DT even if i get an OT because its just dear to my heart now

[@robertparenton7470]

The best and own one! Thank You!

[@rolandexclusive6306]

i have read my paper manual back to front numerous times. it's really important to place your trust in the manual, have patience, and read.

[@harrywilcock2030]

Just got one second hand! WOOP! Great video again Loopop ive already watched it 2-3 times. Gonna be valuable in the future. Im always bankrupt but always happy and amazed thanks to your bad influence! :D I will be asking questions soon

[@user-rq4vx2hg7t]

octatrack is my first gear to access eletronic music,i spend lot of time to understand it and now i can't play my electro without it,it is a very deep machine,thanks elektron!

[@hellcoreproductions]

Regarding slicing, pre-slicing record buffers will always be one of my favourite live mangling tools.

[@etnalag90]

Your analogie: ‚,patterns are like sheet music and parts are like the instruments you play them with‘‘ is just brilliant 👌 Thank you

[@flightvision]

Absolute mega like for the Sax

[@leetronix]

For live performances this is an absolute must have. It is a steep learning curve but once you understand its work flows you will never want to use anything else IMO :)

[@politesociety]

Have owned and used an OT for years and wouldn't normally watch a video like this, but all your videos are always so thoughtful and considered. You have reminded me I don't use the plays free option enough. Also worth noting is that the OT is the only hardware I am aware of where you can sequence sampling recorders. Which when combined with plays free can do some wild one button live sampling.

[@JimBo-jf2qp]

I know this is an old comment, but I'm pretty sure the Machinedrum UW can sequence its sampling recorders, assuming I understand what you mean :)

[@politesociety]

@@JimBo-jf2qp I didn't realise that, but it makes sense considering the linage from MDUW to OT.

[@Wanttoknowabout]

The OT is awesome. I think a common misconception is that one must use all the features of some complex to justify getting it. I only use many of the basic properties of the OT and I still think it is worth it.

[@anven1621]

Exactly. Many people think it takes too much time to know the Octatrack inside out. That's true. But I don't know anyone who really uses and needs all the functions. I use about 50 percent of the functions - and still have a shitload of fun.

[@solomonjenkins9505]

@@anven1621 theres too many functions for any one user to use em all imo

[@rumham9911]

Fully agree, I don't understand the reasoning behind it being "too overkill" for people just looking to have some simple x0x-sequenced sampling fun, it will do the simple stuff just fine, and still do it better than most of the competition. The beauty of its complexity is also that once you've mastered the simple stuff, you have so much more to explore and try out that it will keep you interested and coming up with new ideas for years to come. When you put it into a long-term perspective like that, its not that outlandish an investment compared to buying a bunch of cheap Korg toys for instance that you'll feel limited by after mere weeks.

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

indeed hell you can make entire live performance sets just by tweaking the demo preset project without the CF card loaded.

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

@@rumham9911 probably why Elektron came out with the entry level Samples Model for basic stuff without the bells and whistles of Octatrack.

[@bobcatt2294]

Great review - this instrument is configured for live or for DJ sets. Thumbs up, and was great seeing Loopop Jr.

[@TheNimasan]

such a tremendous jam.... i dont have the octa but this tune makes to want one!!!!!!!

[@denisvodek790]

Very useful, thank you very much.

[@silence_castor]

So tempted to grab one to group with the Digi and the Heat

[@Matthewsavant]

You could use it simply as an FX processor and it would be worth it 16 simultaneous effects that are beat synced and the ability to record and sequence any of the parameters allows for endless possibilities and that’s before you even load a single sample into it

[@nerdvinicius]

Ducking awsome. This video made my life easyer. thanx dude- :-)

[@dasive]

Great vídeo; thank you

[@DayflightTrok]

Thank You, for me the Octatrack was, is and will be the most sophisticated Music machine on the market. A real masterpiece.

[@CircuitBeat323]

great stuff, i like it!

[@filouzagames8452]

Keep wondering if they are going to put something new in this space out. Very tempted by this thing.

[@frankschafer1505]

Very good review. Also a comprehensive tutorial once you know a little bit on the octatrack.

[@DayflightTrok]

Thank you, great.

[@Artek604]

Awesome video, as always! I'll find out myself soon, as my Mk1 is somewhere in the air being delivered from Australia to Poland :)

[@judge234]

Ja tam mam i nie żałuje hihi☻💪

[@Artek604]

@@judge234 Też jestem pewien, że nie będę żałował :)

[@mattkaz9604]

The OT will still be a great tool in another ten years I imagine.

[@markleahodson7091]

Quality as always loo, still can't believe in 8 yrs we don't have something significantly better , I'm still waiting and I can't see the light !

[@ShineRecordings]

maybe a Push 3 Standalone or the NI Maschine+?

[@happylittlesynth]

Would love a video on the analog rtym mk ii :D

[@Lazulz]

Love u loopop

[@shatteredsquare]

16:48 17:40 whaaaaaaaaat 8 additional midi tracks of conditional triggers and custom rolled LFOs, sample tracks and midi tracks running at different lengths and resolutions, morphing/crossfading across entire pages of parameter changes through scenes while each scene's individual conditional triggers are doing backflips at random like caffeinated frogs 😍 this thing is an absolute box of boogie

[@ramonkey2939]

I was working in my octatrak last night and just noticing how good it sounds. There is a distinct quality of sound that sets it apart from the competition

[@user-tv7jx9pw1q]

But is it really possible to sound design and mix in that thing?

[@ramonkey2939]

@@user-tv7jx9pw1q well not like you can in a digitone

[@user-tv7jx9pw1q]

@@ramonkey2939 yeah but the digitone is a synth... I mean compared to a daw?

[@flann5802]

@@user-tv7jx9pw1q well daw can do a lot more, but some people are became more productive if they comfortable to use "dawless" setup

[@aidanvinum]

I’ve bought this thing about 3 times. It always calls me from the void...like a lover without closure. Now she calls again thanks to you, Loopopinator!

[@rumham9911]

I had it, sold it, bought it back again and I've considered one or two times since to sell it in favor of other more sexy new equipment on my GAS radar, but its still such a unique swiss army knife of a machine that I know I would just regret it all over again. It may not always inspire me or pull some things off as quick or easily as I'd like, but few devices in this day and age dare to be as out there crazy and different as the OT, it has a personality all its own and I just love it for that.

[@aidanvinum]

Rum Ham I’ve done the same. I just sold it, hopefully for the last time. Have moved on to greener pastures.

[@mykdubz128]

The reason why I subscribed to your channel, was, that you explain all the things on the run because I really don't like much talking without hearing any sound or the same sound phrase all the time: that's the opposite of interesting and has the feel of a school class. I even did my best to avoid having channels like SonicState in my search results anymore as these go with way too much talking, no music, no love for the CORE of music: SOUND! So, basically combining playing the instrument and giving all information about the particular device, that makes a good and interesting KZbin video, because otherwise I could easily read the instruction manual instead.

[@zacdior9402]

Just a suggestion, when you're going through subjects and you have that index on the left hand side? whatever subject you're on, change the colour of the text to green so the viewer can see right away what subject you're talking about on the left side text list. I really like your channel, keep up the good work.

[@CircuitBeat323]

great stuff i like it!

[@aristeidesros6879]

for my music the work with octatrack is amazing...

[@aleksd7832]

Use whatever you got to make sounds on, but if you happen to have an OT just employ it somehow. For a while I used it as a submixer running that delay on each channel hardly its best use scenario... Now it serves other functions as fluency is developed. Still, in this video you can tell this gentleman is master of this machine. Parts= Kits ! best explanation and keep two manuals open on your screen as you learn are excellent advice. I had printed mine out and kept another version up on the screen. Also I made a cheeeet sheeeet.

[@Bassmannoid]

This is why KZbin is beating Netflix and HBO etc. etc... Thank you loopop!

[@adisharr]

That's like comparing Apples and Cucumbers. They're for completely different things. Guess which sites aren't being inundated with copyright claims?

[@Bassmannoid]

@@adisharr I did not compare anything, and KZbin is slowly but surely providing the content many of us users really want, loopops videos being a point in case. But I would not know anything about copyright claims or anything and too be honest I don't really care as long as I can keep watching stuff that makes sense too me for free ;)

[@saturncrush]

You got a point. But I see KZbin as just a distributor that is comprised of (majority) public access programming. There will always be a demand for high pro industry programming as well.

[@annother3350]

Adishar - I've almost stopped watching Netflix in favour of KZbin.

[@tlatsegms]

Amazing⚡️

[@rumham9911]

Yes, 8 years later and the Octatrack is still a one of a kind machine. It might not always be the most intuitive, or the fastest to do some things on, but despite almost a decade there is no alternative that will offer the same functionality and features in a compact portable solution like this. I used to own it back in 2011 when it was first released, had to sell it a year later and ever since I've been looking at every other machine on the market to find if there's something equivalent, to no avail. Finally in early 2018 I had the money to make a new sampling workstation purchase, and the Octatrack was still the obvious choice for what I wanted, so I went with the MKII. While it admittedly is starting to show signs of its age in places and still has some annoyances that will likely never be remedied, it will always have a place in my heart and my setup. The rather depressing fact of the matter however is that its likely to remain a one of a kind. Looking at the almost corporate market team-operated Elektron today vs the daring mad scientist laboratory they used to be in the 00s makes me worry that they've changed to the point of never considering making anything as groundbreaking and risky as the Octatrack ever again, or even make the effort to develop a true "Octatrack 2" modern successor. I'm hoping that one day it will happen, but for every new product Elektron puts out I feel less hopeful for this being the case. For those of you who want it, get it now while its still being made, in my opinion this is the last remaining machine they sell that has that old quirky Elektron magic which made them such lovable innovators in the 00s.

[@nandoblondemobydick5438]

yes there is nothing interesting from them since Rytm 8 and Octatrack

[@cqbs]

As always... Awesome review ! Thank you ... ./ivar

[@johnp1085]

whoops, fell down a loopop hole again. btw I'd love to see a comparison video sometime of the major "studio brains" people put at the center of their hardware setups, like octatrack and deluge and mpc

[@ChanseMacabre]

This is exactly the video I needed. I recently bought a Digitakt, and I'd been wondering if an Octatrack would have too much overlap to have alongside the DT, but it looks like it's different enough that they'd play nicely together. Thanks for making this video. :)

[@nomindseye]

Just remember that it's about 10x more difficult to figure out. I also bought Digitakt and then Octatrack. While the idea of the sequencer is pretty similar, and you get the idea, Octatrack is much more opaque and it will take some learning and reading of manual. I figured out pretty every feature of Digitakt without a manual. I would have no hope of doing that with Octatrack. Two of them work well together, as long as you concentrate on their respective strengths.

[@ChanseMacabre]

@@nomindseye That's good to know. I have a tendency to obsess over the manual and demo videos whenever a new synth is being shipped, so hopefully that'll help me along the difficulty curve a bit when I eventually grab one, but I'll try to prepare for a proper learning experience. Thanks for the info. :)

[@zachlombardi3137]

Chanse Macabre ever end up grabbing the octatrack, friendo???? Picked one up recently, alongside a fuck ton of other gear (the Matriarch and Push 2/Ableton 10 Suite among everything) and haven’t gotten to go balls to the wall yet. Been hammering the Push 2 and am absolutely blown away. Really turns Ableton itself into an instrument. Pretty neat stuff.

[@ST3R3OTYP1CAL]

First jam sounds like a Rival Consoles tune :')

[@ploytuell1332]

The Octatrack is an unique piece of gear. There is nothing compareable. The best thing is that it is'nt limited to a specific workflow. There a tons of possibilities how to use the octatrack. Aaaand thats the reason for the stiff learning curve.