The Best Octatrack Controller and Free Template // Launch Control XL and Octatrack Setup

[@jackherz2584]

Might be a bit late to the party just wanted to let you know that on the first custom mapping page on the Launchcontrol XL the track focus and track control buttons do light up when mapped and pressed however on any of the other custom pages those same buttons don't light up. Not sure why this is but yeah, best workaround I've found is trying to keep all mutes mapped to the first user page that way when you mute tracks you still get the visual feedback of the lights going off or on. Hope that makes sense, you're a legend Ricky!

[@RickyTinez]

Yo! figuered out how to Cue the track, i had the wrong CC# its 51 NOT 47 🤦🏽‍♂... Updated the template which you can grab here - bit.ly/3Fl8tsv Thank you everyone who helped me with that

[@tteejj_]

Just watched the vid and flew into the comments to drop the note on the correct CC value. Great upload!

[@DamienPasquale]

Is this template still up? Link just keeps routing me back to your YT profile page! 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@dnaliens3000]

looks cool, but your template seems to have vanished...

[@VANVASSS]

Hello ! I’m Enrique and I would like to play with your template for launch control … it is possible ? I cannot see any link to it . Thanks in advance

[@sugarhigh4242]

Nice setup! It's kind of wild that Launch control XL remains a mostly unique device. I wish Novation (or Akai w/ MIDIMix) would do an update with standard midi, maybe even cv outs. These controllers are so useful just for having a ton of controls. Great for mapping with deep synth engines like Pigments.

[@lwpweb]

nice, loved the remarks about 'wiggling'. i use instead the akai midimix (small and half price) and i love its 'send all' button, which sends ALL ccs at once in a second and so prevents 'wiggling'. Thats pretty much it.

[@isaac.anthony]

i use iConnect4+ with LCXL it have to look for the manual if there's a way to do this, good call!

[@orregomusic5850]

You are blessed with the gift of generosity, you make this world better Bro, Love, Light and Peace for your life. 🙏

[@rafatreseisconco]

Obviously you wanted to keep on jammin". The track is so cool. I wouldn't be able to stop either. Nice elegant, smooth stuff. Sounds great and the setup with the Launch Control is functional, lots of ideas to be taken from this. Very informative. Thanks!

[@FuZZbaLLbee]

Ideally you want the position of the knob to reflect the actual value of the parameters at the start of each song. For this reason it is good to use a Midi controller that accepts CC values like the midi fighter twister. The trick is to send midi CC values corresponding to the value of the parameters at the start of the song (note sending these CC messages to the twister does not effect the actual value), and set the trigger condition to 1st, so it only triggers once. Now at the start of the song the knob position equals the actual value, and there won't be any jumps when moving the knob. I also made a video about this.

[@straightedge_eli2062]

You're my favorite KZbinr. Thanks for sharing all this information constantly throughout the years..Your great!✌️🎧

[@ikitat]

Dec is short for decimal, base 10 values. Hexadecimal is handy because 2 places each with values 0-F can represent all 256 values in a byte of information.

[@annother3350]

16 x 16?

[@BullyMaguire4ever]

I hate hexadecimal, it just feels so counterintuitive, makes me avoid renoise.

[@mfbeatz]

How do you get the USB out from the launchcontrol to the midi in of the OT? What cable or other gear is needed? Thks for all your vids so helpful 💣

[@el_dani]

He says it in the video: It‘s the Tubutec module „USB bridge A“ in his rack. There is also an Kenton device that does it in it‘s own case: Kenton USB midi host

[@Hakucho64]

There's a new 6-in 6-out MIDI hub from DOREMiDi called the MSC-10 that can also host up to 4 USB devices, all for only US$160. It's replaced the Blokas MidiHub for me.

[@krazywabbit]

I’ve seen others use a Mozaic script to get those buttons to stay lit or turn off and on. I’m not smart enough to figure that out.

[@dreamsaremaps]

Aaaaaand now I need to investigate this.

[@thesurgingmass]

Nice work. I’m currently loving the OT with the Manifold iPad controller app. Just a brilliant setup.

[@dreamsaremaps]

I own both but haven’t done much with it; what have you been utilizing and getting good use out Manifold? I adore the A4 and Digitone apps from the same dev; so I guess I just haven’t wrapped my head around how to use it to push samples vs synthesis. I’m gonna fire them up!

[@thesurgingmass]

@@dreamsaremaps the 10 macros are what I’ve been using most. Could see it being great for live use, but I’ve been using them for mangling sounds and resampling them.

[@nkozi]

I know this vid is a year old, but! If you use a midi fighter twister (or 2) and have the OT sending CC values back into the little midi interface, so long as that info gets back to the controller(s) it'll visually update them as well

[@Hakucho64]

Sounds like you could achieve that using a Blokas MidiHub too.

[@TRaddcliff]

You could always get a controller with endless encoders and set their positions to relative and it would line up with your OTs settings in each pattern/part 👍🏿

[@RickyTinez]

I’ve tried that, but I realized I prefer knowing where max/min are. Especially for track levels. I guess that’s the trade off haha

[@TRaddcliff]

@@RickyTinez fair enough. Was just thinking about trying help you avoid the pre swap wiggle. Solid vid as usual 👍🏿

[@DavidZisa]

@@TRaddcliff but OT is saving the CC values per part, correct? If so then endless encoders won’t stop it from jumping when switching. You’d still need to wiggle?

[@TRaddcliff]

Holy shit, that’s fucked up. I dunno which box I’m thinking about right now then. I coulda SWORN that the OT held settings per pattern. Ya, I just Checked, current parameter settings carry over to the new pattern. That’s shitty. I haven’t used my OT for a bit. There’s gotta be a way, other than wiggle, to have relative encoder positions per pattern.

[@willp3754]

Faderfox EC4 is endless push encoders and programmable several ways (range, switches, etc). The display can show what the control values are even though knob position does not. It can also be populated with values by sending the OT a CC, 61 I think. Further trick, the OT can be set to send a program change every time a pattern changes - I have turned this into CC 61 with a midi processor and sent it thru the EC4 back to the OT, to help stay in sync. It won't help if you reload the part on the OT while in the same pattern, but you can also send CC 61 from the EC4 with a push encoder. Its just... better than this

[@BenG64646]

Hey super late question and in no way related to this vid but when u wear a cap like u do in this vid and than the aiaiai tma-2 wireless on top of that, do u also get headaches after a while from those seams from the cap? U know because the headband of the tma while push on those seams so that basically the whole wheigt of the headphones push down on just that one spot? Haha maybe for me it’s xtra hard cause I’m bald and have no hair to mitigate, but i have to wiggle my caps until it actually feels halfway comfy. Do u maybe also know that? 😅

[@KarlisVitols-db2sh]

how it compares to faderfox pc4?

[@tractorjp]

Since you need a midi host module to make this work, I would argue that the older Novation Zero SL MKII is a better controller than this new equipment because the MKII has Midi DIN ports that connect to the Octatrack directly and without the need for extra equipment.

[@UroshShishovic]

Looks like old BCR2000 and/or BCF2000 would suite you perfectly for this setup. Nice setup btw.

[@gonzanehuen_]

Thanks for the lesson. Where i can find the script ?

[@thetaflux6267]

Hey, is there any place to find the launch control xl template? The link in your description doesn't seem to work anymore.

[@danielreizinger548]

Would this be useful for the DT too?

[@kablehead]

The Launch Control XL? Yes, it's great for Digitakt, Digitone and Syntakt as well.

[@CP4700]

CC61 will grab the knob positions from OT, but will only work flawless with an encoders controller. I wish to see the same implementation on DT and DN.

[@itimmy101]

Love that same sample jdilla used!🥳🥳🥳🥳

[@isaac.anthony]

I wonder how a controller with motorized faders would do with the Octatrack, would the faders jump when you change patterns? Anyone tried this?

[@RobotSnake]

How is the Launch Control connected to the OT? I have both but know it won’t just connect directly without some middle device.

[@el_dani]

not possible

[@peteraldred4315]

Fantastic videos Ricky! Love your content. Have you tried using midi cc (DEC=51, HEX=$33) for track cue on the Octatrack (value=0 for track cue off or value=1 to 127 for track cue on).

[@acidtechno]

THANKS MAN :) I just tried the akia midimix , and its total crap btw, and used most of the pots are defective . Avoids. also the akai programming software has no button options for latch etc . very very poor by akai china.

[@RaulCober]

AMAZING!! Please could you tell me if the Novation XL works on Syntakt??? Thanks in advance

[@jimmez]

Can you use Launch control to mute tracks on Digitakt II?

[@EZBOT_]

Very nice.

[@mttdms]

Any idea if novation is making a Launchcontrol Mk3? The people would love to know...

[@kablehead]

The buttons below the faders on the launch control only light up if you're using a daw that can send midi information back into it.

[@bbingtube]

Yeah that’s why mine work with Reaper

[@TheDustngel]

yesss man the octatrack is the best

[@thegroovepainter]

Is there also CC message control over the tempo parameter on OT?

[@romtieche]

Hello Ricky, this is such a great overview how you use the launch control, thank you so much! I just noticed the link to your midi mapping configuration is no longer working.. is it possible to access your mapping somewhere else? All the best from Europe

[@NateHorn]

It's a great controller but the centre detents are a bit annoying for anything other than DJ filters or pan pots. Thanks for the tips Ricky ✌✌

[@mamamia980]

Have you uses the Korg electribe

[@subradial]

Great video, thank you! It's a lot of fun for live tweaking, I have been using Launch Controller XL with OT for a while now and I believe I managed to map CUEs to those buttons, never managed to get the button lights working but there are people who did templates that work with lights so it is somehow possible, I think you need to edit the template file or something

[@z0OZ00OOO]

Thank you for the octatrack videos

[@user-dt9kk6sg8z]

excellent video. I'm considering to buy exactly the Octatrack with a MIDI controller - htis is just the type of inspiration I need to understand how it could work. I'm still not sure how I would create the initial patterns and song parts - probably a drum machine, but I'm hesitant about the digitakt

[@Alexrsa4]

Que spec’s tiene tu MacBook Air!?

[@TheJacksonscience]

I cant get this to work with individual tracks, every fader/knob affects only track 1, as if the OT couldnt separate track by midi channel?

[@RickyTinez]

They might all be set to the same midi channel then? Try changing the midi channels on each track of the OT.

[@TheJacksonscience]

@@RickyTinez bro thanks so much, I feel like an idiot, that was it, I also was missing creating separate midi tracks with different midi channels on each track, thanks again brother, appreciate the response

[@SergeyCoder]

Hmm. Is it MIDI implementation of sending CC values only when you touch a knob or LaunchControl just work in a such way? 🤔 Are any other devices works the same?

[@AndyD2011]

Love this, the LaunchControlXL is an amazing controller, very very powerful! 👍

[@solomonjenkins9505]

Could this be done for the analog rytm?

[@ILZHOO]

What about fighter twister over launch control? With endless encoders it would be easier to switch banks, isn’t it?

[@clothshorse]

Powerful vid 🙏

[@JAAPIOJO]

Wasn't the novation 49mk3 SL USB controller good for this? Or is nobody using it anymore.

[@domting8973]

wow will there be one for digitakt?

[@el_dani]

Do it yourself, you‘ll learn midi 😊

[@TheJacksonscience]

Every knob on each channel only affects track 1 one on the octatrack, midi controller is separated by midi channel but everything still only makes changes on track 1 on OT, what am I doing wrong??

[@el_dani]

Midi settings on Octatrack

[@RickyTinez]

you might be using an auto channel, or the midi channel is not setup correctly. Make sure your LCXL has changed midi channels on each column of knobs

[@a2roland]

Thank You for sharing.

[@el_dani]

Ricky I think it‘s time to hook up again with Novation headquarters that the electronic music world asks for an mk3. As it‘s Christmas time, wishlist: 2 rows of knobs, 3 rows of led encoders, Midi in, out, thru, Ableton (Push 3) integration - yes we pay serious money

[@HectorHVelascoT]

The parameter Cue is for Cue level, not for Cue on off. That,s why it doesnt blink. I use it in Cue configuration: Studio.

[@RickyTinez]

aaaaahhhh, its 51! updating the template now hahaha Thank you.

[@ottohgonal964]

These videos about your liveset are so damn inspiring and interesting! I'd love to see the whole liveset!! Maybe you could record it and upload it to your channel as well? :)

[@RickyTinez]

incoming!

[@solomonjenkins9505]

can this be done with the mkI? What connects to the octatrack, doesn't look like a midi cable?

[@el_dani]

Yes it can be done with mk1. But you need an USB midi host, like Ricky explained in the video

[@fargoththemoonsugarmaniac]

launch kontrol or pc12?

[@laberinttto]

anybody knows if it´s possible to use another midi controller? (with infinite rotatory knobs) to solve that problem with the knobs? (I mean: when you change your pattern (for example) and the filter is clossed in the new pattern, but the midi knob is "open", and you just mess it moving...) any sugestions?

[@mike_qbik]

need running it thru comp? or can this be hooked directly to OT via USB like faderfox?

[@el_dani]

How do you connect Faderfox with usb only to Octatrack? Octatrack is no usb host, you‘ll need intermediate device, not necessarily a computer though (Tubutec USB bridge a or Kenton USB midi host)

[@joshkorody7376]

Hey Ricky, how are you sending midi from the launch control to the OT? I see its got a usb cable but thats going to your eurorack? Does it only work with a laptop in the chain?

[@el_dani]

Tubutec USB Bridge or Kenton Midi usb host

[@Hakucho64]

Or the new DOREMiDi MSC-10 can act as host to any USB MIDI controllers

[@shambles07]

Anyone know how how the jumping values would work on the Octatrack when paired with the MF Twister? I found it doesn't read the values from the Digitakt when changing patterns, but since the MF Twister uses endless encoders, it should be possible to have the values update automatically... I wonder if MIDI Translator Pro could help, I picked up a BomeBox but haven't needed to use it yet, so it's still a mystery to me.

[@isaacanthonydj4124]

I couldn't do without LCXL it's my OT BFF!!!

[@isaacanthonydj4124]

Clever map of the amp volume vs. track Level, i might have a look putting my amp volume on a second template page, never thought about that before, thanks Ricky! I use delay locks on a lot of tracks, so i need to remap the template i downloaded from elektron website, because i don't bottom row of knobs to send delay.

[@isaacanthonydj4124]

I think i'm going to do cue volume for the faders and all 3 LFO on a second page, i never even thought about using multiple templates before, you shared the knowledge today, brother, PREACH!

[@solomonjenkins9505]

I just don't understand how one can switch which parameters a non encoder control is mapped to back and forth. Like I move my fader halfway down on one page, then I go back to main page and wanna adjust the volume level on that track, but my fader is in the wrong place.

[@baqcasanke]

What i do: use a midi controller with endless encoders. Then when you switch it doesnt matter their absolute position only the relative position change. And i map faders to things that dont change, like using one fader per track volume, or some global parameters

[@solomonjenkins9505]

@@baqcasanke this would be ideal for me...any links to what specifically you use? And would you have any advice for hooking it up to octa / rytm? I would kill to have this on my rytm, hell, even just faders that never change, I would kill for that. I even have faders on my korg m3 but as each rytm track has it's own midi channel idk how to map all the faders to different midi channels or if that is even possible with the m3. The m3 is complex...so are the electron machines

[@shoosh727]

How to midi map play stop rec buttons?

[@rascal_rae]

good to know about amp level vs track level!

[@dream-shala-music]

Just a note for anyone going insane trying to set Note values to buttons... for example Cue Active Track on the OT is note G4, for whatever reason The LaunchControl XL wants all notes to be an octave lower so you need to set the value on the LCXL to G3. It's only 2023 who would expect midi to be the same on every machine 🤪🤪🤪🤪 Also note that MIDI implementation has changed a bit with the latest firmware of the OT

[@rossawilson01]

I love the idea of this but to not touch the octatrack buttons, I dunno, takes some of the pain in the ass fun the OT is. Im thinking of getting a DJ mixer like the Playdiffernetly and just resampling things if I need awesome eq.

[@pantov]

Nice video! You know if we can expect a firmware update for the ot anytime soon if ever?

[@RickyTinez]

Not that I know of, they’ve said for awhile that the OT is pretty maxed out in terms of its processor

[@iqnill]

Try Min=0 and Max=1 I had a similar issue mapping the Launch Control - 127 didn't work, 1 did.

[@cozyvandal8265]

Just out of interest (as you used to work at Novation), are there any particular reasons you are not using the Launchpad Pro Mk3? I have the Launch Control XL, and Launchpad Pro Mk3 is arriving tomorrow, just want to know if there's any 'watch outs' in your experience. Keep up the amazing content, much appreciated!

[@cozyvandal8265]

I think i've answered part of my own question: one template on the LCXL contains 32 faders (24 encoders, 8 sliders). On the LP Pro mk3 one can only have 8 faders on a template, so it gets trickier to fit everything onto a single work surface, despite the deep customizability of the LP Pro mk3

[@santiagopenaclavijo5646]

Thank you

[@frenchtrace9862]

I've had both the XL and the Digitakt and all the converters I could ever need for years and I've just been too lazy to set it up lol

[@RealBassPhat]

Hey Ricky, can you please tell the good folks at Elektron that they have a HUGE market for an Octatrack v2 (a real one). One with overbridge. Multi track recording out via workarounds is a pain. Honestly if a new OT came out and cost $5K I bet they would still sell a ton. They have a cult following on the beat device ever.

[@el_dani]

5K is a lot: for that you‘ll get a top notch Macbook Pro and a Push 3

[@Romanowitch]

Just a simple question, but isn't it like re-inventing the wheel by just avoiding using ableton with this controller ? which is already almost pre-mapped to be used like this ? You showed in a previous video how to transpose ableton file to be used in OT, it feels like you may save A LOT of time, energy, money and gears by simply sticking to Ableton... Just my two cents over the whole thing :)

[@RickyTinez]

Totally hear you on this, i prefer the hardware version as my performance tool. If i had a controller for each item (drum machine, synth, sampler, fx) then maybe it would save me a little time. I find having each dedicated machine to be super fun! Plus, i know these instruments fairly well to where I feel comfortable improvising and erasing quickly. Its just what i've spent more time on as an instrument.

[@ILLUDIUM_Q_36]

That beat is 🔥 tho

[@jimlampshady]

Lesson seems to be - wiggle your knobs. Nice.

[@HenriDeCarvalho]

Don't understand why there is not more options from big brands. Midi controllers are very usefull for a dawless live setup and/or in the box production. ...I kind of still believe Behringer BCF, APC 40, UC 33 where good products that brands should kept developping. Today, If you want something simple but spécific you need to turn towards custom production

[@RickyTinez]

Right?! Super useful

[@symbiat0]

Dude is that the 3rd Wave synth behind you ? I don’t think you made a video about it… 😉

[@Andres-sp2go]

how about you set up a knob/button that sends midi cc that goes nowhere ? or should i say .. that actions nothing on the octatrack ... that way you dont have to wiggle your knobs all the time ...

[@baqcasanke]

This is an interesting workaround that ive thought if trying. Basically assign one knob to a cc value that isnt used by the OT…. So theoretically you just have to wiggle that one knob once to get it to sense the new parameters. I will try this

[@MrRyXem]

Dope, encoder when you jump from preset to preset are perfect for this kind of setup. Like the faderfox EC4, im using it with my syntakt it's a lovely combination

[@eento06]

not really lol

[@MrRyXem]

@@eento06 when you want to handle multiple midi preset without multiplicating your hardware, yes encoder is the way to go. Especially live to avoid jumping value between preset (as show in the video) Good luck doing that with knob only.

[@jeunelazzy9898]

DECimal numbers

[@MultiMam12345]

Catch or jump midi is horrible for any live situation. It will annoy you sooner or later because it breaks flow in a second. You are blind at all times. Normal encoders are simply made for mapping a single parameter. If you want to switch context and have feedback you need endless encoders with visual feedback. Or use multiple controllers with normal knobs.

[@keirakeirakeiraW]

yessir

[@cryn]

Who else is singing along to the intro music?

[@justinjones2595]

The bummer about this setup is that the USB MIDI host will cost you almost as much as the controller

[@dreamsaremaps]

If you have an iPhone or iPad and CCK, you can use a host like AUM to reroute usb midi. At that point you’d only need a USB to 5pin interface, or audio interface with built in MIDI; that’s how I use the LCXL with hardware as I already had that stuff.

[@justinjones2595]

@@dreamsaremaps Good point but that sounds pretty complicated to host a MIDI controller lol

[@dreamsaremaps]

@@justinjones2595 indeed, it’s by no means ideal, but so far it’s allowed me to get by without purchasing anything I didn’t already have. But you are right, and I may still invest in a direct and dedicated solution one day.

[@famousarmystudio]

yeah please dump that stock DT clap... not sure why, but that sound is like nails on a chalkboard to me 😂

[@Crucial_Realm]

Claire……

[@bassywax]

faderfox way better imo

[@256k_]

knobwiggler

[@hockeybuck1586]

So you need a device to connect a device to the Octatrack? Sounds like you are selling snake oil. There are better options out there, but I guess they are not paying you.

[@G.GordonMidi]

All due respect, it doesn’t seem like you know what snake oil means. In what way is it snake oil just because you need a device between the 2 things? And what are the much better options for controlling OT? This is one of the cheaper controllers

[@bbingtube]

The bottom lights up on mine ? 🤷‍♂️

[@iancain6647]

[@RickyTinez]

Good to see you Ian! Much love

[@iancain6647]

@@RickyTinez hey I wouldn't miss it bro. You make my Saturday.

[@domting8973]

wow will there be one for digitakt?