Ocatrack?

Since I have a MPC 2500 already I been offered an Octrack for a good price, but still an expensive amount of cash all considered. I watched a few Youtube videos but I'm still confused on what does machine does besides from mash loops.

Now does anyone own one?

How well does it play with the MPC?

At the moment I'm considering the sonic possibilities and the allure of an Octatrack is enticing but besides from mangling loops what else am I missing?.

Cheers

I had one for a few months. I bought it from Rex Riot (...and if you don't know, now you know) for $900. I sold it for $800. Too complicated. However if you want to have more sample parameter control then it is for you. The parameter locks are genius. It is a good piece for live usage. I don't use computer DAW, and those who do will be happy with it because it has ableton like features.
It was sitting in my corner collecting dust after the first two weeks. Its work flow was not for me. Give it a try though, I kept thinking that in the right hands it would make interesting hip-hop. It is really good for blips, and trance music.
Electron has not made anything I am crazy about. I am way more productive with a simple Yamaha SU700, MC909 or my mpc4000.
It is built well and is small enough to carry around. Lots of memory and it loads quick. It can also be a mixer between turntables. So think of the possibilities as you sample live while spinning. It will take a while to wrap your head around the concept of triggerless trigs.
The last great thing is that electron cares about the OS. They constantly do updates. I wouldn't be surprised if it can do many more things than when I first had it. An update comes out every few months.
Still, I sold it and I don't miss it.
cheers,
Ian

A few members have one, and some went on a crusade to make it exclusive for Hip Hop music, but like Ian, they couldn't get it off the ground and sold it but I hear good things from those into Electronica.

I'm curious too and would like to have this Rubix' cube to see what I can do to make Hip Hop.

Thanks, I probably give it a miss since I heard the same thing over and over again -that the interface is very complicated. I probably buy one further down the line but if Ableton does the same thing I may just stick to that since I'm not using it for a live performance.

Plus you cannot find except 1 video an Octratrack making a beat and even that is uninspiring but the madness I could come up with it would be amazing. However, may opt for the OP-1 instead then.

you can always check out the elektron forums elektron-users.com they're a really good community and while i don't think many people do hip-hop i'm sure they will have the answers you're looking for.

Cheers, it was my first port of call but the music they produce is more geared towards the dance spectrum.

I watched a few more videos and I'm getting interested in the device again, the amount of things I could in my mind with the samples would be amazing. Re sample my beats from the MPC to the OT and completely change the feel, and sound.

Problem is I really need to actually have go on one, they're pricey and the fact not many hip hop stuff is produced on is surely a indicator it may not be right for me.

i look at it more as a super fx box / looper.

cause you really have to prepare loops for it as far as i can tell.

i do not use one but they are definitely next level. and i really mean that - i would not get one looking at it as an mpc, or even a sampler in the classic sense. it really is a modern machine that likely requires a very open mind and willingness to break from tradition.

True, people have said its Ableton in a box. Shame you have to prepare loops but then the loops I have are all created or sampled from vinyl, tape so I guess it be just whacking it on.

Honestly, if it were Ableton in a box, I'd have bought one by now.
Having used one for a month so far, I'd say that it is pretty far from Ableton in a box.
However, it is great for looping and step sequencing. But (in the UK) the money it costs could get you an awful lot of looping and step sequencing elsewhere...

Z

an mpc is ableton in a box - for midi

zippertafari wrote:Honestly, if it were Ableton in a box, I'd have bought one by now.
Having used one for a month so far, I'd say that it is pretty far from Ableton in a box.
However, it is great for looping and step sequencing. But (in the UK) the money it costs could get you an awful lot of looping and step sequencing elsewhere...

Z

Can you give me impressions on it, your thoughts on the device mate. Live in the UK too.

Decided to get the Octatrack, we see how it goes. At the moment there's noone using this from what I seen or read for hip hop. So be interesting to hear what I can do.

acronym wrote:
Can you give me impressions on it, your thoughts on the device mate. Live in the UK too.

Sorry about the delay there mate - only just seen your message. Hope you got a good deal on it anyway.
I thought it was a very good machine to use (the step sequencer is excellent) but it does take a long time to fully understand and its not as 'accessible' as MPCs to use in my opinion. There's less of the 'pad bashing' involved in making music as there is on the mpcs.
However a big advantage is that it is self contained...looking at the new range of mpcs coming up I'd say it has a big advantage. I'd consider it the successor to the mpcs for sure and if they come down in price - would definitely be something to consider.
Its just that I've been getting into Ableton for a while so I kept hearing about the Octatrack was pretty much like using Ableton in a self-contained unit. It isn't. Its closer than any other bit of kit but in the end I ended up buying a new mac to run Ableton on.
Of course its just as likely that my old eyes couldn't take the strain of reading the display either...
Z

zippertafari wrote:

acronym wrote:
Can you give me impressions on it, your thoughts on the device mate. Live in the UK too.

Sorry about the delay there mate - only just seen your message. Hope you got a good deal on it anyway.
I thought it was a very good machine to use (the step sequencer is excellent) but it does take a long time to fully understand and its not as 'accessible' as MPCs to use in my opinion. There's less of the 'pad bashing' involved in making music as there is on the mpcs.
However a big advantage is that it is self contained...looking at the new range of mpcs coming up I'd say it has a big advantage. I'd consider it the successor to the mpcs for sure and if they come down in price - would definitely be something to consider.
Its just that I've been getting into Ableton for a while so I kept hearing about the Octatrack was pretty much like using Ableton in a self-contained unit. It isn't. Its closer than any other bit of kit but in the end I ended up buying a new mac to run Ableton on.
Of course its just as likely that my old eyes couldn't take the strain of reading the display either...
Z

Cheers mate

Thats the thing I have the MPC for the pads, and I love using that to make beats but the step sequencer is something totally different so its going to place a fresh spin on coming up with new tracks.

I do understand the learning curve is steep, however, I guess like learning any instrument its a bumpy ride at first before you become acquainted with he controls.

For me I been using Ableton but since I work on computers all day as a graphic designer its just nice and refreshing not use the monitor which for me strains my eyes. Instead with the MPC and OT hopefully its about using the ears more.

Just received this a few days ago....

OK this thing is really difficult.

The slicing/sampling is insane.

I still prefer playing pads on the mpc and its a shame you can't trigger slices via midi controller.

I can totally understand why people tend to not keep this.