Octatrack Performance Mixer 3.0.4
Octatrack Performance Mixer 3.0.4
The Octatrack Performance Mixer 3.0.4 Template is a game-changer for live electronic music performers, offering an intuitive toolkit for creating dynamic live performances with your favorite drum machines and synthesizers. There are 20 all new effects not seen in any previous performance templates. With an 8-bar or 4-bar structure that syncs seamlessly to the Octatrack's clock or an external clocking source, this template provides a vast array of effects, including synced modulations, noise risers, comb filter risers, sidechain pumping, stutter effects, filters and more, all accessible with user-friendly controls. It empowers performers to build tension and deliver impactful drops effortlessly, while also offering the flexibility to customize compressors and fine-tune the sound to their liking. This template like the others before it is built around two input busses with discreet effects for both. Input A/B is your DRUM or PERCUSSION bus, and input C/D is your MELODIC bus. Each have their own separate compressor and freeze delays. Whether you're a seasoned artist or just starting your journey in electronic music, this template offers an inspiring and versatile platform to elevate your live performances and captivate your audience.
***PLEASE READ THIS MANUAL
This project ships with 2 Templates, an 8-bar Template for longer FX build ups, and a 4-bar Template for faster turn arounds. Both are a blast to play with and both still have the 8-bar master looper.
Video presentation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-Pi5TgpgZY&t=5s
INSTALL INSTRUCTIONS:
Plug in the USB to your Octatrack -> On your Octatrack press PROJ to enter the Settings -> System -> USB Disk mode ->
Your Octatrack will mount as a disk on your computer. Open your Octatrack drive on your computer and find your set folder (typically called PRESETS MKII if you have a MKII).
Open your set folder on your Octatrack via your computer -> Drop the UNZIPPED project folder called PERF MIXER x.x in with your other project folders on your Octatrack.
Press NO on your Octatrack to leave disk mode.
Open the project file called "PERF MIXER x.x" on your Octatrack.
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Octatrack Performance Mixer x.x Template Manual by EZBOT
All Banks and Patterns are populated with the Octatrack Performance Mixer Template at a default tempo of 120 BPM. The 4-bar template version's effects reach their crescendo at the end of 4 bars while the 8-bar version completes its modulation at the end of 8-bars. I recommend that you try both. The 4-bar version of the template is set to pattern scale of 64 steps and the 8-bar is set to a scale of 128 steps.
***Clicks and pops can be caused by unstable BPM from external clocking sources. To avoid this use a stable clocking source such as the Octatrack itself.
***Audio MIDI Channels are disabled by default.
- Effects with an asterisk have FREEZE delays.
- "ALL" refers to effects that effect the entire mix with the same effect on both inputs A/B and C/D.
***Be sure RECORD QUICK MODE is enabled in your system settings. --> PROJECT --> SYSTEM --> PERSONALIZE --> RECORD QUICK MODE (ENABLE)
***Transport Send/Receive, Clock Send/Receive, and Program Change Send are all active by default and set to MIDI channel 10. Do not send the Octatrack a clock source when you want the Octatrack to be the master clock. FUNC + MIDI to enter MIDI clock settings, here you can disable or change MIDI clock settings.
AUDIO ROUTING: Insert your DRUMS/PERCUSSION into the A/B inputs of the Octatrack and insert your MELODIC instruments into the C/D inputs. This is important for the effects to sound as intended.
***CUE MUTES TRACK MUST BE DISABLED FOR THIS TEMPLATE TO FUNCTION. Project -> System -> Personalize: CUE Mutes Track - Disabled/Un-checked.
***This template uses the CUE bus for it's recordings. DO NOT REMOVE CUE FROM TRACKS 3 OR 7.
TO RECORD:
Method 1: Select Track 4 and PRESS REC-3 once, this will initiate a recording at the next 8 bars. Wait until you see the + (recording) symbol on track 4 and press REC-3 once. After the recording has finished and the + symbol is now a play arrow, cross fade to FX scene 16 with a swift motion (do not do this slowly) to switch to your recorded 8 bar loop.
On the Octatrack MK1 hold track 4 and press MIDI to initiate a recording and do it again after the recording starts to initiate the end of the recording.
Method 2: Press YES. Be sure you are not in step edit mode (no red record button). Select Track 4. Wait until you see the + (recording) symbol on track 4 and press REC-3 twice. After the recording has finished and the + symbol is now a play arrow, cross fade to FX scene 16 with a swift motion (do not do this slowly) to switch to your recorded 8 bar loop.
4-Bar Recording Template: On the 4-bar effects version of the template, the default record mode is also 4-bars. To record a loop press YES. A 4-bar loop will be recorded at the next 4 bar turnaround. To record a loop at a 16th note interval press REC-3 at anytime. A 4-bar loop will begin recording immediately.
***The Octatrack can not guess the BPM of samples longer than 4 bars above 160BPM. If you plan to use the live looping functionality above 160BPM you have these options:
Turn off time-stretch. In my templates you would do this on track 4 (On a per PART and per BANK basis)
Manually change the bar length in the audio editors attributes page so that it reads 8-bars (after you have finished recording the sample/loop)
Change to recording quantization to 4-bars by changing the RLEN (record length) in the REC 1 Edit page to 64 steps.
***You must leave TRACKS 3 and 7 CUED in order to record loops. The CUE bus is reserved for recording loops.
***Recording without record quick mode enabled will require you to hold track 4 and press REC-3 twice as opposed to just pressing REC-3 twice after the recording has initiated.
TO SAVE A RECORDING TO FILE: Press FUNC + REC 3 and choose "Save This Recording". This is useful for creating stems to save and use in other projects or to transfer to your computer.
COMPRESSORS: Separate compressors are available on both stereo input sets A/B and C/D. Template compressor settings apply a mild (tasteful imo) compression to your whole mix when COMPRESSOR mix is brought to 127 or 100%. By default compressors are inactive. When you find a compressor setting you like, be sure to apply those settings to all 4 parts in your bank or you will have varying volumes from PART to PART.
SIDECHAIN PUMPING: Sidechain pumping is available on all patterns and all parts. By default the pattern is 4 on the floor. To use the sidechain pumping effect turn up LFO 1 depth on Track 5. To adjust where the ducking occurs copy and paste the BRIGHT GREEN TRIGS on Track 5. You can externally trigger SIDECHAIN PUMPING by sending a MIDI note to CHANNEL 5 on the Octatrack.
STUTTER FX: FREEZE DELAYS are available separately on Tracks 1 and 5. To use the the FREEZE DELAY hold FUNC + DOWN ARROW and select DELAY CONTROL. GREEN button 9 controls the FREEZE DELAY for inputs A/B and GREEN button 13 controls the freeze delay for inputs C/D. Press 9 + 13 to FREEZE the entire mix. FREEZE DELAYS occur before effects are applied so you can hold a frozen buffer and then apply effects.
NOISE SWEEPS: To change to an alternate less resonant noise sweep double press T8 and select FLEX slot 1. This is on a per PART basis and Per BANK basis. You may see a "!" on your Track 8 Flex track when you bring the tempo above 200 BPM, that means the Octatrack can not guess the BPM of the white noise sample. This is no problem and you can ignore that. The white noise samples were made by an anonymous user. The sample pack is acalled White Noise Tool Kit which I edited and updated for the Octatrack.
FX BLOCKS: Space, Build, Crush, Party
64 Scenes across 4 Parts. To move to a different set of 16 scenes/fx press PART and use the arrow keys to select a new SET OF 16 EFFECTS.
Part 1 - Space
1. Hallway Riser
2. Space Return
3. 1/2 Note Filtered Looper (ALL) *
4. Surco Riser V2 (All) *
5. Space Drummer
6. Acid Delay
7. Delay Riser w/ Noise
8. EZ Drummer *
9. High Pass Filter
10. Low Pass Filter
11. Resonate High Pass (ALL)
12. EZ Drummer + Noise Riser *
13. Acid Delay + Noise Ripper Riser
14. High Pass Noise Riser
15. Noise Pump Riser
16. Master Looper (ALL) (Requires RECORDING of both A/B and C/D, Press YES or REC 3)
Part 2: Build
1. Chorus Riser *
2. Big Stereo Riser *
3. Stereo Drum Riser *
4. Stereo Drum High Filter
5. Modulated Chorus Filter
6. Off World Filter
7. Chorus and Smile Pass 1/2 Note Looper *
8. Chorus and Smile Pass
9. High Pass Filter
10. Low Pass Filter
11. Rhythmic Stutter (to customize the stutter rhythm open LFO menu 2 on track 5 and adjust the LFO designer)
12. Chorus Pump + Noise Riser *
13. High Sweep Stereo Riser + Noise *
14. Hi-Chorus Noise Pump Riser
15. Chorus Ripper Noise Riser *
16. Master Looper (ALL) (Requires RECORDING of both A/B and C/D, Press YES or REC 3)
Part 3: Crush
1. Crush Filter
2. Burning Filter Mod
3. Death Punk Filter *
4. Ghost *
5. Poltergeist *
6. Boiler Room
7. Walk Lightly
8. Flanger Buildup
9. High Pass Filter
10. Low Pass Filter
11. Dreamy Highpass
12. EZ Drummer 2 + Noise Riser *
13. Flanger Build Up + Noise Pump Riser *
14. Poltergeist Noise Riser *
15. Ghost Saw Noise Riser *
16. Master Looper (ALL) (Requires RECORDING of both A/B and C/D, Press YES or REC 3)
Part 4: Party
1. Echo Freeze (16th notes) (ALL) *
2. Echo Breeze (ALL) *
3. Daft Punk Effect Alternate Version (ALL) *
4. Rhythm Ripper
5. LFO Twist (ALL) *
6. Synth Twister (Mutes Drums) *
7. Lo-Fi Build
8. Tape Stop (ALL)
9. High Pass Filter
10. Low Pass Filter
11. Space Breaker
12. Polybeat Comb Noise Riser *
13. Rhythm Ripper Noise Riser
14. Dirty Comb Noise Riser
15. Tape Stop Comb Noise Riser *
16. Master Looper (ALL) (Requires RECORDING of both A/B and C/D, Press YES or REC 3)
12.4.24
The 4-bar template now records 4-bar loops by default. Press YES to record a 4-bar loop. Pattern scale is now set to 64 steps (4-bars) by default.
Pressing REC-3 while selected on Track 4 will begin a recording at the next 16th note instead of waiting for 4/8 bar turnarounds. On the 8-bar version PRESS YES to initiate a quantized recording on the next 8-bar turnaround, once recording has started, press REC-3 to tell the Octatrack to end the recording at the next 8-bars for a perfect loop.
Removed noise sweeps from scene 1 and 7 on SPACE (PART 1)
Compressors are now disabled by default on both templates.
7.21.24
Fixed pattern scaling on patterns 2-16 on the 4-bar template.
Adjusted several LFO times on the 4-bar template.
7.18.24
Updated the project to 3.0.2
Updated the 4-Bar template with consistent track lengths.
3.19.24
Updated the project to 3.0.1
Added a dedicated 4-bar sweep sample to the 4-bar template version so the Octatrack can correctly guess the tempo of the sample. This removes the "!" on track 8 for tempos above 128.
