Performance Mixer 3.0.6 was a significant update that changes how the template functions in some aspects. Please read the manual and change notes at the bottom.

The Octatrack Performance Mixer 3.0 Template is a powerful tool that transforms live electronic performances, giving artists a creative edge when performing with drum machines and synthesizers. This updated version introduces 20 completely new effects, which haven’t appeared in previous templates. With a flexible 8-bar or 4-bar structure that easily syncs to the Octatrack's internal clock or any external clock source, you gain access to a wide selection of effects such as synced modulations, noise risers, comb filter sweeps, sidechain-style pumping, stutters, filters, and much more—all with intuitive, easy-to-use controls.

This setup lets you effortlessly build energy and tension during your performance, making it simple to deliver dramatic transitions and impactful drops. Additionally, the template includes customizable compressors and detailed sound-shaping controls, so you can tailor your sound precisely to your liking.

Like earlier versions, this template is structured around two distinct input busses, each with their own dedicated effects: Input A/B handles drums and percussion, while Input C/D takes care of melodic elements. Each input bus comes equipped with its own compressor and freeze delay effects, giving you independent control over each sound source.

Whether you're a seasoned performer or just starting out, this template is designed to inspire creativity during your live electronic music performances, helping you to fully engage 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 turnarounds. Both are a blast to play with and both still have the 8-bar master looper. 

Video presentation since 3.0.6: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvWWcA12bLg

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: 

For 3.0.4 Templates or below:

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. 

For 3.0.6 and above:

TO RECORD A 4-BAR LOOP:

Method 1: Press YES. This will initiate a 4-bar recording at the next 4-bars interval.

Method 2: Select Track 4 and PRESS REC-3. This will initiate a 4-bar recording at the next 4-bars interval.

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.

***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 64 or 50%.

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 a called White Noise Tool Kit which I edited and updated for the Octatrack. You can change to a shepard's tone by switching to FLEX slot 3 on Track 8.

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)

UPDATES:

3.26.25 - BIG UPDATE

• Switched CUE mode to STUDIO mode to prevent CUE mutes track from silencing the audio

• Adjusted riser track level to 64 so you have headroom for mixing the riser

• Added alternative shepard's tone in FLEX slot 3 on TRACK 8

• Adjusted multiple effects volumes, resonance, and distortion level

• Fixed several LFO settings with custom LFO shapes

• Switched filter for dj eq on the 4 and 8 bar loopers

• Set headphone out to CUE for dj style cue mixing

• Removed random midi notes on track 8

• Set compressors to 50% mix for a parallel compression

• Set default tempo to 120

• Switched the 8-bar template to using a 4-bar looper: the 8 bar looper is too difficult (requires too many serial actions) and it doubles the recordings playback for tempos below 86 and above 170 (it halves the samples tempo)

• Added Performance Mixer 3.0.6B, a slightly more DJ centric template. Read more about it below.

3.17.25

• Added Performance Mixer 3.0B This is an alternate version of the template:

  • 64 FX: Compressors have been replaced with DJ Filters on TRACK 1 and TRACK 5.

  • FX 1 Replacement: FX 1 on TRACK 4 (the 4-bar live looper track) is now a DJ Filter.

  • CUE in Studio Mode: CUE functionality has been updated to operate in Studio Mode.

  • Improved FX Sound: Adjustments were made to enhance the overall sound quality of some of the FX.

  • Noise Sweep Track Level Adjustments: The noise sweep track level has been set to 63, allowing for both positive and negative adjustments to better fit your mix.