I’m going to jam with a few people next week with the idea that there might be a band forming out of the experiment. The very loose flavour is DnB but we won’t really know until everyone turns up. There’s going to be a drummer (probably with an electric kit) a bass player, and maybe some other traditional live instruments (guitar, flutes, etc).
I’m planning on taking the OT and another synth with the idea that it’s an easy way to add the electronic flavour, even if that’s just loops from the OT plus live mangling of incoming instruments.
I’ve searched around a bit for examples of people doing this, but couldn’t find much. Anyone here have some good tips and ideas? Is fighting with the pickup machines worthwhile? Just stick to scenes and effects? Have the other instruments feed directly into the OT or take a submix from the mixer?
You have to experiment it yourself to be 100% sure.
Too short to experiment all possibilities and practice.
Make things simple: do what usually works for you.
Pickups can be nightmarish if length is not defined, because it can change tempo. (In any condition, even with QREC).
Ok with pre-defined length, as @JSZ ? said ? Not sure if it was you…
So imho the best is to try asap, whatever the audio source is.
A pair of jacks should suffice !
For sync tests, something I use regularly to be sure of syncing : play a sample from T5, send it to CUE OUT, plug cables in corresponding Inputs AB.
That way you can experiment realtime audio mangling standalone.
Trust me, I couldn’t find a simpler/better way to make tests with OT after 8 years practicing.
Plug cables between CUE and Inputs. Send a reference sample to CUE.
Maybe better solutions ?
Hello all, I’m here and was curious if anyone here has experience using their Octatrack as part of a live band, and if they would recommend it. I still haven’t bought one but I’m intrigued to the point of near obsession. For reference, what got me hooked on the idea was Allen Ravenstein’s use of a modular and tape manipulation in Pere Ubu but I’d also love to be able to play like Jelinek does on the Triosk records. Any insight into this process?
I use the octa live in my 3 piece post-punk/darkwave band Ghost Fetish and i love it. Though sounds like we make pretty different music than you @Nenor. I’m mostly using it for playing back drum samples and sending basslines to a prophet rev2. We also have a guitarist and a singer in the band.
Most songs use scenes for different sections (verse, chorus, etc). Honestly i don’t use the more complex features (pickup machines etc) live at all
I use it in mine. I don’t have time to write out a long response, but you have to have a drummer who can follow a click (same if you use Ableton or anything else). I wouldn’t try to sample live (it doesnt fit our songs/genre).
If you use song mode, you are locked in until the song ends. Might work for you; might not.
If you put 16 “songs” in 16 banks, there’s your set. If you have to switch between projects to access another 16 banks (maybe you wrote a new song), then you will have 20 seconds of navigation and file loading. Not an issue if your bassist and drummer can groove and your vocalist can do banter. But you won’t want to jump between projects or your gig will lack flow. You may end up having to spend more on other gear for monitoring (IEM or something, depending on your drummer’s hearing).
TLDR: it can absolutely work if your genre and songs fit its workflow.
Maybe I’ve lacked a bit of transparency, but I’m already in this group. I primarily play electric and upright bass and would be looking to incorporate this as I gain proficiency. That said, I’m recovering from a hand injury/surgical complications and have nothing but time and desperation!
This is a really good attitude to approach the Octatrack with. It’s a very unique instrument and takes time not only to learn about its possibilities and boundaries, but also to develop the muscle memory and speed. It’s like anything else…. Practice practice practice.
And yeah, it’s can absolutely be dynamic in a live band situation. Capable of subtlety.
I play in a band with the OT, not since long though.
It’s a mix of workd folk music and electronic. As said earlier you don’t want to jump between projects. As a guitar player, i find quite hard to play guitar and manage the machines at the same time (i also have a DN, a Microcosm and the guitar Fx to manage).
The thing is i’d need a MIDI controller able to allow me changing pattern with the foot. If I am not able to leave my role if guitar player, it sounds like playing over a soundtrack. The electronic part must be kept dynamic as reals instruments would do in order to keep the live feeling.
For sync tests, something I use regularly to be sure of syncing : play a sample from T5, send it to CUE OUT, plug cables in corresponding Inputs AB.