Electron Octatrack MKII Quick Manual

Octatrack MKII

More than a sampler

Quick Guide

3

THANK YOU

Thank you for purchasing Octatrack MKII. During its seven year life span, the original
Octatrack quickly became one of the most widely used live performance samplers. An
industry standard if there ever was one. It undoubtedly changed the way gear setups look
like and gave artists the power to perform live in the truest sense of the word.

Now we give you Octatrack MKII. Sharper, better, more robust. Enhanced on many levels
to ensure world class sample mangling potential.

Durable back-lit buttons, upgraded silky smooth crossfader, ultra crisp OLED screen,
precise hi-res encoders, balanced audio inputs, improved user interface. Octatrack MKII is
a better version of itself. A classic reborn.

We hope this instrument will keep you company for years to come and that you will find it
both indispensable and liberating.

Have fun twisting those samples,

- The Elektron Team

Octatrack MKII

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FCC compliance statement

This device complies with part 15 of the FCC rules. Operation is subject to the follow­ing two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this
device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause
undesired operation.

NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a
Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are de­signed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential
installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy
and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful
interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interfer­ence will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful
interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the
equipment o and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by
one or more of the following measures:

• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.

• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.

• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit dierent from that to which the
receiver is connected.

• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

Canada

This Class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003.
Cet appareil numérique de la classe B est conforme à la norme NMB-003.

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Legal disclaimer

The information in this document is subject to change without notice and should not
be construed as a commitment by Elektron. Elektron assumes no responsibility for
any errors that may appear in this document. Elektron may also make improvements
and/or changes in the products and programs described in this document at any
time without notice. In no event shall Elektron be liable for any special, indirect, or
consequential damages or any damages whatsoever resulting from loss of use, data,
or profits, whether in an action of contract, negligence, or other action, arising out of
or in connection with the use or performance of this information.

European Union regulation compliance statement

This product has been tested to comply with the Low Voltage Directive 2006/95/EC
and the Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive 2004/108/EC. The product meets
the requirements of RoHS 2 Directive 2011/65/EU.

Your product must be disposed of properly according to local laws and
regulations.

The device contains a non-rechargeable lithium perchlorate battery cell that may need
to be recycled separately depending on local environmental laws. If the battery needs
replacing, please contact Elektron or a local professional technician for servicing.

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IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

1. Do not use the unit near water.

2. Never use aggressive cleaners on the casing or on the screen. Remove dust, dirt
and fingerprints with a soft, dry and non-abrasive cloth. More persistent dirt can be
removed with a slightly damp cloth using only water. Disconnect all cables before doing
this. Only reconnect them when the product is safely dry.

3. To avoid scratches or damage, never use sharp objects near the casing or the screen.

Avoid applying any pressure to the screen itself.

4. Install in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Make sure you place the unit
on a stable surface before use.

5. Connect the unit to an easily accessible electrical outlet close to the unit.

6. When transporting the unit, preferably use accessories recommended by the manufac­turer or the box and padding the unit was originally shipped in.

7. Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or any
other appliance (including amplifiers) emitting heat.

8. Do not put the PL-2 Protective Cover (Elektron accessory) on the unit while the unit is
powered on.

9. Make sure there is sucient air circulation in the room where the unit is kept.

10. This product, in combination with an amplifier and speakers or headphones, is capable
of producing sound levels that can cause permanent hearing loss. Do not operate for a
long period of time at a high volume level or at a level that is uncomfortable.

11. Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched particularly at plugs,
convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit from the unit.

12. Only use attachments/accessories specified by the manufacturer.

13. Unplug this unit during lightning storms or when it is not used for an extended time.

14. Refer all servicing to qualified service technicians. Servicing is required when the unit
has been damaged in any way, liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into the
unit, the unit has been exposed to rain or moisture, does not operate normally, or has
been dropped.

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WARNING!

TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE, ELECTRICAL SHOCK OR PRODUCT DAMAGE

• Do not expose the unit to rain, moisture, dripping or splashing and also avoid placing
objects filled with liquid on the unit.

• Do not expose the unit to direct sunlight, nor use it in ambient temperatures exceeding
40°C as this can lead to malfunction.

• Do not open the casing. There are no user repairable or adjustable parts inside. Leave
service and repairs to trained service technicians only.

• Do not exceed the limitations specified in the Electrical specifications.

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE POWER ADAPTER ELEKTRON PSU-3b

• The adapter is not safety grounded and may only be used indoors.

• To ensure good ventilation for the adapter, do not place it in tight spaces. To prevent
risk of electric shock and fire because of overheating, ensure that curtains and other
objects do not prevent adapter ventilation.

• Do not expose the power adapter to direct sunlight, nor use it in ambient temperatures
exceeding 40°C.

• Connect the adapter to an easily accessible electrical outlet close to the unit.

• The adapter is in standby mode when the power cord is connected. The primary circuit
is always active as long as the cord is connected to the power outlet. Pull out the power
cord to completely disconnect the adapter.

• In the EU, only use CE approved power cords.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

. INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................... 10

. CONVENTIONS IN THIS MANUAL ..............................................10

. PANEL LAYOUT AND CONNECTIONS .............................................................................. 11

. FRONT PANEL CONTROLS ...................................................11

. REAR PANEL CONNECTIONS ................................................14

3. OVERVIEW OF THE OCTATRACK MKII STRUCTURE .................................................. 15

3.1 SETS .........................................................................15

3.2 AUDIO POOL .................................................................16

3.3 PROJECTS ...................................................................16

3.4 FLEX AND STATIC SAMPLE SLOT LISTS ......................................16

3.5 BANKS .......................................................................16

3.6 PATTERNS ...................................................................16

3.7 PARTS .......................................................................16

3.8 SCENES .....................................................................17

3.9 ARRANGEMENTS ............................................................17

3.10 TRACKS .....................................................................17

3.11 MACHINES ...................................................................17

. THE USER INTERFACE ........................................................................................................ 18

4.1 SCREEN NAVIGATION .........................................................19

4.2 PARAMETER EDITING ........................................................19

4.3 PARAMETER VALUE JUMP ...................................................19

4.4 [FUNC] KEY PRESS COMBINATIONS ........................................20

4.5 QUICK SCROLLING. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

4.6 COPY, CLEAR AND PASTE ...................................................20

5. GETTING STARTED ............................................................................................................. 20

5.1 SETTING UP AND STARTING ................................................. 20

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5.2 ENTERING DEMO MODE .....................................................21

5.3 PLAYING THE DEMO PATTERNS ..............................................21

5.4 ADJUSTING PARAMETERS ...................................................21

5.5 EXPERIMENTING WITH SCENES ............................................. 22

5.6 RECORDING A PATTERN USING GRID RECORDING ..........................22

5.7 RECORDING A PATTERN USING LIVE RECORDING ........................... 22

5.8 USING PARAMETER LOCKS .................................................23

6. THE SEQUENCER .................................................................................................................23

6.1 SELECTING A PATTERN ......................................................23

6.2 PATTERN CONTROL ........................................................ 23

6.3 TRIG TYPES .................................................................24

6.4 PATTERN RECORDING MODES .............................................. 25

6.5 GRID RECORDING MODE .................................................... 25

6.6 LIVE RECORDING MODE ....................................................26

6.7 PARAMETER LOCKS ........................................................26

6.8 SCALE SETUP. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

6.9 THE MIDI SEQUENCER ......................................................28

. TECHNICAL INFORMATION ...............................................................................................29

. CREDITS AND CONTACT INFORMATION ..................................................................... 30

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. INTRODUCTION

. CONVENTIONS IN THIS MANUAL

The following conventions are used throughout the manual:
Key names are written in upper case, bold style and bracketed letters. For instance, the key

labeled “FUNC” is called [FUNC].
Menu names are written in upper case letters. The SRC SETUP menu is an example

of that.
Parameter names and certain menu options where settings can be made or actions

performed are written in bold, upper case letters. For example, HEADPHONES MIX.
Upper case letters are used for parameter setting alternatives, for example, ONE, and

certain menu settings, like EXTERNAL.
Messages visible on the screen are written in upper case letters with quotation marks.

Like this, “CHOOSE BANK”.
Knobs are written in upper case, bold, italic letters. For instance, the knob “Level” is called

LEVEL.
LED indicators like the Card Status LED are written like this: <CARD STATUS>.