One of the most interesting and individual pieces of equipment from recent years, Elektron's OctaTrack has been getting some great reviews:
*Sound on Sound*
Today the Octatrack offers a well-matched set of tools for sampling and resampling, for
combining samples - even tune-length ones - and bending them into crazy new shapes.
Whether for live or studio applications, this self-contained chunk of hardware can take
you in places a mouse and monitor won't.
*Future Music*
Either for studio-based production or for live performance, the Octatrack is an incredibly exciting tool. (...) We're convinced the Octatrack will change the way a lot of people create and perform music.
*Studio*
The Octatrack is a sampler where every knob, button and menu fills a purpose and this
clearly shows. The workflow is extremely quick and pleasantly encourages experimentation.
The Octatrack is a product that brings the hardware sampler straight into the current age.
If you watch the Video for this product (it's a little slow to start but bear with it) it'll show you how much fun you can have with a simple looped sample - it only deals with about 5% of what the machine can do but still....gives you a flavour. You could probably get signed to Planet Mu just by recording the output of this You Tube video and sending it in as a 128k demo.
Octatrack is designed to revolutionize the concept of sampling. Never before has so much potential been offered by just one machine.
The Octatrack is an 8 track performance sampler. Recording of sounds is a breeze thanks to the intuitive user interface, but the fun really starts once the samples are inside the machine. All audio content can be heavily processed and radically transformed. Loops do not have to be restricted by tempo or tone and can always stay in sync no matter if they are pitch shifted or if the tempo of the sequencer is changed. The inflexible nature of samples is finally a thing of the past.
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Instant Sampling & Remixing
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Radical Audio Manipulation Possibilities
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Real-time Pitch Scaling and Time Stretch
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Next Generation Elektron Step Sequencer
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Dual Assignable FX Per Track
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Assignable Multi-Parameter Crossfader
The Sequencer
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8 internal tracks
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16 banks per project
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256 patterns per project
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8 arrangements per project
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4 parts per bank
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16 scenes per part
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Supports swing and slide
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Micro timing
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Parameter locks
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Sample locks
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Full real-time control
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8 track external MIDI sequencer
Track Effects
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12/24dB Multi Mode Filter
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2-band Parametric EQ
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DJ-style Kill EQ
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2-10 Stage Phaser
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Flanger
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2-5 tap Chorus
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Echo Freeze Delay
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Gatebox Plate Reverb
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Compressor
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Lo-Fi (SRR, BRR, Dist and A.M.)
Hardware
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128x64 pixel backlit LCD
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MIDI In/Out/Thru
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4 × 1/4″ impedance balanced audio out jacks
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4 × 1/4″ audio in jacks
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1 × 1/4″ stereo headphone jack
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Advanced triple DSP system
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44.1kHz, 24-bit D/A and A/D converters
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Flash-EEPROM upgradable OS
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USB 2.0 port
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Compact Flash card reader
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Infinium optical crossfader
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80 MB Flex RAM per project
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Static sample streaming from CF card
Balanced Audio Outputs
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Headphones out level: +15dBu
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Main/cue outputs level: +10dBu
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Output impedance: 550 Ω unbalanced
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S/N ratio: 102dBFS (20-20.000Hz)
Unbalanced Audio Inputs
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Input level: +8dBu maximum
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Audio input impedance: 9 k Ω
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S/N Ratio: 99dBFS (20-20.000Hz)
Electrical Specifications
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Unit power consumption: 8W typical, 18W maximum.
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Recommended power supply: 6V DC, 3A
Physical Specifications
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Sturdy steel chassis
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Dimensions: W340×D181×H63mm (13.4×7×2.4″) (including, audio outputs, knobs and rubber feet)
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Weight: approximately 2.4 kg (5.2 lbs)
Miscellaneous
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4 GB high speed compact flash card included
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2 GB of Loopmasters samples on the CF card
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USB cable included
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Printed User's manual included