User Manual

THE BACKGROUND OF THE OCTATRAC K
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THE BACKGROUND OF THE OCTATRACK
The first relatively affordable samplers were released in the 1980’s and made a huge
impact on the music scene of that time. Sonic elements, taken from completely new
sources, could suddenly form a vital part of a composition. This resulted in the birth and
evolution of several genres, for example hip hop. The concept of the sampler has since
then branched of f in several directions. Sof tware based samplers are today cap able of han-
dling enormously large, multi-sampled, sample librares. Hardware samplers aren’t really
suited for those tasks. Instead, they come to their best when conceived as dedicated
devices focusing on new and radical approaches to sampling.
When we developed the Machinedrum UW, one of the goals was to allow for a creative use
of samples. Once the machine was released it became apparent that especially the RAM
machines, which made it possible to record sounds in real-time and instantly play them
back, were utilized in ways we originally couldn’t even imagine. Users around the world
used them to incorp orate live sampled shortwav e radio sounds in th eir compositions, make
instant remixes of 12” records and to more or less conceive new genres of music. It was
obvious that the RAM machine concept harbored a tremendous potential. This was the
starting p oint of th e Octatrack. W e wa nted to create a m achine tha t would r ega rd r ecor ded
material not as inflexible sounds, but rather as something highly malleable. This is one of
the reasons why the Octatrack exists.
The other on e is be ca use of th e stage. Th e laptop computer has quickly established itself
as a common instrument in live setups. It is a powerful and highly customizable tool, how-
ever, the multi functionality is at the same time a disadvantage. When it comes to audio
related tasks a laptop is still a jack of all trades but master of none. The Octatrack on the
other hand is designed to be a streamlined, reliable and straightforward machine allowing
live performers to really add something extra to their sets. It can act as a backing track
machine, a second turnt able, a source of e xperiment al soundscapes or simply as an instru-
ment encouraging improvisation and fun.
These two reasons converge and form the ultimate raison d’être of the Octatrack: its capa-
bility to re-establish sampling as an art form. We hope it will be a trusty companion during
your musical endeavours.
SUGGESTED APPLICATIONS OF THE OCTATRACK
The flexibility of the Octatrack makes it a very powerful device suited to a wide range of
tasks. Here a few of them are presented.
LOOPER DEVICE
The Octatrack is ideal for DJ’s and live performers. You will be able to quickly sample a
turnt able or other sound sources present on the stage and instantly play back and affect
the recorded loop. Add pr e- re cord ed loops and sounds to samples captur ed in rea l-time to
take your performance to a completely new level. The real-time timestretch will make sure
everything stays in sync.
RADICAL SOUND PROCESSOR
The combined power of the sampling engine, the sequencer and the FX blocks makes th e
Octatrack a very powe rful audio mangler. This functionality is great when working in the
studio and wanting to obtain unique sounds and textures.