My first "live set" - Part 3

More things I learned while assembling my first live set with the OctaTrack, Machinedrum, Monomachine combo.

Pattern transitions with the OctaTrack

When switching from one pattern to the next, the OctaTrack (and the MonoMachine) will let the AMP envelope continue into the next pattern if there is nothing else triggered on the track in the next pattern.   The sample/slice from the previous pattern will continue to play to the end.   This can be a nice effect, but it's kind of jarring when the sample just stops suddenly.  This is because the AMP envelope defaults to infinite HOLD and infinite REL.   It would be nice if this overlapping sample would start to fade out gradually as the next pattern plays.    This is actually pretty easy to do:

Say the first pattern is two bars (32 steps) and there is a trigger on step 1 of the first bar.   When the pattern is playing we want the AMP envelope to remain at full volume for the whole pattern.   As the track plays into the next pattern, we want to have it start fading out.  So we can either p-lock or set the following:

• AMP HOLD = 32 : The HOLD value is in sequencer steps.
• AMP REL = 32  (I'm not sure if the REL value is in sequencer steps, but it seems to be)

Set the values as appropriate for the bar length, so the hold lasts long enough to cover the first pattern. Works nicely with the OT mixer-button-fu techniques.  :)

LFO 'Sidechain' Pumping

Both the Octatrack and the Monomachine can use LFOs to simulate sidechain compression 'pumping'.   The destination of the LFO modulation will usually be AMP VOL, but you can also use:

• AMP DIST on the Monomachine
• FILT BASE for thin/fat pumping

The wave form can be either SAW, or one of the exponential curves.

Getting the timing right is the key.   The LFO multiplier and speed use this formula:

• (multiplier value × speed)/128 = number of LFO cycles per bar

So if we want 'up beat' pumping, then we will want 4 cycles per bar:

• MUL=x8 SPD=64, MUL=x16 SPD=32, MUL=x32 SPD=16, or MUL=x64 SPD=8

We also need to make sure it starts on the downbeat, so set: TRIG=TRIG.

Then, just set the DEPTH to suit.   I often have an LFO set up for this, then p-lock DEPTH to make it kick in.

Playing back full songs

A lot of the set is going to be pattern based, but to give myself a break and to extend the set I'm going to include full songs (remixed a bit).   Here are some things that made that easier for me:

• Use a pattern for each full song.   Static machine, with the full song sample loaded into it.
• Use the same track for all 'full song playback' samples.    I'm using Track 4.
• Create a scene that solos the playback track.   I'm using Scene 4 (matches with Track 4).
• Don't forget to arm the track when transitioning to it.
• Create some other loops to accompany the song, that you can transition into and out of using the crossfader and the solo playback scene.
• The OT doesn't always guess the tempo right, even when you include the tempo in the file name.   Often you'll have to set it in the file attributes.