Octatrack MKII Basic Project

Why It Matters

The Octatrack's "basic patch" is not a single sound -- it is a basic project: a clean, known starting state for the entire machine. Unlike a synthesizer where you zero out parameters, the OT's basic project is about having the right structure in place:

A clean project with no leftover samples, machines, or effects
Tracks assigned to useful default machines
A simple sample loaded so you can hear changes immediately
Input routing configured for your setup

This is your lab bench for every session. Start here, explore, and return here when lost. The Part reload function ([FUNC] + [CUE]) will snap you back to the last saved state.

Creating the Basic Project

Step 1: Create a New Set and Project

Power on with a formatted CF card inserted
Press [PROJ] to open the Project menu
Navigate to PROJECT > NEW and confirm with [YES]
Name it LEARN (or whatever you prefer)
The OT creates a clean project: all tracks empty, no samples loaded, no effects

Step 2: Load a Simple Sample

You need at least one sound to work with. The OT comes with demo content, or load your own.

Press [TRACK] key for Track 1 to select it
Press [SRC] (Track Parameter) to open the source page
You should see FLEX as the machine type (default). If not, press [FUNC] + [SRC] to enter SRC SETUP, set MACH to FLEX
Turn Data Entry knob A to open the Quick Assign menu
Navigate to a simple drum loop or one-shot sample from the Audio Pool
Select it with [YES] -- it is now assigned to Track 1's flex machine and added to the Flex sample slot list

Step 3: Basic Track Configuration

For a clean starting state, verify these settings on Track 1:

SRC (Source) Page:

Parameter	Value	Notes
MACH	FLEX	Flex machine for RAM playback
SLOT	(your sample)	The sample you just loaded

AMP (Amplifier) Page:

Parameter	Value	Notes
ATK	0	No attack fade
HLD	0	No hold
DEC	0	No decay
REL	127	Full release (sample plays to end)
VOL	0	Default pre-FX volume (bipolar, 0 = unity)
BAL	0	Centered panning

LFO Page:

Parameter	Value	Notes
SPD1/2/3	0	No LFO speed
DEP1/2/3	0	No LFO depth
DST1/2/3	NONE	No LFO destination

FX1 and FX2 Pages:

Parameter	Value	Notes
Effect	NONE	No effects loaded

Step 4: Place a Trigger and Test

Make sure you're on Track 1 (the track key should be lit)
Press [RECORD] to enter Grid Recording mode (the RECORD key lights up steady)
Press [TRIG 1] to place a trigger on step 1 -- the TRIG LED lights up
Press [PLAY] to start the pattern
You should hear your sample triggering on beat 1 of every bar
Press [RECORD] again to exit Grid Recording mode

Step 5: Configure Inputs (If Using External Gear)

If you plan to sample external instruments or use the OT as an effects processor:

Press [MIX] to open the Mixer page
Set GAIN A/B to an appropriate level for your input source (0 dB is unity)
Set GAIN C/D similarly if using the second input pair
Set DIR A/B to 0 (we don't want direct monitoring yet -- we'll route through tracks)
Press [NO] to close the Mixer

Step 6: Save the Part and Project

Press [FUNC] + [PART] to save the current Part (this is your base camp)
Press [FUNC] + [PROJ] to save the entire project

Quick Test

After setup, verify:

Pressing [PLAY] plays your sample on beat 1
Pressing [STOP] stops playback
Turning the Level knob changes Track 1's volume
[FUNC] + [CUE] reloads the Part (should sound identical -- nothing has changed yet)
All 8 track keys select different tracks (T2-T8 should be empty/silent)

The "Return Home" Gesture

Throughout all sessions, this is your safety net:

[FUNC] + [CUE] = Reload Part (undo all unsaved changes to machines, effects, scenes, volumes)

Think of it like Merlin's "base camp" metaphor: save your Part, experiment wildly, and hit [FUNC] + [CUE] to teleport home. This is the Octatrack equivalent of the Evolver's basic patch -- but instead of a set of parameter values, it is a saved project state.

Session Starting State

Every session in this curriculum will specify one of:

"Start from the basic project" -- Load the LEARN project, Track 1 with a simple sample, everything else clean
"Start from [specific session] output" -- Load a project state saved from a previous session
"Start from a new empty pattern" -- Within an existing project, navigate to an unused pattern

The basic project is always available as a reset point.

Session 17: LFO Basics — 3 LFOs Per Track

Objective: Use the OT's three per-track LFOs to add automated movement. LFO1 modulates filter frequency for classic wobble. LFO2 modulates panning for stereo motion. Understand sync vs. free-running modes and trig vs. continuous behavior.

If you only have 5 minutes

Press [LFO]. Set DEST1 = FILTER FREQ, DEPTH1 = 60, SPEED1 = 16 (sync to 16th notes). Wave1 = SINE. You hear a wobble bass — instant dub. That's LFO1, used.

Warm-Up (2 min)

You've shaped sound, sequenced it, and added micro-feel. Now we add automated movement. Each track has 3 LFOs running in parallel — that's 24 modulation sources across an 8-track pattern. Press [PLAY] on your current pattern. Imagine: the filter on track 1 sweeping rhythmically, the panning on track 2 swirling, the delay time on track 3 wandering. All hands-free.

Setup

Start from the LAB project. Tracks 1-3 should have working content (drums + melodic). Track 1 should have a filter assigned to FX1 (Multi Mode Filter from Session 10) so we have a target. Press [PLAY] to confirm.

Exercises

Exercise 1: Open the LFO Page (3 min)

Each track has its own LFO page with 3 LFOs.

Press [TRACK 1] to select your track
Press [LFO] to open the LFO page (the Track Parameter page for LFOs)
The screen shows 3 LFO rows, each with parameters:
- WAVE (waveform: SINE, TRI, SQUARE, SAW, RAMP, EXP, RANDOM, NOISE)
- SPEED (rate: 0-127. Free mode = absolute, sync mode = beat divisions)
- DEPTH (modulation amount: -64 to +64 — bipolar)
- DEST (destination parameter)
- MODE (FREE, TRIG, HOLD, ONE)
- MULT (speed multiplier)

Exercise 2: LFO1 — Filter Wobble (5 min)

The classic dub filter wobble.

On the LFO page for Track 1:
- WAVE1 = SINE
- SPEED1 = 16 (in sync mode = 16th notes)
- DEPTH1 = 60
- DEST1 = FX1 FREQ (the Multi Mode Filter cutoff)
- MODE1 = FREE (LFO runs continuously, ignores trigs)
Press [PLAY]. The kick now has a smooth filter wobble at 16th-note rate
Try faster: SPEED1 = 8 (8th note wobble — more obvious). Or slower: SPEED1 = 32 (slow undulation)
Try different waves:
- SQUARE = stepped, on/off filter
- SAW = ramp down then snap up — sounds like a slow tape stop loop
- RANDOM = jittery, glitchy filter (S&H style)
Adjust DEPTH1 to taste — +30 is subtle, +90 is dramatic, -50 modulates inversely

Exercise 3: LFO2 — Panning Movement (4 min)

Add LFO2 on top — they run independently.

On the same LFO page (Track 1):
- WAVE2 = SINE
- SPEED2 = 4 (very slow, 4 beats per cycle)
- DEPTH2 = 40
- DEST2 = AMP BAL (panning balance)
- MODE2 = FREE
Press [PLAY]. The track now wobbles in filter AND drifts left-right in stereo
Two modulation lines moving independently — already a much richer sound from one track

Exercise 4: LFO Modes — TRIG vs. FREE vs. HOLD (4 min)

The MODE parameter changes when the LFO restarts.

Set MODE1 = TRIG. Press [PLAY]. The LFO restarts from phase 0 every time a trig fires
Listen — every kick is in the same phase of the wobble (predictable, rhythmic)
Now set MODE1 = FREE. The LFO runs continuously regardless of trigs — the wobble's phase relative to the beat drifts
Set MODE1 = HOLD. LFO stops at its current value when no trigs are firing — useful for sample-and-hold style modulation
Set MODE1 = ONE. Plays through one cycle on each trig, then stops — perfect for envelope-like ramps
When to use which:
- TRIG for tight, on-the-grid modulation (every kick gets the same wobble)
- FREE for floating, ambient modulation (drifts)
- HOLD for stepped sequences via S&H + RANDOM wave
- ONE for one-shot envelope-like modulation per trig

Exercise 5: SPEED Sync vs. Free Mode (4 min)

Sync mode locks LFO speed to musical divisions; free mode is absolute Hz.

Hold the SPEED1 knob (or look for a sync toggle on the LFO setup page — [FUNC] + [LFO])
In sync mode (default), SPEED values represent musical divisions: 1=128th, 2=64th, 4=32nd, 8=16th, 16=8th, 32=quarter, 64=half, 128=whole
Switch to free mode — SPEED is now in Hz. Useful for non-musical modulation (slow drift cycles, sub-audio rates)
Try free mode SPEED = 1.5 Hz for a slow swelling motion that doesn't lock to the beat — feels organic, alive
Rule of thumb: sync for rhythmic modulation, free for organic/ambient modulation

Exploration (if time allows)

Try LFO3 on FX2 MIX (delay wet level) — your delay swells in and out automatically
Set LFO1 + LFO2 to the same destination (FILTER FREQ) but different speeds and depths — complex compound modulation
P-lock the LFO depth or destination per step — the same LFO modulates different parameters at different sections of the pattern

Output Checklist

I assigned LFO1 to FX1 FREQ with sync speed and heard the wobble
I tried different waveforms (SINE, SQUARE, SAW, RANDOM) and described their character
I assigned LFO2 to AMP BAL for stereo panning movement
I tried all 4 LFO modes (FREE, TRIG, HOLD, ONE) and felt the difference
I switched between sync and free SPEED modes
I saved the project with at least 2 active LFOs

Key Takeaways

3 LFOs per track = 24 modulation sources across an 8-track pattern. Use them all
DEST can target almost any parameter — filter, pan, delay time, volume, even other LFO speeds
MODE matters: TRIG for grid-aligned, FREE for drifting, HOLD for S&H, ONE for envelope-like
Sync vs. free SPEED: sync for musical rhythm, free for organic drift

Next Session Preview

Next: the LFO Designer. Draw your own 16-step custom waveshape. Assign it to sample START — the LFO scrubs through the sample. Combine with p-locks for deeply evolving textures. The OT's most distinctive modulation tool.