Elektron Octatrack MKII Black

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Performance Sampler

8 Stereo audio tracks
8 Dedicated MIDI tracks
Instant stereo sampling
Real-time timestretch & pitchshift
2 x Insert FX per audio track
3 x LFO per track
Live-friendly electron sequencer
Contactless crossfader
1x 6.3 mm Headphone output
2x 6.3 mm Balanced main output
2x 6.3 mm Balanced cue output
4x 6.3 mm Balanced external input
1x USB 2.0 high speed port
MIDI IN / OUT / THRU connections
128 x 64 OLED screen
Precise hi-res encoders
Long-life, illuminated keys for 50 million keystrokes
Fully compatible with Octatrack MKI projects and data
Dimensions (W x D x H): 340 × 185 × 63 mm (incl. buttons and rubber feet)
Weight: approx. 2.3 kg

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3-Year Thomann Warranty

Available since February 2021

Item number 509423

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£1,269

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For effortlessly effective performances

The Elektron Octatrack MKII Black is a high-end sampler that was created expressly to be used when performing live. The MKII model is the second edition of the Octatrack, which was originally released in 2011. The user interface has been completely redesigned so that the sampler is now even more intuitive and easier to use, and the new OLED display in particular is a real improvement, allowing the device's parameters to be read from any angle. With the Elektron Octatrack MKII, music-makers can find the perfect sample in no time, and then edit each element individually. This in-depth, radical sample manipulation – including real-time time stretch and pitch shift – is a valuable tool not only for shorter or improvised live performances, but also when meticulously composing entirely new tracks.

Elektron Octatrack MKII Black performance sampler with accessories

Sampling with structure

The Elektron Octatrack MKII Black has an internal structure which is organised hierarchically: The top level consists of the sets, which include all audio files and projects. Playing the sampler first requires a project to be loaded from the SD card, the memory architecture of which consists of 16 memory banks, eight arrangements, eight recordable channels, 128 memory locations for samples, eight MIDI tracks and, of course, the settings of the project in question. Each memory bank can store 16 patterns of 64 steps each, and four variants of each sample configuration per channel. A crossfader is included so that, much like using a DJ mixer, users can fade between what Elektron refers to as "scenes". The fader reacts very smoothly, making transitions remarkably fluid. In addition to a stereo output, there is also a cue output on the rear panel. There are also four inputs for audio signals, a headphone output, and separate MIDI in, out, and thru connections.

Display on the Elektron Octatrack MKII Black performance sampler

A versatile musical workstation

The Elektron Octatrack MKII Black was created for electronic music artists and DJs looking for a reliable and flexible sampler for their live performances. Samples can be recorded in real time, either via one of the many source inputs, or using the device's internal channels: Either way, playback is compatible with either the .wav or .aiff file formats. The sampling rate is 44.1kHz, while the bit rate can be set to 16 or 24 bits. The sequencer can be used to create patterns with up to 64 steps, but that is not all: Thanks to its host of functions, the Elektron Octatrack MKII Black is a versatile workstation for music of all kinds. It can be used as an audio and MIDI control centre, or as a drum machine in a live setup. Ultimately, the Octatrack is a broad-spectrum hardware device for creating, organising, and performing music in the form of samples, and thus has almost endless potential, limited only by what each individual intends to use it for.

Controls on the Elektron Octatrack MKII Black performance sampler

About Elektron

The Swedish firm Elektron was founded in Gothenburg in 1998. The company develops tools for producers, artists, and DJs to perfect their respective crafts. The company's award-winning Overbridge software is designed to seamlessly integrate electronic musical instruments into computer-based DAWs as controllers and as external sound cards. Elektron is continuously bringing new innovations to the market in order to seamlessly integrate music into our day-to-day lives.

Multiple modes for enhanced modulation

If the Elektron Octatrack MKII Black is being used to play or record samples, the first step is always to select one of the five integrated machines. The Static and Flex machines are designed for sample storage and playback, differing principally in the amount of memory they can access: Static is better suited to longer samples, with Flex intended more for the complex manipulation of smaller components. If, on the other hand, external signals are the basis of the active soundscape – perhaps being further altered with some of the integrated effects – the Thru machine is required. The Neighbor machine is capable of playing a signal from a connected source, i.e. another device. Last but not least, the Pickup machine can even record while the current material is being played. The three LFOs, which allow users to choose from an impressive 19 waveforms, can be used to create bipolar amplitude curves, among other things. Two effects, such as delay and reverb, can be applied per channel.

Rear panel connections on the Elektron Octatrack MKII Black performance sampler

37 Customer ratings

5 32 Customers 4 5 Customers 3 0 Customers 2 0 Customers 1 0 Customers

4.9 / 5

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23 Reviews

Roman23 17.11.2021

After 10 years Octatrack is still a great tool for electronic music. It definitely has its limits, while there was a lot of updates on the sequencer and secondary functions, still no new effects or sound engines and no plans for that (supposedly limited by the CPU & RAM). The overall sound quality is also a matter of long debates.
But it is still stronger in sound design and performance features than the competitors like Akai or Pioneer. The advanced looping/recorders feature there is still unique and it's more fluent and flexible in connectivity and immediacy of sound creation (despite the complexity). And no so many devices on current marktet bring you 3 LFOs per instrument.
There are better tools for techno or hip-hop, but there are no more flexible texture-builders, remix stations or glitch machines out there.
The MK2 brought very nice upgrade to the physical part which worth the price (which in my humble opinion could be a little bit lower).

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Better in black!

Tryangle Man 18.06.2021

As Batman once said: “Does it come in black?”

Well yes. Yes it does!

If you are familiar with this machine you know exactly what to expect. Owning 2 (this one being my second) I do not regret getting it.

Build quality is top notch.

Arrival time took a while due to stock replenishing but worth the wait.

Pros: I mean… you can use it the way you want. Be it a glorified mixer, a lofi hip hop making machine, sample mangling, midi sequencer, or a decorative piece in the middle of your living room. It’s the octatrack! If you love it, it will love you back.

Cons: sure sound can be degraded at times, or effects are outdated, or timestretch is blablabla. You can make this machine shine if you really want to.

When playing live under the blasting sun, or in a packed nightclub, the octatrack will do what it does best. It will help you improvise, remangle, and perform in a mechanical and trusted way. Even when everything goes wrong (and it has many times) you will always have the octa as a guardian angel.

10/10 black makes it better.

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A solid and unique machine

tksst 13.06.2023

Elektron products do have a hype and probably the most talked of all is Octatrack. But this particular one is probably worth it. Octatrack is a strange beast - literally a performance sampler. It does have some limitations, i.e. 8 tracks, mediocre effects and a resampling workflow that could be a little bit more straight forward but on the other hand you can produce some unique sounds using it and it's simply ... fun. It does have some learning curve, but this is because it simply has many functions but there is logic in the way it functions - so its more understanding how this thing works than memorizing endless shortcuts (hello Roland MC101). Although I don't tend to use it every-day or for everything probably this is one of the tools I will never going to sell.

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An all time classic.

Nekz 05.11.2021

This box is complex, challenging, you need time and to study it carefully to make the most of it but the effort is compensated. Is an amazing sampler far beyond his time when release in 2010 and after all this time, still gives a punch. Some of its features are a bit dated, specially the time stretching algorithm but still is usable though. Overall is an all time classic that I will keep for ages to come. Recommended for the geeky, nerdy producer that wants a complex machine with lots of possibilities.

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Elektron Octatrack MKII Black

Performance Sampler