Techno Performance Template 1.0.3 (Patreon)

The Techno Performance Template is a game-changer for live electronic music performers, offering an intuitive and meticulously crafted toolkit for creating dynamic and immersive techno experiences. With an 8-bar structure that syncs seamlessly to the Octatrack's clock, this template provides 64 unique effects in total. Effects and operations include clocked modulation, 8 bar live looping, side-chain pumping, stutter effects, one compressor per bus input, and a master equalizer, and it's all accessible with user-friendly controls (despite how confusing the Octatrack may appear). It empowers performers to build tension and deliver impactful drops effortlessly, while also offering the flexibility to customize compressors and fine-tune the sound to their liking. Whether you're a seasoned artist or just starting your journey in electronic music, this template offers an inspiring and versatile platform to elevate your live performances and captivate your audience with mesmerizing techno soundscapes.

Video when the template was in beta: https://youtu.be/y1OFF9UDGRc 

INSTALL INSTRUCTIONS:

Plug in the USB to your Octatrack -> On your Octatrack press PROJ to enter the Settings -> System -> USB Disk mode ->

Your Octatrack will mount as a disk on your computer. Open your Octatrack drive on your computer and find your set folder (typically called PRESETS MKII if you have a MKII).

Open your set folder on your Octatrack via your computer -> Drop the UNZIPPED project folder called Techno Performance Template x.x in with your other project folders on your Octatrack.

Press NO on your Octatrack to leave disk mode.

Open the project file called Techno Performance Template x.x on your Octatrack.

Techno Performance Template x.x Manual by EZBOT

All Banks and Patterns are populated with the Techno Performance Template at a default tempo of 130 BPM and a pattern scale of 128 steps (8 bars). This is an 8 bar template with many effects that have clocked modulation over 8 bars for builds up and drops.

***Clicks and pops can be caused by unstable BPM from external clocking sources. To avoid this use a stable clocking source such as the Octatrack itself.

***Audio MIDI Channels are disabled by default.

- Effects with an asterisk have FREEZE delays.

- "ALL" refers to effects that effect the entire mix with the same effect on both inputs A/B and C/D.

***Be sure RECORD QUICK MODE is enabled in your system settings. --> PROJECT --> SYSTEM --> PERSONALIZE --> RECORD QUICK MODE (ENABLE)

TO RECORD:

Method 1: Select Track 4 and PRESS REC-3 once, this will initiate a recording at the next 8 bars. Wait until you see the + (recording) symbol on track 4 and press REC-3 once. After the recording has finished and the + symbol is now a play arrow, cross fade to FX scene 16 with a swift motion (do not do this slowly) to switch to your recorded 8 bar loop.

Method 2: Press YES. Be sure you are not in step edit mode (no red record button). Select Track 4. Wait until you see the + (recording) symbol on track 4 and press REC-3 twice. After the recording has finished and the + symbol is now a play arrow, cross fade to FX scene 16 with a swift motion (do not do this slowly) to switch to your recorded 8 bar loop.

Several of the effects in this template require you to understand this operation. These effects are pointed out in the effects map below.

***Recording without record quick mode enabled will require you to hold track 4 and press REC-3 twice as opposed to just pressing REC-3 twice after the recording has initiated.

TO SAVE A RECORDING TO FILE: Press FUNC + REC 3 and choose "Save This Recording". This is useful for creating stems to save and use in other projects or to transfer to your computer.

COMPRESSORS: Separate compressors are available on both stereo input sets A/B and C/D. By default, they apply mild tasteful compression to your whole mix. To set custom compressor values for each pattern, lock the compressor effect parameters on the first step of Track 1 and Track 5 within each pattern. When changing parts if you have locked in compressor settings on the step sequencer the compressor wont kick in until it triggers that step.

SIDECHAIN PUMPING: Sidechain pumping is available on all patterns and all parts. By default the pattern is 4 on the floor. To use the sidechain pumping effect turn up LFO 1 depth on Track 5. To adjust where the ducking occurs copy and paste the BRIGHT GREEN TRIGS on Track 5. You can externally trigger SIDECHAIN PUMPING by sending a MIDI note to CHANNEL 5 on the Octatrack.

STUTTER FX: FREEZE DELAYS are available separately on Tracks 1 and 5, and 16. To use the the FREEZE DELAY hold FUNC + DOWN ARROW and select DELAY CONTROL. GREEN button 9 controls the FREEZE DELAY for inputs A/B and GREEN button 13 controls the freeze delay for inputs C/D. Press 9 + 13 to FREEZE the entire mix. FREEZE DELAYS occur before effects are applied so you can hold a frozen buffer and then apply effects. Hold GREEN button 16 to freeze the entire mix above all other FREEZE DELAYS. Have fun with this.

MASTER EQ: To use the master equalizer lock in your preferred EQ parameters on step 1 and 2 of track 8. Track 8 is only 2 steps long. This way when you switch parts the EQ will remain the same.

10.10.23

- 2 parts were missing the DJ equalizer.

10.8.23

- CUE mix is now set to default values.

- Renamed the file to Techno PT x.x.x so that you could see the full name when selecting projects.

- Adjusted several effects on part PARTY: Echo Freeze hits harder, Daft Punk Effect Alternate version is more effective, and LFO twist is reworked to be more prominent in the "twist".

- Adjusted some of the effects on SPACE. Most notably Hallway Riser on scene 1. The reverb is much smoother now.

9.23.23

- Deleted MIDI data from MIDI tracks and reset all to defaults.

- Default swing is no longer 57 (This was a mistake to begin with).

- A few minor FX tweaks.

9.11.23

- Completed the template.

- Added several new FX, see the FX map below.

- Adjusted several FX, several FX reworks.

9.3.23

- Added a master EQ per pattern (see instructions)

- Added 6 new FX across the 4 parts.

- Updated several FX.

- Looper is no longer disassociated from the BPM - time stretch is turned on by default.

- Crossfading is no longer using the filter and has returned to track volume.

- All banks and patterns have the template on them.

8.14.23

- Updated Template to Beta 2.

- All banks and patterns now have the Techno Performance Template beta on them.

- Squished some weird bugs.

- Added 2 new scenes.

- Changed the transition crossfade to filtering instead of amplitude.

FX BLOCKS: Space, Build, Crush, Party

64 Scenes across 4 Parts. To move to a different set of 16 scenes/fx press PART and use the arrow keys to select a new SET OF 16 EFFECTS.

Scenes 1-16:

Part 1 - Space

1. Hallway Riser

2. Space Return

3. 1/2 Note Filtered Looper (ALL) *

4. Surco Riser V2 (All) *

5. Space Drummer

6. Acid Delay

7. Melody Pass

8. EZ Drummer *

9. High Pass Filter

10. Low Pass Filter

11. Resonate High Pass (ALL)

12. EZ Drummer + C/D Looper *

13. Low Pass Verb

14. High Pass Verb

15. Thumper Filter

16. Master Looper (ALL) (Requires RECORDING of both A/B and C/D, Press YES)

Part 2: Build

1. Chorus Riser *

2. Big Stereo Riser *

3. Stereo Drum Riser *

4. Stereo Drum High Filter

5. Modulated Chorus Filter

6. Off World Filter

7. Chorus and Smile Pass 1/2 Note Looper *

8. Chorus and Smile Pass

9. High Pass Filter

10. Low Pass Filter

11. Rhythmic Stutter (to customize the stutter rhythm open LFO menu 2 on track 5 and adjust the LFO designer)

12. Rhythmic Space Stutter 2 (to customize the stutter rhythm open LFO menu 2 on track 5 and adjust the LFO designer)

13. Rhythmic Stutter High Rise

14. Rhythmic Stutter Boogy

15. Rhythmic Stutter Stereo Trip

16. Master Looper (ALL) (Requires RECORDING of both A/B and C/D, Press YES)

Part 3: Crush

1. Crush Filter

2. Burning Filter Mod

3. Death Punk Filter *

4. Ghost *

5. Poltergeist *

6. Boiler Room

7. Walk Lightly

8. Flanger Buildup

9. High Pass Filter

10. Low Pass Filter

11. Dreamy Highpass

12. EZ Drummer 2

13.  Data Stretch Filter

14. Absolute Crush (ALL) (Requires RECORDING of both A/B and C/D, Press YES)

15. Absolute Crush 2 (ALL) (Requires RECORDING of both A/B and C/D, Press YES)

16. Master Looper (ALL) (Requires RECORDING of both A/B and C/D, Press YES)

Part 4: Party

1. Echo Freeze (16th notes) (ALL) *

2. Modulated Echo Freeze (ALL) *

3. Daft Punk Effect Alternate Version (ALL) *

4. Rhythm Ripper

5. LFO Twist (ALL) *

6. Synth Twister (Mutes Drums) *

7. Lo-Fi Build

8. Tape Stop (ALL)

9. High Pass Filter

10. Low Pass Filter

11. Space Breaker

12. Slow Death (song ender)

13. Auto-Pumper (C/D)

14. Full Modulation (ALL) (Requires Recording)

15. Reverse (ALL) (Requires Recording)

16. Master Looper (ALL) (Requires RECORDING of both A/B and C/D, Press YES)