Being able to backup Octatrack banks is good - odd you can't restore to a different bank though. I also see they added the fast audition keystrokes I suggested yonks ago. Reckon I wasn't the only one though, ditto for the long file name views. All good stuff. Haven't played any more with looper, not necessary - making good use of all that extra flex memory instead. Finally I have a way to work I like. And songs are taking shape.

A number of Cirklon annoyances starting to build, some have been on my tits for about 2 years now!

Excellent day, agreed to do an article I'm rather looking forward to researching, a couple of reviews that look like fun too. Then got a call that my Vietnamese tracks are liked and will be used in the documentary, so I uploaded the wavs. Got contracts for my car ad tracks through so will sign and return.

All good! And a bloody hot day. More offers of Proteus 2000 but I should wait and see what the first guy comes back with as the price including postage. If he's too greedy I'll go with one of the others as one guy offered to do it inclusive. And I'm not exactly rich right now!

Hmmm so the good news is I can reserve no memory set it to be dynamically allocated and get a shed load of new flex memory. That'll do me! Still couldn't get overdub to work with ext sync. Wish I had become a beta tester but that would compromise my ability to review it at some point. Hey ho.

Worked on some tunes, mostly today I sunned myself. A bit more novel written too, sent off some extra Blade screendumps, what else? Proteus making strange noises, I really am going to have to take action. Bugger!

Nice work Elektron

Octatrack's latest OS update addresses most of the things I've asked them for, from small stuff (long file name handling) to the bigger design issues (you can now backup and restore at bank level rather than project. OK, still need a workaround as I work at individual pattern level but I can find a workaround at least, yay!).

The looper is still a bit odd - doesn't seem to overdub when in Ext sync mode (have asked to confirm if a bug) and still only offers 1 octave of transposition but not important right now. The Repeater is gonna remain my looper I think, just so easy and no limitations. I think I found a need for a "clear looper on new pattern/bank" too as otherwise any loops you've made in a session kick in on a new pattern/song, which is bad news!

Anyway, will let the dust settle. Read the PDF all the way through and a few more things to try today. They didn't do the one-handed volume thing (func double click) I asked for nor does muting a track work cleanly, still takes the effects (I think, never saw it mentioned anyway). And no word of any improvement to the chorus, but all these things I can live with. The new trig mode excellent, was looking for something like that the other night.

Sunny again today so how much work I gonna get done??!! :)

Last evening worked on two tunes and had no decent ideas for either. Gave up in the end and returned to the novel which has reached a fairly critical point and I'm struggling to think of anything else.
Not been seeking work today, went out in the garden in the sun after doing some cycling with Les. Now Pat's gone into work and I'm telling myself it's too early to pour a beer. The evening will either be more pottering with songs or more writing. Or just hanging out. Should look for reviewy things to do at least, maybe chase Doepfer for their upgraded Dark Time, or just review the original model and trash it! Nah, gotta do the good thing dude even if it's more effort!

I love the sunshine!

I took this pic last night.

Last night: Joolz - not bad. OK, didn't expect to enjoy it as I really ain't into boogie woogie. However he played some Squeeze stuff that I knew and apart from the excessive saxophones (5 is 5 too many!) and wonky trombones I thought it splendid, if overloud.

What today? A little more novel if poss and will try to assemble at least one other Octatrack piece. Almost out of flex memory so it's all static stuff now and making more creative use of the flex in there already. Note to self: don't load in loads of loops thinking you'll use them. Instead, load them as you go, as you need them. Always wise after the fact me.

Prodigy is great, Tony did a great job as usual. Not only does it track beautifully, the keyboard works great too and all the little glitches like the wonky LFO are gone.
The theremin mod wasn't quite as I expected. The zero beat part appears so minimal now I can barely find it - advised this is normal and that hanging the audio lead over the volume aerial is the way. Not sure I'd have had it done had I known but today I'll have another go at calibration and see if it's more playable. It feels like starting again...

Novel: I think I've resolved a couple of problems and can see a way forward that works. Am starting to make notes in chapters 20-onwards as places to head towards. I think it's just a matter of donkey work now, have an elegant way of doing the killing too, as long as it pans out.
12 tracks sent to Absolute for checking. I really must get more work rather than amusing myself with stuff that doesn't pay!