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The Elektron Octatrack is notoriously difficult to wrap your brain around – because it can do so many things and be used in so many ways, but you have to configure it.

Fortunately, Elektron guru Matthew Piecora (aka EZBOT) has released a new tutorial that digs into the idea of using the Octatrack as a performance mixer. It’s an hour+ deep dive, with lots of musical examples.

If you’re an Octatrack owner, you’ll want to check this out, because Piecora shares lots of great insight. Check it out, and share your thoughts on the video and the Octatrack in the comments!

Topics covered:

00:00:00 Start!

00:01:35 How the ‘Performance Mixer’ works

00:03:53 Demo of using some effects for Techno

00:04:54 Using the beat repeats

00:05:58 Significant changes to this template from prior templates

00:08:45 Why I am making these templates

00:10:14 More changes from previous versions

00:10:38 Performance Mixer 3.0.6B – The DJ Template

00:14:24 4-bar loopers are now on all template variants and why

00:15:20 Why we use 4-bar loopers instead of 8

00:16:16 How I clock the Octatrack and why

00:18:26 I’ve adjusted the noise riser volume and now you can too

your pal Wes (soffter) – in his latest software video – offers his take on the Squarp Instruments Hapax Advanced Polychronic Sequencer.

The Hapax is designed to be the centerpiece of your rig. It can handle up to a million notes and events; has MPE compatibility; offers input and output via DIN MIDI, USB MIDI & CV/Gate; features more than 180 physical controls; supports saving and loading to SD cards and more.

Is the Hapax the best sequencer ever made? Watch the video and share your thoughts in the comments!

Today, Native Instruments unveils Electric Keys – Reeds Duo, a pair of virtual instruments that capture the essence of two legendary reed-based electric pianos. These new instruments are the latest in an Electric Keys series, following the Electric Keys – Tines Duo, which introduced Diamond and Phoenix.

The Reeds Duo of Jade and Ivory bring a new style of electric piano into the spotlight. Unlike their tine-based cousins, these instruments use vibrating metal reeds to generate sound, creating tones that range from smooth to soulful and gritty depending on how you play.


To celebrate the classic electric pianos: Jade and Ivory, Electric Keys – Reeds Duo reproduces the sound of two iconic electric pianos – loved for their snappy attack, expressive growl, and unmistakable warmth.
Electric Keys – Jade: A solid-state reed piano delivering a bright, punchy sound with sharp dynamics. Ideal for funky rhythms, cutting leads, and rich chords, Jade adds a confident edge to any track.

Electric Keys – Ivory: A vintage tube-driven reed piano with a warm, soulful voice and organic grit. Smooth and mellow one moment, rough and fiery the next – Ivory is pure expression.

Electric Keys – Reeds Duo Main Features:

• Authentic Presets: each instrument comes with 100 meticulously designed snapshots that capture the most iconic original keyboard sounds.
• Advanced Sound Shaping: Customize your sound with detailed tone controls like Tonal Shift, modeled tremolo, and a suite of effects from Guitar Rig 7 Pro.
• Crank the Color: The Color knob allows for seamless blending of performance dynamics, from soft and intimate to bold and brash.
• Realistic Details: Blend direct output with characteristic tremolos and room signals, adding mechanical hammer and pedal noises for enhanced realism.
• Seamless Kontrol Keyboard Integration: Electric Keys offers optimal integration with Native Instruments’ Kontrol S Series keyboards (shown below) for intuitive control and browsing.

Created with Galaxy Instruments. This exceptional piano emulation was developed in partnership with Galaxy Instruments, renowned for their expertise in creating high-quality virtual instruments. Founder Uli Baronowsky and his team, who previously collaborated on instruments like Claire, Noire, and The Giant, have brought their approach to capturing the unique characteristics of these reed-based pianos.

Native Instruments Electric Keys is available now: Jade $99; Ivory $99; Reeds Duo $149.  Get all the details at the Native Instruments website.