My desert island instrument

circuitghost · Post by **circuitghost** » Thu Mar 12, 2015 8:32 pm

My desert island instrument is still the Octatrack.

But the Electribe is catching up.

When all is said and done, it's a battery-powered instrument that sounds great and has the tools you need to build complete tracks ready for live performance on the beach when the rescue team comes to get you.

Can't think of any other instrument with that size and workflow (we don't count workstations, okay?) that offers such a complete package.

I'd argue you can write an entire album on this thing with enough versatility and depth in sound to not be like the same pattern repeated with variations in forty-five minutes.

I don't know. What do you guys think?

Spheric El · Post by **Spheric El** » Thu Mar 12, 2015 10:43 pm

I've not tried an Octatrack but the OP-1 has many different ways of jammin.
Include a file hub for mobile storage (the memory is limited)and I'm set indefinitely.

Tarekith · Post by **Tarekith** » Fri Mar 13, 2015 6:24 am

I could see both the OT and the electribe as being desert island devices, and depending on which day you asked me I'd be fine with either as my only device for making music.

I'd probably throw the iPad out there as an option too, pretty powerful for music making with 8+ hours on battery too. Plus, you could use it as a signaling mirror

circuitghost · Post by **circuitghost** » Fri Mar 13, 2015 7:08 am

Tarekith wrote:I could see both the OT and the electribe as being desert island devices, and depending on which day you asked me I'd be fine with either as my only device for making music.

I'd probably throw the iPad out there as an option too, pretty powerful for music making with 8+ hours on battery too. Plus, you could use it as a signaling mirror

That's a good point. You could hold a light show while jamming away.

In fact, we should rephrase this - what would be your one instrument for a desert island gig? Not just for your own creative pleasure but let's say there's a whole bunch of castaways and you got one piece of gear to keep them entertained through those velvet nights.

I'm still going for the Electribe, what with all the flashing lights and stuff.

dutchcow · Post by **dutchcow** » Fri Mar 13, 2015 8:45 am

I would opt for a Monomachine rather than an OT as I don't use samples much and prefer synthesis. Elektron gear is seriously deep but is priced pretty steep

RedHouse · Post by **RedHouse** » Fri Mar 13, 2015 9:32 am

Gadget.

actually, it would be my Cello.

apapdop · Post by **apapdop** » Fri Mar 13, 2015 12:54 pm

Love my Electribes (the E2 and my now getting a bit dusty ESX-1) as much as i do, if i could only take one thing it would be an ipad. I might have to buy a new one first though, as my ipad 2 is starting to struggle a little, but it's hanging on in there... And the iElectribe apps are still fantastic.

jim555 · Post by **jim555** » Fri Mar 13, 2015 7:10 pm

OT for me as well although I've been using the E2 and the Analog four more than the OT as the sound source lately.

OT is great but you have to spend time prepping it before making music. With the E2 and A4, I just turn it on and start making music.

I know many have complained about E2 lacking synth parameter editing capabilities but for how I'm using it, I prefer it that way. I can get some very good sounds immediately by playing with few parameters.

With so many parameter options on some synths, you spend more time dicking around with the sound than making actual music.

I like the fact the E2 is so immediate and that I can dial in a sound quickly and start making music. I can always refine the sound later using an effects box, DAW or the OT.

circuitghost · Post by **circuitghost** » Fri Mar 13, 2015 7:47 pm

All you iPad desert island people out there -

- I've never really given any apps any serious consideration, and I'm wondering, what's the audio like coming out from them? As good as a decent hardware synth, better or clearly worse?

Take Gadget for example. Put that next to the Electribe. Can you tell the difference?

Frenzies · Post by **Frenzies** » Fri Mar 13, 2015 7:53 pm

circuitghost wrote:All you iPad desert island people out there -

- I've never really given any apps any serious consideration, and I'm wondering, what's the audio like coming out from them? As good as a decent hardware synth, better or clearly worse?

Take Gadget for example. Put that next to the Electribe. Can you tell the difference?

I can't, but my hearing is s**t. I can't hear the difference between MP3 and vinyl.