Need to update your firmware or just download software for your machine? You’ll find it all here. Start by picking your subject below.
You may download and utilize all files on this page for personal use. You may not edit or otherwise modify any material on this page; or redistribute material from this page.
Octatrack OS 1.40 comes crammed with new features such as Parameter Randomization, Tempo Per Pattern, MIDI Trig Modes, Parameter Locking Multiple Trigs simultaneously, Trig Preview, additional performance improvements, and much more.
Octatrack OS 1.40B fixes a few bugs. For a full list of changes, see the release notes.
Gives in-depth knowledge about the Octatrack.
Japanese version of the Octatrack User Manual (OS 1.25)
French version of the Octatrack User Manual (OS 1.21)
German version of the Octatrack User Manual (OS 1.21)
The Octatrack Quick Start manual in English.
If the Octatrack boots to DEMO mode even though the CF card is inserted, this is likely caused by a damaged CF-card reader pin list. The Octatrack is not able to register that a card is inserted when one or more pins are bent or missing.
Remove the card, and look carefully inside the slot to see if the pin list looks intact. If it's hard to see, you can also take a photo and enlarge the photo for easier viewing.
If the pin list is damaged, please contact Elektron support.
If the pin list is intact, then it is possible that the CF card is defective, and we recommend trying a different CF card.
If you lose the factory content (due to formatting the CF-card, or if the CF-card is malfunctioning), please follow the instructions below to download the content.
Register your device to your account. You can register the unit from the My Registered Machines page.
When the unit is registered to your account, the sound factory content is available for download from the My Sound Packs page.
Register your device to your account. You can register the unit from the My Registered Machines page.
Contact Elektron Support to receive the factory projects and Elektron samples. https://www.elektron.se/customer/tickets/
The Loopmasters content must be requested from Loopmasters directly (studio@loopmasters.com). You must provide them with a copy of the original proof of purchase.
The Elektron C6 utility is a 32-bit application and is not supported under macOS 10.15 (Catalina) or later. C6 will not be updated further, instead, we recommend using Elektron Transfer for transferring samples, sounds, presets, and OS updates to your Elektron device.
Elektron Transfer does not support SID Station, Octatrack MKI/MKII, and Analog Drive. For Monomachine and Machinedrum (all versions), only OS transfers are supported.
You can download the Transfer utility here: https://www.elektron.se/support/
Another possible (non-Elektron) replacement for C6 is SysEx Librarian.
Read moreIf you get an error message when you start the Octatrack saying: “BATTERY LOW”, you should change the battery. The battery is a CR 2450 Li-Mn 3v.
Unscrew all the M3 Hex nut screws on the top panel.
Remove the top panel and disconnect two cables (three on MKI) between the UI PCB and the CPU PCB.
On the bottom PCB (CPU) you see the battery holder on the left side.
Gently remove the battery from its holder and replace it with the new battery.
Reconnect all the cables and make sure that the pins are placed correctly and reach all the way down,
Re-attach the top panel.
Here you can find detailed specifications of the power supplies (PSU’s) for the different Elektron devices.
Current Elektron power supply: PSU-4b. These devices were originally shipped with PSU-4 and still work with PSU-4. The PSU-4b power supply includes adapters for the following regions: North America, Continental Europe, the United Kingdom, Brazil, Japan, Korea, Australia, and China. The PSU-4b power supply handles voltages of 100-240 VAC, 50/60Hz.
The power supply you want to use must meet the following specifications:
Voltage: 5 VDC
Minimum Current Rating: 1.2 A
Barrel Connector Size: 3.5 mm outer diameter, 1.35 mm inner diameter
Polarity: Positive center
Current Elektron power supply: PSU-3c. These devices were originally shipped with PSU-3, PSU-3b, or PSU-3c. All these devices work with PSU-3 and PSU-3b (With the exception of Analog Drive which doesn’t work with PSU-3). The PSU-3c power supply handles voltages of 100-240 VAC, 50/60Hz.
The power supply you want to use must meet the following specifications:
Voltage: 12 VDC
Minimum Current Rating: 2 A
Barrel Connector Size: 5.5 mm outer diameter, 2.5 mm inner diameter
Polarity: Positive center
Current Elektron power supply: PSU-2b. These devices were originally shipped with PSU-2. The PSU-2b power supply handles voltages of 100-240 VAC, 50/60Hz.
The power supply you want to use must meet the following specifications:
Voltage: 6 VDC
Minimum Current Rating: 3 A
Barrel Connector Size: 5.5 mm outer diameter, 2.5 mm inner diameter, 6 mm length
Polarity: Positive center
Original (and now obsolete) Elektron power supply: PSU-1 (two versions depending on voltage standard)
Please note that the power supply output must be AC!
The power supply you want to use must meet the following specifications:
Voltage: 6 VAC, 50/60Hz
Minimum Current Rating: 2.5 A
Barrel Connector Size: 5.5 mm outer diameter, 2.5 mm inner diameter, 6 mm length
The power supply you use must meet the following specifications:
Voltage: 6 VDC
Minimum Current Rating: 400 mA
Barrel Connector Size: 5.5 mm outer diameter, 2.1 mm inner diameter
Polarity: Positive center
In most cases, you don't need to use a power supply together with the Overhub. However, if you want to use it together with a non-self powered device (for example, an external hard drive), you must connect a power supply to the Overhub.
Please note that the Overhub is not shipped with a power supply.
The power supply you use must meet the following specifications:
Voltage: 5 V DC
Minimum Current: 4 A (3 A on earlier devices.) This number is written on the Overhub itself so you can see there which version you have.)
Barrel Connector Size: 3.5 mm outer diameter, 1.35 mm inner diameter, 6 mm length
Polarity: Positive center
The information in this section is valid for Elektron devices and the connectors they use.
All Elektron devices use standard 1/4" jacks for all audio input and output. Most synths, guitars, and other electronic instruments use these types of connectors, hence the cables sometimes being referred to as “Instrument Cables”. The connectors are generally referred to as plugs (male) and jacks (female). They are also fairly common in pro audio equipment and professional headphones as well. However, there are two different types of 1/4" connectors Elektron devices use, depending on the jack and device.
TS/TRS Connectors
“TS” and “TRS” refers to the contact layout of the connectors. These terms do not define any other specifications for the cable or audio signal such as impedance or channel count. The letters “T”, “R”, and “S” stand for the following:
T: Tip
R: Ring
S: Sleeve
TS (Tip-Sleeve)
When it comes to audio in Elektron Devices, TS is used for:
Unbalanced Mono Audio
TRS (Tip-Ring-Sleeve)
When it comes to audio in Elektron Devices, TRS is used for:
Balanced Mono Audio
Unbalanced Stereo or Split Signal Audio
Unbalanced/Balanced Audio
An unbalanced audio connection uses a single signal on the Tip of the connector (TS connector). A balanced audio connection uses two signals on Tip and Ring (TRS connectors) in opposite polarity. A balanced connection can, in some circumstances, help to mitigate some of the signal disturbances that may occur.
There is no physical size difference between the 1/4" balanced and unbalanced connectors so it is possible to for example to plug a TRS plug into a TS jack. However, this may alter the characteristics of the signal connection in different ways:
Jack | Plug | Source signal | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
TRS balanced output | TRS | Balanced | Signal connection is unchanged (balanced). |
TRS balanced output | TS | Balanced | Signal connection is now unbalanced. |
TS unbalanced output | TRS | Unbalanced | Signal connection is unchanged (unbalanced). |
TS unbalanced output | TS | Unbalanced | Signal connection is unchanged (unbalanced). |
TRS balanced input | TRS | Balanced | Signal connection is unchanged (balanced). |
TRS balanced input | TRS | Unbalanced | Signal connection is unchanged (unbalanced). |
TRS balanced input | TS | Unbalanced | Signal connection is unchanged (unbalanced). |
TRS balanced input | TRS | Stereo | Does not work. Results in left minus right signal (almost no sound in mono) and only work if audio is hard-panned left. |
TRS balanced input | TRS | Split | Does not work. Results in Tip signal minus Ring signal. |
TS unbalanced input | TRS | Balanced | Signal connection is now unbalanced. |
TS unbalanced input | TRS | Unbalanced | Signal connection is unchanged (unbalanced). |
TS unbalanced input | TS | Unbalanced | Signal connection is unchanged (unbalanced). |
TS unbalanced input | TRS | Split | Only the signal on the Tip is transferred. |
TO SUMMARIZE For a balanced signal to remain balanced, all connectors used must be TRS. A balanced signal that passes through a TS connector will be unbalanced. An unbalanced signal always remains unbalanced no matter what type of connector (TS or TRS) is used.
QUICK TIP Using a cable with a TS plug in a balanced TRS jack output is perfectly safe. It simply results in that the signal connection will be unbalanced instead.
WARNING Double ring, TRRS connectors in the 3.5 mm format have become common for mobile device headphones with an attached microphone. Many standard 3.5 mm headphone adapters are not designed for these connectors. The result of this is the apparent lack of sound from the device. Therefore, the use of headphones with TRRS connectors is not recommended.
Audio cable connector and signal cheatsheet for Elektron devices
For Elektron devices, all physical Inputs and Outputs are Line Level. The following tables list the signal uses for the IO of all devices. More in-depth information can be found in the device User Manuals under Technical Information.
Model:Cycles and Model Samples
I/O | Balance | Signal | TRS/TS |
|---|---|---|---|
Headphones | Unbalanced | Stereo | TRS |
Main Out L/Main Out R | Balanced | Mono | TRS |
Digitone and Digitakt
I/O | Balance | Signal | TRS/TS |
|---|---|---|---|
Headphones | Unbalanced | Stereo | TRS |
Main Out L/Main Out R | Balanced | Mono | TRS |
Input L/Input R | Unbalanced | Mono | TS |
Digitone Keys
I/O | Balance | Signal | TRS/TS |
|---|---|---|---|
Headphones | Unbalanced | Stereo | TRS |
Main Out L/Main Out R | Balanced | Mono | TRS |
Track Outs Left/Mono 1-4 | Balanced | Mono | TRS |
Track Out Right 1-4 | Balanced | Mono | TRS |
Input L/Input R | Unbalanced | Mono | TS |
Octatrack MKII
I/O | Balance | Signal | TRS/TS |
|---|---|---|---|
Headphones | Unbalanced | Stereo | TRS |
Main Out L/Main Out R | Balanced | Mono | TRS |
Cue Out L/Cue Out R | Balanced | Mono | TRS |
Input A-D | Balanced | Mono | TRS |
Octatrack MKI
I/O | Balance | Signal | TRS/TS |
|---|---|---|---|
Headphones | Unbalanced | Stereo | TRS |
Main Out L/Main Out R | Balanced | Mono | TRS |
Cue Out L/Cue Out R | Balanced | Mono | TRS |
Input A-D | Unbalanced | Mono | TS |
Analog Four MKII/ Analog Keys
I/O | Balance | Signal | TRS/TS |
|---|---|---|---|
Headphones | Unbalanced | Stereo | TRS |
Main Out L/Main Out R | Balanced | Mono | TRS |
Track Out 1-4 | Unbalanced | Stereo | TRS |
Input L/Input R | Unbalanced | Mono | TS |
Analog Four MKI
I/O | Balance | Signal | TRS/TS |
|---|---|---|---|
Headphones | Unbalanced | Stereo | TRS |
Main Out L/Main Out R | Balanced | Mono | TRS |
Input L/Input R | Unbalanced | Stereo | TS |
Analog Rytm MKII
I/O | Balance | Signal | TRS/TS |
|---|---|---|---|
Headphones | Unbalanced | Stereo | TRS |
Main Out L/Main Out R | Balanced | Mono | TRS |
External In L/External In R | Unbalanced | Mono | TS |
Track Outs | Unbalanced | Stereo | TRS |
Audio In L/Audio In R | Balanced | Mono | TRS |
Analog Rytm MKI
I/O | Balance | Signal | TRS/TS |
|---|---|---|---|
Headphones | Unbalanced | Stereo | TRS |
Main Out L/Main Out R | Balanced | Mono | TRS |
Input L/Input R | Unbalanced | Mono | TS |
Track Out BD-BT | Unbalanced | Split (Tip: BD, Ring: BT) | TRS |
Track Out SD-LT | Unbalanced | Split (Tip: SD, Ring: LT) | TRS |
Track Out CH/OH-MT/HT | Unbalanced | Split (Tip:CH/OH, Ring:MT/HT) | TRS |
Track Out CY/CB - RS/CP | Unbalanced | Split (Tip:CY/CB, Ring:RS/CP) | TRS |
Analog Drive
I/O | Balance | Signal | TRS/TS |
|---|---|---|---|
In | Unbalanced | Mono | TS |
Out | Unbalanced | Mono | TS |
Analog Heat
I/O | Balance | Signal | TRS/TS |
|---|---|---|---|
Headphones | Unbalanced | Stereo | TRS |
Out L/Out R | Balanced | Mono | TRS |
In L/In R | Balanced | Mono | TRS |
Monomachine/Machinedrum
I/O | Balance | Signal | TRS/TS |
|---|---|---|---|
Headphones | Unbalanced | Stereo | TRS |
Main Out A/Left | Balanced | Mono | TRS |
Main Out B/Right | Balanced | Mono | TRS |
Output C-F | Unbalanced | Mono | TS |
Input A/Input B | Unbalanced | Mono | TS |
Sidstation
I/O | Balance | Signal | TRS/TS |
|---|---|---|---|
Out | Unbalanced | Mono | TS |
External In | Unbalanced | Mono | TS |
CV/EXPRESSION CONTROL - QUARTER INCH CONNECTORS
Some Elektron devices can send or receive analog signals to control various parameters and functionalities. These signals are sent and received through connectors using either TS or TRS 1/4" jacks on the Elektron devices. The different types of signals are:
Control Voltages
Expression Pedals
Footswitches
CV Output
Analog Four MKI/MKII and Analog Keys have dedicated Controlled Voltage outputs. The Analog Four MKII has individual 1/4" TS jacks for each CV output. However, the Analog Four MKI and Analog Keys have 1/4" TRS jacks that can output two different CV signals. The configuration of these are:
Analog Four MKI/Analog Keys CV Outputs
Jack | Tip | Ring |
|---|---|---|
CV Out AB | CV Out A | CV Out B |
CV Out CD | CV Out C | CV Out D |
CV Input, Expression pedals, and Footswitches
Any Elektron device with inputs labeled “Control In” can be configured to receive and use CV, Expression Pedals, or Footswitches. CV and Footswitches (including Sustain Pedals) use cables with 1/4" TS plugs, while Expression Pedals uses cables with TRS plugs.
The way footswitches and expression pedals work electrically can differ from brand to brand. Elektron devices can be configured to support most footswitches or expression pedals.
On some Elektron devices, like the Digitone Keys, footswitches can be used for Sustain or Sostenuto and are labeled as such in the configuration menu.
The Analog Drive supports direct expression pedal input for Gain and Mid EQ parameters.
5-pin DIN connectors - Most Devices
With the exception of the Model series devices, all Elektron devices have full-size MIDI IN, MIDI OUT, and MIDI THRU ports. (Analog Drive only has MIDI IN and MIDI OUT). All these devices use standard MIDI Cables with 5-pin DIN connectors.
3.5 mm TRS MIDI (Type A and B) connectors - Model:Samples and Model:Cycles
The Model series uses 3.5 mm TRS “Mini” MIDI connectors for their MIDI IN and MIDI OUT/THRU ports. There are two configurations for these connectors, used by different brands, know as Type A and Type B.
MIDI 5-Pin DIN (Male)
MIDI TRS Type A
MIDI TRS Type B
All Model series devices accept both Type A and Type B configurations. The MIDI IN port accepts any configuration. The MIDI OUT/THRU ports must be set manually to use either a Type A or a Type B configuration. This is done by adjusting the OUT POL parameter (CONFIG MENU > MIDI > PORTS). The available settings are:
STD (for Type A)
INV (for Type B)
QUICK TIP If there seems to be trouble connecting to another MIDI device from a Model series device, try changing the MIDI Output Polarity. All Models series devices come with the CA-3 MIDI Adapter kit, which contains two TRS Type A to 5-pin DIN MIDI Adapters.
If you can't find what you are looking for, you may login with your Elektron account and create a support ticket. If you don't have an account already you can create one in the next step.