I recently bought an Elektron Octatrack MKII for future projects and performances. The features that attracted me to get one is live sampling and resampling. It has the flexibility to work as an effect processor for external input, and also works as a looper. I can also play a very long sample, which I can use it to play long field recordings and manipulate them in re-time. The live sampling function also allows me to record the present sounds and layer them up with different effects. It also allows me to have more control to play with time. Capture a few second of the present, then it becomes the sonic material for the future.
Although it is a very powerful and flexible machine for live performances, it also has its limitations. Firstly, Octatrack is a relatively old product, hence, the audio processing may not be as good as other newer samplers such as Digitakt. When it processes long samples and re-pitches very hard, it would create digital lagging sounds. It also has a quite limited number of track – 8 tracks only. And compare to the others, again Digitakt MKII (16 Tracks), it is relatively limited. Not to mention, it has much fewer features than an DAW. However, rather than a computer, performing with a physical instrument with limited functions allows me to focus on the sounds that I am playing. Then I may come up with more creative way to play with the sounds.