Hello I have been taking a lot of focus into the Syntakt solo recently and was wondering what kind of methods are used to write full tracks with it. I come from the Octatrack mk1 where I normally make 1 part with several different patterns as 1 song and then the second part with different patterns as a second song and so on. The lack of kits or parts so to say kind of throws me for a loop as to how I should go about creating arranging and structuring tracks on it. I considered using Octatrack as a looper to do transitions. Any tips and tricks from fellow users?
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If you’re doing sets. Then making transitional patterns is good practice…
So your main patterns are at 1,3,5,7 etc.
on patterns 2,4,6,8 etc. you take elements from the pattern before it and from the one after it, so you will be blending between the two main patterns.
Works surprisingly well for when you don’t have a mixer or a Octatrack.
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Minimalistic approach :
One track = one song 
Perfect for transitions.
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I also like throwing in a delay-based 1-bar loop occasionally to carry across patterns and filter away as elements come into the new pattern: Syntakt FX Scenes + Techniques - #4 by tdmusic
As for structuring songs, I tend to get my sounds how I want them in pattern 1 and then copy to other patterns for B or C sections, usually replacing a sound or two
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Ok i see this I will try. Yes I have done some set with the sp-404 and deluge but was interested in this one and it performative power as it stands alone. Could always use it as a sound module end of the day. Its quite fun to experiment with external sequencing and sound locking trigs. Thanks for this.
Spoketh the wise sage-
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Multiple patterns per song for me. Maybe 4 at most. Especially when I pair the Syntakt with the Digitakt, that’s a lot of variety, even with complex song structures.
I also like to use song mode to keep records of intended song structure, including track mutes and so forth. That way, if I come back to working on or performing a song after some time away, I won’t be reverse engineering my basic intent for performance. I’ll have pattern changes and mutes logged. Of course, I’m free to deviate from this, but having some consistency of intent works for me.
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Yeah, on DT+ ST too, and song mode is a blessing for returning to old things and not having to remember what was where. I also like how changing the pattern mutes on a test play through makes it easy to revise a song, or to make up a sketch of an arrangement and fill in the details while playing through.
With up to 20 tracks between the machines, I’m finding plenty of room for A+B sections, alternate lines, and layered tracks in one pattern. ST stand-alone usually 3-4 patterns, again with song mode.
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