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Elektron Octatrack MKII firmware

Elektron active Device launched 2017
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CUSTOM FIRMWARE octabam, Modwerk, OCTAMAX and 7 more: community firmware for the Octatrack MKIISee all

Latest firmware

1.40C
released 27 Mar 2025
Download firmware from elektron.se

What's new in 1.40C

Support for updated production process.

Last checked 27 Oct 2026

Release notes on elektron.se ↗

CUSTOM FIRMWARENOT FROM ELEKTRON

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Before you update the Elektron Octatrack MKII

Update with careOS 1.40C only adds support for an updated production process. Caution because Elektron's readme for this OS tells you to secure your project to the Compact Flash card with PROJECT CARD SYNC before upgrading and restore it with CHANGE PROJECT afterwards. Downgrading is not supported.
  1. Secure your project to the Compact Flash card with PROJECT CARD SYNC. Setting a restore point or backing up the project to your computer is even better.
  2. Download the Octatrack OS file from the Octatrack MKII support page on the Elektron website.
  3. Connect the Octatrack to your computer with a USB cable. In the PROJECT menu, go to SYSTEM > USB DISK MODE and press [ENTER/YES] so the Compact Flash card appears as a drive.
  4. Copy the .bin OS file to the root of the Compact Flash card, not inside any folder.
  5. Unmount the Octatrack from your computer to exit USB DISK MODE.
  6. In the PROJECT menu, go to SYSTEM > OS UPGRADE, press [ENTER/YES], then press [ENTER/YES] again at the prompt to start the upgrade.
  7. Do not turn the Octatrack off until it has completed its startup sequence or tells you to restart. The OS may also upgrade the bootstrap after the upgrade.
  8. Restore your project with CHANGE PROJECT.

Sources: elektron.se (3 pages) · updated 24 Sep 2026

Requirements & compatibility

Update methodPreferred: a .bin file copied to the Compact Flash card in USB DISK MODE, then SYSTEM > OS UPGRADE. Alternative: a .syx file sent over MIDI.
SysEx methodConnect the Octatrack's MIDI ports to a computer MIDI interface and send the .syx file with a program that can send SysEx files. The OS cannot be sent over the Octatrack's USB port.
SysEx softwareElektron's C6 is 32-bit and does not run on macOS 10.15 Catalina or later. Elektron names SysEx Librarian (non-Elektron) as a replacement.
DowngradeNot supported by Elektron. Downgrading is at your own risk and user content may be lost.

How to update the Elektron Octatrack MKII

Two upgrade methods. .BIN via USB+CF card (preferred): on the Octatrack, navigate to SYSTEM → USB DISK MODE and press [ENTER/YES]; copy the .bin OS file to the root of the Compact Flash card; unmount, then navigate to SYSTEM → OS UPGRADE and press [ENTER/YES]. SYSEX via MIDI (alternative): connect the Octatrack MIDI IN to a computer MIDI interface (the USB port cannot transmit the OS); send the .syx file using Elektron Transfer or any sysex-capable tool. Do not power off the unit during the final bootstrap stage.

Just for reference. For complete and up-to-date instructions, always refer to the manufacturer's official firmware page.

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Elektron Octatrack MKII firmware update history

5 releases since Apr 2019, roughly one every 18 months.

Changelogs summarised from the manufacturer's release notes.

Version 1.40C — 27 Mar 2025 Maintenance

Release notes for this version are listed above.

Release notesopens in a new tab — elektron.se

Version 1.40B — 25 Jan 2023

Bug fixes: A button press could in some cases be incorrectly registered as the press of another button. The Trig mode MIDI map was not read correctly when loading projects.

Version 1.40A — 17 Dec 2020

Bug fixes: The tempo of the previously played pattern could in some cases still be in use after a pattern change to a pattern with a different tempo, even though the display showed the correct tempo. Pattern tempo was set too early on a queued-up pattern change. The size of a sample was incorrectly displayed in the flex file browser when FLEX FORMAT was set to 24-bit. It was not possible to trig a sample chromatically via MIDI if MIDI mode was active. It was not possible to record and lock slots in LIVE RECORDING mode via MIDI on any track other than the active track. If any of the Trig modes CHROMATIC, SLOTS, SLICES, or DELAY CTRL were active, the bank selection LEDs were not working correctly. Green LEDs were not lit to show banks containing data, and the currently selected bank was not shown with a red LED. When reloading an FX parameter page of an unsaved part, it did not reload the correct default parameter values. Reverbs couldn't be silenced by pressing [STOP]+[STOP].

Version 1.40 — 3 Dec 2020

Improvements: [MKII] Implemented a brightness setting for the LEDs and OLED screen. The option is located in the PERSONALIZE menu. Added the functionality to preview a sequencer step (including its parameter locks) in GRID RECORDING mode. Press [TRIG] + [YES] to preview a step on an audio track on the MAIN outputs. Press [TRIG] + [CUE] to preview a step on an audio track on the CUE outputs. Press [TRIG] + [YES]/[CUE] to preview a step on a MIDI track. Increased the length of the time-out countdown when selecting bank or pattern. Adjusted a number of bank/pattern select behaviors to improve usability and harmonize this functionality across the Elektron product line. Added the possibility to display all the parameter values on a track parameter page. Press and hold a [TRACK PARAMETER] key to view the parameter values. An additional SBNK parameter is added to the NOTE SETUP (SRC) page on the MIDI tracks to make it possible to send LSB Bank Select messages. Added support for pattern-specific tempo. Added functionality to randomize and reload TRACK PARAMETER page parameters. Press [TRACK PARAMETER] + [YES] to randomize. Press [TRACK PARAMETER] + [NO] to reload from saved part. Added support for triggering trig modes on audio tracks via MIDI. To enable this, set AUDIO NOTE IN in MIDI CONTROL to either FOLLOW TM or MAP/TRACK. For tracks configured to play slices or slots when receiving MIDI note data, holding a trig in GRID RECORDING mode while receiving a MIDI note now locks the same slice/slot that is played to the held trig. Added support for applying various trig actions to multiple trigs simultaneously. This includes changes to parameter locks, sample locks, microtiming, copying/pasting/clearing trigs, and converting multiple trigs to trigless trigs or trigless locks. Added an option to select if note length should be recorded or not while inputting notes in the MIDI sequencer. The option is located in the PERSONALIZE menu. [...]

Version 1.31 — 24 Apr 2019

Improvements: Added screen saver. The screen will have reduced brightness after 5 min of inactivity, and go completely black after an additional 55 min. Does not apply to MKI devices.

Tracked in 27 rigs on FW//RADAR.

Common problems after updating

Octatrack OS upgrade over USB MIDI does not work

The SysEx OS upgrade cannot be sent over the Octatrack's USB port. Connect the Octatrack's MIDI ports to a computer MIDI interface, or use the .bin method with USB DISK MODE instead.

Octatrack SysEx OS upgrade is taking a long time

This is expected: the SysEx upgrade takes a while. The [TRIG] LEDs light up one after another as the OS is received, then the screen shows PREPARING FLASH followed by UPDATING FLASH. The OS is updated when that finishes.

Elektron Octatrack MKII firmware FAQ

What is the latest Octatrack MKII firmware?

The latest Octatrack OS is 1.40C, released March 27, 2025. It adds support for an updated production process. The 1.40 release it builds on added Parameter Randomization, Tempo Per Pattern, MIDI Trig Modes, parameter locking of multiple trigs at once and Trig Preview.

How do I update the Octatrack MKII OS?

Secure your project with PROJECT CARD SYNC, then put the Octatrack in USB DISK MODE, copy the .bin OS file to the root of the Compact Flash card, unmount, and run SYSTEM > OS UPGRADE from the PROJECT menu. Restore your project with CHANGE PROJECT afterwards.

Can I use Elektron Transfer to update the Octatrack MKII?

Elektron's support FAQ states that Transfer does not support the Octatrack MKI/MKII, and the Transfer page does not list it, although the OS readme mentions Transfer for the SysEx method. The .bin method needs no updater software.

Where can I download the Octatrack MKII manual PDF?

The Manuals section of the Octatrack MKII support and downloads page on the Elektron website has the User Manual and the Quick Guide, each in English and Japanese.

Can I downgrade the Octatrack MKII firmware?

Elektron does not support downgrading the Octatrack OS. If you do it anyway, it is at your own risk and user content may be lost.

How do I get the Octatrack MKII factory content back?

If you lost the factory content, for example after formatting the Compact Flash card, register your Octatrack MKII on the My Registered Machines page of your Elektron account. The factory content is then available on the My Sound Packs page.

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