The Overbridge 2 manual is confusing at best. The software works, but it’s all really hard going to understand. I’m on the latest version and latest +FX OS, just using a simple iPhone > +FX > MacBook setup.
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So I can’t change the sample rate / bit rate for audio capture in Overbridge? It’s in Options apparently, which I can’t find anywhere.
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What’s this volume? It seems to do nothing at all.
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Why is there only one waveform for L+R? I see L as a single waveform, no waveform for R at all when they are selected individually. Yet my input source is in stereo I have recorded in stereo to my laptop.
The ‘tool tips’ bottom bar has loads of info missing. It’s certainly not like Abletons help panel. Loads of bad phrasing and illogical explanations make this so tough. I’m reading it again and again.
Errrgh…
Hey Barry,
I think that this (below) is the relevant information from the manual, looks like all devices listed can run at the highest bitrate so, though mentioned, they aren’t given or provided an option.
I’m guessing that it impacts the main pattern volume mix since that’s the only audio capture track that seems to be impacted by volume parameter adjustments. I’m pretty sure that individual stems record at line level irrespective of the pattern volume, however I’m not using the new overbridge yet so I’m just guessing at what that might indicate.
I don’t know about this, I wasn’t aware that it was like that. Maybe because overbridge isn’t editing software? Maybe the waveform is just to help insure you’re getting proper headroom? I really have no clue but you should email support about design choices because they’re probably the only ones with any real answer to this question.
Not sure if I got anything else for you but hope that helped.
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You’re a legend - your help across the forum is always noticed and I’m very personally grateful. Your range of knowledge is enviable!
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I don’t know about all that but thank you. I certainly miss on a few swings, but I do take a swing when I can 
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Do you have the +FX? Have you any experience using any version of the Analog Heat with Overbridge?
Years ago I wrote a manual at work, so I know how much work goes into it, but the Overbridge leaves the reader with so many unanswered questions.
There’s nowhere near enough information online for the +FX user - I feel compelled to start making some as it’s a Swiss Army knife, one I’m thoroughly enjoying.
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Never owned heat so no insight there unfortunately. Is there something specific which isn’t clicking though?
There isn’t enough clear step-by-step information about input and output channels, USB channel configuration, straightforward and common ways of connecting it, the Control Panel. Lots of confusing diagrams at first glance, poor wording, a lack of examples, all leaving the user to give up and head back to experimentation to find the answer.
Then there is common application - ways to master successfully using it (other than a Gaz Williams video on the Mk2), how to record its outputs using Overbridge (thanks Ihor on YouTube for a DT1 Overbridge video), how to connect a simple computer, (not Ableton but simpler), how to use AH as a soundcard, examples of class compliant connectivity, how to route it successfully… how to select inputs…
And that’s all off the top of my head - I’m sure I could highlight many more as I work through it.
I’ve sussed a few out myself, decoding the manual, but Elektron has such limited source material it all really needs addressing as this is a powerful machine.
Well it does sound like you need a better manual, and some of that is going to depend on your daw and in what capacity you want to use it as an audio interface.
When you say input and output and usb channels are you talking about usb audio interaction with other gear? The control panel meaning the OB app’s control panel?
Mastering depends on how you want to use it, I’ve read on here where people have used it in a variety of ways, the AH tips and tricks thread is probably a good starting point.
How to record the outputs using ob audio capture is like clicking record then clicking stop. It outputs the files and you edit them in the daw. Most daw software will recognize it as a plug and play audio device and you assign it either to the track or as the primary interface.
Connecting to a computer shouldn’t be a problem, it will be recognized as an audio device. Selecting it under your operating system audio config as the audio device is how you would use it as a sound card.
Class compliant connectivity is a device which carries it’s own drivers thus does not require you to add drivers or software to get a computer to recognize it. An example of this is buying a wireless mouse which uses a dongle, the dongle and mouse do not require you to add your own drivers because they carry their own which the computer will pretty much universally recognize. This is the reason as an audio interface elektron devices just work, it’s just up to you to select it which requires familiarity with your computer, OS, and software more than anything.
I think a lot of what you’re asking about might be exempted from the manual because the individual steps will vary by user, so the actual daw you use will dictate a lot of what you’re asking.
I’m using it in the simplest of ways to start me off - just plugged into a MacBook. I thought I would do that before attempting anything with a DAW. There are far too many basics to get to grips with right now - all the FLOW reordering, presets, backing up as well as creative application.
I think so many people historically get the HEAT section tuned to liven up their dawless setup and leave the experimenting there, so I understand why this new +FX version has little content available. I am very inclined to use it for as many tasks as possible as my short experiment with envelope followers was magic.
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I don’t know much about MAC OS but I’m positive that once it’s plugged into a USB port, it will be detected by the plug and play system and made available as an audio device, so somewhere in your system config for audio, you’ll be able to select the heat as a sound card/audio device and send the output of your mac system audio to monitor speakers.
If you want to use it to record into the computer in any way other than the OB audio capture, you’ll need to get audacity or one of the other free daws and then you can send audio through the heat and record into the daw by selecting the heat as the audio interface / audio device. You can, at that time, also route the daw output through heat as in the previously described situation where audio is sent out from the computer and then through the L/R main outputs
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Thank you. Overbridge doesn’t give you any input selection options, so you have to do it all from the MacBook. It took me an initial half hour to realise this, as it was picking up the inbuilt mic anlong with Spotify I was testing it with. It had to be disabled in the computer control panel.
I have just been watching a video with a user using Overbridge into a DAW and I see he gets both waveforms - I get just one. Still been never able to sort this out - I submitted a ticket over on the Electron site.
Its not a deal breaker or anything, its just annoying as I cannot see the waveform properly especially with more stereophonic recordings.
