this may have to do with the fact that we are thinking in analog Mixer domain On an analog Mixer we learnt, that we should always max the Channel to end up with the least noise in the end. The Rytm is also analog and so we replicate this workflow.
And i noticed this on the Rytm: If you mix “properly” on the Rytm’s Engine Volumes, you get a pleasent sound, but you end up with lot’s of Noise, because you always have to gain the Audio File you recorded - since the Output is pretty low! If i record with OB for example - and mix properly on the Rytm - i end up with an Audio File that doesnt exceed -18 db - if all goes well, sometimes its even quieter. This is totally unusable. Imagine the Noise when normalizing and mastering such an amazingly quiet audio signal.
If i max it all out (engine + Channel) - i end up with round about -10 db. its still too quiet because i also want to max it with the Compressor / Limiter - since this is what electronic music needs to sound right! But its less noise than before, so i can live with that.
Noise my friends. This is the Problem on the Rytm and this is why maxing it all out on its Engines makes sense! The Rytms output is generally just waaaay too quiet. On the Analog Four - you dont have this problem. its output has proper gain. [edit] When it comes to OB at least. I dont know how it behaves with the physicals Outs, since i dont use these.