For those of you who’ve used Overbridge, I’m curious – how many of you would prefer if Elektron would just focus their resources 100% on the hardware?
Is Overbridge distracting them from making better machines/updates?
How could anyone answer that question. OB is fun, but it’s a beta so it’s buggy.
I have zero insight into how Elektron allocates their internal resources for software and hardware development.
I imagine very few people on this forum have that insight as well.
I think this is a weird question, but others may disagree.
I’m not asking for a definitive answer, just opinions. I think a lot of people who buy Elektron machines are “gear” heads. If not for Overbridge, machines would cost less and/or there would be more hardware updates. There is absolutely no question about that.
My 2 cents… it’s a small company, it’s not a yamaha or roland, so limited resources. Spending that amount of time to develop overbridge, has impact on other work.
But improving their current machines is not generating revenue as it is provided at no cost. What ever you think of Elektron, it’s company with owners and employees so money has to be made.
I believe that overbridge will have impact on the sales of the A4, AK and AR. It will address the needs of a new user group. In that sense I believe in the long run by generating these additional revenues will provide the room to spend time on improving their machines.
I just hope and trust that Elektron is not getting addicted to strong revenue growths and good numbers and stays close to their roots.
I love Overbridge and would be perfectly happy if they delivered all promised OB features with rock solid stability yet never updated the machines in other areas again. To me tight DAW integration offers much much more than any stand-alone update ever could, and I bought both A4 and AR with Overbridge in mind (some would say this is stupid, but I have enough faith in Elektron to make me comfortable with taking the risk and potentially selling if it doesn’t work out).
Which is not to say that I don’t understand the disappointment of those who don’t use a DAW. It would be nice to see a fix for the Rytm bug where one of the toms turns into an endlessly sustaining drone, and I wouldn’t mind seeing more versatile hats and clap sounds either, but those would be bonusses really, as the analog processing of samples already provides more versatility than I can explore in a lifetime!
Hmmm, I’ve looked at Overbridge as an uber-update that actually does address a lot of hardware problems, and does so across all 3 instruments. For example, the issue with Global tempo and external DAW syncing is (supposed to be) solved with Overbridge, and the issue with individual outs for the A4. I would also imagine that Overbridge may make it easier in the future for hardware updates and integration as well as adding additional features. Not to mention that though many people don’t like to use computers live, there is a very very small amount of people who don’t use computers at the very least to record, and anyway the time saving that the editor will create as well as the sound design discoveries that it might lead to as well as the ability to modulate pretty much anything into infinity, and manage the sometimes very confusing Elektron menu systems is invaluable, even if you ultimately take your machines out sans computer. Unless all you do is jam hardware only and never record and don’t give a shit. But that’s a minority of the Elektron customer base I would imagine, and catering to the majority seems to make the most sense. I would like to see some modularity within the Overbridge architecture in the future, maybe making the LFO sections more robust and like a mod matrix as opposed to only have 2 LFO with 2 destinations. aux LFOs, additional destinations, maybe even a VST based linear automation/modulation within the VST that could possibly be pushed out to the hardware itself for out of the box playing without the computer. I haven’t even bothered with the beta yet myself and I’m just going to wait it out until the 1.0 release. I’m also interested in the breaking out of the sequencer in the A4, it would be pretty wonderful to build sequences within the computer having Overbridge translate that to the hardware and then being able to leave the computer at home for actual live playing. In fact with the VST I kinda wish they would make a new version of the A4 without the sequencer at all with more dedicate knobs and let Overbridge handle the P-Locking and other sequencing crap, because I mostly do not like inputting sequencer data into the hardware itself, it’s why I got away from things like the Electribes. Personal preference varies greatly though, and while you can wish for a company to cater directly to your own preferred areas of interest, it’s not realistic and ultimately Overbridge will only be a good thing for pretty much everyone. Except for anti-computer purists and gearheads who are more concerned with the HOW than the WHAT, but meh on that anyways, it’s all computers to begin with.
lets just get straight to it:
how ENTITLED do you feel about all this?
If not for Overbridge, machines would cost less and/or there would be more hardware updates. There is absolutely no question about that.[/quote]
How do you know this? I’m just curious.
My only Elektron device is the Analog Four, which is fully completed and needs no more work (just like when I got it, pre-polyphony). Updates from now on is just a bonus, and nothing anyone can expect. Just like Overbridge is (I got the A4 before it was announced).
With OB I can now take my laptop, the A4 and a QuNexus and have quite a portable setup that is quick to set up with little cabling (using the A4 as the audio interface). I can record other hardware through the A4’s inputs, process audio from the laptop through the A4 etc. Quite flexible.
Would I be glad if Elektron suddenly expanded the A4 with user waves, envelope follower etc? Of course, more is more! But for my use Overbridge is the better deal.
The pricing policy garantees a long lasting value of these boxes, imho. As we have seen in another thread here the hardware is worth every cent, absolutely rare in these times of turbo capitalism. For sure they will be smart enough there in the Elektron headquater to calculate the costs of their engineering.
The low-cost segment of (plastic) samplers and synths is peprented by other (asian i.e.) brands - i wonder if they got more updates, cause it makes really no sense. From where should this money come to develope these updates?
Over bridge is much more than a distraction.
It’s a game changer. It opens up the box and breathes life into it and it’s really not an ‘either or’ situation. It’s both, all. In short, it’s total synergy.
I’ve still been tweaking on the box, but also tweaking bits afterwards on the VSTi. Four channels of polyphony going into a group on live is superb. And the performance controls are a dream to route now. The GUI makes everything leap out.
So, it’s a spectacular addition to an already awesome product. Exactly where did Elektron fuck up here?
If not for Overbridge, machines would cost less and/or there would be more hardware updates. There is absolutely no question about that.[/quote]
How do you know this? I’m just curious. [/quote]
Well, for one there is hardware enabling Overbridge to run. Second, an Elektron employee agreed that the price of Overbridge is calculated into the cost of each unit, right here on these Forums. Third, they have to pay developers, where else would that money come from? Pretty standard business…
Who ever said Elektron “fucked” up? I haven’t even had the chance to use Overbridge, since I only have the Rytm. You may have mistaken my question for a comment.
Overbridge is going to be sick when its fully fleshed out. Also I would like it if they continue both but get OB to a nice solid state like they seem to be focused on right now. Rytm needs some additions to the OS features but i’m willing to wait for them to nail OB. Its kinda of the core right now for the analog daw integration platform so it kinda of needs to be addressed first imo.
this is like Dylan went electric and how it divided the fans.
I’m still in the camp of wanting more tweaks, bells and whistles added to the hardware rather than devoting too much resources to integrating with my desktop pc.
I have the beta overbridge software downloaded since it was launched, but I still haven’t installed it. The only thing tempting me is to try the new hardware noise features.
I expect when I do install overbridge and see it streaming channels into my DAW I will be impressed, but for me, elektron’s edge is all about superb standalone selfcontained hardware that challenges eurorack in its compactness, internal modularity and versatility.
Please post that quote from the Elektron employee saying that the cost of OB is built into their products.
Its in the “Overbridge” thread. It’s from Simon – somewhere around page 30? Look it up for yourself.
also, Elektron makes other units besides the AR and A4. While I’m not privy to their inner business workings, I imagine the MD, OT and MNM help pay their employees.
[quote=“” yesimsteve""]
[quote=“Zymos”]Please post that quote from the Elektron employee saying that the cost of OB is built into their products.
[/quote]
Its in the “Overbridge” thread. It’s from Simon – somewhere around page 30? Look it up for yourself.[/quote]
I call BS unless you can come up with his quote.
Your ‘question’ seems loaded to me.
Like what are they doing messing around with this shit whilst my machine needs tweaks?
Does it have to be one or the other? Seems like they’re nailing both sides to me…Or are you just sore coz it’s not out for the RYTM yet??
