Elektron Analog 4 direct line vs. Overbridge

[DaniZzz79]

is it just me or the Analog 4 sounds and works much better as direct output than with Overbridge?
I read in a few posts that the sound quality should be about the same, but for some reason I feel that the sound AND the use as a standalone synth delivers much better. Am I just biased?

any thoughts?

[roman.i]

is it just me or the Analog 4 sounds and works much better as direct output than with Overbridge?
I read in a few posts that the sound quality should be about the same, but for some reason I feel that the sound AND the use as a standalone synth delivers much better. Am I just biased?

any thoughts?

If your audio interface has a better conversion, then probably it is better sounding through direct output.
That's also the case with my Syntakt.
Just more clarity with the line output, which indicates a better AD conversion.

[zerocrossing]

I never a-b compared them, but the latency of using Overbridge as a plugin was so bad I abandoned it and now I just run it as an app to control my RYTM and Four and use the direct analog line outs into my UAD Apollo.

[DaniZzz79]

I never a-b compared them, but the latency of using Overbridge as a plugin was so bad I abandoned it and now I just run it as an app to control my RYTM and Four and use the direct analog line outs into my UAD Apollo.

actually my latency is quite fine. It's really about the perceived quality of the audio, which can be biased, and the fact that playing with Overbridge I don't achieve the same sound manipulation that I can do just by playing on the device (and I don't mean multiple tracks, just playing with knobs).
I mean, I realize the filters and mods should be exactly the same (a video by Loopop explains well that Overbridge visualization should help a lot), but for some reason I'm sort of unable to obtain the same results.
As for the audio quality, it feels to me as if the Overbridge output sort of lacks some analogue power that is delivered by the direct outputs. (I have a Focusrite Clarett that works superfine with any other VST).

[DMG68]

Maybe record both and flip the phase on one, see how it nulls. Then you may know whether there’s a difference and where it is. Just make sure they are aligned.

[DrGonzo]

Yeah the same here. Overbridge is cool in some cases but I usually end up using it without.

[zerocrossing]

I never a-b compared them, but the latency of using Overbridge as a plugin was so bad I abandoned it and now I just run it as an app to control my RYTM and Four and use the direct analog line outs into my UAD Apollo.

actually my latency is quite fine. It's really about the perceived quality of the audio, which can be biased, and the fact that playing with Overbridge I don't achieve the same sound manipulation that I can do just by playing on the device (and I don't mean multiple tracks, just playing with knobs).
I mean, I realize the filters and mods should be exactly the same (a video by Loopop explains well that Overbridge visualization should help a lot), but for some reason I'm sort of unable to obtain the same results.
As for the audio quality, it feels to me as if the Overbridge output sort of lacks some analogue power that is delivered by the direct outputs. (I have a Focusrite Clarett that works superfine with any other VST).

My guess is, it’s not the outputs of your Analog, but the inputs of your Clarett. Often driving the inputs just a bit can make a noticeable difference.

[justin3am]

I go back and forth. There are differences which can be measured when comparing recordings made from the analog outs, with recordings from Overbridge. But I wouldn't say one or the other is better. Getting audio through Overbridge is more convenient in a lot of cases and since the difference in raw sound is negligible to my ears, I do use Overbridge a lot. Particularly with my Analog Heat and Analog RYTM mk2.
If I want to process those boxes through other outboard gear (which I do frequently), then of course I'm using the analog outs even though I could use Hardware FX inserts in Bitwig... again, it's a matter of convenience more than anything related to sound.

[cryophonik]

I have never actually A/B'ed the analog outputs with Overbridge, but I can't say that I notice anything off with the Overbridge recordings and I get very little latency.

[DaniZzz79]

I never a-b compared them, but the latency of using Overbridge as a plugin was so bad I abandoned it and now I just run it as an app to control my RYTM and Four and use the direct analog line outs into my UAD Apollo.

actually my latency is quite fine. It's really about the perceived quality of the audio, which can be biased, and the fact that playing with Overbridge I don't achieve the same sound manipulation that I can do just by playing on the device (and I don't mean multiple tracks, just playing with knobs).
I mean, I realize the filters and mods should be exactly the same (a video by Loopop explains well that Overbridge visualization should help a lot), but for some reason I'm sort of unable to obtain the same results.
As for the audio quality, it feels to me as if the Overbridge output sort of lacks some analogue power that is delivered by the direct outputs. (I have a Focusrite Clarett that works superfine with any other VST).

My guess is, it’s not the outputs of your Analog, but the inputs of your Clarett. Often driving the inputs just a bit can make a noticeable difference.

I see, thanks for your reply and thoughts.
Actually I even notice a difference when I play directly on my headphones, so I guess it must really be audio balancing AND my lack of skills with Overbridge

[db3]

I never a-b compared them, but the latency of using Overbridge as a plugin was so bad I abandoned it and now I just run it as an app to control my RYTM and Four and use the direct analog line outs into my UAD Apollo.

Some time ago asked Elekton pre-sales support whether you could disable Overbridge (use the VST editor and analog outputs) to avoid the latency and they said no. This put me off buying an Elektron product again because of huge latency I experienced in the past. Interesting to hear this is possible.

[zerocrossing]

I never a-b compared them, but the latency of using Overbridge as a plugin was so bad I abandoned it and now I just run it as an app to control my RYTM and Four and use the direct analog line outs into my UAD Apollo.

Some time ago asked Elekton pre-sales support whether you could disable Overbridge (use the VST editor and analog outputs) to avoid the latency and they said no. This put me off buying an Elektron product again because of huge latency I experienced in the past. Interesting to hear this is possible.

I’m not using Overbridge as a plugin, I use the stand alone app and direct MIDI to the device via DIN MIDI.

[DrGonzo]

I never a-b compared them, but the latency of using Overbridge as a plugin was so bad I abandoned it and now I just run it as an app to control my RYTM and Four and use the direct analog line outs into my UAD Apollo.

Some time ago asked Elekton pre-sales support whether you could disable Overbridge (use the VST editor and analog outputs) to avoid the latency and they said no. This put me off buying an Elektron product again because of huge latency I experienced in the past. Interesting to hear this is possible.

I’m not using Overbridge as a plugin, I use the stand alone app and direct MIDI to the device via DIN MIDI.

Damn. I never thought of that. How does it work? Any hiccups or smooth sailing?

[zerocrossing]

I never a-b compared them, but the latency of using Overbridge as a plugin was so bad I abandoned it and now I just run it as an app to control my RYTM and Four and use the direct analog line outs into my UAD Apollo.

Some time ago asked Elekton pre-sales support whether you could disable Overbridge (use the VST editor and analog outputs) to avoid the latency and they said no. This put me off buying an Elektron product again because of huge latency I experienced in the past. Interesting to hear this is possible.

I’m not using Overbridge as a plugin, I use the stand alone app and direct MIDI to the device via DIN MIDI.

Damn. I never thought of that. How does it work? Any hiccups or smooth sailing?

It’s been smooth sailing, so far. There was an Overbridge update a few days ago, and I haven’t tried it since. Maybe if I have time later.

[rod_zero]

Quality of conversion of an analog signal, in this case there isn't preamps involved, so just converters vs converter so the difference should be imperceptible to the human ear.

Now, I have used the Analog 4 quite a bit and the overbridge out is for sure more quiet, so I have to place devices to increase gain and it is kind of annoying.