Sequential Synths - Overbridge - Reaper

[sostenuto]

Using Prophet 5 DM, Trigon DM, Pro-3 SE.  Is Overbridge usable with these, or is it likely soon ??
Will appreciate any comments or suggestions _ especially Reaper -related.
THX !

[hoodoo_ray]

Using Prophet 5 DM, Trigon DM, Pro-3 SE.  Is Overbridge usable with these, or is it likely soon ??
Will appreciate any comments or suggestions _ especially Reaper -related.
THX !

Isn’t Overbridge an Elektron product?

[sostenuto]

Using Prophet 5 DM, Trigon DM, Pro-3 SE.  Is Overbridge usable with these, or is it likely soon ??
Will appreciate any comments or suggestions _ especially Reaper -related.
THX !

Isn’t Overbridge an Elektron product?

Certainly well publicized in relation, and I use Elektron Digitone and Digitakt.  Have no idea about its limitations as it is free, and Win11 'compatible'.  Real shame if Sequential mono /poly synths must continue with current, clumsy process.
 

[hoodoo_ray]

Using Prophet 5 DM, Trigon DM, Pro-3 SE.  Is Overbridge usable with these, or is it likely soon ??
Will appreciate any comments or suggestions _ especially Reaper -related.
THX !

Isn’t Overbridge an Elektron product?

Certainly well publicized in relation, and I use Elektron Digitone and Digitakt.  Have no idea about its limitations as it is free, and Win11 'compatible'.  Real shame if Sequential mono /poly synths must continue with current, clumsy process.

Overbridge is an Elektron product. It works only for certain compatible Elektron devices.

In regards the “current, clumsy process” what do you mean by that? What context is this in, what are you trying to achieve exactly?

[sostenuto]

Using Prophet 5 DM, Trigon DM, Pro-3 SE.  Is Overbridge usable with these, or is it likely soon ??
Will appreciate any comments or suggestions _ especially Reaper -related.
THX !

Isn’t Overbridge an Elektron product?

Certainly well publicized in relation, and I use Elektron Digitone and Digitakt.  Have no idea about its limitations as it is free, and Win11 'compatible'.  Real shame if Sequential mono /poly synths must continue with current, clumsy process.

Overbridge is an Elektron product. It works only for certain compatible Elektron devices.

In regards the “current, clumsy process” what do you mean by that? What context is this in, what are you trying to achieve exactly?

In Reaper _ needing to create MIDI Track + Audio Track for each instance of Hardware Mono /Poly Synth.  Not majjor issue, just liking Overbridge approach.  With so many top-tier offerings, seems Sequential could benefit notably with similar product.  🤷🏻‍♂️

[hoodoo_ray]

Using Prophet 5 DM, Trigon DM, Pro-3 SE.  Is Overbridge usable with these, or is it likely soon ??
Will appreciate any comments or suggestions _ especially Reaper -related.
THX !

Isn’t Overbridge an Elektron product?

Certainly well publicized in relation, and I use Elektron Digitone and Digitakt.  Have no idea about its limitations as it is free, and Win11 'compatible'.  Real shame if Sequential mono /poly synths must continue with current, clumsy process.

Overbridge is an Elektron product. It works only for certain compatible Elektron devices.

In regards the “current, clumsy process” what do you mean by that? What context is this in, what are you trying to achieve exactly?

In Reaper _ needing to create MIDI Track + Audio Track for each instance of Hardware Mono /Poly Synth.  Not majjor issue, just liking Overbridge approach.  With so many top-tier offerings, seems Sequential could benefit notably with similar product.  🤷🏻‍♂️

Those compatible Elektron devices stream audio over USB and hook into Overbridge that way I believe. The Sequential synths use the audio outputs and not USB, so that may preclude the ability to do that. I have never used Reaper, I mainly use Logic, but I just create templates which I use whenever starting a new project to take away the tasks of creating the necessary tracks. Maybe future synths may have something like you are asking for, who knows..!

[LPF83]

If I am understanding correctly, overbridge is something like the "total integration" feature of the Virus TI line.

There are a number of issues that tend to emerge with this approach (like the synth vendor's ability or willingness to keep up with changes to the host operating systems version over time), dealing with USB latency on high voice counts and other integration woes, to the point that support for the integration costs the vendor more than the support for the hardware.. which is one reason I believe that more products don't do this.

For me, the biggest problem with audio over USB is that it never sounds as good or as alive as just using analog outs going into the converters of a good audio interface on the same synth.  To my ears it just seems to suck the life out of the signal (and I've seen reviewers say the same thing, at least about the Virus).

I totally get the convenience factor of USB integration... and to some extent maybe the plug-out model of the Roland System 8 is a good approach to integration for a virtual analog synth that solves some of these problems....   But Sequential/Oberheim synths are best known for their analog sound and how they function as stand alone instruments, so huge investments in DAW integration might not make that much sense for them from a business model perspective.

Most of the time, working with analog gear and DAW integration is an inherent pain in the ass compared to the convenience of VSTs, and I totally respect that some vendors seek to bridge that gap with proprietary solution, but I don't think it is every vendor's responsibility to integrate with every other vendor's proprietary solution.  MIDI is kind of a lowest common denominator but it still remains the most universal method of interoperability.

I didn't understand the challenge around having a MIDI and an audio track.  If any DAW doesn't give both options to do either that, or have an integrated "external instrument" track, I would definitely seek out another DAW, both Ableton and Cubase do this no problem.

[hoodoo_ray]

If I am understanding correctly, overbridge is something like the "total integration" feature of the Virus TI line.

There are a number of issues that tend to emerge with this approach (like the synth vendor's ability or willingness to keep up with changes to the host operating systems version over time), dealing with USB latency on high voice counts and other integration woes, to the point that support for the integration costs the vendor more than the support for the hardware.. which is one reason I believe that more products don't do this.

For me, the biggest problem with audio over USB is that it never sounds as good or as alive as just using analog outs going into the converters of a good audio interface on the same synth.  To my ears it just seems to suck the life out of the signal (and I've seen reviewers say the same thing, at least about the Virus).

I totally get the convenience factor of USB integration... and to some extent maybe the plug-out model of the Roland System 8 is a good approach to integration for a virtual analog synth that solves some of these problems....   But Sequential/Oberheim synths are best known for their analog sound and how they function as stand alone instruments, so huge investments in DAW integration might not make that much sense for them from a business model perspective.

Most of the time, working with analog gear and DAW integration is an inherent pain in the ass compared to the convenience of VSTs, and I totally respect that some vendors seek to bridge that gap with proprietary solution, but I don't think it is every vendor's responsibility to integrate with every other vendor's proprietary solution.  MIDI is kind of a lowest common denominator but it still remains the most universal method of interoperability.

I didn't understand the challenge around having a MIDI and an audio track.  If any DAW doesn't give both options to do either that, or have an integrated "external instrument" track, I would definitely seek out another DAW, both Ableton and Cubase do this no problem.

Agreed with pretty much all this! The only thing I would say is that I don't have too much of an issue integrating analog stuff with DAWs - in my experience the key thing is getting the MIDI aspect sorted out, once that's done everything else is pretty easy in my view. Something simple like the Kenton MIDI boxes are great if anyone is trying to integrate a number of devices at the same time. How I am working currently is basically doing one thing at a time, so I just swap the cables around as needed right now - only 2 MIDI cables in use! Sounds a bit archaic, but it takes just a few seconds to do - my only worry with this approach is doing something to the physical MIDI ports!

[LPF83]

If I am understanding correctly, overbridge is something like the "total integration" feature of the Virus TI line.

There are a number of issues that tend to emerge with this approach (like the synth vendor's ability or willingness to keep up with changes to the host operating systems version over time), dealing with USB latency on high voice counts and other integration woes, to the point that support for the integration costs the vendor more than the support for the hardware.. which is one reason I believe that more products don't do this.

For me, the biggest problem with audio over USB is that it never sounds as good or as alive as just using analog outs going into the converters of a good audio interface on the same synth.  To my ears it just seems to suck the life out of the signal (and I've seen reviewers say the same thing, at least about the Virus).

I totally get the convenience factor of USB integration... and to some extent maybe the plug-out model of the Roland System 8 is a good approach to integration for a virtual analog synth that solves some of these problems....   But Sequential/Oberheim synths are best known for their analog sound and how they function as stand alone instruments, so huge investments in DAW integration might not make that much sense for them from a business model perspective.

Most of the time, working with analog gear and DAW integration is an inherent pain in the ass compared to the convenience of VSTs, and I totally respect that some vendors seek to bridge that gap with proprietary solution, but I don't think it is every vendor's responsibility to integrate with every other vendor's proprietary solution.  MIDI is kind of a lowest common denominator but it still remains the most universal method of interoperability.

I didn't understand the challenge around having a MIDI and an audio track.  If any DAW doesn't give both options to do either that, or have an integrated "external instrument" track, I would definitely seek out another DAW, both Ableton and Cubase do this no problem.

Agreed with pretty much all this! The only thing I would say is that I don't have too much of an issue integrating analog stuff with DAWs - in my experience the key thing is getting the MIDI aspect sorted out, once that's done everything else is pretty easy in my view. Something simple like the Kenton MIDI boxes are great if anyone is trying to integrate a number of devices at the same time. How I am working currently is basically doing one thing at a time, so I just swap the cables around as needed right now - only 2 MIDI cables in use! Sounds a bit archaic, but it takes just a few seconds to do - my only worry with this approach is doing something to the physical MIDI ports!

Agree it's not difficult if you're used to it.   I cut my synth teeth on hardware plus Atari ST in the 80s, so I am used to dealing with external gear.  But a lot of folks who start out in-the-box are used to a level of convenience that you get with strictly software setups... not dealing so much with MIDI channels, midi and audio timing issues, bouncing things that will be impossible to recall any other way, ground loops and other noise issues, etc.   So I think that some of the proprietary hw/sw integration solutions are designed to find the middle ground between plug-in convenience and the sound quality and tactile experience of hardware.

[hoodoo_ray]

If I am understanding correctly, overbridge is something like the "total integration" feature of the Virus TI line.

There are a number of issues that tend to emerge with this approach (like the synth vendor's ability or willingness to keep up with changes to the host operating systems version over time), dealing with USB latency on high voice counts and other integration woes, to the point that support for the integration costs the vendor more than the support for the hardware.. which is one reason I believe that more products don't do this.

For me, the biggest problem with audio over USB is that it never sounds as good or as alive as just using analog outs going into the converters of a good audio interface on the same synth.  To my ears it just seems to suck the life out of the signal (and I've seen reviewers say the same thing, at least about the Virus).

I totally get the convenience factor of USB integration... and to some extent maybe the plug-out model of the Roland System 8 is a good approach to integration for a virtual analog synth that solves some of these problems....   But Sequential/Oberheim synths are best known for their analog sound and how they function as stand alone instruments, so huge investments in DAW integration might not make that much sense for them from a business model perspective.

Most of the time, working with analog gear and DAW integration is an inherent pain in the ass compared to the convenience of VSTs, and I totally respect that some vendors seek to bridge that gap with proprietary solution, but I don't think it is every vendor's responsibility to integrate with every other vendor's proprietary solution.  MIDI is kind of a lowest common denominator but it still remains the most universal method of interoperability.

I didn't understand the challenge around having a MIDI and an audio track.  If any DAW doesn't give both options to do either that, or have an integrated "external instrument" track, I would definitely seek out another DAW, both Ableton and Cubase do this no problem.

Agreed with pretty much all this! The only thing I would say is that I don't have too much of an issue integrating analog stuff with DAWs - in my experience the key thing is getting the MIDI aspect sorted out, once that's done everything else is pretty easy in my view. Something simple like the Kenton MIDI boxes are great if anyone is trying to integrate a number of devices at the same time. How I am working currently is basically doing one thing at a time, so I just swap the cables around as needed right now - only 2 MIDI cables in use! Sounds a bit archaic, but it takes just a few seconds to do - my only worry with this approach is doing something to the physical MIDI ports!

Agree it's not difficult if you're used to it.   I cut my synth teeth on hardware plus Atari ST in the 80s, so I am used to dealing with external gear.  But a lot of folks who start out in-the-box are used to a level of convenience that you get with strictly software setups... not dealing so much with MIDI channels, midi and audio timing issues, bouncing things that will be impossible to recall any other way, ground loops and other noise issues, etc.   So I think that some of the proprietary hw/sw integration solutions are designed to find the middle ground between plug-in convenience and the sound quality and tactile experience of hardware.

Yes that's a good point about people starting off in the current era. And things are definitely going in the direction of integration of software and hardware for sure.