What is Overbridge?

Overbridge offers ‘seamless integration’ between Elektron instruments and the computer

Elektron call Overbridge a software suite that offers ‘seamless integration’ between their instruments and the computer. Overbridge, which connects to your Elektron machine via USB, is compatible with some, if not all of their products, including the Digitakt, Digitone, Analog Rytm MKII, Analog Four MKII, Analog Heat, and Analog Keys. (Digitone is the only one which has a yet-to-be-seen editor). Previous iterations of Overbridge worked with the Analog Rytm and Analog Four MKI versions; however, it’s yet to be seen if Overbridge 2.0 will work with those first generation instruments.

Used with the Digitakt, Rytm, Four or Keys, Overbridge lets the user stream all tracks individually directly into their DAW as 24bit/48kHz audio. With the Digitakt, say, that means eight audio tracks, the two input channels, plus the master stereo bus. Having these available independently greatly increases the flexibility you’ll later have, as the Digitakt only sports a stereo output. The Analog Rytm and Four/Keys have the same functionality, with the Rytm able to send its eight internal voices, two inputs, and master bus across its digital output. The Rytm can also process audio from your DAW via its analogue compressor. This is expanded on with the Analog Heat, which lets the user process audio from their computer through the stereo analogue filter and distortion capabilities of the unit, all via one USB cable.

While this all seems too good to be true for those of us used to plugging quarter-inch cables into a mixer, Overbridge goes even further. All of the previously mentioned Elektron machines can also function as audio interfaces and soundcards, all while the rest of the functionality is still available.

There’s also the ability to visually edit each track’s sound engines, as Overbridge provides a visual representation of the complex engines behind each Elektron device. In the Digitakt, this means having visual control over the filter, envelope, amp, and effect sections. In the Analog Rytm and Keys, this is even more of a boon, as there’s also access to the performance macros, an analogue compressor, and track input settings.

Multiple instruments can be used at once with Elektron’s Overhub, a high-speed USB hub that allows for the data transfer speeds necessary for Overbridge to work. Each plugin of Overbridge responds directly to any changes you make on the hardware counterpart, and vice versa.

There’s also a piano roll function that can trigger sounds directly from Overbridge, plus a Sound browser section that lets the user place samples from the +Drive on the Digitakt into the Sound pool, which works like having a set of preset sound settings to select (including all filter, effect, and amp settings).