So this mornings email from Elektron also mentioned additional Overbridge functionality for the Digitakt that requires an upgrade. Hopefully it’s a one time fee and not a subscription - shudder.
From the email:
Overbridge for Digitakt
Overbridge is a software suite from Elektron, offering powerful tools when using Digitakt together with computers. It comes in two variants, Basic and Premium.
Overbridge Premium Highlights
Fully integrate Digitakt with DAW environments
Control Digitakt with a dedicated VST/AU plugin interface
Use Digitakt as a 2 in/2 out sound card (CoreAudio/ASIO/WDM)
Stream multiple audio channels via USB (24 bit/48 kHz)
Recall all Digitakt settings when loading a DAW project
Plus all features of Overbridge Basic
Overbridge Basic Highlights
Sample manager/librarian functionality
MIDI over USB
Digitakt sequencer/DAW sync
Computer screen visualization of Digitakt parameters
Audio streaming of Main outs over USB (time limited sessions)
Overbridge Pricing
Overbridge Premium will be available in the Elektron webshop for $69/€79. Overbridge Basic will be free of charge.
Without being wise after the event, I had a feeling something like this might happen. Overbridge has obviously been a huge R&D overhead on Elektron and while units like the RYTM, A4 and Keys carry a cost that permits giving it away, the DT is obviously too cheap to absorb any of that overhead.
To an OB user like me, it makes the DT seem a lot less appealing as it effectively adds another £100 to the price.
From the overbridge page (https://www.elektron.se/overbridge/):
'Overbridge for Digitakt comes in two variants: Basic and Premium. Overbridge Premium for Digitakt is 69USD/79EUR and will be available for purchase in the Elektron webshop. Overbridge Basic for Digitakt will be free of charge.
Overbridge for Analog Heat, Analog Rytm, and Analog Keys/Four is free of charge. Just download Overbridge and start using all aspects of the software suite right away.’
I would think it is class compliant, but they might want to lock down their stuff a bit and push you to buy the full OB. Basically get a whiff of the software if you wanna midi, and then hopefully you’ll upgrade. Everything else about today’s news hints towards that.
They’re usually quite precise with their marketing copy.
It would also mean you couldn’t use USB MIDI with iOS devices, for example.
Hopefully this means they are going to get a little more serious about OB/OS updates at least. 3 months and still unable to send sync via USB on new projects from Rytm/A4 with the latest OS.
Hmmm… In two minds about this. On one hand, I find myself in the “surprised it was free to begin with camp” but on other hand I’m looking at Digitakt and now really struggling to find the appeal with it without OB.
I do think Elektron needed to revise it’s approach to OB. I’m sure many can make strong arguments against this but I would have imposed OB Premium across the range though not a paid upgrade for existing registered devices.
I also wonder how easy it will be (or not) to transfer OB Premium should you want to see your Digitakt…
I’m not thrilled about this OB development either. I’m definitely in the “surprised OB was free in the first place” camp, but I just don’t like the optics of this. I think that by initially setting the expectation that OB would be free, Elektron now risks alienating their base by trying to have it both ways: OB is still free, but in a much more limited form, but if you want the full feature set you’ll need to pay a bit extra. Better for them to say “hey gang, sorry but this free OB thing is just unsustainable for us. Going forward, it’s going to become a separate product line.” THis is particularly true if future iterations their top-end hardware will follow the tiered OB pricing model.
As a side note, something about the Digitakt in general feels like Apple during the John Sculley years.
