hardware is more fun

Anything about hardware musical instruments.
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I disagree to disagree with you (nothing serious, just fun :P and tongue in cheek replies)

Some reasons why I feel software is better:

- You can run multiple instances at the same time. I can too using 2 of the same box

- You can use it on your desktop / workstation, and laptop on the go without having to disturb your setup(s). I can carry my mini koass in my bag and not worry about anything else, i can even gig with them on a 2 minutes notice and people are more impressed than with my laptop

- When changing presets all knobs / parameters change to their proper setting. one day ill be rich enough to have infinito rotaries on everything

- Preset management is usually a lot easier. i don't use presets you insensitive clod (and in a way i think the exact opposite, all my presets are stored in the pattern on the tribe, change the pattern, it changes the other boxes)

- When using a controller you can map just the controls you need. when using hardware, everything is always at your finger tip, never have to scroll in deep menus, no knob have 2 functions, impossible to get mixed up...

- When using a mapped controller you only need to memorize one piece of hardware. when using hardware, you don't even have to memorize anything, it's silkscreened in the panel

- Total recall for your projects, very few hardware products offers this feature. any groovebox or HW sequencer and good programation/preset organisation on other machines and you change a pattern it sends CC and Prog Changes to everybody and everybody is happy

- There's no recording audio / hardly any noise in your audio. no noise in my audio besides when i put all distortions on, everything is pretty quiet here

- You can bounce offline. YOU WIN!

- You can use high quality controllers that essentially turn your software into hardware. You get all of the benefits with none of the draw backs. except when the DAW crashes/freezes or the controller goes offline, etc, in hardware the knob will always do what you expect them to do

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BTW, i'm bi, i use hardware for live and live/logic for studio production, rarely mixing the 2, except for the micro modular that is used in both setups cause it sounds good enough to get on record, the mks, tx, dx, not that much, but the nord, OMG, how have i lived without mine for so long (sold it, bought it back, will replace all HW synths with 3-4 more micro's, will save a few 100 pounds to carry, maybe a much smaller truck if i can get rid of the left rack that you see in this clip (be quick, only 14 views allowed)
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Hardware is so easy to carry around in your pocket:

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justin3am wrote:
aMUSEd wrote:
justin3am wrote:I disagree... blondes are more fun. :D

and liquor is quicker.
Yeah but with blondes you still need good hardware :)

and liquor tends to make it software :(
:lol: of course you're right. That's why you're supposed to put the roofie in her drink!
I've been eating roofies for a while and I never get laid, I don't think they're working :shrug:

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justin3am wrote:
No one said hardware is better. Just more fun!
Exactly what I meant. of course software is more convenient to take with you, and maybe it's more versatile. But the limits of hardware are the reason hardware is more fun. I hardly ever program beats anymore on the Mac, all I use is the MPC with the Kaoss Pad. If I want weird FX I use the Lexicon Vortex. More fun!

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Last edited by ghettosynth on Sun Jun 29, 2014 2:12 am, edited 1 time in total.

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I'm saving for a Virus TI - best of both worlds! 8)
Bosqoue!

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Copied fom another topic:

I'm in a "back to hardware" phase.
Having grown up in the "synth revolution" decades,
i had collected various analog and digital synths,
which i later sold and became "totally software-based"
(well, i kept my "trusty old" V50 and TG77).
But although i enjoy the fantastic features,
sound and low cost of software synths,
i felt they lack that "instant touch" appeal
of real hardware (not control surfaces which have
to be mapped, mode-changed, etc.)
So now i'm in a hunt for selected hardware which i believe
have something unique to offer me in terms of sound and playability.
First it was a Korg Z1 for its oscillator models,
then a Yamaha EX5 for its VL and FDSP structures
(not to mention its "luxurious" keyboard and general build feel),
then a Korg microX for its crazy polyphonic arpegiators
and its "shiny" sound,
then the AN1x for its "edgy" analog-like sound and arps.
The TG77 will always "be there" for FM wonders
and maybe a DS Poly Evolver is next ...
It's a great feeling being surrounded
by stacks of keyboards and just reaching
and touching different machines with different sounds
all around you. It's very inspiring, spontaneous,
creative and just plain fun!

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justin3am wrote: People who don't know what the hell it does want to touch it!
Reminds me a girl i once met ...

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Last edited by ghettosynth on Sun Jun 29, 2014 2:11 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Maschine is a lot of fun. Now they've added midi out i can switch from maschine mode to a template for whatever synth i'm sequencing and change the parameters. Midi out only sends note on though, doesn't send cc values yet so you can't automate but it will in the next update. Midi drag and drop as well. It's a really well thought out unit.
Latest release and Socials: https://linktr.ee/ph.i.ltr3

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djanthonyw wrote:I disagree.

Some reasons why I feel software is better:

- You can run multiple instances at the same time.

- You can use it on your desktop / workstation, and laptop on the go without having to disturb your setup(s).

- When changing presets all knobs / parameters change to their proper setting.

- Preset management is usually a lot easier.

- When using a controller you can map just the controls you need.

- When using a mapped controller you only need to memorize one piece of hardware.

- Total recall for your projects, very few hardware products offers this feature.

- There's no recording audio / hardly any noise in your audio.

- You can bounce offline.

- You can use high quality controllers that essentially turn your software into hardware. You get all of the benefits with none of the draw backs.
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EXACTLY!! :D Having used hardware forever,I now use all softsynths w/Roland A-50 w/poly aftertouch(controller) a Novation SL Remote + Nocturn + Akai Pads w/mod so that's controllers and softsynths,and it doesn't get any easier.Best of both worlds. I think if some folks would look more into GOOD PLUGIN's ,they would truly see there's a benefit to ITB.For me it boils down to timeframes and bounce downs, I like to create,and straight away mix ITB,and complex hardware setups,like I've always owned,are just lame to me now,and I ain't got the time for it. 8) I'm gonna support companies that support my choice of workflow, do the same and we'll all get along, be it hardware or software. :wink: Everynow n again I'll buy into hardware,but it just doesn't justify the cost to me anymore.I'd rather save it for mic's,pre's converters,monitors,pc's,cabinets,wood floors,savings etc.. :wink:

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Good thread.

About time we discussed this whole software vs. hardware thing.

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I definitely prefer software.

I had a Korg MS-10 once and while it was fun to "program" it was impossible at that time to integrate with my MIDI system. I had to type and draw my patches on paper. Today I prefer Fabfilter One.

I had several digital synths and those were NOT fun to program at all. A two row 16 char "big" lcd and 8 buttons... The only synths I have kept are Kawai K1 and Yamaha TX81Z. K1 for nostalgic reasons as it is my first own synth and the TX beacause it's so damn good.

I have no fidelity ears so I can't hear any difference between hardware synths and software if they are specifically modelled as VA like Fabfilter One and Ultra Analog.

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KungKrille wrote:I definitely prefer software.

I had a Korg MS-10 once and while it was fun to "program" it was impossible at that time to integrate with my MIDI system. I had to type and draw my patches on paper. Today I prefer Fabfilter One.

I had several digital synths and those were NOT fun to program at all. A two row 16 char "big" lcd and 8 buttons... The only synths I have kept are Kawai K1 and Yamaha TX81Z. K1 for nostalgic reasons as it is my first own synth and the TX beacause it's so damn good.

I have no fidelity ears so I can't hear any difference between hardware synths and software if they are specifically modelled as VA like Fabfilter One and Ultra Analog.
That's a perfectly valid point, but I'd say it's biased due to the fact that you have had the wrong hardware (although I'd love an MS-10 and TX81z). There are lots of hardware synths that are a nightmare to edit without software editors. But in the past 15 years, hardware manufacturers realized that people wanted better interfaces, resulting in stuff like the Nord Leads, JP-8000, MS-2000, Electribes, Machinedrums, etc. This new generation of synths have proper MIDI integration (some of them, like the Virus TI, even have DAW integration), and some have great interfaces.

If you ever have the chance, try a Nord Lead (the NL3 has the best interface ever) or one of the original Electribes. They're extremely intuitive and fun, regardless of how they compare to software.
Listen to my latest album Astronauta at

http://www.facproductions.net

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Synths aren't the only hardware :uhuhuh:

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