indistinguishable from hardware ??

[izonin]

This is a perfect example of a cheap software imitation. The digital doesn't get even close to the open, bold, musical sound of the analog synth. It's all in the filters.

I disagree...have you seen/heard this video? He speaks Japanese but you get the idea:

The first video was enough for me. The sounds that didn't use filtering were convincing.
Actually, the only low-pass that sounds like analog harware, is the one in PSP NeonHR.

[stimresp]

A great sounding synth is what inspires you to play great basslines. If you're just fooling around with cheap software, your lines will be as boring as the emulation.

I love the emphasis on 'cheap'. There are plenty of great-sounding software synths - some of them free (gasp!).

But it's not my job to convince you - If you have the money to fill your house with analogues then I say go for it! I'll continue to fritter-away my dosh on booze and women.

If you're not a pro musician, then you obviously don't need pro gear.

There I was, looking at a shitty day ahead and you've gone and cheered me up no end. Best belly laugh I've had in a while. Cheers!

[izonin]

A great sounding synth is what inspires you to play great basslines. If you're just fooling around with cheap software, your lines will be as boring as the emulation.

I love the emphasis on 'cheap'. There are plenty of great-sounding software synths - some of them free (gasp!).

But it's not my job to convince you - If you have the money to fill your house with analogues then I say go for it! I'll continue to fritter-away my dosh on booze and women.

If you're not a pro musician, then you obviously don't need pro gear.

There I was, looking at a shitty day ahead and you've gone and cheered me up no end. Best belly laugh I've had in a while. Cheers!

Laugh all you want, and keep making music with great free software.

[ZenPunkHippy]

Rest assured that many pro producers are making awesome music with software (and hardware) every day. I think the mark of a true pro is the s/he doesn't care where the sound came from ... as long as it's useful in the context of the current production.

Peace,
Andy.

[projectdan]

If you're not a pro musician, then you obviously don't need pro gear.

But, if a pro buys cheap software, by definition, it is pro gear. I know of many hobbyists with expensive analogue synths, does that make analogue synths hobbyist gear.

I know I shouldn't be polluting a troll thread with logic, but couldn't help it.

[izonin]

If you're not a pro musician, then you obviously don't need pro gear.

But, if a pro buys cheap software, by definition, it is pro gear. I know of many hobbyists with expensive analogue synths, does that make analogue synths hobbyist gear.

I know I shouldn't be polluting a troll thread with logic, but couldn't help it.

Your logic is good, but only theoretical. In practice, all professional musicians are very critical about their sound.

[Shy]

all professional musicians are very critical about their sound.

I wish that was true. Then I wouldn't have to hear all the shit people play these days.

[trimph1]

What if, one day, a virtual analogue synth came out that simply sounds better than its analogue counterparts? It still wouldn't sound the same then... just maybe more snappy, more crunchy, more meaty and maybe less noisy.

And having even more sounds available to it as well. Maybe you can make one?

PLEASE?

[trimph1]

all professional musicians are very critical about their sound.

I wish that was true. Then I wouldn't have to hear all the shit people play these days.

Go back to Bach!!!

Actually I'm kind of thinking the same as you. There is a lot of overly compressed, sterile sounding pieces out there anymore. More dynamics please!!!!

[Shy]

I love Bach to death. I always go back to him.

[izonin]

all professional musicians are very critical about their sound.

I wish that was true. Then I wouldn't have to hear all the shit people play these days.

By pro musicians I mean people like Gary Burton, Chick Corea, the late Michael Brecker, Pat Metheny. Sometimes they use cheap gear, too, but only in an anecdotal way.
If you show up at a gig with some poor sounding synth, they'll just kick you out.

[whyterabbyt]

If you're not a pro musician, then you obviously don't need pro gear.

But, if a pro buys cheap software, by definition, it is pro gear. I know of many hobbyists with expensive analogue synths, does that make analogue synths hobbyist gear.

I know I shouldn't be polluting a troll thread with logic, but couldn't help it.

Your logic is good, but only theoretical. In practice, all professional musicians are very critical about their sound.

OTOH, your logic is poor, and also only theoretical.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nebraska_%28album%29

[whyterabbyt]

If you show up at a gig with some poor sounding synth, they'll just kick you out.

(regarding the Casio SK1:)

is used by Fatboy Slim, Beck, Autechre, Portishead, Bloodhound Gang, Nine Inch Nails, Incubus and Blur.

[ZenPunkHippy]

If you show up at a gig with some poor sounding synth, they'll just kick you out.

What does that have to do with a) hardware or software or b) how much it cost? Sweet F.A. is what ...

Peace,
Andy.

[breakmixer]

If you're not a pro musician, then you obviously don't need pro gear.

But, if a pro buys cheap software, by definition, it is pro gear. I know of many hobbyists with expensive analogue synths, does that make analogue synths hobbyist gear.

I know I shouldn't be polluting a troll thread with logic, but couldn't help it.

Your logic is good, but only theoretical. In practice, all professional musicians are very critical about their sound.

I'm sure pro musicians(i.e. musicians getting their music released commercially and into the charts also) are using a mix of both hardware and software, why limit yourself to hardware if the software can do the job(and costs less).

Recently I bought a few hardware synths(Plugiator, Ultranova, Miniak and a Yamaha DX-21), and whilst I like them alot it made me appreciate my software a little more, granted I have not bought a real analogue synth purely because it's out of my current price range.

Software samplers are miles ahead of Hardware Samplers IMO, and in certain cases the Software VA's can sound just as good as the hardware VA's, with OP-X Pro II, ACE and Synthix being standout to me.

PS I'm not a pro, so my opinion doesn't count.