The real reasons why analog synths are superior to softsynths

[Sendy]

WHY?!?!

[osiris]

I love that man. And he makes me laugh so hard I almost choke. I want to remix this!!

[burkowitz]

I am sure there are worse things from public access TV

I kind of like it actually.

[zerocrossing]

1. You know they are analog and thereby better pr. definition.

Do I really know it? I was told some of my instruments are analog, but it could be a hoax. One of my synths, a DX200 says it's digital and I like it more than some of the virtual DX emulation synths... so what does that mean?

2. They are often made in more robust materials than plastic, which makes them feel authentic.

Sure, they do have a "thinginess" to them that software does not have... but what happens when you're controlling them with a plastic MIDI controller and a VST editor?

3. They have real wires and often complicated to set up, which make them feel sophisticated.

If you find plugging your analog synth into an audio and/or MIDI interface complicated, then perhaps you should take up the harmonica.

4. Playing them makes you feel like a real musician compared to clicking softsynths with your mouse, which makes you feel like a computer nerd.

I love being a computer nerd, so why do I enjoy analog synths? Often I'll use software editor to program them... my Sub Phatty has barely been touched.

5. They are more beautiful than a PC.

Unless you have a Macintosh. Some of my synths are down right ugly IMO. The Minibrute is not going to win any beauty contests, that's for sure.

6. They are three dimensional not two dimensional, which enhance their authenticity.

Well, yeah, I guess, except again, software does need to be controlled by something that's 3d.

7. The fact that you sometimes have to get them repaired enhance their authenticity.

Have you ever dealt with Audio Damage's customer support!?

8. They feel more authentic to bring to a jam - or live gig than a PC and a controller.

Maybe.

9. They are much more expensive, which makes them feel more valuable.

Well, they are more valuable, especially if you buy used instruments. I bought a used Machinedrum and sold it for exactly what I bought it for after I decided I didn't like it. Oh crap! The Machinedrum is digital?

10. They even smell better, especially when they get hot.

I've yet to notice any of my synths having a particular smell to them. Maybe because I live near a bay and the smell of high tide is masking it?

11. They have a richer and more nuanced sound. (added that for you)

I still love me a good softsynth but I'll never understand posts like this. They always seem to be like some religious proselytizing based on an inner fear that if you don't spend enough time convincing others your belief system is correct then you'll have time to question it and find out it isn't. When I wasn't sure of the point of owning hardware, I actively sought out proof and found some convincing evidence. It led me to take a small plunge and buy one, only to find out that I did indeed find some sonic benefit to owning even a modestly priced analog synth. If you don't want one, then don't buy one, but why the silly posts like this? Did your parents not pay enough attention to you?

[IncarnateX]

1. You know they are analog and thereby better pr. definition.

Do I really know it? I was told some of my instruments are analog, but it could be a hoax. One of my synths, a DX200 says it's digital and I like it more than some of the virtual DX emulation synths... so what does that mean?

2. They are often made in more robust materials than plastic, which makes them feel authentic.

Sure, they do have a "thinginess" to them that software does not have... but what happens when you're controlling them with a plastic MIDI controller and a VST editor?

3. They have real wires and often complicated to set up, which make them feel sophisticated.

If you find plugging your analog synth into an audio and/or MIDI interface complicated, then perhaps you should take up the harmonica.

4. Playing them makes you feel like a real musician compared to clicking softsynths with your mouse, which makes you feel like a computer nerd.

I love being a computer nerd, so why do I enjoy analog synths? Often I'll use software editor to program them... my Sub Phatty has barely been touched.

5. They are more beautiful than a PC.

Unless you have a Macintosh. Some of my synths are down right ugly IMO. The Minibrute is not going to win any beauty contests, that's for sure.

6. They are three dimensional not two dimensional, which enhance their authenticity.

Well, yeah, I guess, except again, software does need to be controlled by something that's 3d.

7. The fact that you sometimes have to get them repaired enhance their authenticity.

Have you ever dealt with Audio Damage's customer support!?

8. They feel more authentic to bring to a jam - or live gig than a PC and a controller.

Maybe.

9. They are much more expensive, which makes them feel more valuable.

Well, they are more valuable, especially if you buy used instruments. I bought a used Machinedrum and sold it for exactly what I bought it for after I decided I didn't like it. Oh crap! The Machinedrum is digital?

10. They even smell better, especially when they get hot.

I've yet to notice any of my synths having a particular smell to them. Maybe because I live near a bay and the smell of high tide is masking it?

11. They have a richer and more nuanced sound. (added that for you)

I still love me a good softsynth but I'll never understand posts like this. They always seem to be like some religious proselytizing based on an inner fear that if you don't spend enough time convincing others your belief system is correct then you'll have time to question it and find out it isn't. When I wasn't sure of the point of owning hardware, I actively sought out proof and found some convincing evidence. It led me to take a small plunge and buy one, only to find out that I did indeed find some sonic benefit to owning even a modestly priced analog synth. If you don't want one, then don't buy one, but why the silly posts like this? Did your parents not pay enough attention to you?

Wow you are a genius! Congratulations with the first real "serious" answer to my OP. But do yourself a favor and scroll down to the last post here and I promise it will all make sense to you

http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewtopic ... &start=240

Well maybe not to you after all but give it a try

[HaganeSteel]

4. Playing them makes you feel like a real musician compared to clicking softsynths with your mouse, which makes you feel like a computer nerd.

My discussion is: These are the harbingers of real life cyborgs.

We become dependent on a machine that augments our abilities in return.

This dependency is a psychological - and creative - one. We're all very attached to our computers now. They're very much a part of who many of us are now.

Some people won't like this for obvious reasons, and that raises the great debate about becoming too reliant on technology.

The older generations go, "What happens if all the technology fails?"

That's why there is so much redundancy in our infrastructure. It means the chances of widespread failure become very, very small.

Nothing is 100% safe. Not even our bodies.

Once the silicon era is over, we'll have even better computers with even more redundancy.

Eventually, we will become our sequencers.

Musicianship will become a thing of the past, and fortunately, so will all of us.

Transitions happen gradually over time, through multiple generations who become more and more accustomed to the changes.

We are the Borg. Onward, to more Borgdom.

[Uncle E]

I have heard that our neurons either fire or they do not.

Modern research shows that they're constantly firing and that our analog and softsynth neural pathways can be firing simultaneously.

[lionscub68]

Did I mention I love missionary?

[IncarnateX]

Did your parents not pay enough attention to you?

Spot on, but I least I have parents and is not an orphan raised by degenerated monkeys like you are

[ZenPunkHippy]

Did I mention I love missionary?

Pics or it didn't happen ...

[werp]

Did I mention I love missionary?

Pics or it didn't happen ...

[murnau]

WHY?!?!

are you kidding? thats sergej raskolinkov the ukrainian bob dylan!

[fateamenabletochange]

Anyone using a softsynth from 10 years ago ??

Think anyone will be using a contemporary in use today softsynth in 10 years time ??
Maybe the occasional person might have forgotten to come out of their wardrobe with their beloved XP and beloved Synth1 and Oatmeal, but I can't see today's softsynths lasting 10 years, let alone decades more. All confined to dead harddrives in the sky.

Analog lasts. Digital Hardware lasts. Softsynths are disposable.

[Sendy]

Isn't Zebra 10 years old? There are a few good plugins from that time period that are still usabe but 10 years ago the softsynth scene was still in it's infancy. The only reason I possibly won't be using a lot of softsynths in 10 years time is that they're so cheap, compared to hardware, and hence if a newer one comes out that I like more than the old ones, it's not a huge deal to update like it would be for expensive hardware.

Hardware does retain it's value much better, but when it comes to actual making music, and not investing, softsynths are invaluable.

Having a few bits of hardware and lots of software seems to be the way to go for me

[crimsonwarlock]

Anyone using a softsynth from 10 years ago ??

How about CM-101, even more then a decade old (made for the KVR One Synth Challenge of a few months ago):

https://soundcloud.com/gridlock-momentu ... chapter101