Why do producers still use hardware ?

[aciddose]

If you go in a big studio with a few 50+ channel consoles and mention software you'll get laughed at.

I don't think so. H.

Okay, apparently you never have. I have.

They have a couple 20k protools systems that they use solely for recording and touching up recordings. All the major effects, instruments and console are analog.

http://warehousestudio.com/

Perhaps they've changed their opinion in the years since I've been there but I don't think they've produced much with software

One of the most important pieces of software they run, I was told, is running on some vic-20s (or was it c-64s? 128s?) for their automated console.

[mlegs]

Producers of what?

of music

Like, orchestras? Well that depends on the budget. In multimedia, advertisement, utility stuff (training videos) and lower budget films software took over (by far) years ago. Even in big budget films there is increasing use of sampled orchestras and sampled acoustic stuff (nowadays that basically means NI Kontakt).

And video game music, one of the hugest markets ever.

I see
No, actually I am talking about the electronic music producers.. like eventually trance producers like Armin van buuren.. his studio is full of hardware. Why ?

[kmonkey]

Hello I'm beginner in music producing so I don't understand why do the producers still use oldschool hardware to produce music when all the softwares like cubase, fl studio, logic pro have already built-in sophisticated synthesizers and sound manipulators, instruments, etc...Though I understand the usefulness of a midi keyboard while producing, the other stuff that I see in studios I don't see their purpose.. what is it that they have and pc audio producing softwares and plug-ins don't ?

- workflow
- soundcharacter

You are a beginner and your question is really valid. Don't mind obvious irony of some people here. Anyway or other software is good, hardware is good. Since you are a beginner you can't understand until you experience it.

[Aroused by JarJar]

Producers of what?

of music

Like, orchestras? Well that depends on the budget. In multimedia, advertisement, utility stuff (training videos) and lower budget films software took over (by far) years ago. Even in big budget films there is increasing use of sampled orchestras and sampled acoustic stuff (nowadays that basically means NI Kontakt).

And video game music, one of the hugest markets ever.

I see
No, actually I am talking about the electronic music producers.. like eventually trance producers like Armin van buuren.. his studio is full of hardware. Why ?

You mean this guy?

Accolades aside, let's talk about his gear - having been around for so many years, Armin fully experienced the transition from needing a studio full of hardware to produce, to today's minimal laptop and 100% software setup. His studio is home to a vast array of hardware synths, modules, and outboard rack gear, but in recent interviews he himself has stated most of it is kept around simply for inspirational purposes. His own productions have transitioned to being fully software based.

http://equipboard.com/pros/armin_van_buuren

[Axis1~SL61]

mlegs, they're just pulling your leg...
As for your question: Most big studios have expensive hardware that maybe have a particular character to the sound that they want to use, so they're not going to get rid of it in exchange for software. If every softsynth sounds different among all other softsynths, it's only natural that a hardware synth (especially if it's a real analog) is going to sound different too. Moreover, even if you use a hardware controller to control softsynths, a hardware synth will always be more immidiate to program. due to it's dedicated layout.
just my 2cents...
Edit:
just like kmonkey said (he beat me to it while I was writing the above) -- workflow and sound character. in short

[aciddose]

Why do the producers use, let's say, a mixer (a physical one) ? When all the softwares have that built in .... ? Just for manual controllability ?

When you have 100s of analog effects you need the console in order to manage those. There are huge hard-wired patch-bays linked up in the walls to racks of countless analog processors. They don't "plug" or "unplug" because of the noise and issues with connectors. The patch bays and links to protools ADC arrays are all hard-wired, soldered in permanently for that reason.

These guys (specifically the warehouse) spent 1000s of dollars to replace a single gain knob on their console because it had to be identical. They paid that price because the company they hired had to set up the manufacturing process to produce the custom poly potentiometer for them to exact specifications.

This kind of thing is common.

The "mixer" in software doesn't come close.

[Aroused by JarJar]

But who are these trance producers *using* hardware? I'm really curious.

[foosnark]

Read some interviews with people if you're curious. There was a pretty decent Moderat interview in FutureMusic for instance -- they love hardware and software both. Big Razor fanboys, but also obviously in love with their MS-10 and 909, even a Yamaha PSS-570.

People use what they like, whether that's sound, workflow, the ability to carry it around in a backpack, or the feel of it under your hands while you're coming up with ideas.

[goldenanalog]

People use what they like, whether that's sound, workflow, the ability to carry it around in a backpack, or the feel of it under your hands while you're coming up with ideas.

One of the best sentences that I've seen on KVR in a while.

Or if you're a hired gun: you use what the artist and/or producer wants.

Questions like this one (analogvsdigital, oldvsnew, etc.) are eternally fun to debate, but the answers are almost invariably person and circumstance specific; i.e. it depends on the venue.

[Kriminal]

Hello I'm beginner in music producing so I don't understand why do the producers still use oldschool hardware to produce music when all the softwares like cubase, fl studio, logic pro have already built-in sophisticated synthesizers and sound manipulators, instruments, etc...Though I understand the usefulness of a midi keyboard while producing, the other stuff that I see in studios I don't see their purpose.. what is it that they have and pc audio producing softwares and plug-ins don't ?

Basically, they paid a fortune for the stuff, so naturally it sounds better.

[cryophonik]

Well, let's see.....maybe some people just don't want to spend their entire lives staring at a goddam video monitor and prefer touching real synths, real mixing consoles, real women, etc. Some of us even have real friends.

[4damind]

Different sound, different workflow. People trust hardware more than software if it comes to stability and easy usage (important also for live performance).

That many don't using hardware is IMO more a thing of the budget. Every thread with a new VA plug-in starts "does it sound like a Virus" So I think that many people would prefer hardware for some sounds if this would not be so expensive.

[thecontrolcentre]

Sound quality
Workflow
Inspiration
Fun

+ if you already own a load of hardware why wouldn't you use it?

[electro]

There are still synths that do not offer certain sounds in software form.

Kurzweil and old (certain selected) GM modules come to mind. Also, if E-MU wouldn't have dropped the development of Proteus/Emulator X (pretty much), then I would have sold my two Proteus rack modules. But I still love them.

Also... they don't take any CPU hit.

Novachord
Synclavier II FM Synthesis
Oberheim Matrix 12
Yamaha VL-1

[rifftrax]

Software crashes, requires an OS to run and will typically become useless if it's key-protected and the company goes out of business (effectively) or if it becomes to old to be supported by latest DAW or OS kernel. Also, it's much easier to lose and/or damage a CD-ROM of a program (or forget a login, run out of download credits, some similar bullshit, etc.) than misplace an actual fx box or tangible synthesizer.

That should be enough reason for most people to use and prefer hardware.