Who's using software editors for their hardware synths?

[cryophonik]

Just curious to know who is using software editors and how you use them.

Personally, I really like using them for certain tasks, particularly for automation of parameters and as a librarian. I currently have them for my Virus TI, Elektron boxes (Overbridge - amazing implementation!), Moogs, Prophet Rev2, and Peak. I still prefer to use the physical controls on the synth itself to manually change parameters while the plugin handles the MIDI CC values for automation without having to assign them manually. I also find that items buried in OS menus on the hardware are often easier to find on the software editors, so that's a plus. I don't use step sequencers very often, but I do find that the software implementation is sometimes more intuitive to me than the hardware implementation (e.g., Prophet Rev2). My biggest gripe is that the software editors are not always very stable and can be pretty laggy, particularly the Mysterious Islands and Soundtower editors.

[Scotty]

I use Viruc C , Bass Station II, Minilogue XD, Digitakt, Ensoniq DP/4, Moog SubPhatty, Korg Volca FM via Dexed and other editors. I use them as plugins where available. You can do automation and manage librarians. For my TD3 and TD3 MO I use web based browsers that allow easier programming of patterns.

[husker37]

Just curious to know who is using software editors and how you use them.

Personally, I really like using them for certain tasks, particularly for automation of parameters and as a librarian. I currently have them for my Virus TI, Elektron boxes (Overbridge - amazing implementation!), Moogs, Prophet Rev2, and Peak. I still prefer to use the physical controls on the synth itself to manually change parameters while the plugin handles the MIDI CC values for automation without having to assign them manually. I also find that items buried in OS menus on the hardware are often easier to find on the software editors, so that's a plus. I don't use step sequencers very often, but I do find that the software implementation is sometimes more intuitive to me than the hardware implementation (e.g., Prophet Rev2). My biggest gripe is that the software editors are not always very stable and can be pretty laggy, particularly the Mysterious Islands and Soundtower editors.

What do you use for the Peak?

[T-CM11]

- DSI Evolver: the standalone Soundtower editor
- MI Shruthi-1: some editor from somewhere (I don't remember right now what it's called)
- Waldorf Microwave XT: monstrumWaveXT and the Soundtower one (as a librarian). The XT has a nice UI, so I just use the editor for the parameters in menus (mod matrix, etc.)

For the Evolver (great synth, lousy UI!) and the Shruthi, I also have templates in my Novation Remote SL. I could try to replace the Evolver with a mono evolver keyboard, but I got a Pro 2 in stead.

- DSI Pro 2: The standalone Soundtower editor, for when I want an overview of what's going on in a patch.

The Pro 2 needs an editor the least, but there's still a lot that's not visible at first glance.

Synths that I use without an editor:
Bass Station 2 -> simple enough
SE Boomstar SEM -> No (very limited) midi implementation -> it's a 1:1 knob per function synth anyway, so no need.

[digitallysane]

I use John Melas' Tools for the Yamaha MODX, both for patch editing and for library and data management. Very good and fast.

[T-CM11]

My biggest gripe is that the software editors are not always very stable and can be pretty laggy, particularly the Mysterious Islands and Soundtower editors.

I have one Soundtower VST editor (Evolver) and it's indeed not very stable. I didn't notice any lag.
The standalone ones work perfectly fine (for me).

[Scotty]

Apart from DAW integration and librarian features I use editors to control some synths that are placed too far away from my audio desk to be immediately under my fingers. I can squeeze in a lot of gear in a small space aweay from my main desk if I can control it remotely. Obviously I need a lot of IO to do this.

[AdvancedFollower]

Only standalone, for organizing patches and such. When you use a VST editor inside a DAW you lose the functionality of the DAW to combine the MIDI and audio track to a single track. Latency compensation and jitter tend to be worse and more unpredictable as well since the VST plugin itself isn't reporting the latency of the audio interface.

[kritikon]

I already had the editor/librarians for Opsix and Wavestate, then bought the VSTi too. I thought I'd use them for all sorts of things but TBH barely touched them. I dunno why I was so dumb to buy them, when I know the main reason I use hw is for the hands on control and the fact I hate mousing things. I'll maybe use them as librarians when I've filled up all the patch memory on the keyboards, but only then. I thought I'd do some sound design on my laptop away from the studio...but I just don't seem to actually do that. TBH I was a fuckwit buying the VSTi, considering I already didn't use the librarian/editors. I buy hw because I like hw not because I like sw.

[kritikon]

AND...I'm pretty sure I really would use a 303 editor if there was one for the TD3. 303s were always fkn stupid to program and still are. I mostly use ABL3 instead of the TD3 despite really liking the TD3, purely because I loathe programming sequences on TD3 hw. Mostly I appreciate Behringer but they should have veered away from emulation with the TD3 and made it easier than a stupid idiotic 303. I suspect most will disagree with me though....

[db3]

I use VST editors to control out of reach synths and load up projects with total recall. I generally find the manufacturer ones work the best. Moog editors are good. Soundtower editors for Sequential are bad. I used to use Codeknobs instead for Sequential, but he hasn't added any new synths recently. I use Sigabort Midisynth for Peak. He does other editors too. Great to see Arturia release an editor for Polybrute and hear that Behringer's up-coming VSTs will control equivalent hardware.

[chaocrator]

using software librarians/editors for:
DSI Tetra, Yamaha FB-01, Virus B, PreenFM2, Blofeld, E-Mu Command Station.

[zerocrossing]

I use them all the time for my REV2, Prophet 6, 12, Analog Four, RYTM, 002, ATC-X and PolyBrute. It’s my preferred way of patch creation. Being able to be in my sweet spot during a mix and being able to quickly make adjustments is crucial.

[RobGee]

I use editors for both my Polybrute and Summit. I find them useful for automation in a daw and to see all the parameters of a patch instantly. I do find it much more fun creating sounds using the front panel controls if I’m honest.

Polybrute Connect offers bidirectional control and allows you to edit pretty much every parameter on the synth minus the sequencer. I find it quicker to edit certain parameters via PBC that require menu diving on the synth, it’s also much easier to manage patches and nice to visualise all parameters on patches instantly. The other great thing about PBC is that it allows you to record, edit and playback automation of parameters via the morphe and ribbon controls in a daw.

For the Summit I use Sigabort Midisynth, mainly because it is on the top tier of a Jaspers stand and not that easily accessible for me. It offers bidirectional control of most parameters minus some things such as settings routings for synth/effects/part a+b that are available in the settings menu. For patch management I much prefer to use Novation Components.

[cryophonik]

What do you use for the Peak?

I have the Momo Müller editor, but don't really use it much. The Novation librarian is the main software I use with the Peak.

I have one Soundtower VST editor (Evolver) and it's indeed not very stable. I didn't notice any lag.
The standalone ones work perfectly fine (for me).

I have the Moog LP/SP editor and it's very laggy with my Slim Phatty over USB, sometimes to the point of being unusable.

I buy hw because I like hw not because I like sw.

Same, but everything eventually ends up in a DAW at some point for me, so the editors/librarians are nice to have in a hybrid system.

Soundtower editors for Sequential are bad. I used to use Codeknobs instead for Sequential, but he hasn't added any new synths recently. I use Sigabort Midisynth for Peak.

Yeah, Soundtower always disappoints me, too. I might need to check out the Codeknobs for my Rev2 and SIgabort for my Peak.

For patch management I much prefer to use Novation Components.

Yeah, it's funny that so many people complain about Components, but it's worked pretty well for me with the Peak. Patch management is nicely implemented IMO.