Software vs Hardware

[frag]

In 2025, virtual instruments sound so good that one doesn't even need to look at hardware. Even some old hardware is ported to VST, and more and more often we are getting new hardware in VST format. Some VST-only synths sound better than most hardware, even when it comes to analog emulations.

BUT...

The problem is, In-the-box systems have quite limited life span. When you get DX7, JP-8000, or even older analog, it's not irrational to expect it will last you a lifetime. You bought it for the characteristic sound. Sure, some components go bad, but usually it's possible to replace them.
With PCs, it's different. I'd say you have 7-8 years on average before the system becomes outdated. Either you cannot use new instruments (including new versions of old VSTis) without issues, or computer components begin to malfunction, or both. So basically, if you invested $200 in a soft synth, after some 8 years it's vaporized. You bought nothing. On the other hand, if you got classic hardware for $2000, it's highly likely the value goes up after 8 years.

Hardware takes space, it's expensive, impractical to use (cables, audio recording, sync issues). But it lasts much longer than any PC. The sound you like stays with you.

For example, I notice with my old machine running 24-thread CPU that the biggest problem is not CPU/ASIO usage with new instruments, but rather... GRAPHICS. And that's paradoxical. I mean, I can understand that video, photography, animation require graphical improvements within OS and hardware, but soft synths? Give me sound - graphics from 2012 is perfectly fine! And of course, new instruments very rarely implement multithreading. Any new VSTi would run perfectly with multithreading, even on old CPUs with lots of threads. Simple graphics + multithreading = long life PC (unless something burns of course).

Personally, I don't have time to make music, I just like to play soft synths occasionally for fun. So it's PC for me. But I do wonder, if I'd want to take music more seriously, would I be frustrated with PCs. I think I would. In some ways they are more practical than dedicated audio hardware and the sound is really great, but there are so many bugs, issues, incompatibilities to fix. It seems that computer musician doesn't actually have time to think about the music he creates. He's a software engineer and a beta tester. There's too much distractions.

Classical compositions are so good and stunning because usually composers worked with a limited, fixed set of physical instruments. I mean, they weren't exploring new version of piano every month.

[Gam456]

Some VST-only synths sound better than most hardware, even when it comes to analog emulations.

Did you ever own an analog synth ?

[jethrobull]

Hybrid! I use both, all the time, and hardly (if ever) encounter any issues.
Probably not helpful though, as everyone is different with different set ups and needs.
Just my personal opinion

[frag]

Some VST-only synths sound better than most hardware, even when it comes to analog emulations.

Did you ever own an analog synth ?

25 years ago. Back then soft emulations were crap.
Today, we have Diva, Repro, Synthx V, etc. Analog sound which is easy to mix, I like these emulators even better than originals.

[frag]

...

[psycho45039]

An even bigger thing not mentioned here is the developer discontinues the virtual intrument/effect. So even if you have older hardware capable of running it, you can't. An example I'll give is I kept an old Power Mac G5 around to run NI Kore 2, Vokator and Spektral Delay. I still have the machine and I still own the software but 2 years ago I lost the system drive and didn't have a back up of it and now I can't reauthorize the software to use it. Since then I've been buying hardware synths and rarely if ever use a software instrument. I refuse to spend time and/or money on something that at any moment I won't be able to use.

[eLawnMust]

There are some VSTi 10-20 years old that still sound great, I guess most missed them...

Since software must run inside hardware & many hardware now have software what be the difference in sound? More of a preference or say a status symbol like having a swimming pool...

Back in the early-mid 80's I had a SH101 & a Casio CZ101 kinda wish I still had them but have enough as it is...

[dellboy]

In 2025, virtual instruments sound so good that one doesn't even need to look at hardware. Even some old hardware is ported to VST, and more and more often we are getting new hardware in VST format. Some VST-only synths sound better than most hardware, even when it comes to analog emulations.

BUT...

The problem is, In-the-box systems have quite limited life span. When you get DX7, JP-8000, or even older analog, it's not irrational to expect it will last you a lifetime. You bought it for the characteristic sound. Sure, some components go bad, but usually it's possible to replace them.
With PCs, it's different. I'd say you have 7-8 years on average before the system becomes outdated. Either you cannot use new instruments (including new versions of old VSTis) without issues, or computer components begin to malfunction, or both. So basically, if you invested $200 in a soft synth, after some 8 years it's vaporized. You bought nothing. On the other hand, if you got classic hardware for $2000, it's highly likely the value goes up after 8 years.

Hardware takes space, it's expensive, impractical to use (cables, audio recording, sync issues). But it lasts much longer than any PC. The sound you like stays with you.

For example, I notice with my old machine running 24-thread CPU that the biggest problem is not CPU/ASIO usage with new instruments, but rather... GRAPHICS. And that's paradoxical. I mean, I can understand that video, photography, animation require graphical improvements within OS and hardware, but soft synths? Give me sound - graphics from 2012 is perfectly fine! And of course, new instruments very rarely implement multithreading. Any new VSTi would run perfectly with multithreading, even on old CPUs with lots of threads. Simple graphics + multithreading = long life PC (unless something burns of course).

Personally, I don't have time to make music, I just like to play soft synths occasionally for fun. So it's PC for me. But I do wonder, if I'd want to take music more seriously, would I be frustrated with PCs. I think I would. In some ways they are more practical than dedicated audio hardware and the sound is really great, but there are so many bugs, issues, incompatibilities to fix. It seems that computer musician doesn't actually have time to think about the music he creates. He's a software engineer and a beta tester. There's too much distractions.

Classical compositions are so good and stunning because usually composers worked with a limited, fixed set of physical instruments. I mean, they weren't exploring new version of piano every month.

Excellent! A well balanced post.

Of course, the real answer is that neither hardware or software matters unless we have the skill to use them. Both are excellent in skilled hands. But personally, if I was both gifted and rich enough...................

[seafire]

I only use Vapourware

[Vortifex]

The thing about software synths is that if you can't use one anymore due to obsolescence, they're so cheap compared to hardware that buying a new one isn't a big deal and still far cheaper than buying its hardware equivalent.

[uOpt]

BUT...

The problem is, In-the-box systems have quite limited life span. When you get DX7, JP-8000, or even older analog, it's not irrational to expect it will last you a lifetime. You bought it for the characteristic sound. Sure, some components go bad, but usually it's possible to replace them.
With PCs, it's different. I'd say you have 7-8 years on average before the system becomes outdated. Either you cannot use new instruments (including new versions of old VSTis) without issues, or computer components begin to malfunction, or both. So basically, if you invested $200 in a soft synth, after some 8 years it's vaporized. You bought nothing. On the other hand, if you got classic hardware for $2000, it's highly likely the value goes up after 8 years.

You just discovered why open source software exists.

[VariKusBrainZ]

Dont forget tactile enjoyment and not having to fire up a PC, load the synth and worry about OS updates breaking shit.

Just turn it on and play

[IvyBirds]

Dont forget tactile enjoyment and not having to fire up a PC, load the synth and worry about OS updates breaking shit.

Just turn it on and play

And yet my PC boots faster than many hardware synths and as a Windows user I don't worry about OS Updates breaking anything

I also love a tactile experience and I get far more of that with my plugins that. Any hardware synth because I use good controllers and take the 10 minutes it takes to program them

It's always mind-blowing to me when people dismiss plugins because they want a tactile experience and go hardware when they have to accept the linited controls that the manufacturer sets up for them in a fixed way and menu diving

[IvyBirds]

An even bigger thing not mentioned here is the developer discontinues the virtual intrument/effect. So even if you have older hardware capable of running it, you can't. An example I'll give is I kept an old Power Mac G5 around to run NI Kore 2, Vokator and Spektral Delay. I still have the machine and I still own the software but 2 years ago I lost the system drive and didn't have a back up of it and now I can't reauthorize the software to use it. Since then I've been buying hardware synths and rarely if ever use a software instrument. I refuse to spend time and/or money on something that at any moment I won't be able to use.

My closet of broken hardware Synths that just stopped working one day would like a word

Hardware synths can and do break all the time, which is why I use software

I refuse to spend time anor money on something that at any moment I won't be able to use

[IvyBirds]

The problem is, In-the-box systems have quite limited life span. When you get DX7, JP-8000, or even older analog, it's not irrational to expect it will last you a lifetime.

Hate to break it to you but that is not the case my DX7 's have all had issues that needed to be repaired or just junked. I have a broken JP-8000 sitting in a closet

My Amiga from 1989 is still going strong, my Windows 98 system is still going strong 27 years after I built it and it still has music software on it

It's not irrational to think software can last a lifetime either, or at least as long as any hardware synth you can buy today