Software vs Hardware

[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

Repairs are possible, usually the only thing that goes wrong are the electrolytic capacitors age out. That is something typical in all electronic devices. Besides turning real knobs on real hardware is much more enjoyable than mousing around. Here's a picture my current setup.

And repairs are possible on computers as well, the problem with Synths is that many of them use weird custom parts that are unobtainable. Ask owners of the Alesis Andromeda about how easy it is to find parts for example

My broken JP-8000 has no output. I replaced the OP Amps, and all the Capacitors. It still has no output. That is a very common issue. What do I next? Should I spend even more time and money randomly replacing parts? What if I replace everything but the custom Roland ICs? Where do I get them?

Computer parts are much simpler and easier to aquire than many synth parts.

Beyond that however is the fact that just like with hardware I often lose interest in a synth after a few years and want to move on

With hardware that often meant selling for a loss, especially when you factor in PayPal and eBay/reverb fees. With software that means I also lose a little bit of money if I can't sell it off. Over the years however I have lost far more money on reselling hardware or having hardware break than I ever have on software

[mixyguy2]

When you get DX7, JP-8000, or even older analog, it's not irrational to expect it will last you a lifetime.

That depends how old you are. If you're really young, yeah, it's quite irrational IMO.

You bought it for the characteristic sound. Sure, some components go bad, but usually it's possible to replace them.

But probably far cheaper to buy a soft synth, so why bother?

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.

? In most cases, you can use the synth on your new system, so this isn't really true...

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.

Anecdotal, but I've used a lot of VIs over the years and this has not been my experience.

That all said, I think there's still nothing like the real thing, esp for live performances...but for recording, VIs have really closed the gap. In fact, most of what you hear now in movies, TV, etc are VIs.

PS I don't get the "tactile" argument when it comes to synths. Why is a soft synth any less so? You're playing a keyboard either way.

[mixyguy2]

Music requires harmony

Not really, although you're very limited without it.

[CrystalWizard]

Repairs are possible, usually the only thing that goes wrong are the electrolytic capacitors age out. That is something typical in all electronic devices. Besides turning real knobs on real hardware is much more enjoyable than mousing around. Here's a picture my current setup.

Uh, no, it's not just caps wearing out.
Nice setup!

My broken JP-8000 has no output. I replaced the OP Amps, and all the Capacitors. It still has no output. That is a very common issue. What do I next? Should I spend even more time and money randomly replacing parts? What if I replace everything but the custom Roland ICs? Where do I get them?

Start with a meter and check the power supply. Then use an oscilloscope and look for signal at the output (obviously none) and work backwards in the circuits from there. When/if you do find a signal then it's likely something in the next stage. Most OpAmps are tough unles there's a CMOS front end or something else funny going on.Oh wait, i forgot the first part, do a very detailed visual inspection of the wiring and the pcbs.

Sometimes custom chips can be a hassle, although some of them are being remanufactured.

I love a good software vs hardware thread, until i run out of popcorn.

[mixyguy2]

Who gives a f**k what anyone uses? TBH, anyone arguing why using either hw or sw is better, is an utter wanker.

Yeah if only they could be a nice, cool person like you. Also smart! Whining about something, then adding to it. You go girlfriend.

I bet you're a hoot a parties. lol

[CrystalWizard]

When you get DX7, JP-8000, or even older analog, it's not irrational to expect it will last you a lifetime.

That depends how old you are. If you're really young, yeah, it's quite irrational IMO.

[mixyguy2]

Here's a picture my current setup.

I think you need more keyboards. (Nice!)

[rod_zero]

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 synths go bad and repairing them costs you what a single plug in those these days.

In PC-WIndows you don't deal with obsolescence that dramatically either, all the software I bought 15 years ago is still running (Diva, Addictive drums, Serum, Reaktor, fabfilter stuff and more). And I have updated the system 2 times since then, in 2015 and in 2022. And well the computer you use it for many other tasks normally.

[zerocrossing]

In 2025, virtual instruments sound so good that one doesn't even need to look at hardware.

Unless one prefers hands on bespoke interfaces,

There is 100% absolutely no more bespoke hands on interface than a good MIDI controller you have programmed to do exactly what you want it to and that's fits into your workflow

Every hardware synth you buy doesn't have a bespoke interface created to serve your needs, it has a mass produced interface built to make it easier and cheaper to manufacture

With hardware you are forced to use whatever control surface they give you, and in 2025 if your synth has patch memory and/or can be controlled and programmed remotely via MIDI all of those knobs and faders are just sending digital data anyway to a CPU. It's not like if you turn the knob for filter cutoff that you are actually turning the potentiometer that increases resistance in the audio path filter circuit

So why not just buy a good controller(s) that have lots of knobs, faders, and buttons and make your own?

You obviously have no idea what you're talking about.

[zerocrossing]

In 2025, virtual instruments sound so good that one doesn't even need to look at hardware.

Unless one prefers hands on bespoke interfaces,

There is 100% absolutely no more bespoke hands on interface than a good MIDI controller you have programmed to do exactly what you want it to and that's fits into your workflow

Well, there is no midi controller I know that has a one knob per function to match the soft synths I use. If you are very lucky you might get 16 knobs and 16 sliders....but that's unlikely, very expensive, and still doesn't cover everything.

For $159 you can get a Novation Launch Control XL that has 8 sliders, 16 buttons and 24 knobs.

You can get them at Amazon, Sweetwater, Guitar Center, Thomann and pretty much any music retailer

You can use the Novation Components software that comes with it (or use the online version) to set up very quickly and easily whatever MIDI Channel and CC you want and have 8 pages/banks worth of all those knobs and you can control the pages/banks via external MIDI and even sequence the changes if you want

And you can very easily set up unique USB device IDs for them and your computer can see up to 8 of them if you choose

It's a very simple, very easy, very low cost rock solid system

I've owned several Novation Remotes. I feel that sucks compared to using a well designed synth. You can never really develop any muscle memory because software is all so different. Look at Massive X. It would be a nightmare trying to map the controls. I'd rather just use my trackball with a UI.

[SebAV]

With the explanation of his config Ivy gave above, he limits the need of muscle memory. But it’s too generic to develop a « relationship » with each synths. Perhaps best choice is going with Soundforce controllers ?

[SebAV]

Yeah, midi controllers are so poor even today. I can't imagine anything less inspiring or useful than a row of blank knobs and sliders.

I'm not sure how many MIDI controllers have this, but mine has certain items printed on it: Cutoff, Resonance, Vibrato, Tuning, Panning, etc. so I can map those to the corresponding knobs. The sliders are the same way: Portamento time, Attack/Decay/Release, 2 Effect amounts, etc.

Those can be mapped to something other than what is printed on the controller of course, but it's helpful to have a starting point of some sort.

I’m curious what controller you have ? Thank you

[Fernando Carvalho]

It is a very very subjective matter. for example...
In this moment I would like to have a good hardware mixer. I don't really need one and until recently I didn't see the point of hardware mixers at all. Now I do.

Totally subjective and personal thing, we are always changing our minds about those kind of things, we can't even agree with ourselves most of the time.

[frag]

When you get DX7, JP-8000, or even older analog, it's not irrational to expect it will last you a lifetime.

That depends how old you are. If you're really young, yeah, it's quite irrational IMO.

Not if your parents buy you Waldorf Quantum MkII at the age of 5, and then you die at 25. Probably airplane crash, or a terrorist attack.

[Examigan]

Yeah, midi controllers are so poor even today. I can't imagine anything less inspiring or useful than a row of blank knobs and sliders.

I'm not sure how many MIDI controllers have this, but mine has certain items printed on it: Cutoff, Resonance, Vibrato, Tuning, Panning, etc. so I can map those to the corresponding knobs. The sliders are the same way: Portamento time, Attack/Decay/Release, 2 Effect amounts, etc.

Those can be mapped to something other than what is printed on the controller of course, but it's helpful to have a starting point of some sort.

I’m curious what controller you have ? Thank you

Roland A-800Pro