Software vs Hardware

[vitocorleone123]

I have been in the box for a while,although I have pretty much stopped buying software. Even so, I did buy Steinberg Absolute 6 a few months back. My hardware synths are packed away, but this thread got me to haul one out and I choose my Juno 6. It was a relief that it powered on and worked ok,although the pots and sliders were scratchy. One of the keys was temporarily sticky, but altogether pretty good for forty three years of age. So I tested it against my Juno software. I have Softube Model 84, Cherry Audio 106, and Arturia Juno.

I used the Softube 84 as it is the most accurate, and it sounded better at first than the hardware Juno. But after a bit of fiddling, I got them to sound pretty much the same. So equal tie. But make no mistake, the Softube 84 is very good sounding and is a good substitute for the real thing. I soon found though that I was playing the Hardware Juno and forgot about the software one, Its just a more engaging experience. Very easy to make sounds and edit. No patches or menu diving. And it looks gorgeous as well. The trouble with hardware is that it takes up so much space. But its staying out for the time being.

That’s great!

Personally, I don’t have any software synths that sound just like my hardware synths. I’d definitely not buy a hardware synth with a great emulation already available. I’m sure some year they’ll be emulated, though. But it’d have to be at least a 99% accurate emulation for me to consider replacing them, though.

I can never get it to sound exactly like the software,but its close enough for my needs. The software is very useful with a Juno 6 because it gives visual representations of the presets (or thereabouts).

Makes sense.

I only bought synths with desktop editors for my first 3 synths. It wasn’t until my 4th and final that I didn’t bother with that requirement - but it’s a simple analog synth with full MIDI. I’d prefer to have an editor, still.

I go to my hardware when I want a specific sound not available in software or for a specific design direction where the physical use may lead to different results. If any software was closest enough for my needs, I’d probably get rid of that hardware and replace it with hardware that didn’t have software that was close enough for my needs.

[CapnLockheed]

Ah Classic KVR at it's best. I love this place......LOL!!

[IvyBirds]

No lol that is just the idea that you have conjured in your own mind from misunderstanding several post. All I was saying is that a hobbyist may not see any benefit in spending for example $10K-$20K on a hardware synth when music is just a hobby and not a career.



But people who take music as a career and make money and work with talented individuals on a daily basis, are more likely to purchase hardware and expensive gear because it's what they do for a living. They don't care if a plugin "almost" sounds like the hardware. They are just gonna use the hardware because they know it will sound right vs wasting time comparing plugins.

So what you are saying again is hardware is better because you say so and if you are a "professional" you know this but if you are just a hobbyist that means you are just ignorant

And that's the issue you have no proof of this and it's infact the exact opposite of how actual professionals work

You know who has the best Instagram hardware synth setups? Hobbyists who have synth museums. You know who doesn't? Actual professionals. You think Hans Zimmer when he is working on the next Hollywood blockbusters says to himself, gee I am just a moron using plugins if I were a professional and not a hobbyist I would know better? Of course not

You think a guy who plays basketball a few times a week at the local gym, takes basketball as serious as a professional NBA player? Of course not so likewise a professional producer artist or songwriter is gonna treat a music career more serious than your average hobbyist, and that includes investing in better gear as your career grows.

Cheers!

And again that's your bullshit you are desperately trying to make the point the somehow Hardware Synths are more professional they are not. You have said they are faster again they are not. You have given no actual benefits as to why hardware use means you are somehow more serious

As for basketball, awesome. If you love basketball you can buy the exact basketballs that NBA players use have no choice in and is decided by someone else. You can wear the exact shoes they wear designed by someone else that they get paid money to endorse. You can wear the exact same jersey and shorts they wear on the court again something they don't choose but are the uniforms chosen by the team, that needs to confirm to the standards and endorsements used by the NBA

Not sure what that has to do with Synths however

But again I am still waiting for you to show me where any synth sounds on any Taylor Swift record could not have been made with plugins

Again that should be easy since the people who worked on them you think care more than hobbyists so that should be an easy task

Please let me know so I can listen to them as I browse Instagram looking at synth setups full of hardware synths owned by hobbyists.

Until then I will listen to Platinum selling records made by hobbyists you think are not professionals made with plugins, or maybe watch some videos of music festivals with artists using laptops on stage. Again you think they are not serious or professional

Maybe they should invest in better gear as they entertain millions, maybe is Hans Zimmer did that he would have made millions of dollars, and earned Grammy awards and Oscars

But maybe not
.

[seafire]

Why do you keep taking the bait? You do realise you cannot 'win' on the interwebz?

[mjolnir]

i keep coming around the the fact that i got a lot more done easily with hardware, but just couldn't get certain coveted software sounds.
eventually i got tricked into switching to pure software and selling off all my hardware. i really wish i hadn't.

but these days, every time i have some extra money and do the math on buying hardware, it always initially feels better to invest in a new computer or software. the results for getting back to work immediately are faster at first. (but not including configuration time and learning curve time).

unfortunately, i trick myself because then inevitably i get ticked off by some kind of limitations i hadn't noticed and decide that hardware is better right after i dove head first into software again.

don't even get me started on losing my software registration codes. really i'm a dork, but i feel the pain too.

[zerocrossing]

Great link, don't you love this quote

"There’s so many beautiful qualities to both. When I'm alone and I'm in a small space, whether it's my studio or laptop,"

Weird how he loves being with laptop you know the things you pretend professionals don't use

Also weird and rather hilarious that you believe his bullshit that he has "never used MIDI" while producing music on a laptop

But sure I want the all vintage analog studio of hipster dreams and brag about never using MIDO while saying how much I enjoy my laptop

Apparently it fools people like yourself, and that's always a good laugh

There's definitely BS out there. Still, for the sake of discussion, recording analog synths as audio is a fine way to work and the weird little inconsistencies can help keep it from sounding sterile. An OB-8 that isn't in tip-top shape might have every voice sounding different.

Sure, but that characteristic is mimicked quite easily in software and you don't have to hope your synth is at the sweet spot of miscalibration, and you can adjust it to taste. Hell, you can even automate it so when there's a hole in the mix, it's big and wonky and when things are dense you tighten it up so it takes up less sonic space.

[vurt]

Why do you keep taking the bait? You do realise you cannot 'win' on the interwebz?

hold my beer...


one thing professional musicians don't do, waste time arguing on forums.

[pekbro]

Why do you keep taking the bait? You do realise you cannot 'win' on the interwebz?

hold my beer...


one thing professional musicians don't do, waste time arguing on forums.

That’s true, when I tell my friend Dave about
this forum, he’s like wut? Then he has another
drink.

[pdxindy]

one thing professional musicians don't do, waste time arguing on forums.

Then where do they waste time arguing?

[BBFG#]

one thing professional musicians don't do, waste time arguing on forums.

Then where do they waste time arguing?

Probably the mixing console.

[pdxindy]

one thing professional musicians don't do, waste time arguing on forums.

Then where do they waste time arguing?

Probably the mixing console.

Or the bar.

[IvyBirds]

Why do you keep taking the bait? You do realise you cannot 'win' on the interwebz?

hold my beer...


one thing professional musicians don't do, waste time arguing on forums.

Absolutely you never hear about professional musicians fighting, or having dick swinging contests

It's why the Eagles have lasted so long with all original members, and who could forget the fantastic relationship of Roger Waters and David Gilmore who have been best friends and have collaborated on so many records and tours going back 50 years

Or how about the members of Journey it's not like they are using each other for Millions of Dollars

I mean everyone who has ever played in a band will tell you it was all rainbows, unicorns, and total peace and harmony

[swilow11]

I just can't imagine how getting a bunch of men together to play loud music, all aiming for worldwide fame and riches, could ever be less than perfectly harmonious.

[Uncle E]

Sure, but that characteristic is mimicked quite easily in software and you don't have to hope your synth is at the sweet spot of miscalibration, and you can adjust it to taste.

Can you give some examples? I can only think of OB-E.

[Tj Shredder]

One thing is for sure, without hardware nobody can make music.
First its your body! Even if you sing unplugged.
Then, as electronic musicians we do need speakers.
Then, when using software we need a computer…
All that is hardware.

Personally I can’t do it without hardware. But that hardware doesn’t need to make sound. I put my hardware money into all kinds of controllers (or Tibetan bowls). Even the one hardware synth I own, Modal’s Sklupt, I can use as a controller.
In the past I did own quite a few synths. It started with a Poly 800, followed by a DX7/TX802, CZ101, a K-5, a Wavestation, even an Arp 2600. They are all gone. (The Arp only because I needed money.) I worked on Synclavier, Waveframe, modulars and dreamt of other gear I could not afford myself. Almost all of that is housing in my laptop now.

I don’t understand, why people insist on tiny differences in sound.
The difference is in level of inspiration an instrument can create.

As its about inspiration, is as different for two humans as humans can be different. Its an extremely intimate, unique and personal quality of each musician! It simply doesn’t make sense to discuss this as if it was a general truth.

If we would just share our personal experience with whatever, share our insights without the need that anybody should have the same, if we would simply acknowledge and embrace our diversity, this world (and KVR) would be a better place…!