Software vs. Analog in 2025 – Has the Balance Shifted?

[cryophonik]

Not really, first of all if they are that stupid why do you bother to read them and post on them instead of just skipping them over

But beyond that they are interesting because you get to see how other people are working and how they justify how they work. That's always valuable.

I have no problem with discussions about how different people work and their preferred tools or approaches. That's not what I wrote and my point was clear - software vs. hardware debates are pointless, especially when people think that one is superior and that there is a right and wrong side of the debate. There is not. There are only personal preferences and that's great. Adults should be able to discuss them without the context of one vs. the other and my dad's bigger than your dad childishness.

[Uncle E]

Adults should be able to discuss them without the context of one vs. the other and my dad's bigger than your dad childishness.

Easy to say that from a yacht!

[whassup]

Adults should be able to discuss them without the context of one vs. the other and my dad's bigger than your dad childishness.

Easy to say that from a yacht!

[Erik_Lucas]

Eating my words right now:

exactly.

[Erik_Lucas]

Here is one I’ve had my eyes on since learning about few months ago from a fellow synth nerd. This is where you are going far beyond what plugins are able to sound like IMO. And motorized knobs for instant recall of every preset is a fantastic evolution for hardware synths. Much heftier price but worth it IMO

It's a basic 2 Osc Analog synth going into a Moog Style ladder filter with an additional Wavetable Oscillator for $3600

Not sure why you think that is territory that plugins can't go? I have multiple plugins that can do that, such as UVI Falcon, Pigments, or HALion7

and of course I can simply layer Serum 2, Massive X, , or one of several other Wavetable synth plugins I have with The Legend HZ and get 6 Oscillator Analog sounds running through a ladder filter

Any of the plugin options I mentioned can sonically blow away that and go into all kinds of sonic territory it can't for over $3000 less money

This is why I sold mine.

However, I regret it.

[SoftSynthLover99]

Here is one I’ve had my eyes on since learning about few months ago from a fellow synth nerd. This is where you are going far beyond what plugins are able to sound like IMO. And motorized knobs for instant recall of every preset is a fantastic evolution for hardware synths. Much heftier price but worth it IMO

It's a basic 2 Osc Analog synth going into a Moog Style ladder filter with an additional Wavetable Oscillator for $3600

Not sure why you think that is territory that plugins can't go? I have multiple plugins that can do that, such as UVI Falcon, Pigments, or HALion7

and of course I can simply layer Serum 2, Massive X, , or one of several other Wavetable synth plugins I have with The Legend HZ and get 6 Oscillator Analog sounds running through a ladder filter

Any of the plugin options I mentioned can sonically blow away that and go into all kinds of sonic territory it can't for over $3000 less money

seems you are incapable of talking about the differences between hardware synths and software synths in an unbiased way. You can’t even begin to try and understand why that synth cost $3,699 because in your mind Falcon, Pigments and Halion 7 can do what that does and will sound the same OR in your words blow that synth away sonically….I don’t think you realize how truly ridiculous that sounds to people that have real experience with hardware and software.

I am a heavy Falcon user and it is one of my most used software synths for quite some time now (one of my favorite software synths ever) but NO the Nina sounds worlds different than Falcon. And Pigments? Not even remotely close to the same kind of raw sound. They are like toys in comparison.

Ever heard of the saying you get what you pay for? That is true with synthesizers as well. Software synths are awesome but they are not the end all be all for synthesis. To suggest high end synthesizers are no different than cheap plugins is pretty wild.

[Scotty]

Double blind listening tests would sort this out in a hurry.

[IvyBirds]

Here is one I’ve had my eyes on since learning about few months ago from a fellow synth nerd. This is where you are going far beyond what plugins are able to sound like IMO. And motorized knobs for instant recall of every preset is a fantastic evolution for hardware synths. Much heftier price but worth it IMO

It's a basic 2 Osc Analog synth going into a Moog Style ladder filter with an additional Wavetable Oscillator for $3600

Not sure why you think that is territory that plugins can't go? I have multiple plugins that can do that, such as UVI Falcon, Pigments, or HALion7

and of course I can simply layer Serum 2, Massive X, , or one of several other Wavetable synth plugins I have with The Legend HZ and get 6 Oscillator Analog sounds running through a ladder filter

Any of the plugin options I mentioned can sonically blow away that and go into all kinds of sonic territory it can't for over $3000 less money

seems you are incapable of talking about the differences between hardware synths and software synths in an unbiased way. You can’t even begin to try and understand why that synth cost $3,699 because in your mind Falcon, Pigments and Halion 7 can do what that does and will sound the same OR in your words blow that synth away sonically….I don’t think you realize how truly ridiculous that sounds to people that have real experience with hardware and software.

I am a heavy Falcon user and it is one of my most used software synths for quite some time now (one of my favorite software synths ever) but NO the Nina sounds worlds different than Falcon. And Pigments? Not even remotely close to the same kind of raw sound. They are like toys in comparison.

Ever heard of the saying you get what you pay for? That is true with synthesizers as well. Software synths are awesome but they are not the end all be all for synthesis. To suggest high end synthesizers are no different than cheap plugins is pretty wild.

I have 40+ years of experience with hardware synths, I was using hardware synths before you were born

The only biased person here is you, use whatever you want I don't care but please drop you bias.

That synth is a computerized Minimoog clone, where they dropped one of the analog VCOs and replaced it with a computer playing back Wavetables you can import from software Synths, and for some reason feel the need to have motors turn knobs that once again are computers running software. The SOS review talks about how it involves heavy menu diving which means it's a computer in a box

Not sure why ANYONE would think that is going beyond what plugins can do

Falcon, HALion, Pigments and many other Synths can all combine analog style subtractive Synthesis with Wavetables. Now you may prefer the sound of the computer software running a hardware synth and that's awesome, pay $3600 for the privilege but don't pretend it's doing anything that is going "far beyond" what plugins can do

What if you want to use two Wavetables? Oops can't do that on the hardware can you? What if you want to use different filter types other than a ladder filter that is going to kill your bass frequencies when you crank up the resonance? Oops can't do that either. What if you want to add FM, Samples, Granular, etc? Oops can't do that either. What if you want to go beyond the two ADSR envelopes? Oops can't do that erither, what if you need more software effects that what the computer onboard is able to do on the NINA? Oops can't do that either

What's amazing is anyone who has ever touched a synth for more than 10 minutes and has any kind of an open mind would never make the comment you did that

This is where you are going far beyond what plugins are able to sound like IMO.

But we all get it, once again you think just because it's a $3600 computer running some software controlling a few analog components in a box with a few knobs and extreme menu diving it has to better, it's not

As for me use hardware or software, don't care, I was using both before you were born, but be honest about what they are
There is nothing about the crippled synth engine that goes far beyond plugins not even close

[pekbro]

I think beat boxing is the way to go, synths AND plugins are for whimps.

[Daru925]

Double blind listening tests would sort this out in a hurry.

I pull out two phoscyon tracks and pretend one is a real tb 303. Then if you hear any differences, it my programming that's sucks, and you should know every hardware is different, and old gear have their flavors, can't you hear? and ackchually youtube isn't the best medium to listen to hi fi music (acid mess) , and why are you blindtesting in the bus on a crappy phone's speakers!
Clearly you know nothing john snow.

Sometimes i prefer the gameboy soundtrack to its orchestral remake so go figure.
If it sounds good, its good, even if you farted (ring modulated) in a mic to get that melody.

[whassup]

Was just listening to this little fart box:

Duophonic.
154€ @Thomann.
Bam!
Tons of character.

[SoftSynthLover99]

Here is one I’ve had my eyes on since learning about few months ago from a fellow synth nerd. This is where you are going far beyond what plugins are able to sound like IMO. And motorized knobs for instant recall of every preset is a fantastic evolution for hardware synths. Much heftier price but worth it IMO

It's a basic 2 Osc Analog synth going into a Moog Style ladder filter with an additional Wavetable Oscillator for $3600

Not sure why you think that is territory that plugins can't go? I have multiple plugins that can do that, such as UVI Falcon, Pigments, or HALion7

and of course I can simply layer Serum 2, Massive X, , or one of several other Wavetable synth plugins I have with The Legend HZ and get 6 Oscillator Analog sounds running through a ladder filter

Any of the plugin options I mentioned can sonically blow away that and go into all kinds of sonic territory it can't for over $3000 less money

seems you are incapable of talking about the differences between hardware synths and software synths in an unbiased way. You can’t even begin to try and understand why that synth cost $3,699 because in your mind Falcon, Pigments and Halion 7 can do what that does and will sound the same OR in your words blow that synth away sonically….I don’t think you realize how truly ridiculous that sounds to people that have real experience with hardware and software.

I am a heavy Falcon user and it is one of my most used software synths for quite some time now (one of my favorite software synths ever) but NO the Nina sounds worlds different than Falcon. And Pigments? Not even remotely close to the same kind of raw sound. They are like toys in comparison.

Ever heard of the saying you get what you pay for? That is true with synthesizers as well. Software synths are awesome but they are not the end all be all for synthesis. To suggest high end synthesizers are no different than cheap plugins is pretty wild.

That synth is a computerized Minimoog clone

So that 12-voice hybrid analog POLY synth (Nina) is just a clone of a MONOphonic single-voice analog synth (Minimoog)?? This lets me know you know absolutely nothing about what you're saying.

You also claimed the Nina synth has "extreme menu diving". Yet the SOS review you referenced said the exact opposite "This is a synth for those who miss using their hands and their ears in a world of visualised software instruments and menu‑diving."

So if you're gonna quote a review at least be honest about what the review actually says.

[IvyBirds]

Here is one I’ve had my eyes on since learning about few months ago from a fellow synth nerd. This is where you are going far beyond what plugins are able to sound like IMO. And motorized knobs for instant recall of every preset is a fantastic evolution for hardware synths. Much heftier price but worth it IMO

It's a basic 2 Osc Analog synth going into a Moog Style ladder filter with an additional Wavetable Oscillator for $3600

Not sure why you think that is territory that plugins can't go? I have multiple plugins that can do that, such as UVI Falcon, Pigments, or HALion7

and of course I can simply layer Serum 2, Massive X, , or one of several other Wavetable synth plugins I have with The Legend HZ and get 6 Oscillator Analog sounds running through a ladder filter

Any of the plugin options I mentioned can sonically blow away that and go into all kinds of sonic territory it can't for over $3000 less money

seems you are incapable of talking about the differences between hardware synths and software synths in an unbiased way. You can’t even begin to try and understand why that synth cost $3,699 because in your mind Falcon, Pigments and Halion 7 can do what that does and will sound the same OR in your words blow that synth away sonically….I don’t think you realize how truly ridiculous that sounds to people that have real experience with hardware and software.

I am a heavy Falcon user and it is one of my most used software synths for quite some time now (one of my favorite software synths ever) but NO the Nina sounds worlds different than Falcon. And Pigments? Not even remotely close to the same kind of raw sound. They are like toys in comparison.

Ever heard of the saying you get what you pay for? That is true with synthesizers as well. Software synths are awesome but they are not the end all be all for synthesis. To suggest high end synthesizers are no different than cheap plugins is pretty wild.

That synth is a computerized Minimoog clone

So that 12-voice hybrid analog POLY synth (Nina) is just a clone of a MONOphonic single-voice analog synth (Minimoog)?? This lets me know you know absolutely nothing about what you're saying.

You also claimed the Nina synth has "extreme menu diving". Yet the SOS review you referenced said the exact opposite "This is a synth for those who miss using their hands and their ears in a world of visualised software instruments and menu‑diving."

So if you're gonna quote a review at least be honest about what the review actually says.

And yet from the review

"A single screen, cutely labelled ‘Computer’, sits to the top left of the panel, with a data encoder for navigating various menus. The Nina can get a little menu‑heavy,"

https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/me ... ments-nina

Why does it have a screen of there is no menu diving?

A quick look at the manual shows page after pager after page of controls only available if you menu dive that can't be controlled with any of the physical controls. You can check out the manual here

www.bhphotovideo.com/lit_files/967204.p ... ViFNuDyee2

And yes despite the fact it has multiple voices it's a basic Minimoog clone that uses 3 Oscillators, has very basic Modulation options and envelopes, and has Bob Moog's ladder filter design

But maybe you are unaware of how hardware synths work? Or what the classic designs are and didn't know that. It doesn't matter if you clone a single voice or a dozen each voice is still a basic Minimoog Clone with the only differences being its 100% reliant on software running in a computer, has a computer running software to play back Wavetables in place of one of the oscillators, has digital control over the physical controls run by software from the computer, and has software based effects running in the computer

Again if you like it buy one, I couldn't care less. So enjoy the $3600 Happy Meal while I actually enjoy real synthesis power and options I could only dream of back in the day

[_leras]

Eating my words right now:

Beautiful sounding synth, but I hear absolutely nothing that couldn't be done just as well with any number of plugins.

I think this does indeed have a presence and sound that soft synths can't capture. Perhaps some parts of it's sound may have overlaps but that is really nice.

Another budget poly that is also outside the range of software is the dreadbox nymphes, which just sounds incredible

[zerocrossing]

Eating my words right now:

Never heard of that company that is a great sound at that price point!

Here is one I’ve had my eyes on since learning about few months ago from a fellow synth nerd. This is where you are going far beyond what plugins are able to sound like IMO. And motorized knobs for instant recall of every preset is a fantastic evolution for hardware synths. Much heftier price but worth it IMO

The Nina is one of the synths that I had to have as soon as I heard the demo that the synth guy Jamiquoi or whatever his name is did. Not only does it sound great, but it has a very distinctive sound. The filter is pretty Moogish, but with the drive and over drive, and interesting sounding VCOs and a wavetable oscillator, it just doesn't sound like anything else. I went though every plugin that might remotely sound like it. I even made a wavetable from its waveforms, but I couldn't really nail it. That alone might not get me to buy it, but the way it does a/b patch morphing is very good. My only complaint about it is that the modulation isn't sampled at a high enough rate to make the modulation from the wavetable oscillator sound good. You can put it in a low frequency mode, and have a wavetable LFO, which is really fun. The wavetable oscillator is also super hot, so if you turn it up all the way you get a lot of nice filter and VCA saturation. The knob thing is the icing on the cake. It's not cheap, but well worth it, IMO.