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

[whassup]

IvyBirds' controller setup is seriously the stuff of legends.

Obviously it is!

100 parameters, that is cool stuff.
IvyBirds, have you explained what controller you're using to do this?
Can you give me a pointer please where you said how it's done?
I am at the very beginning of that thought process.
Once bought a Midi Fighter and got rather frustrated how much I didn't accomplish with it. Yet.

[Cavey Arrgh]

Guys, where is BONES?!?

[Uncle E]

Once bought a Midi Fighter and got rather frustrated how much I didn't accomplish with it. Yet.

If you still have it, the Super Knobs are excellent for controlling Xfer DJMFilter. I use them together to simulate a Roland MX-1 Mix Performer.

[IvyBirds]

IvyBirds' controller setup is seriously the stuff of legends.

Obviously it is!

100 parameters, that is cool stuff.
IvyBirds, have you explained what controller you're using to do this?
Can you give me a pointer please where you said how it's done?
I am at the very beginning of that thought process.
Once bought a Midi Fighter and got rather frustrated how much I didn't accomplish with it. Yet.

I have refined it a bit since the last time I wrote about it so I will just write it here

The real key is using a software program called Gig Performer. You can do it using regular MIDI CCs and just the plugin but with Gig Performer it makes the whole experience 1000% times easier

I am currently using four Novation Launch Control XLs MKIIs. Novation is currently in the process of coming out with the MKIII version of those that should be out in late June or early July

The main difference is that the MKIII will have endless encoders rather than fixed pots on the knobs and has hardware MIDI out on DIN. There is also a small screen that will display the current values if whatever control you are turning (I have four of the new ones on pre-order)

Out of the box the Launch Control XLs are configured for control of Abelton Live, however they have a custom mode where you can assign regular MIDI CCs to everything

Each one has 3 rows of 8 knobs/encoders, a row of 8 faders, and two rows of 8 buttons. So that's 24 knobs, 8 faders, and 16 buttons on each uni

The LCXLs allow you to assign a unique USB device ID for each unit, so your computer will see them as Launch Control 1, Launch Control 2, etc. This is important if you use multiples as without them your computer can get confused, and it makes it much easier to configure in Gig Performer

Novation has a software program called Components that allows you to configure the knobs and faders however you wish in what they call "user mode" and you can have up to 8 user scenes.

So you go into the Components software and program User 1. Start at the top left knob and make it MIDI CC1 on Channel 1, make the next one CC2 and so on, all on channel 1, then go into User 2 and do the same for channel 2. Then do it for all of the other 8 using the MIDI channel that is the same as the user scene. This process is a bit tedious but you only have to do it once. If using Gig Performer it doesn't matter if those CCs are generally reserved for certain things in your plugin

Then you launch Gig Performer. Gig Performer will host your plugin. And make all of the audio and MIDI connections.

Then you make what Gig Performer calls a "Rack Space". This is where the magic happens. Rack Spaces are collections of knobs, faders, buttons, and switches

You start with a blank canvas and just drag and drop whatever buttons, faders, switches, knobs you want into that canvas. There are many options and you can use preset colors or make them whatever color you want. I make a rackspace that exactly replicates the layout of each Launch Control. So it's three rows of 8 knobs, 8 faders, and two rows of 8 buttons. The only thing I add is a toggle switch that is always visible on the screen on the far right screen. That toggle when turned on launches the GUI of the plugin, turn it off and it goes away. You can click on it to do this it program it to a button

When you lay out the knobs and faders there are tools to make everything level and evenly spaced and you can make them as big ot small as you want, and you can clearly label everything

Gig Performer controls your plugins using DAW Automation not regular MIDI CCs. This offers a lot more flexibility

All of this so far seems a bit tedious but it's really not, and you only have to do it once. I will also be releasing a generic rack space preconfigured with all of this once Launch Control XL MKIII hits the market. That will be on the official Gig Performer forum

Now you get down to the business of actually assigning things to your controller. With the LCXLs you can use multiples or just one all in the same way. Basically if you have multiple units you just have Unit 1 be on User 1, Unit 2 be on User 2, etc, but you can use a single unit and switch between up to 8 scenes. All you have to do is hit the user button and then one of buttons on the bottom numbered 1-8 to switch, it's instantaneous

Any so let's say you want to assign the first fader on the first unit to something, let's say the volume of Oscillator 1. So you click on the fader on the screen and then click on a drop down menu on what you want to assign that to. Some plugins have hundreds and hundreds of options here. Then you just live the control and you are done, then you move on to the next and so on. Once you do a couple it only takes you a few minutes

The key is pre planning what you are going to do. I HIGHLY recommend you have a game plan and organize everything into sections. For me that means having anything to do with Oscillators on unit two, envelopes on unit two, modulations on unit 3, and filters and effects on unit 4. For my DX7 setup since that doesn't have filters but does have a bunch of envelopes I use two units for envelopes

You also want to make sure as much as you can to universally have the same controls every time. For example you will almost always have an Oscillator 1 that has a level of volume control, so always put that on the same fader, most plugins I use has a pan control for that so that gets put on the knob above that, etc. not only will those become universal controls for every plugin, but you just duplicate them for Osc 2 etc

Some final words of advice. First off don't feel the need to map everything just because you can. Somethings are easier just to pop open the GUI select it and close it. Also I find myself working in the GUI of the plugin most of the time not the rack spaces, the rack spaces are a cheat sheet for how everything is labeled but I usually have the GUI of the synth open and in front, or most often have the rackspace on one monitor and the GUI on another since my main PC has two monitors

Also don't feel the need to have every knob programmed, I don't. The goal is to enhance the experience, you can change the color of the controls you are not using in a given plugin to gray, and don't feel the need to program every all at once, start with a plugin you like and know and gradually build it up over time

You can save as many rack spaces as you want as well as presets in your plugins. So let's say you set up the controllers for a Jupiter 8. Create a preset in the Jupiter 8 for a pad based on Sawtooth waves. Then launch a rack space called Jupiter 8 saw Pad and start from there

Finally when doing this with Gig performer you will get more advanced and start creating your own instruments that combine bits and pieces of other instruments, this is where the real power lies, alternatively you can strip out parts of Synths and turn complex Synths into basic ones. For example I have turned several dozen synths into Juno clones with a single oscillator basic modulation, finger, and a chorus. So I have a Jupiter Juno, a Minimoog Juno, a Prophet 5 Juno, a Korg M1 Juno, a Triton Juno, etc so much fun

And lastly, this works well for sound design and making new patches, but you can create a new rackspace for live performance

Anyway if you have any further questions feel free to ask

[Vortifex]

I am currently using four Novation Launch Control XLs MKIIs. Novation is currently in the process of coming out with the MKIII version of those that should be out in late June or early July

I would love to see a pic of your setup. Not because I don't believe you; I just feel like that would be a nightmare in terms of organising a workspace.

[martiu]

Guys, where is BONES?!?

Suspended

[Erik_Lucas]

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

Im not sure that usually helps much. Just playing an oscillator or some simple sounds doesn't compare properly.

Just find any YouTube page of people selling patches that have both software and hardware synth patches and the difference is usually clear. There are tons of hardware examples out there that analog doesn't really cover.

Just listen to Sami Rabia or Audiotent who have both software and hardware synths and you can hear the difference for yourself.

We’re talking about a species that developed something called religion to reject evidence that they experienced first hand. It’s not a stretch.

What a poor analysis of religion.

[IvyBirds]

I am currently using four Novation Launch Control XLs MKIIs. Novation is currently in the process of coming out with the MKIII version of those that should be out in late June or early July

I would love to see a pic of your setup. Not because I don't believe you; I just feel like that would be a nightmare in terms of organising a workspace.

Why? Four Launch Control XLs take up less space than many hardware synths.

Edit:I forgot I had this picture on my phone, the whole thing takes less desk space than my Montage M would

[whassup]

IvyBirds' controller setup is seriously the stuff of legends.

Obviously it is!

100 parameters, that is cool stuff.
IvyBirds, have you explained what controller you're using to do this?
Can you give me a pointer please where you said how it's done?
I am at the very beginning of that thought process.
Once bought a Midi Fighter and got rather frustrated how much I didn't accomplish with it. Yet.

I have refined it a bit since the last time I wrote about it so I will just write it here

...

Anyway if you have any further questions feel free to ask

Wow! Thank you so much!
That is very valuable to me. Bookmarked.
That makes a lot of sense to me.
219€ on Thomann, sounds good.

How do you get visual feedback with it?
Do you look to the screen mostly because you have internalized that logical setup?

[Vortifex]

Why? Four Launch Control XLs take up less space than many hardware synths.

Edit:I forgot I had this picture on my phone, the whole thing takes less desk space than my Montage M would

Is that a two-tier desk with your monitor behind it? Where do you put your keyboard for playing VSTs? To the side? Apologies for my nosiness.

[machinesworking]

I don't necessarily think hardware is more enjoyable. Different. Same as the sound.
I can get into a "flow state" more easily with a mouse and software than with hardware. So, as with all of this, it's maybe best to not make generalities (I tend to do it, too).

This isn't complicated, if you think working with a mouse, which presents an interface limited to one click/drag at a time, and eyes on a screen, is more flow state inducing than a hardware control labeled and for one parameter, that's more about what is comfortable to you than what is ergonomically better.

Again, if menu diving and learning a particular synths menu structure with a little LED screen is involved, then hardware isn't any more intuitive or hands on than a mouse and a screen, less really since you need to learn that hardwares interface. The one issue though, repetitive stress injuries and carpel tunnel are much more likely with mice and screens, once you're doing multiple arm and hand movements the body tends to not get injured as much. So no, it's not a matter of generalities what I'm saying, it's a matter of ergonomics and practical movements.

I've admitted that software is as good, and superior in certain synthesis types, just that the ergonomics of a WYSIWYG hardware synth (obviously not stuck in a weird corner etc.) has not been matched in software. Probably because to really make a control surface that presented most solutions as elegantly as hardware with changing LED screens for a hundred plus controls, it would be as expensive as a vintage poly synth. So instead most of us end up complaining about repetitive stress injuries.

[vitocorleone123]

I don't necessarily think hardware is more enjoyable. Different. Same as the sound.
I can get into a "flow state" more easily with a mouse and software than with hardware. So, as with all of this, it's maybe best to not make generalities (I tend to do it, too).

This isn't complicated, if you think working with a mouse, which presents an interface limited to one click/drag at a time, and eyes on a screen, is more flow state inducing than a hardware control labeled and for one parameter, that's more about what is comfortable to you than what is ergonomically better.

Again, if menu diving and learning a particular synths menu structure with a little LED screen is involved, then hardware isn't any more intuitive or hands on than a mouse and a screen, less really since you need to learn that hardwares interface. The one issue though, repetitive stress injuries and carpel tunnel are much more likely with mice and screens, once you're doing multiple arm and hand movements the body tends to not get injured as much. So no, it's not a matter of generalities what I'm saying, it's a matter of ergonomics and practical movements.

I've admitted that software is as good, and superior in certain synthesis types, just that the ergonomics of a WYSIWYG hardware synth (obviously not stuck in a weird corner etc.) has not been matched in software. Probably because to really make a control surface that presented most solutions as elegantly as hardware with changing LED screens for a hundred plus controls, it would be as expensive as a vintage poly synth. So instead most of us end up complaining about repetitive stress injuries.

How many people have their synth(s) placed perfectly for ergonomics? Reaching and straining muscles and sitting or standing on awkward positions is also an issue. So is holding and turning little knobs. All of that is an ergonomics issue - possibly as much or more than using a mouse, which is pretty easy to use in a more ergonomic manner. Sorry, but I think this whole line of argument lacks a solid foundation and is completely speculative, created to support a viewpoint.

[El°HYM]

Turning knobs will soon become obsolete once Elon has plugged Neuralink into your head.

[cryophonik]

With hardware-based studios, ergonomics is often a never-ending battle. Every time I consider buying a new synth, one of my deciding factors is where will I be able to place it and how I will use/access it. I have two chairs and a padded piano bench in my studio. One chair is positioned at the computer for when I'm using my DAW/soft synths, and I have my most-used hardware positioned within arm's reach. Another chair is in front of another keyboard synth and a mini controller, and this chair is also for singers or my wife or son to chill in. And, my piano bench is in front of another MIDI controller that has a direct connection via my 8x8 MIDI interface to all of my (keyboardless) synth modules. I also use the bench for recording other instruments (e.g., bass, guitar). On top of that, I spend a lot of my time standing when I'm working with synths that are placed further away from arm's reach - I find it more stimulating than sitting in one position for entire sessions and it reduces the potential for repetitive stress issues.

[whassup]

How many people have their synth(s) placed perfectly for ergonomics? Reaching and straining muscles and sitting or standing on awkward positions is also an issue. So is holding and turning little knobs. All of that is an ergonomics issue - possibly as much or more than using a mouse, which is pretty easy to use in a more ergonomic manner. Sorry, but I think this whole line of argument lacks a solid foundation and is completely speculative, created to support a viewpoint.

Good points!
I speculate that this is an important factor why e.g. CLA sold his SSL.
His shoulders, neck and back will thank him.
I always wondered about working with a 5 meter long console.
Motorized chair anybody?
Acoustical sweetspot?
And it is an ergonomical nightmare.
Same with racks full of stuff meters high.
"Would you please check the ratio on the 5th 1176 from the bottom in that corner?"
And it is basically the same with people's studios which look like showrooms.
As cool as these hardware thingies are, as not so comfortable they are to use.
Come on: Play that 106 which is in that keyboard rack 1 foot above the ground...

These things have their pros and cons.

And again: To each their own as these things are highly subjective and right so!
Float your boat.