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

[_leras]

But my gosh you both completely ignore that all softsynths, and most of their demos, have even more FX because adding FX to a software synth is standard. A modern softsynth patch would have distortion, reverb and a shit ton of OTT.

This is provably false.

Literally can't find a serum 2 example without fx... But who doesn't use any FX?

No, you can't make this about Serum 2 (or any other software synthesizer specifically), you clearly stated 'ALL SOFTSYNTHS'. That statement is, again, provably false.

Do you even think about what you write before you post it?

maybe not always double checked , probably better stated this way:

Pretty much all softsynths have fx built in, and these appear in most the demos, as most soft synth demos appear to be preset playthroughs

better?

[crimsonwarlock]

Pretty much all softsynths have fx built in

Again, not true at all.

It seems you are only aware of the big popular softsynths, that are loaded with onboard FX just to compete with each other. And no, the demos for so many softsynths are definitely not drenched in FX, even if they are available on board.

Of course, you can find softsynth demos that have a lot of processing, but that goes for hardware as well (as you demonstrated nicely with the videos you posted). Still, that doesn't negate the fact that there are loads of videos of softsynths without FX used.

[cvieira]

I know people are focus on synths but lets talk about amps sims hardware / software

Apart from Neural Amp Modeller they all sound a bit shi* and to compressed nothing like a good tube amp.
But even that is just a shot from a amp setting.


Im not talking about the "amp in the room" sound but also to real amp miked

Its not ease to model the cabinet / miking part

And I love using software

[Funky40]

I know people are focus on synths but lets talk about amps sims hardware / software

make an own thread for it ?

what does "amps" even "all" mean ?
Guitar amps ?
Bass amps ?
pre-Amps ?....19" ?....pedalboard friendly ?

you can make for each a own thread, and each thread might become as long, might look as complex and as fightful as this one is.

The OP wanted to have the topic open no problem, but then probably more towards general statements, ....." has the weight shifted ?"....rather than discussing all details out. ( to which it would lead anyway)

[wikter]

I know people are focus on synths but lets talk about amps sims hardware / software

Apart from Neural Amp Modeller they all sound a bit shi* and to compressed nothing like a good tube amp.
But even that is just a shot from a amp setting.


Im not talking about the "amp in the room" sound but also to real amp miked

Its not ease to model the cabinet / miking part

And I love using software

THU & Simulanalog amp models rock.

[crimsonwarlock]

I know people are focus on synths but lets talk about amps sims hardware / software

Why? There is already an active topic about that running in the guitar section.

viewtopic.php?t=619692

[dellboy]

My credo is to never having something in hardware that can be done as well or better in software

Is it possible for a copy to be better than the thing it is copying without becoming something else?

[dellboy]

So would any modern software synths benefit in any way if they were made into hardware?

One piece of software that I think would not benefit from making into hardware is Synth1. I like it just like it is. Its free, its tiny (871 kilobytes zipped download), it can be run on any old computer, and no license to spoil the fun. It sounds great. It runs on Windows and Mac. Its range of sounds is amazing.

https://daichilab.sakura.ne.jp/softsynth/index.html

[wikter]

So would any modern software synths benefit in any way if they were made into hardware?

One piece of software that I think would not benefit from making into hardware is Synth1. I like it just like it is. Its free, its tiny (871 kilobytes zipped download), it can be run on any old computer, and no license to spoil the fun. It sounds great. It runs on Windows and Mac. Its range of sounds is amazing.

https://daichilab.sakura.ne.jp/softsynth/index.html

There's no high quality hardware available for free. On the software side, there's a long list.

[crimsonwarlock]

Well, to finish this topic off for me, between Blamsoft's Expanse Hyperwave, Zero Hybrid, and Viking VK-2, Synapse Audio's The Legend HZ, Obsession, and Antidote, and Reason's own Complex-1, Algoritm, and even Thor (yep), I don't see anything in hardware that I'm missing out on

[ghettosynth]

So would any modern software synths benefit in any way if they were made into hardware?

One piece of software that I think would not benefit from making into hardware is Synth1. I like it just like it is. Its free, its tiny (871 kilobytes zipped download), it can be run on any old computer, and no license to spoil the fun. It sounds great. It runs on Windows and Mac. Its range of sounds is amazing.

https://daichilab.sakura.ne.jp/softsynth/index.html

From the KVR page on Synth 1:

"Synth1 is a software synthesizer. Functionally it is modelled on the Clavia Nord Lead 2 Red Synth."

[vurt]

So would any modern software synths benefit in any way if they were made into hardware?

One piece of software that I think would not benefit from making into hardware is Synth1. I like it just like it is. Its free, its tiny (871 kilobytes zipped download), it can be run on any old computer, and no license to spoil the fun. It sounds great. It runs on Windows and Mac. Its range of sounds is amazing.

https://daichilab.sakura.ne.jp/softsynth/index.html

There's no high quality hardware available for free.

become a top tier youtuber, then you get some bits.

[IvyBirds]

So would any modern software synths benefit in any way if they were made into hardware?

One piece of software that I think would not benefit from making into hardware is Synth1. I like it just like it is. Its free, its tiny (871 kilobytes zipped download), it can be run on any old computer, and no license to spoil the fun. It sounds great. It runs on Windows and Mac. Its range of sounds is amazing.

https://daichilab.sakura.ne.jp/softsynth/index.html

From the KVR page on Synth 1:

"Synth1 is a software synthesizer. Functionally it is modelled on the Clavia Nord Lead 2 Red Synth."

You do realize that the Nord Lead 2 is software right? It's literally 100% software running in a computer inside of a MIDI controller and that you can run the EXACT code on your computer

You also realize that Synth 1 has extra features not on the Lead 2 right?

[ghettosynth]

So would any modern software synths benefit in any way if they were made into hardware?

One piece of software that I think would not benefit from making into hardware is Synth1. I like it just like it is. Its free, its tiny (871 kilobytes zipped download), it can be run on any old computer, and no license to spoil the fun. It sounds great. It runs on Windows and Mac. Its range of sounds is amazing.

https://daichilab.sakura.ne.jp/softsynth/index.html

There's no high quality hardware available for free.

become a top tier youtuber, then you get some bits.

Are you getting free stuff yet vurt?

[seafire]

I don't see anything in hardware that I'm missing out on

Try hearing instead of seeing