Hardware-Software Hybrid Users Poll

[SoftSynthLover99]

The question is simple: for hardware synth users, are you 100% OTB or do you also use soft synths and, if so, to what extent? As a hybrid user for 20+ years, I've pretty much always assumed that, unlike many soft synth users who are 100% ITB (nothing wrong with that), most hardware synth users are not exclusive to using hardware and also enjoy using software synths (i.e., a hybrid approach), but I wanted to see how true that is.

I grew up around keyboard players so always had within my reach a Yamaha motif, Korg Triton, Roland MV-8800 etc when I was younger starting my music production journey and being a musician in general.

Then I got my hands on Logic Pro with Sylenth Omnisphere and Native Instruments Komplete and went 100% ITB for a bit. But as soon as I got rid of my hardware and just had a midi controller and a powerful laptop, I felt huge regret and less like myself.

So fast forward to now I’m using hardware 100% of the time for synths and drum machines and I have never felt more creative. My process for creating records is a lot faster as well using hardware. I don’t see myself going back ITB for synths or drums as I have fell in love with the way hardware synths sound in the mix and the freedom in workflow (greatly prefer working with audio tracks vs MIDI).

[vurt]

when you say records, are you cutting vinyl?

[THE INTRANCER]

I'm just giving you sh!t.

That's ok, I'm more than happy to reply, going through a difficult time atm, so I'm open to distract my mind by posting as I so often did in the past.

[zerocrossing]

I'm just giving you sh!t.

That's ok, I'm more than happy to reply, going through a difficult time atm, so I'm open to distract my mind by posting as I so often did in the past.

Indeed.

[ghettosynth]

when you say records, are you cutting vinyl?

I'm cutting cheese. Also sampling. Also, I will have a, gently used, small diaphragm condenser mic for sale soon...cheap.

[Uncle E]

I'm cutting cheese. Also sampling.

SK-1's were made for that.

[stoopicus]

I am like 90% sure I am going to go back to a hybrid workflow this week. Right now I'm trying to decide if I want to go with a MiniFreak and have it double as a MIDI controller as well (90% chance), or if I want to get a KeyStep Pro and then later potentially a different rack synth (digital, not euro) later.

I am fairly sold on the MiniFreak. I have a real soft spot for hybrid digital osc -> analog filter synths. I do wish Arturia made, well, simply a Freak. Basically a MiniFreak but with its already excellent looking Seq/Arp expanded out to the KeyStep Pro level (but retaining the slice and dice + modulation), maybe a third oscillator, maybe also add the Steiner-Parker filter as an option in addition to the SEM (yeah I know, that's a Brute thing, not a Freak), and poly aftertouch.

[Uncle E]

One of the all-time best looking keyboards, too.

[stoopicus]

One of the all-time best looking keyboards, too.

It really is. All three of the options look amazing and I am actually even leaning towards the original

[cryophonik]

I had a MiniFreak for a while and it’s a very flexible synth, solid build, sounds great. I sold the hardware to make space and inputs for another synth, but I have the software. Despite the analog filters, the software sounds pretty much identical, but the hardware was so much more fun to use. I still toy with the idea of buying another one someday.

[stoopicus]

I had a MiniFreak for a while and it’s a very flexible synth, solid build, sounds great. I sold the hardware to make space and inputs for another synth, but I have the software. Despite the analog filters, the software sounds pretty much identical, but the hardware was so much more fun to use. I still toy with the idea of buying another one someday.

Yeah that integration is another strong selling point

[cryophonik]

Yup, perfect for a hybrid setup!

[zerocrossing]

I am like 90% sure I am going to go back to a hybrid workflow this week. Right now I'm trying to decide if I want to go with a MiniFreak and have it double as a MIDI controller as well (90% chance), or if I want to get a KeyStep Pro and then later potentially a different rack synth (digital, not euro) later.

I am fairly sold on the MiniFreak. I have a real soft spot for hybrid digital osc -> analog filter synths. I do wish Arturia made, well, simply a Freak. Basically a MiniFreak but with its already excellent looking Seq/Arp expanded out to the KeyStep Pro level (but retaining the slice and dice + modulation), maybe a third oscillator, maybe also add the Steiner-Parker filter as an option in addition to the SEM (yeah I know, that's a Brute thing, not a Freak), and poly aftertouch.

I've always thought that if they took the Freak oscillators and fused them with the Brute architecture and filters, you'd have one amazing instrument. Can you imagine a PolyFreak 12?

[stoopicus]

I am like 90% sure I am going to go back to a hybrid workflow this week. Right now I'm trying to decide if I want to go with a MiniFreak and have it double as a MIDI controller as well (90% chance), or if I want to get a KeyStep Pro and then later potentially a different rack synth (digital, not euro) later.

I am fairly sold on the MiniFreak. I have a real soft spot for hybrid digital osc -> analog filter synths. I do wish Arturia made, well, simply a Freak. Basically a MiniFreak but with its already excellent looking Seq/Arp expanded out to the KeyStep Pro level (but retaining the slice and dice + modulation), maybe a third oscillator, maybe also add the Steiner-Parker filter as an option in addition to the SEM (yeah I know, that's a Brute thing, not a Freak), and poly aftertouch.

I've always thought that if they took the Freak oscillators and fused them with the Brute architecture and filters, you'd have one amazing instrument. Can you imagine a PolyFreak 12?

EXACTLY. I love the Brute filter so much.

[stoopicus]

One of the all-time best looking keyboards, too.

In the end I went with the Stellar (of course ). Should arrive today.