Hardware-Software Hybrid Users Poll

[zerocrossing]

First, it is slightly different than being a snob for the sake of appreciation of sound and more about engaging with my computer feels different than playing music.

Yeah, I feel this to some degree. This is a big part of why I have hardware synths too. It's just that, I don't dislike the computer side. I don't even think "I'm using a computer!" when I record, I just do it... and it seems like less hassle than using tape, or another digital box with a screen.

I feel like a PC is a chameleon. One desk full of gear is where I work from home as a software developer, play games, make music, watch movies, do a lot of my shopping etc. I don't have any problem compartmentalizing those things.

The dogs can tell when I get off my work shift, and will come to me for attention -- they have no concept of closing Remote Desktop Connection and Teams and Outlook and opening Guild Wars 2 or Bitwig (especially if I'm still just wearing my headphones), but they know my mood/attitude has changed.

And to go back to my throwaway comment... there are also definitely still people who think that analog sounds better. There are even people who think that 5U modular, because of its wider voltage range and larger patch cables and tendency to use thru-hole rather than SMD components, sounds better than Eurorack.

One doesn’t become a snob for having a preference. One becomes a snob when they declare that their preference is inherently superior to other people’s preferences. For example, I once took my parents to a high end, organic, small batch ice cream shop. My mom complained that her mint chip tasted too much like real fresh mint. You could quantify that every aspect of the ice cream was superior to her store brand favorite, but you can’t really say that it tastes better.

I’ve also seen ridiculous comments, like that eurorack modulation has “infinite resolution,” as if there isn’t an analog noise floor, or digital modules don’t have a/d converters for each modulation input that have limits. I think I found that Mutable modules have a 4 kHz limit for modulation. So much for infinity!

Just enjoy what you enjoy and don’t besmirch what others enjoy. I’d rather hear great music from a Casio watch than mindless wankery from the highest quality Modular.

[vurt]

You definitely see them around on some other forums. The most common sentiment is "I work on a computer all day, I don't want to use one for music" but they're totally fine using a computer to post on forums talking about how much they don't like computers

maybe theyre posting from work?

[vurt]

Just enjoy what you enjoy and don’t besmirch what others enjoy. I’d rather hear great music from a Casio watch than mindless wankery from the highest quality Modular.

[zerocrossing]

You definitely see them around on some other forums. The most common sentiment is "I work on a computer all day, I don't want to use one for music" but they're totally fine using a computer to post on forums talking about how much they don't like computers

maybe theyre posting from work?

They’re posting from their phones, while pooping.

[vurt]

You definitely see them around on some other forums. The most common sentiment is "I work on a computer all day, I don't want to use one for music" but they're totally fine using a computer to post on forums talking about how much they don't like computers

maybe theyre posting from work?

They’re posting from their phones, while pooping.

thats when i post.
terrible diet.

[Uncle E]

Shaking fist at the sky "Damn you coffeeeeeeee!!!!!"

[zerocrossing]

You definitely see them around on some other forums. The most common sentiment is "I work on a computer all day, I don't want to use one for music" but they're totally fine using a computer to post on forums talking about how much they don't like computers

maybe theyre posting from work?

They’re posting from their phones, while pooping.

thats when i post.
terrible diet.

We know.

[chaocrator]

What software groovebox is that?

Was curious too…

Looks like Groove Rider 2
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/groove-ri ... 6480135731

yes, that's Groove Rider 2

[Tj Shredder]

I have exactly three hardware synths. But tons of controllers which I consider being hardware. I am pretty close to the software synth only option and had been there for quite a long time. I use the hardware synths as controllers, one of them I even can’t program without a computer. (The Continuumini)
The last is a Soma Terra, which I got only a few weeks ago…
My journey started in the university studio with a modular system and later with my own DX7 and a Poly 800 and later an Arp 2600. At that time there was no option to do sound ITB, unless you would call the Synclavier in the studio a box…; - )
The first shift happened with getting into computers to control my synths with my own software, and the second shift happened when I got Max. I started to control my SE-70 with a Max patch to do live treatment of sound. The first sequencers could control my synths but I was much more into algorithmic composition and live performance. In that process I sold all my synths…
The last shift was getting the LinnStrument. It required MPE compatible synths which suddenly became expressive. At that time almost solely available in software…
The main attraction for working ITB is its size without compromising the sound quality. Hardware is something for the studio, unless you can afford roadies…
I do love to tweak knobs, and I do miss the Arp I had to sell at one point when I was broke… Now I have three different implementations of the 2600 and can tweak the sound with my LinnStrument… Its a very different experience but also a lot of fun…

[ugo]

You definitely see them around on some other forums. The most common sentiment is "I work on a computer all day, I don't want to use one for music" but they're totally fine using a computer to post on forums talking about how much they don't like computers

As the only person so far to have selected the hardware-only option, I can say that was a factor. Music software was my day job and I loved it - but I had ever decreasing energy and time to put toward doing anything creative for myself, my hand needed a break from mice and trackpads, and my body needed more breaks from being in the same back/arm/shoulder/neck positions all day. And as much as I enjoyed my work, I needed to feel like I was really stepping away from it on my off hours. Enter Elektron gear, then Eurorack and other hardware. So I enjoyed software on the weekdays, and free time went increasingly to hardware. (Until I had no energy for personal projects anymore.) When I had to stop working a few years ago I just continued the hardware focus. But as I mentioned in an earlier post, I know it won’t be long before I’m using softsynths again too.

[foosnark]

Music software was my day job

That could make a difference. My day job is in mechanical engineering software, so doing anything else feels pretty different. And since I'm not a mechanical engineer, that's a safe bet.

When I was in the game industry I could still enjoy playing computer games as long as they were not too closely related to the sort of thing I was working on. Otherwise I'd find myself picking apart their game design choices, graphics and interface, guessing which third-party libraries they used, wondering how they did some clever visual effect, etc. instead of just playing the game.

Also I think it's beneficial for makers of music software to also play with hardware, and probably acoustic instruments too...

[zerocrossing]

You definitely see them around on some other forums. The most common sentiment is "I work on a computer all day, I don't want to use one for music" but they're totally fine using a computer to post on forums talking about how much they don't like computers

As the only person so far to have selected the hardware-only option, I can say that was a factor. Music software was my day job and I loved it - but I had ever decreasing energy and time to put toward doing anything creative for myself, my hand needed a break from mice and trackpads, and my body needed more breaks from being in the same back/arm/shoulder/neck positions all day. And as much as I enjoyed my work, I needed to feel like I was really stepping away from it on my off hours. Enter Elektron gear, then Eurorack and other hardware. So I enjoyed software on the weekdays, and free time went increasingly to hardware. (Until I had no energy for personal projects anymore.) When I had to stop working a few years ago I just continued the hardware focus. But as I mentioned in an earlier post, I know it won’t be long before I’m using softsynths again too.

I remember having a lot of fun with your instruments and effects plugins. Metallurgy? Ironhead? Fun.

[ugo]

I’m so glad you had fun with them!
I’d like to get back to building stuff again someday. I love sound design, but I also really enjoyed designing the things to design sounds on.

[cryophonik]

One thing's for sure, based on the results of this poll - the next time someone on this forum uses the term "hardware evangelist" or "hardware snob", point them to this thread.

It's a software forum, it makes sense to me that we wouldn't get many actual hardware snobs.

You definitely see them around on some other forums. The most common sentiment is "I work on a computer all day, I don't want to use one for music" but they're totally fine using a computer to post on forums talking about how much they don't like computers

I'm not a software engineer, but I do spend most of my time at work on a computer, so I like to minimize my time at a computer when I'm working on music/being creative (e.g., music, photography, videography). That doesn't mean that I "don't like computers", just that there are some things that they're great for (e.g., posting on forums, editing photos and videos, music recording, arranging, mixing, mastering, etc.), and some things that I'd still rather keep separate (e.g., playing with synths, honing my bass playing skills that have gone to **** since computers have taken over my life, etc.). But, the reality is that computers not only make many things easier and more efficient, they also make many things possible that would otherwise being impossible or cost-prohibitive. I would never want to be an "ITB" photographer or videographer and give up the part of the skill that is most attractive to me (i.e., the getting out and taking photos/recording video), just as I would never want to be an entirely ITB musician because the playing of the instruments is the part that I enjoy the most.

[AdvancedFollower]

Even though I work in IT and spend a lot of time in front of a computer screen, the ability to quickly jump in/out of projects in a DAW makes it the best option for me. It's so much easier and quicker to pick up an old project and continue right where you left off, with every mixer setting, effects chain, synth patch etc. instantly recalled with the project. I wouldn't have the time or energy to deal with a complex hardware setup without instant recall. By the time I've got everything plugged in and routed the way it should be, I'd be about ready for bed.

That said, I have have a handful of hardware synths, but they all feature MIDI and patch memories, so they are also more or less instant recall. They're also permanently plugged into my audio interface on separate channels, ready to record. They're fun to jam on and I sometimes incorporate them into songs, but I primely use plugins.