Hardware-Software Hybrid Users Poll

[cryophonik]

First things first - you'll notice that: 1) this is in the Hardware forum because it's a question for people who use hardware synths in some capacity, so 2) there is no option in the poll for people who use software only because it is specifically intended to discuss how many hardware synth users are actually hybrid users. Also, this is NOT another stupid hardware vs software poll or thread and I will personally insult and ridicule anybody who tries to make this into one.

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.

For clarification, "hardware synths" and "OTB" can include ROMplers, samplers, workstations, drum machines, electric pianos, etc., as long as they generate sound that can be recorded to audio (i.e., not MIDI controllers). Also, this is not a DAW vs DAWless discussion - I'm specifically referring to "ITB" as being instruments/software synths (including software samplers, ROMplers, etc.). In other words, you can use a computer and DAW to sequence and record hardware synths and still be OTB for the purposes of this discussion. Finally, I wouldn't include software editors for hardware synths as being "soft synths", but it is relevant to the discussion and would love to hear your thoughts on it.

[YnJ]

I'm perhaps off topic, I do use the OMEC Teleport, a device which can insert plugins into my hardware guitar amp setup, quite a lot though. Mostly in the effect loop or right after the preamp as an effect unit, so I guess that per definition I'm an actual hybrid user. It should work just as well with hardware synths

[foosnark]

How many software synths vs. hardware synths I'm using really depends on the particular project, but it almost always has some contribution at least.

Since all of my hardware is modular/semi-modular plus a few weird toys, software generally takes on the role of polysynths for me. But it also provides more modular (including some hybrid patching between hardware and software), and just some specific software synths I happen to like for drones or Berlin School simple sequences, etc.

If we start talking effects, it's probably about 80% software for me. It could easily go to 100% except there are some specific effects that I like in Eurorack and pedals, and sometimes modulating effects is beneficial, and sometimes effects are the synthesis method (especially with tuned delays).

[ugo]

For synths, currently hardware only. However, I’ve gone back and forth with this over the years and I suspect it won’t be long before I am in a hybrid phase again.

[ghettosynth]

I haven't been 100% OTB since the 90s. However, my current projects are often recorded 100% OTB today because of my workflow. Even poly instruments are almost all hardware now, but, to say that they're software is a stretch, even though many are. Pianos are sampled and played from the Disting EX, I use the Osmose as well as pseudo polyphony which is very common in Eurorack. This all goes into an Alan and Heath Mixer which records all of the tracks, as well as the various mixes. But, all of that gets carried down on an SD card to my PC, loaded up in Reaper, and mixed/chopped/modified/effected ITB.

I do have more than a few analog polys as well. So, I might use other software instruments with the Osmose, for example, but they run on a dedicated PC that also feeds into my hardware mixer/recorder. So, in that case, sound is ITB, workflow is OTB.

[cryophonik]

If we start talking effects, it's probably about 80% software for me. It could easily go to 100% except there are some specific effects that I like in Eurorack and pedals, and sometimes modulating effects is beneficial, and sometimes effects are the synthesis method (especially with tuned delays).

I almost included effects in the discussion, but I figured it was apples and oranges and would confuse the main point of the poll/thread.

For synths, currently hardware only. However, I’ve gone back and forth with this over the years and I suspect it won’t be long before I am in a hybrid phase again.

So, which option did you select in the poll, ugo?

[ugo]

I selected hardware synths only, since that has been my focus for several years. It seems that I somehow managed to not click submit the first time, so I just did it again.

That said, there are some softsynths I am interested to try, one I miss and want to get back to at some point, and I have some other software based ideas I’m considering. Who knows…maybe I’ll end up hybrid again more sooner than later.

[vurt]

mostly hardware, specifically the modular and extensions thereof...

software, synths specifically, i will sample loops of synths/drums/whatever for use in the various samplers on the modular.
i never play software alongside the hardware, i dont record audio of the performance anymore, just straight to youtube. so theres no option to add a poly pad or anything, and i dont do it live, because im not that good! timing would be for shit

[kritikon]

I ticked 50/50 but it's probably more skewed towards hw. There are times when I just can't be arsed going to the studio, and use exclusively sw but I generally don't like the end results anywhere near as much, so out of choice hw wins every time. But real life means I use both. In winter the studio's not a nice place, so I guess I'm more of a seasonal sw user for warmth and comfort. In terms of drums/rhythm it's sw all the way, though I could use hw if I wanted - one of the few areas in synthesis that sw beats hw IMO. When I've built my new studio which will be a lot more comfy, most likely hw will be used much more.

[vurt]

I ticked 50/50 but it's probably more skewed towards hw. There are times when I just can't be arsed going to the studio, and use exclusively sw but I generally don't like the end results anywhere near as much, so out of choice hw wins every time. But real life means I use both. In winter the studio's not a nice place, so I guess I'm more of a seasonal sw user for warmth and comfort. In terms of drums/rhythm it's sw all the way, though I could use hw if I wanted - one of the few areas in synthesis that sw beats hw IMO. When I've built my new studio which will be a lot more comfy, most likely hw will be used much more.

you just need a lot more hardware to warm your studio in winter

[ghettosynth]

I ticked 50/50 but it's probably more skewed towards hw. There are times when I just can't be arsed going to the studio, and use exclusively sw but I generally don't like the end results anywhere near as much, so out of choice hw wins every time. But real life means I use both. In winter the studio's not a nice place, so I guess I'm more of a seasonal sw user for warmth and comfort. In terms of drums/rhythm it's sw all the way, though I could use hw if I wanted - one of the few areas in synthesis that sw beats hw IMO. When I've built my new studio which will be a lot more comfy, most likely hw will be used much more.

you just need a lot more hardware to warm your studio in winter

With toobs!

[Constructed Identity]

In the last couple years it has been going more and more hw since the software doesn’t really excite me anymore. Still 60-40 since I use drum synth VSTs and old favorites.

[zerocrossing]

I don't know if I'm 50/50, but I don't really see a difference. I pick what instruments work best for what I'm trying to do. I'm amazed how good some modern plugins are, but I still find that some hardware has a certain character that isn't found in software. I've purchased quite a few synths that went back because they just weren't really providing anything that special sounding, even though they sounded good. Peak and 3rd Wave come to mind. Some synths just have something that just sounds really interesting to me, and those stay. In all honesty, I'd rather be 100% ITB, but companies keep releasing things that sound really great, and I can't help it. I mean, if there's room, why not?

[Uncle E]

I made an attempt at using a Torso T-1 as a sequencer for softsynths. The actual hybrid aspect was fantastic but I felt that the T-1 is better suited to a full DAWless environment with multiple sequencers. I may give it another try some day with a Hapax instead.

Aside from that, I mainly use hardware for sampling, and also just got a Maschine Plus.

[db3]

I'm software-centric, but I've always had a few hardware synths for their sound. I prefer synths which have a VST plugin editor option so they can be integrated into a software workflow. I feel integration is undervalued by hardware manufacturers.