Does analog gear really sound different than software plugins?
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- KVRAF
- 3306 posts since 21 May, 2010
I think analog gear smells different, and often threatens to burst into flames, which of course makes it edgier and more exciting to use. <joke>
Another factor always in play is that there is no standardization when it comes to human ears (let alone output devices).
Welcome to KVR!
Another factor always in play is that there is no standardization when it comes to human ears (let alone output devices).
Welcome to KVR!
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- KVRAF
- 8734 posts since 24 May, 2002 from Tutukaka, New Zealand
Depends on what compressor you were using. I mean, if it was a Behringer Composer or summat like that, then sw probably sounds better than hw 
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As always it depends. TBH I can't hear a huge amount of diffence between compressors of any shape or provenance a lot of the time, although when you abuse them, say overdrive a decent VCA compressor then the difference between it and sw is night and day - you'd have to be tone deaf not to hear it. But not so much in every day use and at moderate settings. I still have some analogue outboard and TBH don't use it much. Software is just easier, and often sounds as good IMO.
Same with Eq - hw/sw all sounds the same to me. I admit to being the antithesis of an Eq connoiseur though. I never got it, never will. Give me a Manley and I'd probably sell it to get some cash rather than use it
As for synths - again it depends, but mostly the decent analogues sound really quite different. Yes, I can absolutely hear the difference. A lot of sw synths sound metallic, thin etc in comparison. I remember a typical BONES argument along the lines of "a sw synth is so much better because I can play 64 note unison on it." Well...if you have to play 64 note unison on it to sound fat, it kinda proves how thin and shit it is to start with doesn't it? Some sw synths are pretty good though, but definitely not all.
"Analogue gear" is an immensely wide phrase. It's not all the same. Sometimes it's a hype-up myth. Sometimes it's not.
.As always it depends. TBH I can't hear a huge amount of diffence between compressors of any shape or provenance a lot of the time, although when you abuse them, say overdrive a decent VCA compressor then the difference between it and sw is night and day - you'd have to be tone deaf not to hear it. But not so much in every day use and at moderate settings. I still have some analogue outboard and TBH don't use it much. Software is just easier, and often sounds as good IMO.
Same with Eq - hw/sw all sounds the same to me. I admit to being the antithesis of an Eq connoiseur though. I never got it, never will. Give me a Manley and I'd probably sell it to get some cash rather than use it
As for synths - again it depends, but mostly the decent analogues sound really quite different. Yes, I can absolutely hear the difference. A lot of sw synths sound metallic, thin etc in comparison. I remember a typical BONES argument along the lines of "a sw synth is so much better because I can play 64 note unison on it." Well...if you have to play 64 note unison on it to sound fat, it kinda proves how thin and shit it is to start with doesn't it? Some sw synths are pretty good though, but definitely not all.
"Analogue gear" is an immensely wide phrase. It's not all the same. Sometimes it's a hype-up myth. Sometimes it's not.