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HARDWARE vs SOFTWARE?
 

offline manicminer from Paris (France) on 2002-03-25 12:04 [#00140992]
Points: 1423 Status: Lurker



Hi

I have been writing music for a while now. I used to use
synths (Juno 60, Prophecy, Trinity, etc) but, due to
impoverishment during my student days, ended up selling
them. As a result I started using software alone, but had
always intended buying hardware again when I could afford
it. I am now working and could probably start to buy
hardware again soon. But is there any point?

Soft synths are far more powerful, flexible and versatile.
I was going to buy some old analogue gear (a Korg MS20 in
particular!). But, I'm not sure if it's worth it anymore.
Software has become so advanced, so easy to use, is hardware
really worth owning anymore? I mean, just look at VST.
It's so easy to get a load of VST instruments up and
running, sequenced perfectly. Even with MIDI, that can be a
total chore in a hardware environment.

What do others think?


 

offline selfequiv from avd12 (Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)) on 2002-03-25 12:10 [#00140999]
Points: 413 Status: Lurker



software, sure it's good but it sound worse. anlog is the
best sounding electronic.

my tip is buy the hardware, becous analog+digital is actualy
the best sounding.

I don't have the energi for further explenations.


 

offline jand from Braintree (United Kingdom) on 2002-03-25 12:10 [#00141000]
Points: 5975 Status: Moderator | Show recordbag



I'm coming back to making/messing about with trax after a 6
yr break...

And f*** me, things have changed so much...for the better as
well...I would have creamed me pant to have had a 1/100 of
the facilities available to me now, only 5 yrs ago...

I'd say go with Software but don't just use it in the way it
wants to be used; pretty much how you'd abuse hardware &
connect things up wrong, cross-modulate stuff etc. to create
accidents etc...do the same with software...create a loop in
Cool Edit...export it...bring it into Recycle...cut it
up...re-sequence & repeat...

Don't just use one bit of software or your tunes will end up
having the "sound" of that software....mix & match...


 

offline manicminer from Paris (France) on 2002-03-25 12:14 [#00141008]
Points: 1423 Status: Lurker



Yeah......that's what it's all about Jand. Finding new ways
of using the software, developing your own techniques.

I have to say that another factor in favour of using
software is the ready availability of pirate copies.
Naughty I know, but I can't really go round stealing
hardware.


 

offline Laserbeak from Netherlands, The on 2002-03-25 12:20 [#00141016]
Points: 2670 Status: Lurker



Hardware is still more powerfull realtime than software. For
example it would take a 2 Gigaherz CPU to just run the the
oscillatorsection the same way as the Waldorf Q does. So I
suggest using one big hardware synth and fill in the
flexibility gaps with software.


 

offline Gonzola from Stockholm (Sweden) on 2002-03-25 12:36 [#00141033]
Points: 917 Status: Moderator | Show recordbag



go software. i've had an analouge synth(Yamaha-CS15) for a
couple of years, and i mainly use it for for playing around,
and sometimes sample sounds from it. it's a great synth, but
with all the mindblowing vst synths around(pro-52, model-E)
i just don't know why i should use it anymore...

.peace


 

offline korben dallas from nz on 2002-03-25 12:38 [#00141036]
Points: 4605 Status: Regular



creamware!!


 

offline korben dallas from nz on 2002-03-25 12:40 [#00141037]
Points: 4605 Status: Regular



combination of both i think! - tho personal preference of
software


 

offline map from mülligen (Switzerland) on 2002-03-25 14:27 [#00141124]
Points: 3408 Status: Lurker



selfequiv so true....


 

offline giginger from Milky Beans (United Kingdom) on 2003-12-12 15:48 [#00988794]
Points: 26326 Status: Lurker | Show recordbag



A mixture of both is best.


 

offline hepburnenthorpe from sydney (Australia) on 2003-12-12 16:10 [#00988839]
Points: 1365 Status: Lurker



at the very least you should get a midi controller keyboard
with some knobs.

i use the older version of this and it makes
automating so much easier, being able to use knobs. of
course it also comes in handy for writting little melodies.


 

offline fungusman from Monster Island on 2003-12-12 16:13 [#00988845]
Points: 381 Status: Lurker



I don't make music, but if I did I would use firmware.


 

offline Ceri JC from Jefferson City (United States) on 2003-12-12 16:27 [#00988868]
Points: 23533 Status: Moderator | Followup to jand: #00141000 | Show recordbag



Yep, messing sounds up in one program, loading them into
another, FX chains, etc. that's how you get really great
sounds. I like the "hands on" control of hardware,
especially for drum programming, but midi controllers bridge
that gap nicely.

There's no reason you can't use a pc based sequencer to
control a load of hardware synths and do a lot of fx work on
each track in software after recording it.


 


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