Hardware vs. Software Round ! ....Ding!

Posted: Sat Dec 01, 2001 10:45 am

Hey. As i look through my most recent catalogue of equipment in this magazine i can't help but notice the various types of hardware such as equilizers, crossovers,filters, effects, reverbs, and enhancers. What the hell? Is this hardware necessary? I'm sure it is but how much better will the sound quality be coming from these units then using plug-in software that's much cheeper and seemingly easier to use? Who buys these things? Just talk to me like i'm 4, please explain.
Thanx.

Posted: Sat Dec 01, 2001 12:19 pm

Also, good pieces of analog gear will retain their worth for ever. Digital devices drop to next to nothing when new bit lengths etc come out.

Posted: Sat Dec 01, 2001 1:05 pm

I think the main issues for me are workflow and latency (or lack thereof). The Renaissance EQ, for example, is a really good sounding EQ, and I don't have a problem using it on a number of things in a mix. However, I'd rather have a couple of EQ's in analog hardware, even if they sounded *exactly the same*, given the choice and the budget. I just prefer it. So, if I've got a decent analog board and a handful of compressors and EQ's, I am probably going to mix better, probably faster. Of course, if I have one great analog EQ, I can't put it on seventeen channels like I can with plugins. But hey, if you *need* that much processing, you're fucked already anyway.

Posted: Sat Dec 01, 2001 7:20 pm

<blockquote>quote:<hr>Originally posted by Jon Best:
But hey, if you *need* that much processing, you're fucked already anyway.<hr></blockquote>heheheNobody ever mentions latency, finding the sweet spot with native plug-ins is *murder* (obviously not a problem w/ PT or DSP cards).

Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2001 1:18 pm

but them shits is so expensive. I guess that's just the price you pay huh? And i feel you on the latency thing. It be a muther sometimes getting it to sound just right. Well, okay. So what would be a good piece to start off with. Just to let me hear and feel a difference. I do personally like to physically touch things with my hands then with a mouse pad anyways. Should i dig into my pops old stereo system for parts or what?

Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2001 7:26 pm

Speck ASC is probably the cheapest general purpose EQ (new) I'd use for *tracking*, when I don't want to screw up the sound too much. The older urei stuff can be had cheap sometimes. <blockquote>quote:<hr>Originally posted by AdrenalineBoy:
but them shits is so expensive. I guess that's just the price you pay huh? And i feel you on the latency thing. It be a muther sometimes getting it to sound just right. Well, okay. So what would be a good piece to start off with. Just to let me hear and feel a difference. I do personally like to physically touch things with my hands then with a mouse pad anyways. Should i dig into my pops old stereo system for parts or what?<hr></blockquote>

Posted: Thu Dec 06, 2001 8:43 am

hey,
i'm from the beach and i'll be home during the entire christmas holidays before i have to come back to school. Why don't you let me hang around with you in your studio. I'll work for free. I know you need some help around. I'm willing to learn everything.

Posted: Thu Dec 06, 2001 11:37 pm

<blockquote>quote:<hr>Originally posted by AdrenalineBoy:
Hey. As i look through my most recent catalogue of equipment in this magazine i can't help but notice the various types of hardware such as equilizers, crossovers,filters, effects, reverbs, and enhancers. What the hell? Is this hardware necessary? I'm sure it is but how much better will the sound quality be coming from these units then using plug-in software that's much cheeper and seemingly easier to use? Who buys these things? Just talk to me like i'm 4, please explain.
Thanx.<hr></blockquote>Some of us actually use a console and tape machines and outboard and don't even have a computer in the studio. Surprised

Posted: Fri Dec 07, 2001 1:59 am

AdrenalineBoy, just take some time out and listen to some of the analogue outboard mentioned on this web site... then you'll understand why some people choose not to use plug-ins... but I warn you that you WILL be changed forever, and you'll spend the rest of your life as a gear head. Very Happy

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