Pros and Cons: Plug-ins vs. the Real Thing

Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2002 9:28 pm

I am going to open up what I hope will be a can of worms. Anybody care to offer an opinion on how well various plug-ins simulate their hardware counterparts? Any thoughts on pros and cons of plug-ins vs. hardware?

Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2002 10:24 pm

Didn't we do this one 3 or 4 times already? Maybe in the ProTalk area?

Posted: Sat Mar 16, 2002 4:25 am

Yes, excellent point, it has been a topic in other forums. Perhaps I should archive those threads here. Cheers, Doc.

Posted: Sat Mar 16, 2002 8:20 am

Quote:

Originally posted by Ang1970:
Didn't we do this one 3 or 4 times already? Maybe in the ProTalk area?

Yeah...I was just reading yesterday (in the Protalk Forum) a comparison between the Waves Hardware L2 vs. the Plug-in L2...the word was that the Hardware version was much superior.

I still think it is a good topic to begin over here...

I am mainly a plug-in guy, although for many, many years I used the hardware equivilents for live work. I am relatively new at recording, so I have very little experience...

Posted: Mon Mar 18, 2002 4:38 am

Hey double helix, thanks for contributing. What kind of plug-ins are you using and what kind of music are you doing? I, of course, agree that this topic is still relevent. Too bad that Finalizer thread wasn't over here. Cheers, Doc.

Posted: Wed Mar 27, 2002 9:49 am

In the cases where there is a TRUE and direct hardware equivalent, say, reverbs, hardware is usually better.

Though I have to say drumagog kicks the hell out of ANY hardware drum triggering device. My Ddrum brain, DM-5, Wendel and FORAT all sit idle now thanks to this 99 dollar plugin

also dont forget the power editing can have, which sometimes more than bridges the gap

not to mention the need for ad da conversion when going to an outside box.

I still dont see a software harmonizer, I hope we get one soon

there is a recent attempt at modelling actual circuits using sPice programs. VERY exciting, I have heard a distortion plug that is under development that will BLOW your minds!!!
As a guitar player, attempts at modelling tubes and preamp distortion circuits are always laughable, whether hardware or software, but this new plug is truly truly amazing

Posted: Thu Mar 28, 2002 11:16 pm

That's one vote for hardware over software.
Just what is this distortion modeller you here is going to be the bee's knees, Aaron Carey?
You would be willing to fork out some cashola for a software Harmonizer... hmm, gives me an idea for a new thread. Thanks for writing, Doc.

Posted: Fri Apr 12, 2002 4:54 pm

I have some really great virtual synths, like the NI Pro52 and FM7. These soft synths are coded to model the circuits of the originals. If a software synth can be as good as the real thing, why can't somebody come up with a soft plug that's just as good. Computers are fast enough to run the most complex algor. Everything is getting better though. Infinity does give you some complex tools to creat ones own plugs.

Posted: Fri Apr 12, 2002 11:22 pm

I sure want to see good software synths as I heard that one of the WIN XP capabilities w Pro Tools will be Direct Connect. I heard that straight from their techs. Cheers, Doc.

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