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Post by drsax on Jan 19, 2019 14:21:20 GMT -6
The thread title might seem baffling, but something strikes me as I sit here mixing this week. I have a good compliment of great outboard gear and I love it! It is truly my favorite. But I’m noticing something that seems to get lost in the hardware vs. software comparisons. Yes, there are some GREAT plugins out these days that when used properly, come close to hardware IMO. But here’s the thing - the differences between the two don’t really become obvious until they are compared next to each other. When side by side, you really hear the strengths or weaknesses of a tool comparatively, or sometimes it’s just a difference. And that is subjective. The point being: I can dial-in plug-ins to sound very close to hardware, but if I didn’t have the hardware next to it, it would be nearly impossible to achieve that result, without just getting lucky. So... for me using great hardware has helped inform my decisions when using software. Just a thought as I was sitting here comparing hardware and plugins on a snare drum track today. They both sounded great. I ended up using the hardware version with some EQ carving done with plugins.
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Post by drbill on Jan 19, 2019 14:27:40 GMT -6
Indeed. Hardware for me. Plugins as backups. Use em both, but definitely prefer the former over the latter.
As AE's, it's that last 5% that makes the difference between "good" and "great".
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Post by mrholmes on Jan 19, 2019 16:22:23 GMT -6
Using hardware still makes a difference for me...it also depends a lot on the sounds.
To me it's a hard time doing a great rock mix pure ITB.
It just sounds wrong too my ears and I always end up running hardware on important key instruments.
That does not mean that I disrespect people doing it all the time ITB.
IMO they often hide the fact that they mix files which have seen finest hardware and a nice desk in tracking.
In my book that makes mixing pure ITB very easy.
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Post by chessparov on Jan 19, 2019 16:40:52 GMT -6
It's analogus  to putting a Pre-K child into some professional educational tutoring, prior to entering Elementary School. BIG headstart! Chris |
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Post by mrholmes on Jan 20, 2019 5:00:04 GMT -6
BTW another way to see it is that both technologies have pros and cons.
For me the most fun is creating the song.
For this I need paper a pencil a guitar or a piano and in my ADD case some Ritalin....
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Post by lcr on Jan 20, 2019 6:57:21 GMT -6
For me nowadays its using both in the most efficient ways together for the best results. I think they compliment each other very well. I would’nt want to stop using either.
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Post by Guitar on Jan 21, 2019 11:01:36 GMT -6
Hardware is the benchmark.
Great software can match or exceed hardware, or sometimes fall short.
But knowing what the benchmark is, a huge head start, like you said drsax.
I think having a taste for good hardware gives a chopping block to be relentless about selecting which plugins to use, and which to ignore.
OK personal preference is at play as well.
Find what you like, get to know it well, and you're off to the races. Hardware or ITB, in my opinion it makes no difference. Just curate your tools and master them.
Personally I use a little of both so I don't really have an extreme view in either direction, though I tend more ITB.
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Post by jampa on Jan 21, 2019 17:57:09 GMT -6
I think bad hardware makes it hard to tell what plugins are doing as everything sounds like mush (technical term)
Improve your front end, today!
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to putting a Pre-K child into some professional educational tutoring, prior to entering Elementary School. BIG headstart!
