what's better? HW drum machine?or SW dum sampler/machine?

radiance · Post by **radiance** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 5:03 pm

Hello

I've been using my Jomox Airbase for quite some time now, but am now wondering whether I shouldn't rather replace it with a software alternative (Battery, for instance) for further tweakability/ease of use...
Anyone already been there?

HD1 · Post by **HD1** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 5:06 pm

I wouldnt replace it per se, I would compliment it with battery from personal experience, or guru going by the rave reviews....

never, never, never, never, never, never get rid of or replace your analogue gear...

(oh and by the way, analogue V digital - not hardware V software, hardware can still be digital and thus the exact same as software just without the cpu strain)

Lo-Fi Massahkah · Post by **Lo-Fi Massahkah** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 5:17 pm

In my way of thinking this has nothing to do with sound, but with hands on control. That's where hardware usually wins (in my book). For example my Elektron Machinedrum which can produce some unique sounds, but not so unique that it couldn't be made with some decent drum VSTi (MicroTonic?) and a few plugs. But the way to get there... that's way easier with the hands on tweakability of the Machinedrum. Maybe the Jomox is the same way? I'd say - let them complement each other.

Have a look at Shortcircuit from Vember Audio if you're looking for a cool (drum)sampler with lots(!) of tweakability and cool filters and FX.

Regards,
Mikael

radiance · Post by **radiance** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 5:45 pm

The Airbase is 1U rack with ONE know, not sure you can compare it with the MachineDrum in terms of usability.

HD1 · Post by **HD1** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 5:51 pm

you got that right, in terms of usability the machinedrum is like manuka honey...yum. plus you can use the machine drum and spit midi at a vst drum machine+plugs

lola · Post by **lola** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 6:18 pm

Its realy simple, if u go for sound, choose hardware.
If the sound doesnt mather, go for software.

yourmom · Post by **yourmom** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 8:15 pm

lola wrote:Its realy simple, if u go for sound, choose hardware.
If the sound doesnt mather, go for software.

comletely ludicrous. there are some sounds software does better. some hardware does better.

Mike Goodwin · Post by **Mike Goodwin** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 8:26 pm

yourmom wrote:
lola wrote:Its realy simple, if u go for sound, choose hardware.
If the sound doesnt mather, go for software.
comletely ludicrous. there are some sounds software does better. some hardware does better.

exactly

radiance · Post by **radiance** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 8:50 pm

What I should do is sell it and replace it with a MachineDrum I guess.

Funkstar De Luxe · Post by **Funkstar De Luxe** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 10:04 pm

Mike Goodwin wrote:
yourmom wrote:
lola wrote:Its realy simple, if u go for sound, choose hardware.
If the sound doesnt mather, go for software.
comletely ludicrous. there are some sounds software does better. some hardware does better.
exactly

Name them...
In my experience, HW always sounds better than software of any type. Not just analogue hardware, most of the digital stuff is just head and shoulders above software too. I wish to god it wasn't, as I can't afford any, it's a bitch to wire up, and horrible to use, but it just has a depth and professional sound that software has yet to match. This difference in sound is most noticable in EQs and Reverbs.

Machinate · Post by **Machinate** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 10:57 pm

funkstar, we're talking about drum machines here.
The main difference for eqs: Analogue hardware. Can't do that on a computer.
the main difference for reverbs: VERY high-end ad/da and dedicated dsp. You *can* do this on a computer (iirc, TC system 6000 runs windows 2000)

WRT musical instruments (drum machines being in that category) the main thing would be interfacing. I prefer a hardware/software combo, namely Doepfer Schaltwerk for 8 x0x-style drum patterns, combined with a number of drum synths on the computer. Others do it the other way around, sequencing hardware boxes on the computer.

For me it also comes down to studio ergonomics.

lola · Post by **lola** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 11:02 pm

yourmom wrote:
lola wrote:Its realy simple, if u go for sound, choose hardware.
If the sound doesnt mather, go for software.
comletely ludicrous. there are some sounds software does better. some hardware does better.

Yea, but hardware has its own outs, its own circuitboards, software has to much limitations in sound.
Every piece of soft that u run, goes trough the audio engine of your host, en finaly all goes throug the soundcard, yer drums will have the same character as your synths, so no character.

Machinate · Post by **Machinate** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 11:05 pm

oh yeah!
Character = SNR

HD1 · Post by **HD1** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 11:31 pm

do you own a schaltwerk machinate?

Michael-SW · Post by **Michael-SW** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 11:58 pm

lola wrote:
Yea, but hardware has its own outs, its own circuitboards, software has to much limitations in sound.
Every piece of soft that u run, goes trough the audio engine of your host, en finaly all goes throug the soundcard, yer drums will have the same character as your synths, so no character.

That is completely bullshit. Software is software, regardless of where you run it.

Your computer has more processing power and probably at least as good D/A convertes as any hardware synth (well, not if you have a soundblaster...).

There is no magic happening just because you take a sub standard (but dedicated) CPU and put it in it's own metal box. A computer is a computer. If it sounds better, it is because it runs better software, nothing else.