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In The Box is the future

Posted: Tue Feb 07, 2012 8:50 pm
by Rave
Having analogue hardware is nice and all that but as far as I can see it is a a pain in the arse as there is no instant recal etc.

I also think with today's advances in computer performance the gap between hardware and vsti's etc... is getting smaller.

I should add that I have come to the conclusion that a shit load of options can hinder your progress too.

I realize that this is just an opinion. Anyone care to agree or enlighten me on what I am missing out on?

Cheers

Re: IIn The Box is the future

Posted: Tue Feb 07, 2012 9:35 pm
by Slightlydelic
i agree with the sentiment it does seem logical. but i think were due to see a big backlash against software, and i think its going to be instigated by the software companies them selves.

look at the way NI have locked people into the hardware/software with traktor and maschine the emphasis is on the hardware. you cant torrent hardware. i can see a day where traktor becomes a hardware software combo only.
it doesn't surprise me at all that maschine is a big deal for NI its probably the only product they have where legit users outnumber those using a pirated version.

same with arturia, theirs no torrent for that new synth of theirs.

personaly i think well see a lot more of this.

Re: IIn The Box is the future

Posted: Tue Feb 07, 2012 9:47 pm
by Rabalder
I sort of "discovered" the analog sound some time ago after buying a moogerfooger LP-filter for my blofeld desktop to use as a master filter. The first seconds listening to the blofelds "new" sound almost gave me a heart attack. I literally lost my jaw on the floor. But I was looking for a specific sound without knowing where to find it. I spent 5 years searching the digital world with no luck..

So for me, analog is the only way to go. You´d have to torture me to death before I go back to digital.



....reverb being the only exception :?

Re: IIn The Box is the future

Posted: Tue Feb 07, 2012 10:24 pm
by mholloway
It's the future? No; it's the Now. Or haven't you noticed?

-M

Re: IIn The Box is the future

Posted: Wed Feb 08, 2012 1:01 am
by condra
I think it’s important to make the distinction between analogue hardware, digital hardware, and dedicated controller hardware. I’ve tried the hybrid thing, with analogue and digital synths, mixer, etc, and it was utterly frustrating.

Digital hardware synths seem to be less popular than ever right now, which is understandable considering how affordable analogue synths have become, and how good some VSTs sound.

On my local classified ads website (adverts.ie), recently I’ve seen a guy struggle to get 100 euro for a Xio synth, and another guy struggling to get 200 euro for a Miniak.

As far as signal flow goes, I’m all ITB now, and that’s where I’m staying :) but dedicated hardware controlling software is prety awesome. I love my Launchpad. Machine is cool too. I love all that sutff, and can’t wait to see more being developed over the years, especially in the world of synthesis.

I love the analogue sound, but I think software is capable of mimicking it much better than the purists would give it credit for. Tactile control is an area that analogue has always been strong in, but that gap is being narrowed over time.

Re: IIn The Box is the future

Posted: Wed Feb 08, 2012 3:10 am
by arctic ranger
at least with analog and hardware you arent gonna have the problem of constant updates, security schemes and being left out in the dust when x company stops supporting and updating.

it seems like the quality of analog hardware will last the test of time

Re: IIn The Box is the future

Posted: Wed Feb 08, 2012 8:56 am
by freshdrumma
my future is a 8 track tape recorder really soon...
my eyes are tired to look at the screen (not the forum tho) and i just want to play and enjoy again :D

Re: IIn The Box is the future

Posted: Wed Feb 08, 2012 9:02 am
by Rabalder

Re: In The Box is the future

Posted: Wed Feb 08, 2012 11:18 am
by Forge.
thanks for this awesome bump from 1992!

:P :wink:

Re: In The Box is the future

Posted: Wed Feb 08, 2012 12:27 pm
by doghouse
It's going to swing back and forth for a while, I think. Digital will always win on cost, so OTB has to focus on sound quality.

There's no doubt that for hobbyists, it's hard to justify the cost of OTB. Pros with discerning ears will continue to work OTB as long as they can afford it.

Personally, I'm hoping for more SW/HW integration....Maschine, Launchpad, APC, Virus TI, Yamaha/Steinberg AI, Spark, MPC Renaissance, etc. Mixing the ITB and OTB approaches is the real wave of the future.

My Motif XF workstation is my MIDI interface, audio interface and control surface for Live, wastes no CPU resources and I can use it on gigs without a computer.

Re: In The Box is the future

Posted: Wed Feb 08, 2012 12:45 pm
by crumhorn
Swap a lorry full of bulky, unreliable equipment for small bag I can carry in my hand ? Never !!!

Re: In The Box is the future

Posted: Wed Feb 08, 2012 12:49 pm
by Forge.
doghouse wrote: Pros with discerning ears will continue to work OTB as long as they can afford it.
personally I think it's more like maintaining a 60s luxury car just because you like the class and feel of it and can afford to. It's a luxury, not a necessity.

One day when I feel like I'll be staying where I am and have a fair enough to justify disposable income to start accumulating little bits of hardware again I reckon I probably will. But so far I haven't felt lacking with anything my laptop can do now in a long time.

And you can create "grit" or "warmth" in all kinds of ways.

Re: In The Box is the future

Posted: Wed Feb 08, 2012 12:51 pm
by jtdj
Rave wrote:Having analogue hardware is nice and all that but as far as I can see it is a a pain in the arse as there is no instant recal etc.

I also think with today's advances in computer performance the gap between hardware and vsti's etc... is getting smaller.

I should add that I have come to the conclusion that a shit load of options can hinder your progress too.

I realize that this is just an opinion. Anyone care to agree or enlighten me on what I am missing out on?

Cheers
are you posting from the 90's?

Re: In The Box is the future

Posted: Wed Feb 08, 2012 12:55 pm
by Forge.
jtdj wrote:
Rave wrote:Having analogue hardware is nice and all that but as far as I can see it is a a pain in the arse as there is no instant recal etc.

I also think with today's advances in computer performance the gap between hardware and vsti's etc... is getting smaller.

I should add that I have come to the conclusion that a shit load of options can hinder your progress too.

I realize that this is just an opinion. Anyone care to agree or enlighten me on what I am missing out on?

Cheers
are you posting from the 90's?
ha ha... I already made that joke! 8)

Re: In The Box is the future

Posted: Wed Feb 08, 2012 1:00 pm
by jtdj
Forge. wrote:
jtdj wrote:
Rave wrote:Having analogue hardware is nice and all that but as far as I can see it is a a pain in the arse as there is no instant recal etc.

I also think with today's advances in computer performance the gap between hardware and vsti's etc... is getting smaller.

I should add that I have come to the conclusion that a shit load of options can hinder your progress too.

I realize that this is just an opinion. Anyone care to agree or enlighten me on what I am missing out on?

Cheers
are you posting from the 90's?
shit, i really should read through threads before posting. Touche sir!

ha ha... I already made that joke! 8)