Hardware Vs. Software Synth / Sampler
As we all know that for past so many years we have been using hardware synthesizers and Samplers in creating music. But now the time have changed, we all mostly opt for software synth / Samplers ( better know as VSTi, DXi, RTAS and REWIRE Modules etc. ).
- The advantage of a software plugin is that it can be upgraded or modified over the period of time to keep pace with the technology, whereas hardware synth / sampler gets out dated over time and there is no resale value also.
- If your system ( Computer ) is giving trouble or not working, you can install the plugin on a different system and keep working while your first system gets repaired; whereas if your hardware synth / Sampler is not working you become helpless and have to wait till you get it repaired ( its difficult to obtain specific parts also ).
- It is a difficult job to carry all your rigs ( Samplers, Synthesizer, sound modules, mixer & cables etc.) to studio or any other place and make all cable connections to start working on the project. Whereas you can carry all your plugins ( VSTi, Dxi, RTAS & Rewire Modules etc. ) within your laptop or computer itself.
- FREE Hardware synth / Samplers are not available, whereas you get many FREE Vsti and Dxi plugins for download. Hence your number of virtual instruments can increase without increasing your cost.
- Quality of your software synth / samplers depend on you audio interface, So you can always upgrade to a higher quality sound card for better results. Whereas Hardware quality is dependent on its native circuitry and components used which cannot be upgraded.
If you are planning to buy any sampler or module then think thrice about the soft synth before you invest into it. Keep pace with time. These days you Get Paid to read Emails also.
6 comments:
you seem pretty biased towards software. Its just not that simple. Soft synths cannot compare to the latest hardware synths (Roland V-synth as an example) ... Soft synths are nice for replicating vintage synths, but thats it ... nothing more than that ...
If it was so much better, Roland / Korg and everyone else would have stopped manufaturing hard synths and modules.
Its just not that simple ...
I am not biased at all. I have laid down the pros and cons...thats it. Its upto you to choose. It seems you are not aware of Sampling - "soft synth are nice for replicating vintage synths" is wrong as Software sample can sample your voice and then can play back throough midi triggering. Even all Roland / Korg synths are loaded with sampled sounds. Sounds are sampled, edited, processed in software and then they are loaded into Roms of hardware synth. I am a sound designer for samplers and also product demonstrater of one of the company you have mentioned (does not want to disclose my identity). As far as stop manufacturing is concerned - Did railways stopped after the advent of Airways which is better and Fast.
Its not that anyway.
"me"
The original paragraph did come accross a bit baised. I'm just about to purchase some top end Soft Synths, but only to accompany my hardware studio. So far the physiscal interaction whilse in producing is second to none with hardware, okay so it takes ages but that's the whole excitment albeit a lot more expensive too, but it's so much fun. Now, as a broadcaster and audio person, I've seen the audio programme Reason do its bit for Broacasting promos, and it's quite an amazing bit of software. However, even the engineers here still approve of hardware over Software when it comes to production, it's nice to see Pro-Tools interacting with Hardware and a digital desk. As for me, well, so far I've made my mind up. I've spent a lot of money on my set-up, and my last step is Software synths and a multi-audio out soundcard to route into my mixing desk. Both formats are so exilerating in their own way, then why not combine them. I can't wait! Vivaaa
Let me clear a few things here.
First of all - You should be aware that all synth (whether hardware or software) are software based. Any synth/Sampler/keyboard you pick from the market - it has a operating software with its version upgradable too which works for the sound proccessing and generating.
Secondly there cannot be any sound without any hardware (you need to convert your audio data to analog so as to drive a amplifier or speaker. With the soft-synth the hardware is the sound card which has digital to analog covertors to output the sound. The better the card is - better will be the results too.
This is for information only.
Hi, I've got a big big question about my soft synths. That is,
if i upgrade my cheap audio interface to a RME FF400 like machine, will my synths sound better than before? (not only better in monitering but also at final mix)
or just no difference?
i use Spectras both 3 big synths
Atmos, trilogy, Stylus RMX and wanna get them sound better.
Thanks !! :D
It will sound better with a interface like FF400. The quality of final mix depends on the DAW you are using - whether it uses interface's DSP or works without it for processing.
In any case the sound quality still improves with high end interfaces - since only processing is not responsible for the quality.
High end interfaces has "better signal to noise ratio", "lower jittering due to stable clock" "better analog to digital (& Vice-versa) convertors" and other improved parameters which are responsible for the results.
So having a better interface will always improve your final mixes despite whether your DAW uses the interface DSP or not.
Hope that explains...
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