Uhh.. which is better? analog or digital compression/effects/etc..

[geeq]

I think I got what all I need from basic recording equipments to productions.. but I was thinking if I should get these rack hardwares... where Sonic Foundry's Sound Forge or any software can do the same job.. Just want you opinion, which is better when it comes to the effects... If the hardware wins, then I guess I'll have to save up and get me some racks.. hehe.. if not, then I guess I'll stick with Sound forge

[TexRoadkill]

There's no straight answer to that. Some hardware is better and some software is better. You would need to compare specific hardware to specific software.

[chessrock]

A lot of it is a matter of taste. With the exception of something like the RNC, I find software compression to be much more transparent. This can be good or bad. Personally, I wouldn't mind having an Empirical Labs Distressor, but I'd have to shell out a couple grand for that, I suppose.

In terms of peak limiters, nothing can really beat software for that.

For reverbs, though, you could probably do better with an outboard unit like a Lexicom. In time, though, I suspect a lot of these dedicated DSP units will evolve to where the "hybrid" approach will be far and away the most superior method, very likely giving us the best of both worlds -- high-quality, undoable effects without the need for further a/d conversions.

Should prove to be interesting.