Smack said:
See? Even Vigor is dumping his stand-alone for a sweet-ass G5 and a firepod. I wonder why? could it be...standalones SUCK!?!?!
Yup. Dats right. Now gimmie my wallet, thank you, it's the one that says "Bad Motherfu--er" on it.
Respectfully, you simply don't know what you're talking about. They don't "suck" (well, some might, but you can't make a blanket indictment) they fill a valid need and for many people they are exactly the right tool.
Computers have a similar obsoletion rate. If you're on the PC platform, we're talking approximately 6 months. I'm using "obsolete" in the same manner you did. I think it's debatable whether any of these tools are "obsolete" simply because something newer is available. They're are still plenty of people recording to tape out there and getting amazing results. We're still listening to the Beatles and all they had was a 4 track. It's about the music, not the medium.
DAWs and SIAB are tools. What you're saying is like telling someone that cars suck and are obsolete- everyone should have an SUV. While the SUV might be good for lots of people, cars aren't going away anytime soon and they're a valid way to accomplish your goal of getting from place to place. Maybe for you, the DAW is the best solution, that doesn't mean it is so for everyone. Sometimes a drill is the right tool, sometimes a screwdriver is just what's needed. What's important is to honestly assess your needs and then make your choices based on your comfort level with configuring and maintaining a computer, your willingness to learn a bunch of different pieces of hardware and software, the understanding that a DAW is NEVER really "finished", your need/desire for a physical interface to interact with, your budget and your goals. For different people there might be additional considerations.
Furthermore, the DPS24 is not only not obsolete, it's specs hold up just fine against almost any DAW. It's got pristine sonics and plenty of features that would cost thousands more if bought separately. On top of that, there are quite a few people who have based successful, professional, commercial studios around their DPS24.
I am very satisfied with the DPS24. I also love my DAW (P4- 2.8Mhz, 1 GB RAM, SONAR 4PE). Frankly, though, if I had to choose between them, I'd probably choose the DPS24 and use the computer to host softsynths and plug-ins. If the choice was between the AW2816 and the DAW, I think the answer would probably be different. Someone else might feel differently and that's fine too.
Ted