Hardware or Virtual Software?

[Glergo]

Heya, I'm in the middle of setting up my studio, but I'm wondering if I should VST effects that are included in most sound editing software or if I should use the hardware I have stored here at home.

I have a few effect boxes, compressors, de-essers and the like, but is any point in using those if I can use the software instead?

Thanks!

 

[bouldersoundguy]

Heya, I'm in the middle of setting up my studio, but I'm wondering if I should VST effects that are included in most sound editing software or if I should use the hardware I have stored here at home.

I have a few effect boxes, compressors, de-essers and the like, but is any point in using those if I can use the software instead?

Thanks!

Which of your hardware effects have "undo" buttons?

Which can be applied to as many channels as you like?

Which hardware effects can be used without having to go through D/A and A/D converters to be applied to tracks?

 

[moresound]

Call me old fashion but ...man...hardware FX still sounds better to me.

 

[Bristol Posse]

Since you already have some hardware pieces and you can trial many plugins for free why not do a comparison and decide which sound YOU prefer without spending a dime. that really is more important than what a bunch of random people on the internet think.

There really isn't a correct answer to which to use other than which do you like, and which gets you the result you want.

You could even use a mixture of real and virtual effects. There is nothing to say you have to commit to 100% digital or analog many people are using a mix of both.

As always YMMV

 

[floorpuncher]

Call me old fashion but ...man...hardware FX still sounds better to me.

you're just old fashion moresound...

 

[Supercreep]

It all depends, guys.

What hardware?

What plugins?

 

[Washburn100]

I was thinking this morning about all the plug-ins that try to emulate classic gear.

Then it hit me like a ton of bolts... I would make rack gear that emulates plug-ins!!!

Hello, Hello, .... is this thing on....

 

[noisewreck]

Which of your hardware effects have "undo" buttons?

Which can be applied to as many channels as you like?

Which hardware effects can be used without having to go through D/A and A/D converters to be applied to tracks?

Good points. However:
I have yet to hear a truly good plugin reverb. This includes convolution stuff.
Also, there are some hardware boxes that have a unique sound, and can sound great when pushed hard.

There are some software FX that are also truly unique and can do wonderful stuff, for example Nitro. Some of the UAD and Waves stuff is also good.

I like the new compressor that's included with Cubase 5. It works great for sidechaining stuff, and is good when you want something transparent.

 

[philbagg]

Which of your hardware effects have "undo" buttons?

What VSTs have undo buttons? If it's just effects, all you have to do is change it if it doesn't sound right. I don't see how an "undo" button on a compressor/EQ/Reverb unit etc. would be of any use

Which can be applied to as many channels as you like?

As said by Bristol Posse, use both. Just because a unit you like can't be applied to everything, doesn't mean it shouldn't be applied to anything. Then, you can use the hardware unit on the track you think it suits best, and use plugins on the rest. And, if you absolutely MUST use it on more than one track, then just record the affected signal back in, and insert the unit onto the next track. It might seem like more hassle, but then again, how many hits were made in the days of manual console recall (which also included the outboard gear too). Those guys had no choice but to not be lazy.

Which hardware effects can be used without having to go through D/A and A/D converters to be applied to tracks?

If it causes degradation to the signal, then I'm sure the OP will quickly change his/her mind. However, an awful lot of mixing in the professional world is still done with:

All hardware, with the exception of the DAW which just acts as a multitrack/editing unit.
Hardware and software - Some mixing in the box, some out. I recently did a mix in a studio with a little from column analog, and a little from column digital.

Both of those require the extra conversions, and if professional hits are done that way, I'm sure it's good enough for a home recorder

Since you already have some hardware pieces and you can trial many plugins for free why not do a comparison and decide which sound YOU prefer without spending a dime. that really is more important than what a bunch of random people on the internet think.

There really isn't a correct answer to which to use other than which do you like, and which gets you the result you want.

You could even use a mixture of real and virtual effects. There is nothing to say you have to commit to 100% digital or analog many people are using a mix of both.

As always YMMV

This is spot on. Everything I would have said.

 

[bouldersoundguy]

There really isn't a correct answer to which to use other than which do you like, and which gets you the result you want.

Right, which is why I posted questions rather than answers.

 

[moresound]

Just like playing the game jeopardy....your answer must be in the form of a question.

 

[bouldersoundguy]

What VSTs have undo buttons? If it's just effects, all you have to do is change it if it doesn't sound right. I don't see how an "undo" button on a compressor/EQ/Reverb unit etc. would be of any use

In effect all of them are undoable, even if the don't each have a literal "undo" button.

Using outboard effects means either tracking with them or looping out through converters. Tracking with them makes sense sometimes, like when they're integral to a guitar sound or you have a great compressor that's hard to match ITB. Adding them later can be done, but I feel I get better results in less time working ITB, even with average quality plugins.

If it causes degradation to the signal, then I'm sure the OP will quickly change his/her mind. However, an awful lot of mixing in the professional world is still done with:

All hardware, with the exception of the DAW which just acts as a multitrack/editing unit.
Hardware and software - Some mixing in the box, some out. I recently did a mix in a studio with a little from column analog, and a little from column digital.

Both of those require the extra conversions, and if professional hits are done that way, I'm sure it's good enough for a home recorder

But we're not talking about a professional studio with top grade gear, we're talking about a home studio with basic gear where the advantages of outboard over plugins are limited. I encourage people to try different things, but I brought up some questions that should be on their minds when they do.

 

[philbagg]

But we're not talking about a professional studio with top grade gear, we're talking about a home studio with basic gear where the advantages of outboard over plugins are limited. I encourage people to try different things, but I brought up some questions that should be on their minds when they do.

Which I approve of, I was just providing some possible answers for those questions

Hopefully, if there's one answer that the OP takes from this thread, it's "give it a shot and see what works"... That, and "use your ears" are two of the best pieces of advice.

 

[moresound]

Not all posters are in need of financially which I think is often overlooked here
Budget is right up there as well! one of the first things to ask about.
For if someone is very committed to recording and can afford thousands of dollars on out board gear and a nice large analog console combined with pro tools or what ever, to get that most sot after combination in A/D recording then that would be the info that should be given.