Hardware vs Software Effects

[wordave]

What is better for compression/gating/reverb/delay ect ect ect? I have had this conversation quite a lot recently so i thought it was only fair to share it. People i have talked to have been 50/50 so far and i am really interested in what everyone uses in their home studio.

Personally i cant knock todays software emulations of reverbs and delays. specifically i use CSR by native instruments. However i wont control the dynamic range of anything through software, for me it is just too transparent.

Please have your say!

Cheers
Dave

P.S I've put this in the Newbie section, not sure where else to put it. I'm not new myself, been working in studios for 20 years on and off. I am about to start building my first home studio for demos ect so any past experiences would be great to hear about!

 

[dintymoore]

I use the Summit TLA-100 compressors on the way in after my pre and I love them. I use a Summit tube eq on vocals, and a pair of cheap Boss RCL-10 compressors that I actually like. I'm using a Yamaha SPX1000 for reverb and delay. I really like the compressors in Cubase and the delays are good too.

 

[kcearl]

I dont own much outboard outside of two effects racks...but theyre just for jamming with friends...I also dont have much personal experience with outboard gear as a recorder either


I do read though, a lot...interviews, articles, reviews.... and I have noticed that more and more prefessionals interviewed use software emulations of hardware they already own..like SSL gear, pultecs, or even a TB303 for example

they generally say that its not a perfect replication but the flexability and ability to recall presets outweighs that, generally, small difference..

I think i was reading Mark Stents interview recently how he used outboard gear for Muses last album (it was their studio) but the next project was completely in the box....and you want to read his studios spec list <drool>

on the flip side I also read a software v hardware face off recently piting items like NI FM8 against a Yamaha DX7, or a Sonalkis SV-315 v an Alesis 3630...now talk about an unbiased balanced report

like I said I have no real experience but I also have no real desire to purchase anything outboard in the realms of compression, EQing, or reverb...

 

[philbagg]

i use CSR by native instruments.

There's no such thing

IK Multimedia

 

[wordave]

There's no such thing

IK Multimedia

My mistake! regardless who makes them, they are very good!

I got asked another question already today .... what is the difference between standard plugins & standard hardware or topclass plugins & topclass hardware.

I found it very difficult to answer, there is just too many possible combinations of things to make a clear answer .... can anyone help?