Have any of you made the transition from hardware to software and been happy?

[sctt_stone]

Exactly what it says. Have any of you ever sold off all of you hardware synths, switched over to software and been happy with the music you made with them?


I know hardware kicks the shit out of software , but this is not a hardware vs software question. It is a question of what do we really need to make music that makes us happy?

Scott

[Diametro]

Not exactly what you're looking for ... but ... I'm in the pre-contemplation stage for one of these ...






Not sure how much hardware I'd sell to do it ... But it wouldn't be all ... Unless I got the one on top, the REALLY expensive one, which might be unlikely ...

[kraku]

I have.

Then after 4 years of pure ITB I realized that hardware has it's advantages which suit me better than pure software. Then I moved to 50/50 SW/HW. This is my most inspirational setup so far.

[Yoozer]

Originally Posted by sctt_stone

It is a question of what do we really need to make music that makes us happy?

What works for us.

You think moves like that happen overnight? Of course not. The adage of "don't change a winning team" works for setups too.

Perhaps if you want serious answers you need to lay off the "kicks the shit out of" attitude, because it's simply not always true.

[tlennon]

...Perhaps if you want serious answers you need to lay off the "kicks the shit out of" attitude, because it's simply not always true

I get great results from both hard and soft sythns.

[Popbott]

I would give up all of my hardware for a Protools HD System with all the major synth plugs & bundles. Other DAWs just don't measure up sound quality wise. IMO of course. I would make the trade then.

Wait.

Oh damn, then I have to upgrade in a year. And ten years from now my system won't be worth SH*T, dang it.

Forget it, I'll stick to my hardware synths.

[yolkboy]

Originally Posted by sctt_stone

Have any of you ever sold off all of you hardware synths, switched over to software and been happy with the music you made with them?

this is not a hardware vs software question.

This will turn into another of those threads, its inevitable. People can't help themselves.

[Reptil]

90-10 here HW/SW

[idiotboy]

To the OP: Why?

[BTByrd]

I did this once upon a time when I moved into the dorm and had no room for hardware synths. I sold a Polymorph and an E4XT Ultra to buy Kore 1 + Komplete 3... back when a genuinely good deal on that combo was about $1000. But FWIW, I lost interest in music making without having hardware around to inspire me. I all but stopped doing it for a long while.

Then I re-invested in hardware with a NL3 and a Voyager and my life hasn't been the same ever since :-)

[Batchainpuller78]

In the words of Eliane Radigue : I wasted two years of my life on Digital.
(Then returning to her Arp 2500)
Although it could be you guys are also talking about hardware digital synths which I guess would be more intuitive than playing around with a mouse.

[sctt_stone]

I am finishing up my undergrad this year and will be moving to pursue a masters. I am cash poor and will need cash to make the move. As much as I love making music with the cool stuff that I have, it is not making me any money. I do not have time between school and a family to work on anything related to music.


I know that I would miss the gear that I have, but I do not have time to use it and probally do not deserve to own it at this point in my life.

I am not making any money with hardware, so why not just keep on not making money with software and have a nice amount of cash in the bank.

Scott

Originally Posted by idiotboy

To the OP: Why?

[NWSooner]

Weren't you just looking to buy a Juno 6 or do I have you confused with someone else? Or were you planning on selling one you already have?

[Entrainer]

Here would be my recommendations in your scenario.
It may not be 100%, but you'd get very good results
(honestly, I'd take this vs. the same $ in outboard)

Nebula (for EQs, Preamps, Tape, Filters, Reverb)
UAD-2 (33609, Fatso JR, RE-201) or Mpressor + Soft Tube 1176 for compressors
GURU + Good Drum Library for samples... maybe the new Audio Damage Tatoo as well
Waves IR-1 or Another for additional impulse responses, reverbs
Sound Toys FX for Delays, Flanger
Voxengo Elephant for Limiter

Korg Wavestation
NI FM8
Omnisphere (good synthesis engine)
Gladiator 2
Sylenth 1

Maybe some EWQL Play, Scarbee, Tonehammer
for additional real instruments

A new computer to run it all...
And of course, a good controller

You could make some great music with the above.

A quick add of everything is $5-6k, depending on
how good you want your computing station to be...
I'd go full tilt on the computer personally.

[lord toranaga]

Originally Posted by BTByrd

I did this once upon a time when I moved into the dorm and had no room for hardware synths. I sold a Polymorph and an E4XT Ultra to buy Kore 1 + Komplete 3... back when a genuinely good deal on that combo was about $1000. But FWIW, I lost interest in music making without having hardware around to inspire me. I all but stopped doing it for a long while.

Then I re-invested in hardware with a NL3 and a Voyager and my life hasn't been the same ever since :-)

could this have been because you were busy being a student?

[sctt_stone]

Yes that was me. That is actually what promoted this thread. I have an undying gear lust that at this point is doing me no good. I could buy that Juno and it would sit in my studio with all of the other gear I do not have time to use.

Scott

Originally Posted by NWSooner

Weren't you just looking to buy a Juno 6 or do I have you confused with someone else? Or were you planning on selling one you already have?

[Batchainpuller78]

Well use some restraint, don't buy anything new expect for maybe some software (which is cheaper than hardware) integrate the two and use it whenever you can find the time to do some music?

Otherwise you'll be selling the hardware and lusting after that again in the future :p

[sctt_stone]

By the way, your free samples are another reason I am actually considering this. They sound great. I have been making drum tracks using only the free samples that you provided, along with the free Acousticas M7 impulses. They sound really good.

Not quite my 999, but still really good.


Scott

Originally Posted by Entrainer

Here would be my recommendations in your scenario.
It may not be 100%, but you'd get very good results
(honestly, I'd take this vs. the same $ in outboard)

Nebula (for EQs, Preamps, Tape, Filters, Reverb)
UAD-2 (33609, Fatso JR, RE-201) or Mpressor + Soft Tube 1176 for compressors
GURU + Good Drum Library for samples... maybe the new Audio Damage Tatoo as well
Waves IR-1 or Another for additional impulse responses, reverbs
Sound Toys FX for Delays, Flanger
Voxengo Elephant for Limiter

Korg Wavestation
NI FM8
Omnisphere (good synthesis engine)
Gladiator 2
Sylenth 1

Maybe some EWQL Play, Scarbee, Tonehammer
for additional real instruments

A new computer to run it all...
And of course, a good controller

You could make some great music with the above.

A quick add of everything is $5-6k, depending on
how good you want your computing station to be...
I'd go full tilt on the computer personally.

[fragletrollet]

Thats all good. What hardware helps me with, is the playing... just sitting down and play. Inspiration!

[kilon]

Originally Posted by sctt_stone

I am finishing up my undergrad this year and will be moving to pursue a masters. I am cash poor and will need cash to make the move. As much as I love making music with the cool stuff that I have, it is not making me any money. I do not have time between school and a family to work on anything related to music.


I know that I would miss the gear that I have, but I do not have time to use it and probally do not deserve to own it at this point in my life.

I am not making any money with hardware, so why not just keep on not making money with software and have a nice amount of cash in the bank.

Scott

Software is more than enough to make great music, but that does not mean that you wont regret at some point selling your hardware for various reasons. If you dont mind a bit of regret than go on and sell it.

[living sounds]

Over time I've made the transition from a semi-pro hardware setup in the 90s to a pro software setup in the 00s and now am back to a pro (almost only) hardware setup. There may be the odd situation where a software setup can cut it, but by and large I wouldn't like to work that way. From sound quality to inspiration to stability it's no contest IMO. Not from what I'm getting or from what I hear others are getting. But your mileage may vary. A lot of people seem to be happy with it, increasingly so.

[cfalk]

Originally Posted by kraku

I have.

Then after 4 years of pure ITB I realized that hardware has it's advantages which suit me better than pure software. Then I moved to 50/50 SW/HW. This is my most inspirational setup so far.

+1...

[lord toranaga]

Originally Posted by cfalk

+1...

+1 for me too

[alexp]

I sold off a pretty nice collection of hardware for software, around 7 years ago or so. I did it mainly for practical reasons, and a lack of space. After a year, I got rid of all my softsynths, bought all my hardware back, and havent been happier.... Next step is to completely eliminate a DAW from my system.


alexP

[SWAN808]

Originally Posted by Entrainer

Here would be my recommendations in your scenario.
It may not be 100%, but you'd get very good results
(honestly, I'd take this vs. the same $ in outboard)

Nebula (for EQs, Preamps, Tape, Filters, Reverb)
UAD-2 (33609, Fatso JR, RE-201) or Mpressor + Soft Tube 1176 for compressors
GURU + Good Drum Library for samples... maybe the new Audio Damage Tatoo as well
Waves IR-1 or Another for additional impulse responses, reverbs
Sound Toys FX for Delays, Flanger
Voxengo Elephant for Limiter

Korg Wavestation
NI FM8
Omnisphere (good synthesis engine)
Gladiator 2
Sylenth 1

Maybe some EWQL Play, Scarbee, Tonehammer
for additional real instruments

A new computer to run it all...
And of course, a good controller

You could make some great music with the above.

A quick add of everything is $5-6k, depending on
how good you want your computing station to be...
I'd go full tilt on the computer personally.

I second this although I am replacing the expensive UAD2 and high end plugin compressors with DIY compressors (GSSL / 1176) which can be purchased second hand for similar prices to a reasonable spec UAD system...

[lain2097]

Originally Posted by alexp

I sold off a pretty nice collection of hardware for software, around 7 years ago or so. I did it mainly for practical reasons, and a lack of space. After a year, I got rid of all my softsynths, bought all my hardware back, and havent been happier.... Next step is to completely eliminate a DAW from my system.


alexP

Hah cool. I'm in a similar situation get rid of the computer entirely. I use Logic to purely sequence MIDI and record the master 2 buss. Otherwise my Tascam DAT deck and Mackie get the most action. Not a single plug in or softie in my set up!

Currently I am in the middle of completely re wiring my studio to accommodate a pair of ADC 96 TT patch bays... lots of soldering to do.

[Entrainer]

Originally Posted by SWAN808

I second this although I am replacing the expensive UAD2 and high end plugin compressors with DIY compressors (GSSL / 1176) which can be purchased second hand for similar prices to a reasonable spec UAD system...

That's a good way to go as well. Could be a bump in cost for the D/A/D convertor ... depending on how you went with it.

[Entrainer]

Originally Posted by sctt_stone

By the way, your free samples are another reason I am actually considering this. They sound great.

Thanks Scott.

I understand the new family situation.

That list I gave it what I feel to be the best of what's available today. Some things probably slipped by my radar, but of what I've tried and heard, that's it. I haven't gotten a chance to demo or hear U-He or Camel Audio Alchemy...

Many great albums have been produced with a lot "worse" stuff than that. (worse=better in some's eyes).

I'm a hybrid guy myself when writing, try to get the best of both worlds for the least amount of money... legally of course : )

[Yoozer]

Originally Posted by Popbott

And ten years from now my system won't be worth SH*T, dang it.

Synths are a shitty investment in general.

If you can't be with the one you love (hardware) - love the one you're with. Keep the pieces you can't find easily in classifieds or eBay - or that you have an emotional attachment to. Sell everything else. You can't count on prices to stay constant so you can buy back stuff you want when your wallet has recovered.

Entrainer's list is nice - but I'd say it's too big. Try going completely minimal; no reason to not use your DAWs EQs and comps. Better; you'll learn to appreciate the differences and extra work involved to make it shine; it forces you to get the most out of a few tools, and hones your workflow. If it takes you 15 minutes to get in the mood and more to get your setup in order - that's a timesink, and switching to something completely different is not going to work.

Going DAWless is a really big step to take, and requires a powerful sequencer solution.

If you buy stuff you don't use, the only person you hurt is yourself. "Deserve" has nothing to do with it.

[Raider]

I'm more comfortable with computers than I am learning a myriad of outboard gear. Computers/software are faster, cheaper and you can do more with them.

I started with a Fostex 4 track and a Korg M1. I then upgraded to a Mackie 1604 and two Adat's, using Cakewalk as a sequencer, (instead of the M1).

Ten years later I upgraded to a Yamaha 02R and several preamps and effect processors.

Now I use a Korg X50 as my primary controller, several soft synths and processing plugs and while I miss physically sliding the faders up and down, I truly believe mostly software with a slight hardware mix, (pre-amp/compressor) when needed is ideal. My DAW is Acid Pro 7 which suites me fine.

I'm a hobbyist and don't make and record music for a living.
If it hasn't already, software will replace 99% of hardware.
It's inevitable.