Waves V Plugins vs. the Real Analogue Thing.

[MarkyGoldstein]

Hi everybody,

I just wonder where we are now:

Would you get the Real Analogue pieces or would you get the Waves V plugins?

I mean (if money or availability is not the problem):
- What is the current situation? Do the simulations already get the real feeling and bring all the positive aspects of a pure "in the computer signal path", or is it still like you should get the real analogue thing (that warm, round, cool sound) and route from your DAW to the analogue compressor / eq and do the DA/AD, but get that real feeling of smooth analog processing?
- What's the better investment? Plugins or Analogue processors?

Are we really already going plugins?
I read so many producers still rely on the good old analogue processors...
Why?

Opinions?

Cheers,
Marky

[PDC]

Originally Posted by MarkyGoldstein

Hi everybody,

I just wonder where we are now:

Would you get the Real Analogue pieces or would you get the Waves V plugins?

I mean (if money or availability is not the problem):
- What is the current situation? Do the simulations already get the real feeling and bring all the positive aspects of a pure "in the computer signal path", or is it still like you should get the real analogue thing (that warm, round, cool sound) and route from your DAW to the analogue compressor / eq and do the DA/AD, but get that real feeling of smooth analog processing?
- What's the better investment? Plugins or Analogue processors?

Are we really already going plugins?
I read so many producers still rely on the good old analogue processors...
Why?

Opinions?

Cheers,
Marky

If money were no object, and the gear could be found, I would buy four of everything, use two, and have two back ups. I would also secure the maintenance/repair docs and as many spare parts as possible to keep them going. But, I can't do that, so I use Waves. MP3s say it doesn't matter.

[macleodgrant]

Originally Posted by MarkyGoldstein

Hi everybody,

I just wonder where we are now:

Would you get the Real Analogue pieces or would you get the Waves V plugins?

I mean (if money or availability is not the problem):
- What is the current situation? Do the simulations already get the real feeling and bring all the positive aspects of a pure "in the computer signal path", or is it still like you should get the real analogue thing (that warm, round, cool sound) and route from your DAW to the analogue compressor / eq and do the DA/AD, but get that real feeling of smooth analog processing?
- What's the better investment? Plugins or Analogue processors?

Are we really already going plugins?
I read so many producers still rely on the good old analogue processors...
Why?

Opinions?

Cheers,
Marky

i've never heard the real thing but i like the v-series eq's. i'm still deciding how i feel about the compressor though, i don't like it's release, i just can't seem to be happy with the setting options i have, i feel the need for faster release but i reckon there will be instances when it'll come in handy with more sustained material or on the master bus! i guess it is a master buss comp!

[T_R_S]

The descion is simple $50K mix budget = hardware $5K mix budget = Plug-ins

[MarkyGoldstein]

So ok, sure, we are in the high end forum here. We only want the best.

if you have those 50k mix budget, why should hardware be better than the Waves V plugins (or similar)?

Are you sure that the analogue thing would sound more pleasing to our ears because it offers the real endless resolution, smoothness and nice distortions?
(that Waves tries to copy)

Are you sure that the positive sides of Waves V don't outweigh the
negative sides of hardware (additional DA/DA, noise level, etc.)?

Is there anybody in this forum, you did a A/B comparison?

[heathen]

Originally Posted by MarkyGoldstein

So ok, sure, we are in the high end forum here. We only want the best.

if you have those 50k mix budget, why should hardware be better than the Waves V plugins (or similar)?

Are you sure that the analogue thing would sound more pleasing to our ears because it offers the real endless resolution, smoothness and nice distortions?
(that Waves tries to copy)

Are you sure that the positive sides of Waves V don't outweigh the
negative sides of hardware (additional DA/DA, noise level, etc.)?

Is there anybody in this forum, you did a A/B comparison?

If your using great converters then a trip out through the analog domain and back in is no big deal, even 2 or 3 times is no extreme problem, the benefits far outweigh the negatives, ummm actually is there a negative at all with patching out into good analog gear? I think not.

I'm sure, hardware wins every time. There really is'nt a negative side to good quality hardware.

[CorkyTart]

I wouldnt be so sure when most people cant even tell the difference in most blind shootouts.

Originally Posted by heathen

I'm sure, hardware wins every time. There really is'nt a negative side to good quality hardware.

[Nama]

It is interesting to know what you like about the V plug ins if you have not heard the real thing. Could you tell me?

I use 1073s and 2254s all the time.

[Overdrive]

The Waves V is nothing to be desired! Too much of everything make it unusable to me. The worst is these plugs are too squishy squashy sounding. Nothing like the real thing (and I have it all!). In a world where nothing is really too much - it says it all.
Another "no go" from this maker.

[subatomicpieces]

Originally Posted by MarkyGoldstein

- What's the better investment? Plugins or Analogue processors?

Hardware is a better investment. No question.

Originally Posted by CorkyTart

I wouldnt be so sure when most people cant even tell the difference in most blind shootouts.

Most people can't tell the difference between Ragu and a good home made marinara sauce either. But, some people can, so real chefs don't use Ragu.

[True North]

Originally Posted by heathen

I'm sure, hardware wins every time. There really is'nt a negative side to good quality hardware.

There are plenty of negatives here are a few that I could name off the top of my head;

No Instant Recall, Consistency of components from unit to unit, maintainence, physical space, wiring and patching constraints, noise, cost etc...

The blind comparisons on various peices of hardware over software have been posted on this board already. When software emulations are done well the differences between hardware and software are extremely close IMO.