Shadow Hills Live from the Gearslutz Lounge / AES SF 2012

[Category 5]

Originally Posted by dxavier

It was slightly amusing watching Peter talk about the Plugin. He looked like he was struggling to avoid saying that this is as good as the hardware! At the end of the day, he wants to sell the hardware more than anything else.

Eh. I've talked with the guy and can tell you that promo (like in the video above) just isn't his thing. If they'd have asked him how they did it rather than what the product was I'm sure you'd have gotten a much more spirited, and enthralling video.

When these emulations come out everyone is so hung up on whether or not it's exactly like the hardware. That's really not what's important about a tool. What matters is if they are interchangeable, meaning can they get you from the same start point to the same destination. For better or worse these are all just tools.

For Peter to be putting his name on the product it has to be pretty decent. It may not be identical to the hardware, but my guess is that it will sit up there with the best of the recent emulations. You have to agree software isn't like it was 10 years ago. Some of these companies are doing unbelievable things with coding...things that would have seemed impossible just a few years ago.

[antithesist]

It's got differential equations. That's good enough for me.

[nickelironsteel]

will be used as a placeholder for bouncing with the real thing. the optical section i usually prefer to my LA-3As in terms of clarity.

[noiseflaw]

Originally Posted by Category 5

When these emulations come out everyone is so hung up on whether or not it's exactly like the hardware. That's really not what's important about a tool.

It is if you are going to call it an 'emulation'. It is of paramount importance - otherwise create another plugin with another name.

The whole selling point and brouhaha about modeling existing units is about how accurately it is done.

If the replication is very successful and indistinguishable from the hardware - the issue of whether it cannibalises the company's other product is for them to consider. Even if to some small extent it does... Then it is better that the originating company has developed or 'blessed' that emulation and is first-to-market, rather than it just being done by another plugin developer with a subtle name change.

However, I doubt that those considering purchasing the hardware are likely to be swayed by an emulation anyway. I think it is a good way to increase sales and the company profile...

[dxavier]

Originally Posted by Category 5

When these emulations come out everyone is so hung up on whether or not it's exactly like the hardware. That's really not what's important about a tool.

I think this is wrong. I agree that equipment, software or hardware is just a tool, but when you call something an emulation, you are not just building another tool. You are specifically building a tool that resembles or emulates something else, so actually, this is why everyone is so hung up on whether or not it sounds like the real thing. If it doesn't, it will be a poor emulation, even if it is a good tool in it's own right.

Originally Posted by Category 5

For Peter to be putting his name on the product it has to be pretty decent. It may not be identical to the hardware, but my guess is that it will sit up there with the best of the recent emulations. You have to agree software isn't like it was 10 years ago. Some of these companies are doing unbelievable things with coding...things that would have seemed impossible just a few years ago.

Fair enough on Peter. I don't know the guy, so maybe he was just uncomfortable. I hope that him putting his name to something will make it decent. Again, I don't know him and different things drive different people, so hopefully, his driver is quality/reputation before dollar bills. I agree though, some of these companies are doing amazing things code wise. To even be having a serious conversation these days about decent emulations of revered hardware is still odd to me. 10 years ago, you would have been laughed off the planet, whereas now, there are actually people I know who have sold off tape machines or EQ's because they feel their software counterparts are good enough to let go. Crazy but reality all the same