没想到国外的同志也在对软硬合成进行大战
Dumb newbie questions here. . . .
So I don't even own a computer, although I use one extensively at work. I do currently own a Roland Fantom, which I bought now that I took a professional job with an actual income. And with that income, I was hoping to make a "dream studio" I've always wanted. Originally I was planning on using the Fantom as a controller and sequencer for several modules which I had not yet decide on. I love electronic new age, ambient, techno, and industrial, so have been thinking of getting some hardware units that offered a diverse range of sounds--e.g. a VA (Q, Virus, or Supernova) an FM (probably FS1R) and a wavetable (Wavestation or Microwave). I figured that setup, routed through a mixer/effects/cd-burner would allow me to do everything I wanted.
BUT . . . as I read more on-line about the current state of electronic music, it seems that it's getting to the point where software synths can do almost everything hard synths can do, and for a fraction of the price. And even if I bought the most powerful computer processing capability with the best soundcards, the price still might be equal or even less than buying hard synths. And a computer can always run new soft synths, whereas I'd have to spend significant money to get new hardware. I'm even starting to wonder if hardware synths will eventually die out, as computers become smaller, faster, and more reliable, and all a musician would need on-stage is a laptop computer and a simple keyboard to play on.
So since I really don't know much about soft synths (and there seem to be some highly reviewed ones like Reason and Reactor and Absynth, etc.), I'd like recommendations as to what I should do. Should I even bother anymore with hardware? Should I make the big leap and go "all-soft"? Or are there lots of problems or issue of sound with soft synths that I'm not aware of so that hardware still has (big?) advantages (for the time being, anyway)?
I'd love to hear lots opinions on this, so that I have a much better idea what to do before I make any big financial commitments (either way; buying expensive hardware synths or buying a top-of-the-line computer and software).
Thanks!
there's been a ton of debates on HC about this. If you don't have a computer yet, and are going to buy a nice beefy system, It will end up costing you about the same (getting a *nice* computer will be 1-2 grand, then you gotta buy the software + midi controller.)
IMHO hardware synths are great for many things, and are still better for live performances but I think that if you want NEW sounds go the software route and try all the new modular stuff, Native Instruments, etc. If you don't worry so much about experimenting as much as just having solid sounds, I'd say just go for the hardware since it's gonna cost near the same b/c your lack of computer, and the hardware will be more stable.
You should use both hardware and software synths. You should also use some hardware for reverb. The rest is up to you. I will advise though, beware of pentium 4's because their fpu performance is worse than pentium 3's and athlons. Infact, most softsynths rely on fpu performance to deliver the goods...so...be careful!
Just use what you like.
Do your homework, download some demos of softsynths, go play some hardware synths in music shops and then make up your mind. Buy what suits your working style. That's the best advice I can give you.
I would just like to add.. getting going on a desktop pc and reaktor with a soundcard and sequencer will cost about as much as a virus c, but then you can also multi track record on it, use it as a sampler, sequencer, have plug in effects and add a ton of other synths for not much more money. So, you will want a pc, for midi and recording at least. Its very easy from that point using it as a sampler as well, and then maybe add a Q or nord modular with it, and a lexicon mpx-1 or whatever. Consider the PC as your "digital hub".
As far as straight *sound* goes, software is as good as their hardware counterparts when comparing digital to digital.
NO software synth can replicate a real analog synth IMHO.
However, companies like Native Instruments DO get close, and in a mix it'd be too close to call...
One piece of gear to come out that really changed my mind about this whole software/hardware debate was Logic Control which is Emagic's control surface for Logic Audio.
What makes this so incredibly cool is you're controlling paremeters which are LABELED [FILTER CUTOFF, RESONANCE,ETC] on the LCD and are always updatde with whatever page your on
as opposed to some other form of MIDI control [like a PHATBOY] which has anonymous labels...trust me it's the clostest thing i've ever played...it's *almost* like playing a real synth.
Another thing to keep in mind is when using all softsynths, your sound is ALWAYS being converted with the same converters as opposed to hardware where your getting a more varied set of sounds.
It gives your tracks more life, colour, and depth [IMHO]
My opinioin is: get at least one analog synth, one digital synth, and a few soft synths.
Mix em up!
HTH
PEACE!
If you wait and get the Waldorf Q+,or the already avaivable Andromedia, there will never be a software synth that will ever compare. The reason is these synths are REAL. They are very powerful,and FAT sounding. I don't ever seeing software ever totally replacing hardware...expecially powerhouses like these. I do believe that alot of people will be using both. Some will stick to only one or the other. Personally I love hardware. It is what I know. Not even to mention the use of control Knobs, Sliders, ribbon controllers...
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NightChild