Most people know that I have generally preferred hardware to software for my own working habits. In the last few years, I have noticed that my list of studio needs is gradually getting better met on the digital side rather than the hardware side.
I much prefer working with digital effects like delays, reverbs and pitch modulation when compared to hardware. I am delighted that I will never need to invest in a hardware reverb or delay ever again. I had a very tough time getting digital reverbs in particular to do anything I enjoyed so I bought a bunch of hardware ones. They gave me a reference of great reverbs that taught me what to listen for. Once I was armed with this I could get digital reverbs to do what I needed. I use softtubes reverb for 99% of what I need and the waves ABBY plate for the other 1%. I’ve never had logics reverbs work for me.
The other thing is with cue mixes. I love the functionality of the MOTU ATB system. I will never need to use my console for cue mix’s and my clients can mix themselves without me having to buy a crazy expensive cue mix system. It is close enough to zero latency for me.
Side chain compressors. Digital has nailed this and using a hardware compressor for this is really unnecessary for this application.
Channel eq’s. 99% of the time I reach for logic’s standard eq. My console eq does a thing which I use but only after I’ve touched up a source with logic’s eq. I love having the option to eq with my console on the way in but this is broad gentle strokes usually. Buss eq is still my favored option.
Routing and patch bays. I HATE patch bays. Patching during a mix session is so interruptive. digital routing along with good analog planning has eliminated my need to ever patch during a mix session. I can patch in tape machines etc but I never need to patch unless I want something extraordinary.
I am looking forward to digital taking over my studio more and more:)
At this stage of my recording experience, I think I prefer software over hardware for everything (or almost everything), simply for the convenience and space conservation. Less gear, means more spaciousness. I don’t like clutter and I love big empty spaces. One piece of hardware that I might love though, would be an 1176 compressor!
The only things I prefer in hardware form are things where I’m constantly adjusting. I guess that just leaves it to volume and automation. Everything else I prefer software.
Strictly from a sonic sense (and completely disregarding workflow), I can’t think of anything I’d rather be using an emulator of. I only say this regarding average or better analog units. I mean a UAD Studer tape sim is hands down better than shitty half-maintained real Studer tape machine any day. But if we compare the Waves CLA 76’s to the rack of his analog 1176’s?? Or if we compare a real B3 though an assortment of Leslies (I own 2 of them) to the NI software sim?? No questions. Same with Pianos. Same with Guitar amps. I always favor the real thing unless the real thing in a particular scenario has technical malfunctions that make the sim better.
The one area where I really insist on having hardware is the control surface. Completely irrelevant to the sonics. I know. But I really really like avid, Yamaha, and SSL control surfaces better than the Raven or a virtual surface like the UAD Console.
For me, I’ve been using console 1 and an avid transport and I can control all that I need to. I use the avid transport for making pre-made song markers at the press of a button. I also use it for drum editing which I have down to a few buttons really fast. other than that I use my keyboard for transport. Console one is nice for my workflow. The sound is okay but I’d just as soon use regular plugins from a sonic standpoint. I agree that it is hard to use emulations when you own the hardware. I rarely use emulations.