Trance Forum \| Stats \| Register \| Search \| Parties \| Advertise \| Login

There are 0 trance users currently browsing this page

Trance Forum Л Л Forum Production & Music Making - Mixing: Software vs Hardware

Author

Mixing: Software vs Hardware

ElectroTalker

Started Topics : 3
Posts : 1
Posted : Feb 17, 2005 07:21

so, how do you think about quality difference of mixing? What the best way - use professional software like Cubase SX 2(3); Nuendo 2(3), Logic 7 or Hardware mixing using analog or digital mixer?

AjmaGard
AjmaGard

Started Topics : 8
Posts : 122
Posted : Feb 17, 2005 09:18

As long as you've got good monitors and enough channels on you mixer, I would say, both things should be equally good

*In AjmaGard We Trust*

http://www.soundcloud.com/ajmagard

Kaz
IsraTrance Full Member

Started Topics : 90
Posts : 2268
Posted : Feb 17, 2005 16:21

Theoretically, software is more accurate. Practically, hardware mixing just gets better results.

http://www.myspace.com/Hooloovoo222

Spindrift
Spindrift

Started Topics : 33
Posts : 1560
Posted : Feb 17, 2005 17:07

Interesting conclusions kaz.
What is actually the theoretical differences between a software mixer and a digital harware mixer?

And how do you mean with that you get better results with a hardware mixer.
Does all hardware give better results that all software?
What hardware mixers have you used, and which gave the best results according to you?
What software mixers have you been using?

IMO opinion it depends a lot on what software you compare with what hardware.
The main factor would not be about sound quality (unelss we are talking about spending $100 000 on a mixing desk), but about how you feel comfortable working.

I love to have everything accessible from my computer and not have to stretch around so much to reach a lot of hardware, and don't do a lot of manual gain riding so don't need a lot of faders.
And I love to have total recall of all my settings stored in the same folder on the harddrive.
So for me hardware is not attractive at all.

Some people feel they want to have separate control surface for each and every instrument and channel, and that I think would be the main argument for using hardware.
For me one controller for everything is more convenient than limiting though.

And off course, most studios will still need a mixer to look like a proper studio

I think if you want quality mixing, if you con't mind working with just one contoller and the mouse, the best value is clearly DSP based solutions like UAD-1, Scope or Powercore.
I use scope, and it sure sounds clearly better than mixing in Logic only.

(``З.И(``З.И(``З.ИИ.З`Д)И.З`Д)И.З`Д)
Ћ .....www.ResonantEarth.com..... Л
(И.З`Д(И.З`Д(И.З`Д``З.И)``З.И)``З.И)

http://www.myspace.com/spindriftsounds
http://www.myspace.com/resonantearth

AvS

Started Topics : 9
Posts : 464
Posted : Feb 17, 2005 17:30

Quote:

On 2005-02-17 17:07, Spindrift wrote:
Interesting conclusions kaz.
What is actually the theoretical differences between a software mixer and a digital harware mixer?

And how do you mean with that you get better results with a hardware mixer.
Does all hardware give better results that all software?

Im shure a cheap mixer would make the mix sound really bad.

I think Kaz was talking about analog mixers vs sofware. I have three wavefiles contaning the same mix mixed with software, a digital mixer and an analog Soundtracs mixer. The software and the digital mix sound the same as far as i can hear (and others) but the analog mix sounds a bit different. Surprisingly (IMO) the analog mix sounds brighter (and to me a bit nicer) but it all depends on the mixer ofcourse. The reason for the difference is the coloration the mixer and preamps might add to the sound. A digital mixer just do what you tell it to do.

Spindrift
Spindrift

Started Topics : 33
Posts : 1560
Posted : Feb 17, 2005 18:19

I agree, analog mixers sound better.
Partly due to that the colour the sound, and actually change it in a pleasant way.
I just can't stand working with a mixer without total reacall, and could not afford an analogue desk that has.
And liek I said, I like as compact studio as possible, so a massive neve console would not tempt me even if I could afford it.

One thing if you are a sucker for analogue sound, and maybe like me like to mix warm and analogue with crisp and digital is to get a nice channel strip and route stuff thru that when you want to warm them up.
Then they will still sound warm when recorded down digitally again.

fregle
IsraTrance Junior Member

Started Topics : 11
Posts : 982
Posted : Feb 17, 2005 21:53

if u have good inputs on your computer, and good AD/DA's, there should be no reason for the sound to be worse... And a computer is much easier to mix on, and it's much less expensive as hdRecorder/DAW/sequencer/etc...

if u tell me analogue desks sounds better then digital desks, i agree, but very expensive digital desks with extremely good AD/DA's sound just as good... The cheaper models with bad AD/DA's will destroy the sound...

Username

Started Topics : 3
Posts : 28
Posted : Feb 18, 2005 01:11

As a recommendation for ElectroTalker I'd say it all depends on the way you wanna work.
IMHO good results are possible with both kinds of technology and the knowledge how to use it.

If you're more into virtual instruments, total recall and all the other comfort that the digital DAW based world has to offer then you're definately the software type.

If you're more using external gear, need something physical to touch (instead of a mouse) and feel distracted by staring at the screen, then you're the hardware type.

Also a lotta hybrid types exist combining hard- and software stuff. So it's really up to you to find your best workflow

So, b4 you go and buy lotsa equipment make sure you know where >you< wanna go. Cheers.

Triplex
Triplex

Started Topics : 22
Posts : 134
Posted : Feb 18, 2005 10:30

or you could get an analog summing mixer to get the best out of the two worlds

for example this one (came first when googled)
http://www.mercenary.com/splmiansumi.html

...edit

this one looks nice as well
http://www.dangerousmusic.com/2bus.html

http://triplex.trance.net

fregle
IsraTrance Junior Member

Started Topics : 11
Posts : 982
Posted : Feb 18, 2005 17:27

that's what i do... I have hardware synths and a hardware sampler, and some hardware FX, and i use an analogue desk and a focusrite mixmaster to process the sound before it goes into my computer, but for mixing/mastering i really prefer the computer above anything else, i can't imagine how a hardware DAW could be better or easier to use... U do need a good AD-converter for ur computer though

Trance Forum Л Л Forum Production & Music Making - Mixing: Software vs Hardware