Quote Originally Posted by fresh_an_funky_design
Quote Originally Posted by danielmarshall
My main quam with outboard anything is that I can't have a project file to save the settings. Like the idea (and sound) of allot of gear, but sometimes it's hard to replicate that sound you had a couple of days ago even with all the knob numbers written down. Not only that, but I feel that I loose my ideas very quickly (don't do drugs kids), so if I can't have things up and running in minutes I'm lost. That, and with digital technology being at the point is is, and only getting better I'll take the hit in sound quality for the usabilty/ flexibility tradeoff anyday. Mind you, some valve compressors/ distortion units still make me wet...


i find i'm much more creative with my outboard than with software.

If i apply software compression i usually go for standard compression settings, wheras with outboard i really mess around doing slightly crazy settings and often get really good results.

I've started really battering my compressors recently, getting the overload lights glowing, get such a lovely distortion. not that heavy like the distortion you get from a lot of plug-ins, just a really nice warm sound
I hear ya man. One of the things that's nice about outboard stuff is that the knobs are right there in front of you, making tweaking less labour and more leasure.

This is why a decent control surface is an absolute must for people who're into using software solutions, but an area that most people really skimp with because they feel a mouse can theoretically perform the exact same function. This is true of course, but it's so unintuitive. Some of the new MIDI interefaces that are coming out are breaching the divide between hardware and software very effectively. I wonder what new cool gadgets we'll see this year!