Transitioning from Software to Hardware Tools.

I don't know if it's just me but I've seen a large number of producers who I've followed on YouTube start of with using software tools (I tend to count MIDI instruments as primarily software). Then, they either get enough money or a free sponsorship to get some hardware gear most notably the Akai MPCs and they have been hooked on the instruments ever since. Now maybe they still use their software instruments, but it seems like those instruments have taken a back seat or used less often.

I've noticed this with myself as well. When I started producing, I mainly used Reason and FL Studio to create my beats. I did have a full keyboard workstation called the Roland FA-08 to record audio into the DAW and MIDI controlling but ultimately most of the work I've done is in a DAW. Fast forward to where I am today, I've collected many hardware gears that can sample and create with and I'm spending a majority of the time trying to learn them but also having fun with them.

I think it's because with my full time job, I just sit and stare at the computer all day that I don't want to do that for the majority of the time I'm making music. Also with the proper care, the hardware instruments tend to last longer then a PC. No matter how hard I try to maintain my PCs, they stopped working after 6 to 8 years making it hard to get attached to. And with how the hardware instruments connect to how beats have been made in the past and the music I'm producing (Boom Bap/Lo-Fi), these things were the reasons why I've been using more hardware instruments.

I'm wondering if y'all have the same experience or vice versa. This is not a hardware vs software debate. It's just something I'm noticing with myself and other producers. Let me know what y'all think.

I tend to go towards whatever gets the job done in the the easiest and least time consuming way. I normally get around 10 years out of a pc before its time to totally refresh with a brand new motherboard and pc.

My only real hardware is the midi keyboard, interface and the monitors. Im going to invest in some pads when I find ones I like the feel of, and a cc controller to add movement to static patches. I have pads on the keyboard but the response and feel of them is shit. I could probably just program the slider and knobs on my keyboard for cc control but Ive never gotten around to it.

Ive gone through a few DAWs and settled with Cubase, as it does everything very easily, except for pitch shifting which can be a pain, so I use a pitch shifting vst for that.

Really its just about finding what works best for me and doesnt interfere with my workflow, which can be very fast.

I started with a drum machine + sampler + 4 track then started to gradually phase that out in favor of a computer-only setup. At one point I was just using my computer keyboard to trigger sounds then finally I got a small keyboard. Over the years though I just wanted to try whatever I could since there was so much out there then I settled on Maschine which was the best of both worlds.

But it was once I stepped back and got the MPC 2500 that I realized it's perfect for my needs. Plus I can also use it as a MIDI controller in my DAW so that helps too.

It really depends on what you want/need to get the job done. The newer generation of MPCs are really good because you get a controller and a standalone, but just using the MPC software with any controller would be fine too.

There's a ton of options which is both good and bad. Good that there's options but bad that it's hard to choose.

Vice versa for me. About 20 years ago I was similar to the people you're describing in the post. I remember trying to sell beats to buy an MPC, eventually got an MV-8000 because it was cheaper, but then life happened and I felt like I was spending more time learning equipment than making beats, to the point where when the next life chapter started I thrifted all my gear when moving around figuring it was time to grow up.

Now that I've got back into beatmaking, I focus entirely on what can help me transpose my mind to music as quick as possible so I can focus on making beats. For me, that's FL Studio, mostly clicking around in my DAW and using hotkeys I've memorized. I have an Akai Fire and Akai MPK Mini when I want to play something out on a controller or use the knobs instead of clicking, but I'd say I'm more of a 'music programmer' than a musician and my 'instrument' is my DAW.

Interesting topic. I like a fast workflow with a lot of control over samples when it comes to making beats. So I prefer a DAW over an MPC or other hardware.

But at the moment i'm thinking of buying an SLL fusion bus compressor (hardware) or something similar. The thing with all the software saturation and compressor plugins is they still sound 'digital' in the end...

Anyone here owning any hardware compressors/limiters?

@TWU I remember a long time ago being told by @Formant024 that its the AD/DA converters that really make the difference in the signal chain.

V.J. Retro said:

but also having fun with them

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V.J. Retro said:

the hardware instruments connect to how beats have been made in the past and the music I'm producing

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2GooD Productions said:

I tend to go towards whatever gets the job done in the the easiest and least time consuming way.

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All of this. For people generally.

As for content creators, probably because it gets the views or adds status etc.

TWU said:

Interesting topic. I like a fast workflow with a lot of control over samples when it comes to making beats. So I prefer a DAW over an MPC or other hardware.

But at the moment i'm thinking of buying an SLL fusion bus compressor (hardware) or something similar. The thing with all the software saturation and compressor plugins is they still sound 'digital' in the end...

Anyone here owning any hardware compressors/limiters?

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Depends... they can get really close. Like 98% of the way there.

And it then comes down to is that extra 2% worth 400x the price and only being able to use it once (unless constant bouncing) plus maintenance costs etc.

And whether that makes much difference to the end product - you're only noticing that small difference when A/Bing... will it make a different played back on someone's earpods or phone speakers or gaming headset or Bluetooth speaker? But AB'ing on high quality audio gear you can hear that very subtle benefit?

Iron Keys said:

Depends... they can get really close. Like 98% of the way there.

And it then comes down to is that extra 2% worth 400x the price and only being able to use it once (unless constant bouncing) plus maintenance costs etc.

And whether that makes much difference to the end product - you're only noticing that small difference when A/Bing... will it make a different played back on someone's earpods or phone speakers or gaming headset or Bluetooth speaker? But AB'ing on high quality audio gear you can hear that very subtle benefit?

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good view point. I'm kinda of the view that most casual listeners are listening on cheap speakers + don't know the difference either. I think it also raises questions about how much to care about technical feedback from audiophiles and fellow musicians/producers too vs. just making music.

Dusty B said:

good view point. I'm kinda of the view that most casual listeners are listening on cheap speakers + don't know the difference either. I think it also raises questions about how much to care about technical feedback from audiophiles and fellow musicians/producers too vs. just making music.

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You should definitely care enough to get your mixes reasonably balanced and your tracks entertaining.

As stated elsewhere, people listen to any shit. But there's still probably at least something about that any shit. But did you make music to make any shit? And ultimately what mark will it make, is it sustainable.

Iron Keys said:

You should definitely care enough to get your mixes reasonably balanced and your tracks entertaining.

As stated elsewhere, people listen to any shit. But there's still probably at least something about that any shit. But did you make music to make any shit? And ultimately what mark will it make, is it sustainable.

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of course. i meant more so about beatmaking. beats are unfinished songs - still a lot of work to do before it's a song - don't let perfection get in the way of progress idea. let experts do their thing (i.e. beatmakers, engineers, rappers, etc.)