Analog gear is mostly for your inner comfort. Let's be honest, 99 % of the audience won't hear the difference. But I'm convinced, that hardware can fire up your creativity if you love to turn knobs, push buttons and move sliders.
Hardwares primary benefit (software has many of its own too) is mostly about the superior physical/tactile interfacing. Which can allow you to 'get in the zone' better & can result in a more musical & less sterile result (if the user has the skill & talent to properly use the hardware, which most dont). This will eventually be overcome, & in doing so will essentially merge hardware with software for something better than either, high quality multi-point touchscreens in conjuction with numerous other technologies will allow this (such as perhaps self midi-controller-mapping programs, large physical knobs with lights around them to show the volume level of that knob as what parameter it's controlling is changed between various others (yes they already have these & they are great but the software implementation isn't there yet, also their are other issues such as that the way it works is you use your mouse/TouchPad/ or Touchscreen(best option) to touch a knob or slider and have you "clicker hover over it" (the ultimate setup would also have motorized faders for these) Another benefit (which can be overcome with the right software & workflow/workethic) is that if your using primarly popular software & also the same samples & presets as millions of others, first off I wouldn't even call that mixing/producing/or sound design, a monkey could do that. But it also results in 99% of stuff sounding the same, & I think is a major reason that we haven't seen many new advances in music in terms of interesting new genres or never before heard types of sounds, despite the massive influx of new & far more advanced music production tools (honestly hardware as well). I guess you could say this is more an issue of lazy/ uncreative people flooding the world with garbage & mediocre music (or various other art forms as well) do to the democratization & massive change in affordable access to music production software & tools, social media's ability for limitless free shameless self-promotion, & free access to media-production & distribution. (Plus Clear Chan. Buying up a monopoly on practicaly all US radiostations & leveraging that along with "pay4play" to give them the ultimate influence possible in which artists do or don't make it to the "big time", & thus molding "popular culture" not based on what is actually considered the best or even what on an even playing field would've been the most popular.
true! I think the only hardware that REALLY matters are things like a good mic for vocals + a good preamp and if possible a good compressor but when it comes to the mix, I would say it's not THAT important still very good to have but for mastering purpose, I think it matters a lot. when you have racks of tube saturation, clippers etc and you gain 3-4 db of headroom and your songs gets louder, trust me it matters lol
Damn John, your studio looks amazing. I haven't been here for a while, and I'm just now seeing it. I'm jealous. I need something like this myself, but I'm jealous in a good way. Take care brother, and thanks for your knowledge...SBN RESONATE
My old fully analogue mixes have "something" that I have never been able to recreate digitally. I think the very nature of a fully analogue recording/mixing did a lot of work for us! My skills and tools have improved infinitely, yet I don't have the same connection to my fully digital mixes. That said... the things I love about digital would be impossible to give up now!
I started in the box and more recently started getting into analog gear. Although the differences are small they are noticeable..especially when it comes to saturation. But you can replicate it if you know what you're doing. Acustica Audio offers the best emulations Ive come across if you're looking to get familiar with gear.
I don't know... I've been producing, mixing and Mastering for years in the box. It's rock mostly, so I record real instruments. But I had an old cheap rack compressor from Yamaha laying around and some free time. So I just ran a couple of tracks through it. Tried bass, snare, kick and vocals. And, OMG that thing does great things to bass guitar, not the compression per say, but overdriving the circuit gives a color to the bass that I never heard on plugins! So yah, the GAS is growing strong here. Now I want analog gear! 😂
7:30 plugin alliance has chnnale strips with what is known as TMT, this emulates the differences in a summing channel so that you can kind of replicate the summing of a SSL E console for example. Also The UA LUNA software has a special summing process where you can in fact emulate summing from various consoles (similar to plugin alliance, but more integrated and like the actual analogue process). Really insightful video! Also I find that a big difference between analogue and digital is clipping the A/D converter. You can in fact do this in software by using something like standardCLIP that sounds somewhat similar to the crane song HEDD converter.
The one thing I feel you skipped is the writing/recording stage and how you interact with hardware synths differently to soft synths. Being able to manipulate more than one parameter at a time because you're not having to use a mouse and being creative with the limitations that some hardware has to do new and exciting things. The desire to learn the instrument inside out because it cost an arm and a leg, is beautifully made and just begging to be played like a vintage Strat or Steinway. You build a relationship with these things, learn to embrace their quirks, learn where they shine and how to make them shine brighter.
Welcome to Hofa College! 😁 My sound design studies at a Berlin academy will end in April and my audio engineer diploma will start immediately afterwards at Hofa College. which course have you booked at Hofa?
There's also the difference in using an analog interface versus moving things on the screen. Knobs are often so much more intuitive. But speaking of screens: what's that monitor you are using?
The hofa test is more of an engineering pop quiz than a production evaluation. It still has important stuff a good producer should know, but also include bits that are obsolete.
In 2021, improves nothing but your self-satisfaction. If you trying to get signed no label gives a shit if you use analog. If the mix is clean, its gold and doesn't matter how it got there.
on the A and B test i like to say youtube has a sound encoding and processing system when you upload a video that makes sounds a little bit softer and some stuff like this. if on this test, there was a little different or something like that, we can't recognize that at all.
Sometimes I do 'analog in the box'. So I record real Instruments and reproduce an analog chain in the DAW based on tape machines. Big fun and the results with all the cascading analog simulators summing up decent saturation und compression and adding harmonies .. great.
I think it might make a small difference, but it might also make a huge difference. As for how much difference to justify the expense, it really depends on what you are listening out for. After much consideration, there are some people for whome the extra bit of shine, openness or resolution is either not of interest or possibly might even work against them. Some, it seems, do actually prefer the accuracy and zero noise of plugins, any benefit of analog is considered a distraction or, simply not appreciated. Others, like me, really dislike what I perceive as a closed sound of plugins, they can fall flat and seem to lack extended frequencies. I notice particularly with EQ how digital doesn’t bloom musically, but ‘lifts’ the frequency and gets harsh much earlier. Just my preference maybe, but I wouldn’t say the difference is small, for me the difference is everything.
You focused mostly on mixing and mastering. I'm curious about your thoughts on synths. I go back and forth between plugins and analog synths. Even hybrid analog/digital synths like the Udo Super 6 sound better to me than really good digital synths.
I have been making electronic music for 20+ years, twice I have sold everything and tried to deal only with plugins and a computer, and twice I have come back to analog gear including having an analog console. Anyone who says there's no difference is lying, because the difference it is indeed quite significant. If that were true analog gear had already disappeared just like modern technology has done with many other things. However, I agree, you don’t need analog to make good sounding music, but if you want that thing when you say “man is that sound!!!”, my recommendation is to have in the way in a pair of good quality analog preamps to capture the sound - Neve, SSL, Api, SPL, do the tweaking of your song with plugins and in the way out master in analog.
@@domdraper3221 hey man, yes if you can’t afford quality preamps go for an analog desk that will give you decent preamps, there are many options nowadays which will also give you a multi track digital convention that can be sent to your computer. Let me know what is your budget and I will recommend you few. when I hit play all my instruments go to a 32 channel analog console where I do al the gate, eq and some gentle compression and external effects, then depending on the complexity of the song it goes in batches of 16 tracks to a 16 channels digital convertor into the computer where I do the final tweaking with the minimum plugins I can use, then the final stereo mix go to a ReVox tape machine, and then I master all with hardware only.
@@quantika72 man I don’t even know a budget. I always buy cheap stuff that doesn’t end up doing the job properly. Maybe I should save for something that’s at least ok. I also wanted to be able to send tracks also from the computer to the desk, and then somehow back in again. What would you recommend for a smallest up?
@@domdraper3221 I hear you man, yes to sound pro is not cheap, however for legit results go for the Tascam Model 16 or 24 or the Yamaha MG16XU or the Yamaha MG20XU, any of those will give you that feeling of tracking through a console and also the in and out digital conversion. I have friends that use those and the preamps sound really good
@@FreestyleGalaxyNMore nah that’s why when you get a masterclass from a well known or legendary edm producer they constantly do A and B comparisons and say they can’t stress how much better analog sounds and how important it is. They probably don’t even know what they are doing.
This video was not about synths in general, but one example how good a digital synth sounds is the Hydrasynth. I just can't get over it! Just my 2 cents.
Jon sine please can you tell if I should get an Audio interface does it help in mixing I've been making music for almost 4 years and my mixing is still shit
The CD vs vinyl comparison never really works for me. CDs were always mastered so much louder than vinyl, because they don't have the mechanical limitation of the needle. So what you're actually hearing is a very compressed version of the song, vs a version with more dynamic range, that breathes more naturally, and has greater contrast between sections. If everyone now masters their music to -14dB LUFS, we should start to get that back even with digital music.
Of all the analogue processes you could apply to audio, I think summing is the least useful. I've yet to see a decent scientific test that has convinced me otherwise.
IMO analog gear does add something, but the difference (that analog imperfection) is only valuable to the few who can really hear and enjoy it - and actually care... I’m not a sommelier and I can’t discern the difference between a $100 wine (digital) and a $10,000 wine (analog) honestly. But the difference is there.
Before hearing the resuts A is better it is punchy and stuck together and you can feel the tones very clearly and the A verssion has mor high top it is we mixed B do not like it at least after hearing A.
When I print a track using analog hardware I can hear the analog noise in between the lyrics when I start placing plugins, is there anything I can do to reduce it or remove it?
Hey Jon, been a fan of your vlog for a while, and a few days ago I've encountered my first ear problem. I'm trying to meet a doctor asap... Would you share any tips, good practice for hearing maintenance ? Thanks, cheers from Montreal.
Well you are screwed. Advice is easy. Ear damage can’t be undone. Can only get worse. Don’t ever listen with headphones. Nothing loud at all. It is as easy as it gets. Loudness hurts. Get less loud. Much less loud in your case
@@arjanpetersen You're assuming a lot, and stating the absolute obvious doesn't help anyone. I have a pretty well setup home studio where I keep volumes below conversation levels 99% of the time. I never use headphones except for tracking or an occasional checkup, which aren't extended periods of time. What I'm asking about is if he's got any tips or practices. Jon used to DJ before covid, those are super loud environments, that's why I'm asking him. There must be things to be done, like putting earplugs or cleaning our ears, I dunno... I guess the doctor will be of more help.
i can definitely hear the differences between analog gear and digital plugins. analog gear has more depth. i think it all depends on if the source material has already been run through analog gear or not. if you got samples that already have and you make hip/hop or something like that it will work. on the other hand if you are doing rock/metal and have real instruments thats not going to work. you cannot get the amount of low end on those mixes without analog gear. ive tried all kinda of different saturators etc on my mixes and they just never gave me what i wanted out of it. However if the source material has already been ran through analog gear you can certainly mix with plugins and get away with it. Analog will always sound better to my ears.
If you have the money and a professional studio, gear Is the better investment. Plugins are worth $0 after you buy them and most are never used. Some won’t even work in the future or you have to keep paying for updates. Your gear will hold it’s value and work 20 years from now so I would say that’s a great deal.
I think analog has more randomization as the gear changes its charecteristic based on the atmosphere i think ,like humidity and stuff ! but in digital i think it emulates a particular situation i think cause i read about it not that i own analog eqipment but its just my opinion about it ! and i felt the B had more high end than A ! but anyways opinions aside I love your videos my dude !!! keep it up !!! and please dont roast the crap out of me i just read abt it and wearing crappy headphones to listen !
Well... that first sentence is not true at all anymore. Studios are highly monitored when it comes to humidity etc. It is just that analog gear is a bit more crap than digital. And our ears like to hear some differences.
@@arjanpetersen Its something i read somewhere on the internet thats all so nothing is solid of what i said there ! so Thanks for the info stefan appreciate it !
Most folks into analog gear are into the vintage stuff from the 40s-60s. It has a distinctive and unique sound if it has been properly maintained. The newer analog gear is for a niche market that wants to attempt to recapture some of the sounds available with vintage gear at a lower price. Personally, I don't see the point. It is expensive, takes up room, and costs money to run and maintain. Digital algorithms are so much superior sonically with zero deviation. And some devs even incorporate code to replicate the lack of precision and variability of analog gear. My early studios had all tube analog gear because it was cheap and people were giving it away or throwing it away. I built my own passive stereo analog console from electronic parts. However, I much prefer to work with my computer and as little outboard gear as possible as what I can do is light years beyond what I could do with my racks of synths and analog gear in the 80s.
While it's more convenient on the pocket to have software versions of gear like Better Maker(which looks absolutely gorgeous in my opinion) Hardware all day long for me. If a software company goes bust, your fucked, but at least the hardware will carry on working passed our lifetime.
Analog vs digital. analog = imperfection digital = perfection/robotic. People generally prefer analog sound because imperfections is real and robotic is fake. For example no matter how good a pocket pussy is it will never beat or match the real thing. Doesn't make it bad just different.
To Quote Deadmau5 (and I think he is one of the very best): "Using an SSL G-Series compressor, on a dance music kick makes no fucking sense whatsoever." ;) Everything is said.
I think for people who don't know it is better to learn your craft and what things do before you go investing in Hardware. education is key and once you are educated then you will know what you don't need. get past all the marketing and let your ears lead the way. if I'm a software company I can count on you to pay for upgrades every year or two if I'm a gear Peddler I can convince you this is the latest re-creations of the 1176 or the la-2a for a fraction of the price. to me personally operating systems change systems get outdated programs get discontinued hybrid is the best I like to keep my computer stuff to a minimum while still using my Hardware.
Producing music is like bodybuilding. Your DAW is your Gym. Your Plugins are the kitchen tools. Your presets are your nutrition. And all of that gear... is just the bullshit supplements you take that every pro says isn't necessary to make gains.
I whole heartedly disagree with this. This guy is a smart guy and he makes a lot of great points in this video. However, I make electronic music with nothing but digital sample libraries that I then sum through the Dangerous 2 buss plus with my Bax EQ and Neve Portico 2 Master Buss Processor as an external insert and my mixes have increased tremendously. This guy wouldn’t have a entire table full of analog equipment if it wasn’t blatantly improving his mixes. The fact that he claims the outboard gear he has, especially his bettermaker stuff improves his mixes by fractions of a percent is a total lie. I can see cheap knockoff analog gear not doing much, but equipment like bettermaker, Neve, Manley, Dangerous, etc. is going to improve your mixes by a lot, if you know how to use them property. But even then, you can throw shit at the wall and most things sound good through expensive analog gear. You do get what you pay for. The pros wouldn’t still be utilizing analog equipment if it increased their mixes by a percentage. That’s so funny. Some of the gear this guy has in his rack goes for 4gs for a single unit. Trust that Jon’s mixes are a lot fatter, thicker, wider and airer than all of you who are directly mixing and mastering in the box. It’s just the truth. Professional sounding audio is expensive. Love this guys channel though. Keep up the vids!
It improves zero. If your music is garbage, it will be garbage sounding through thousands of euros of equipment. Will it add some extra "Idontknowhowtodescribeit"? For sure, but it will not improve nobody's music.
Nothing like some fresh ears in the morning
😁
Ew who eats ears for breakfast (jk)
Started on an SSL 9k, then went to summing mixers with outboard gear, now, everything in the box. The big difference? My experience.
Welcome to HOFA-College, Jon!
Good to have you & great studio 🙂
Best wishes from Karlsdorf, Germany
Analog gear is mostly for your inner comfort. Let's be honest, 99 % of the audience won't hear the difference. But I'm convinced, that hardware can fire up your creativity if you love to turn knobs, push buttons and move sliders.
totally specially within a mix where you have 100 tracks in a song, the difference is almost impossible to spot nowadays even for pros
True, does gear make the music or you? Outside of music makers and such, no one cares.
Ehhh kind of true but there are still several benefits of (certain) hardware
Hardwares primary benefit (software has many of its own too) is mostly about the superior physical/tactile interfacing. Which can allow you to 'get in the zone' better & can result in a more musical & less sterile result (if the user has the skill & talent to properly use the hardware, which most dont). This will eventually be overcome, & in doing so will essentially merge hardware with software for something better than either, high quality multi-point touchscreens in conjuction with numerous other technologies will allow this (such as perhaps self midi-controller-mapping programs, large physical knobs with lights around them to show the volume level of that knob as what parameter it's controlling is changed between various others (yes they already have these & they are great but the software implementation isn't there yet, also their are other issues such as that the way it works is you use your mouse/TouchPad/ or Touchscreen(best option) to touch a knob or slider and have you "clicker hover over it" (the ultimate setup would also have motorized faders for these) Another benefit (which can be overcome with the right software & workflow/workethic) is that if your using primarly popular software & also the same samples & presets as millions of others, first off I wouldn't even call that mixing/producing/or sound design, a monkey could do that. But it also results in 99% of stuff sounding the same, & I think is a major reason that we haven't seen many new advances in music in terms of interesting new genres or never before heard types of sounds, despite the massive influx of new & far more advanced music production tools (honestly hardware as well). I guess you could say this is more an issue of lazy/ uncreative people flooding the world with garbage & mediocre music (or various other art forms as well) do to the democratization & massive change in affordable access to music production software & tools, social media's ability for limitless free shameless self-promotion, & free access to media-production & distribution. (Plus Clear Chan. Buying up a monopoly on practicaly all US radiostations & leveraging that along with "pay4play" to give them the ultimate influence possible in which artists do or don't make it to the "big time", & thus molding "popular culture" not based on what is actually considered the best or even what on an even playing field would've been the most popular.
true! I think the only hardware that REALLY matters are things like a good mic for vocals + a good preamp and if possible a good compressor but when it comes to the mix, I would say it's not THAT important still very good to have but for mastering purpose, I think it matters a lot. when you have racks of tube saturation, clippers etc and you gain 3-4 db of headroom and your songs gets louder, trust me it matters lol
Damn John, your studio looks amazing. I haven't been here for a while, and I'm just now seeing it. I'm jealous. I need something like this myself, but I'm jealous in a good way. Take care brother, and thanks for your knowledge...SBN RESONATE
My old fully analogue mixes have "something" that I have never been able to recreate digitally. I think the very nature of a fully analogue recording/mixing did a lot of work for us! My skills and tools have improved infinitely, yet I don't have the same connection to my fully digital mixes. That said... the things I love about digital would be impossible to give up now!
Your videos are like meeting some kind of colleague on a daily basis. Helpful in these fucked up times.
I started in the box and more recently started getting into analog gear. Although the differences are small they are noticeable..especially when it comes to saturation. But you can replicate it if you know what you're doing. Acustica Audio offers the best emulations Ive come across if you're looking to get familiar with gear.
Best comment .
Haha true especially nebula4 from acustica hard to tell that between hardware
I’ll be the one to say it…TimP
I don't know... I've been producing, mixing and Mastering for years in the box.
It's rock mostly, so I record real instruments.
But I had an old cheap rack compressor from Yamaha laying around and some free time. So I just ran a couple of tracks through it. Tried bass, snare, kick and vocals.
And, OMG that thing does great things to bass guitar, not the compression per say, but overdriving the circuit gives a color to the bass that I never heard on plugins!
So yah, the GAS is growing strong here. Now I want analog gear! 😂
7:30 plugin alliance has chnnale strips with what is known as TMT, this emulates the differences in a summing channel so that you can kind of replicate the summing of a SSL E console for example. Also The UA LUNA software has a special summing process where you can in fact emulate summing from various consoles (similar to plugin alliance, but more integrated and like the actual analogue process).
Really insightful video! Also I find that a big difference between analogue and digital is clipping the A/D converter. You can in fact do this in software by using something like standardCLIP that sounds somewhat similar to the crane song HEDD converter.
The one thing I feel you skipped is the writing/recording stage and how you interact with hardware synths differently to soft synths. Being able to manipulate more than one parameter at a time because you're not having to use a mouse and being creative with the limitations that some hardware has to do new and exciting things. The desire to learn the instrument inside out because it cost an arm and a leg, is beautifully made and just begging to be played like a vintage Strat or Steinway. You build a relationship with these things, learn to embrace their quirks, learn where they shine and how to make them shine brighter.
I love Sine
Its line
The tittle is just a part of the video and the rest a big surprise
Welcome to Hofa College! 😁 My sound design studies at a Berlin academy will end in April and my audio engineer diploma will start immediately afterwards at Hofa College. which course have you booked at Hofa?
Good to hear ^^ finishing the pro soon so 😅
@@lnd HOFA-Gang is in the House! 🤣👍
There's also the difference in using an analog interface versus moving things on the screen. Knobs are often so much more intuitive. But speaking of screens: what's that monitor you are using?
The hofa test is more of an engineering pop quiz than a production evaluation. It still has important stuff a good producer should know, but also include bits that are obsolete.
In 2021, improves nothing but your self-satisfaction. If you trying to get signed no label gives a shit if you use analog. If the mix is clean, its gold and doesn't matter how it got there.
I often look at my old keys magazines from the 90s....in those days music making was expensive and hard work....
Thanks man so much. You saved a lot of money for me ❤
on the A and B test i like to say youtube has a sound encoding and processing system when you upload a video that makes sounds a little bit softer and some stuff like this. if on this test, there was a little different or something like that, we can't recognize that at all.
Just tried the test in the link you provided.. scored 97%.. 🙈🙈
Feeling proud of myself.. 🙈😋
Sometimes I do 'analog in the box'. So I record real Instruments and reproduce an analog chain in the DAW based on tape machines. Big fun and the results with all the cascading analog simulators summing up decent saturation und compression and adding harmonies .. great.
dude 5 seconds in i was like i know that guy! then it hit me. its bane the new hulk guy in the avengers lol. great vid mane
I think it might make a small difference, but it might also make a huge difference. As for how much difference to justify the expense, it really depends on what you are listening out for. After much consideration, there are some people for whome the extra bit of shine, openness or resolution is either not of interest or possibly might even work against them. Some, it seems, do actually prefer the accuracy and zero noise of plugins, any benefit of analog is considered a distraction or, simply not appreciated. Others, like me, really dislike what I perceive as a closed sound of plugins, they can fall flat and seem to lack extended frequencies.
I notice particularly with EQ how digital doesn’t bloom musically, but ‘lifts’ the frequency and gets harsh much earlier.
Just my preference maybe, but I wouldn’t say the difference is small, for me the difference is everything.
You focused mostly on mixing and mastering. I'm curious about your thoughts on synths. I go back and forth between plugins and analog synths. Even hybrid analog/digital synths like the Udo Super 6 sound better to me than really good digital synths.
One of your best videos. How do you get a track on Spotify ?
I have been making electronic music for 20+ years, twice I have sold everything and tried to deal only with plugins and a computer, and twice I have come back to analog gear including having an analog console. Anyone who says there's no difference is lying, because the difference it is indeed quite significant. If that were true analog gear had already disappeared just like modern technology has done with many other things. However, I agree, you don’t need analog to make good sounding music, but if you want that thing when you say “man is that sound!!!”, my recommendation is to have in the way in a pair of good quality analog preamps to capture the sound - Neve, SSL, Api, SPL, do the tweaking of your song with plugins and in the way out master in analog.
Do you run your tracks through an analog mixing desk? I’ve been considering it because I can’t afford all those pre-amps.
@@domdraper3221 hey man, yes if you can’t afford quality preamps go for an analog desk that will give you decent preamps, there are many options nowadays which will also give you a multi track digital convention that can be sent to your computer. Let me know what is your budget and I will recommend you few. when I hit play all my instruments go to a 32 channel analog console where I do al the gate, eq and some gentle compression and external effects, then depending on the complexity of the song it goes in batches of 16 tracks to a 16 channels digital convertor into the computer where I do the final tweaking with the minimum plugins I can use, then the final stereo mix go to a ReVox tape machine, and then I master all with hardware only.
@@quantika72 man I don’t even know a budget. I always buy cheap stuff that doesn’t end up doing the job properly. Maybe I should save for something that’s at least ok.
I also wanted to be able to send tracks also from the computer to the desk, and then somehow back in again.
What would you recommend for a smallest up?
@@domdraper3221 I hear you man, yes to sound pro is not cheap, however for legit results go for the Tascam Model 16 or 24 or the Yamaha MG16XU or the Yamaha MG20XU, any of those will give you that feeling of tracking through a console and also the in and out digital conversion. I have friends that use those and the preamps sound really good
@@quantika72 thanks heaps man I’ll check them out.
version B sounded more 3d to me.. did you say eventually which was what?
Analog vs digital doesn’t matter that much because you write EDM. It’s your style that doesn’t allow there to be a big audible difference.
Most EDM producers I know of mostly use analog gear.
@don draper just because they use it, doesn't mean it matters.
@@FreestyleGalaxyNMore nah that’s why when you get a masterclass from a well known or legendary edm producer they constantly do A and B comparisons and say they can’t stress how much better analog sounds and how important it is. They probably don’t even know what they are doing.
This video was not about synths in general, but one example how good a digital synth sounds is the Hydrasynth. I just can't get over it!
Just my 2 cents.
A's mid is more pronounce compare B maybe due to some saturation. You can always compensate with eq/saturation plugin.
This is awesome conclusion which I completely resonate with...
Gear like that is great if you can afford it and it inspires you. Analog effects can be modelled effectively too.
Jon sine please can you tell if I should get an Audio interface does it help in mixing
I've been making music for almost 4 years and my mixing is still shit
There are summing plugins... console simulated stuff. UAD make one... Sonimus... Nebula/Acustica plugins.
I am a veteran subscriber so gotta say you are doing well so keep up the good work buddy 😀😀❤️❤️
The CD vs vinyl comparison never really works for me. CDs were always mastered so much louder than vinyl, because they don't have the mechanical limitation of the needle.
So what you're actually hearing is a very compressed version of the song, vs a version with more dynamic range, that breathes more naturally, and has greater contrast between sections.
If everyone now masters their music to -14dB LUFS, we should start to get that back even with digital music.
Of all the analogue processes you could apply to audio, I think summing is the least useful. I've yet to see a decent scientific test that has convinced me otherwise.
Your vlogs are top notch
Great video mate!
IMO analog gear does add something, but the difference (that analog imperfection) is only valuable to the few who can really hear and enjoy it - and actually care...
I’m not a sommelier and I can’t discern the difference between a $100 wine (digital) and a $10,000 wine (analog) honestly. But the difference is there.
Miss your videos man!
Before hearing the resuts
A is better it is punchy and stuck together and you can feel the tones very clearly
and the A verssion has mor high top it is we mixed
B do not like it at least after hearing A.
When I print a track using analog hardware I can hear the analog noise in between the lyrics when I start placing plugins, is there anything I can do to reduce it or remove it?
use Gate
Hey Jon, been a fan of your vlog for a while, and a few days ago I've encountered my first ear problem. I'm trying to meet a doctor asap... Would you share any tips, good practice for hearing maintenance ? Thanks, cheers from Montreal.
Well you are screwed. Advice is easy. Ear damage can’t be undone. Can only get worse. Don’t ever listen with headphones. Nothing loud at all. It is as easy as it gets. Loudness hurts. Get less loud. Much less loud in your case
@@arjanpetersen You're assuming a lot, and stating the absolute obvious doesn't help anyone. I have a pretty well setup home studio where I keep volumes below conversation levels 99% of the time. I never use headphones except for tracking or an occasional checkup, which aren't extended periods of time.
What I'm asking about is if he's got any tips or practices. Jon used to DJ before covid, those are super loud environments, that's why I'm asking him. There must be things to be done, like putting earplugs or cleaning our ears, I dunno... I guess the doctor will be of more help.
Man real Pultec and the plug 🔌 in don’t sound nowhere near the same you cannot make plug in sound warm
good job, well done!!! indeed...
The thing that matters most is who use the analog gear. For the music of today they are searching for a mix of two and take the best of Both worlds.
Yo John Is there any difference in quality between digital synth and analog synth ?
Just get whatever synth you think sounds good. Digital vs analog is not important.
i can definitely hear the differences between analog gear and digital plugins. analog gear has more depth. i think it all depends on if the source material has already been run through analog gear or not. if you got samples that already have and you make hip/hop or something like that it will work. on the other hand if you are doing rock/metal and have real instruments thats not going to work. you cannot get the amount of low end on those mixes without analog gear. ive tried all kinda of different saturators etc on my mixes and they just never gave me what i wanted out of it. However if the source material has already been ran through analog gear you can certainly mix with plugins and get away with it. Analog will always sound better to my ears.
If you have the money and a professional studio, gear Is the better investment.
Plugins are worth $0 after you buy them and most are never used.
Some won’t even work in the future or you have to keep paying for updates.
Your gear will hold it’s value and work 20 years from now so I would say that’s a great deal.
truth be told, thanks!
I think analog has more randomization as the gear changes its charecteristic based on the atmosphere i think ,like humidity and stuff ! but in digital i think it emulates a particular situation i think cause i read about it not that i own analog eqipment but its just my opinion about it ! and i felt the B had more high end than A ! but anyways opinions aside I love your videos my dude !!! keep it up !!! and please dont roast the crap out of me i just read abt it and wearing crappy headphones to listen !
Well... that first sentence is not true at all anymore. Studios are highly monitored when it comes to humidity etc. It is just that analog gear is a bit more crap than digital. And our ears like to hear some differences.
@@arjanpetersen Its something i read somewhere on the internet thats all so nothing is solid of what i said there ! so Thanks for the info stefan appreciate it !
Another great video. Although UAD are doing a nice job with Analogue summing engine simulations right now. Not the same, but very good :)
why does she not have her own key to her own house?
Most folks into analog gear are into the vintage stuff from the 40s-60s. It has a distinctive and unique sound if it has been properly maintained. The newer analog gear is for a niche market that wants to attempt to recapture some of the sounds available with vintage gear at a lower price. Personally, I don't see the point. It is expensive, takes up room, and costs money to run and maintain. Digital algorithms are so much superior sonically with zero deviation. And some devs even incorporate code to replicate the lack of precision and variability of analog gear. My early studios had all tube analog gear because it was cheap and people were giving it away or throwing it away. I built my own passive stereo analog console from electronic parts. However, I much prefer to work with my computer and as little outboard gear as possible as what I can do is light years beyond what I could do with my racks of synths and analog gear in the 80s.
Tried Neve summing from UAD Luna?
nothing will improve your sound, if you don't know how to use it
does vanesa watch all your vlogs?
😂 Thats a great question, never thought of this before
Don't get me wrong I still haven't figured who Vanesa is yet because of a year long break from youtube for studies so please help me out anyone
@@generalfalconyugwaay9283 No problem man....... Vanesa Jon's wife
While it's more convenient on the pocket to have software versions of gear like Better Maker(which looks absolutely gorgeous in my opinion) Hardware all day long for me. If a software company goes bust, your fucked, but at least the hardware will carry on working passed our lifetime.
Analog vs digital. analog = imperfection digital = perfection/robotic. People generally prefer analog sound because imperfections is real and robotic is fake. For example no matter how good a pocket pussy is it will never beat or match the real thing. Doesn't make it bad just different.
10 k likes and Vanessa makes a video unboxing her gear 🔥🔥🔥
Try audiobooks for relaxation and learning
To Quote Deadmau5 (and I think he is one of the very best): "Using an SSL G-Series compressor, on a dance music kick makes no fucking sense whatsoever." ;) Everything is said.
I think for people who don't know it is better to learn your craft and what things do before you go investing in Hardware. education is key and once you are educated then you will know what you don't need. get past all the marketing and let your ears lead the way.
if I'm a software company I can count on you to pay for upgrades every year or two if I'm a gear Peddler I can convince you this is the latest re-creations of the 1176 or the la-2a for a fraction of the price.
to me personally operating systems change systems get outdated programs get discontinued hybrid is the best I like to keep my computer stuff to a minimum while still using my Hardware.
Anyone know good autotune hardware gear....something Travis Scott would use
Actually the biggest advantage of digital is instant recall
you are right the difference between analogue and digital is hair thin
Producing music is like bodybuilding. Your DAW is your Gym. Your Plugins are the kitchen tools. Your presets are your nutrition. And all of that gear... is just the bullshit supplements you take that every pro says isn't necessary to make gains.
kick is more present in the mix
Analog is infinite sample rate numbers, introduces a ton of crap though.
*spoiler alert*. analog gear is a luxury, therefore, unnecessary nowadays.
Yes, as in all things in life, we should only stick to the bare minimum. Let's stop doing art while we're at it.
"A" was a bit punchier too.
!!!
I whole heartedly disagree with this. This guy is a smart guy and he makes a lot of great points in this video. However, I make electronic music with nothing but digital sample libraries that I then sum through the Dangerous 2 buss plus with my Bax EQ and Neve Portico 2 Master Buss Processor as an external insert and my mixes have increased tremendously. This guy wouldn’t have a entire table full of analog equipment if it wasn’t blatantly improving his mixes. The fact that he claims the outboard gear he has, especially his bettermaker stuff improves his mixes by fractions of a percent is a total lie. I can see cheap knockoff analog gear not doing much, but equipment like bettermaker, Neve, Manley, Dangerous, etc. is going to improve your mixes by a lot, if you know how to use them property. But even then, you can throw shit at the wall and most things sound good through expensive analog gear. You do get what you pay for. The pros wouldn’t still be utilizing analog equipment if it increased their mixes by a percentage. That’s so funny. Some of the gear this guy has in his rack goes for 4gs for a single unit. Trust that Jon’s mixes are a lot fatter, thicker, wider and airer than all of you who are directly mixing and mastering in the box. It’s just the truth. Professional sounding audio is expensive. Love this guys channel though. Keep up the vids!
Video needs some DeEssing 😞
Usain Bolt didn’t need shoes, he sometimes ran without 😜
It improves zero. If your music is garbage, it will be garbage sounding through thousands of euros of equipment. Will it add some extra "Idontknowhowtodescribeit"? For sure, but it will not improve nobody's music.
0%
Not much if your songs aren't good.
Nothing
I like b better