Hacker News Reader

Comment by IYasha | Hacker News Reader

I wonder why after all these years after PCs became cheap and powerful trackers didn't wipe out all hardware drum machnies (if not everything else)? (note: I include DAWs and other MIDI sw there as well) Maybe because of tactile feeling? :) To have things to touch, press, turn, squeeze, tear off, crack... :D

View on HN

This is a super-frequently discussed topic among electronic musicians. No question software has become dominant, but I think the main argument for why hardware hasn't been "wiped out" is more or less what you said - interacting with a dedicated piece of hardware with knobs, faders, keys is a very different experience than typing and clicking or tapping on a touch screen. You can use MIDI controllers for PCs/tablets, but it's still not quite the same, as you have to configure your controller for each plugin, etc. There's some advanced controller interfaces like the Maschine that have a deeper integration between the software and hardware. But then you're still tethered to a computer, which some people dislike.

Machines have a mind of their own. The workflow and engine constraints guides the creative process. Machine control is physical and immediate. Machines are focused on the single task of making sounds. Machines are ready to play the moment you turn them on. Machines can be collected, borrowed and traded. Machines are independent of OS upgrades and API changes. Machines can be left in boxes for decades and will play the same when you pick them up again, except for the odd hardware issue. Machines can often be modded and repaired by their owners.

Software's versatility and abundance can lead to "analysis paralysis". Software is always a task-switch away from a YouTube session or an email from your mom or your work. If you're a perfectionist, software invites yak shaving. Software's innate precision leave less room for creative errors. Software depends on a hardware/software stack that will invariably become obsolete or break compatibility at some point. Software has little long-term intrinsic value if it's not bound to an actual hardware installation.

In the 90s I had to reboot mid-set as the ASIO driver for my Sound Blaster Live! died.

Never relied on a computer as a core of my setup since. Still on MPC1000.

In all objectivity you can do much more with one single laptop than a number of synth/sequencers/controllers/groovebox.

But:

- we are tactile people

- we like knobs and things that plugs into themselves (a sexual thing?)

The 2 aformentionned items are partially solved by the the use of midi controllers but:

- software instruments launched by a DAW lack relief

- we like owning things

- limitations inspire creativity

- when using a computer you are all too often exposed to procrastination through the proximity of the web browser, communication tools / social medias notifications, etc.

- some of us spend enough time in front of a computer during the day that once we are off we prefer not open it again

- there are people who collect things

- machines can be sold back, software licenses activated online usually cannot.

- I would totally bring my Model:Samples or any other pocket groovebox/synthsequencer to shape some draft of music with headphones, I wouldn't bring a laptop there.

Yes, I’d say that interface makes enough of a difference such that musicians enjoy the challenges they present. And from my experience, this influences the outcome of the work, which presents interesting possibilities.

For example, consider the following scenarios:

1. Musician is sitting at a desk, drawing midi notes on a screen, much the way he might enter data on a spreadsheet.

2. Musician is standing over two independent hardware synth/sequencers, twiddling knobs, usually in sync with the tempo. That standing position might even incline him to dance. The body is now playing a significant role.

Paint by numbers vs a blank paper. I can't use a DAW, I end up with the musical equvilent of dickbutt every time.

Came back specially to say I agree with both of you and many others - there's a huge difference between playing music and programming music. I prefer another way, when possible: record sheet live (midi, or it, xm, etc) and then edit things a bit. Mainly because I'm an idealist and a programmer. It's very important to me to have music in "vector (vs. raster)" - notes instead of stream format. So, requirement to have hardware instrument is always bugging me.

It did, there is just a resurgence of entrepreneurial hipsters trying to bring back hardware stuff like they're trying to bring back vinyl.

I really have a few questions: how good do the analog channels sound? How good is the filter? Is it better than a Prophet 5?

As with any creative device, it's not about power or checking boxes on feature list, it's about how you gel with the thing and gets your juices flowing, or not.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com