Here’s an FAQ we see all the time: which is better; software or hardware?
This question has raged since software emulations first appeared. And we here at Sweetwater have the final, definitive answer: it depends.
And it doesn’t just depend on the software. It depends on the hardware, and your intended use. For example, in some cases plug-ins may offer more features than the hardware they emulate — and sometimes those added features are vital to what you want to accomplish, such as automation or multi-channel operation. And, you can often use multiple instances of a plug-in where you can only use a hardware piece once (without bouncing it to an audio track).
Conversely, there’s no arguing that hardware does the job — when you want the sound of a piece of gear, you get that sound and that function, right at your fingertips. There can be a “vibe” with “real” hardware that’s very enticing, and there can be workflow benefits to using hardware that many people enjoy.
Some aspects of this also fall into the realm of opinion, such as relative sound quality. Hardware sounds great, but there’s no denying that software sounds great, too!
So give software emulations of hardware its due; there are definite advantages. But don’t forget to give hardware its due, too — there are definite advantages to both!
As a final note, we do have one question: why do we have to choose? Both software and hardware each offer many benefits, but the benefits of combining them together are even greater! You get the best of both worlds, and can take advantage of the strengths of each!