Music Producers have a notorious reputation when it comes to the setup they use to make produce their music. Ironically the modular synthesisers and sequencers like the Moog Modular or the more practical Korg MS 20, made sound replication from one session to another impractical at best. The thought of one musician steeling another’s sound back in the 70s was pretty unlikely especially compared to the ease of “patch sharing” today.
With AU and VST plugin technology now an industry standard and available for most DAWs. With the exponential rise of computer processing power, Software developers can now replicate analogue circuitry with an extremely high degree of accuracy. Even more, developers can now combine traditional oscillator synthesis with modern PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) technology - effectively combining sample technology and synthesis together for a fraction of the cost of the hardware equivalent.
Before Transistor technology, guitarists would lug around 50 - 60 kilo heads and cabinets full of valves, that required 60 seconds or so to warm up before use. Although Transistor Amplification has come a long way & is far more affordable than their valve counterparts, they lack depth of tone and warmth like the Marshall JTM 45. There’s a great article here from guitar.com These days you can buy a variety of heads and contained amp/speaker combos with tube pre-amps there’s a great article about it here.
Like synthesisers, software has done a good job of modelling the valve sound. Still…. there is a warmth in the valve sound that probably will never fully be replicated. It’s like comparing the digital accuracy of a CD to the unpredictability of Vinyl. The point is, there will always be value in the tangible. Feeling the grooves of a record in your fingertips, gently lowering the stylus before cross fading into the next track. Like that feeling of turning the pages of a book, the smell of the ink and the glue binding the pages to the spine. No matter how far software comes, there will always be an intangible element to the tangible instrument.
software I use
Do not Pirate Software & Do not use unlicensed audio.
Pirated files may contain viruses or malware & almost certainly will not end up working. Most Software Developers sell versions of their software at reduced prices (admittedly with reduced functionality). Often developers will then let you upgrade your version at a significantly reduced price. I have included links to my favourite tools for you to trial and purchase at your discretion.
Logic Pro X - produce on the road
pro Logic X (Apple inc.)
Logic X is an outstanding DAW (Digital Audio Workstation). Great value for money with extensive capabilities with quality included plugins and over 100 GB of samples (Apple Loops) included. It’s a fairly linear workstation, in a similar vain to the stalwarts like Cubase and Pro-Tools. What makes Pro Logic unique is that it combines the elements of audio composition and production so seamlessly.
Slate Digital - The Netflix of Plugins
slate digital
Slate Digital market themselves as the “Netflix of Plugins” with a fairly reasonable monthly subscription fee you can access a variety of plugins, mostly covering analogue amplification emulations. There is also access to an exceptionally powerful synthesiser called ANA 2 by Sonic Academy.
Slate Digital plugins are especially useful when mastering your tracks. They offer a variety of EQ, Filter, Compressor combinations that can really help shape the tone and feel of your track’s sound.
The Slate Accademy is also an amazing resource for in depth tutorials from industry experts.
The only downside - you need to use ilok’s cloud security service to activate your plugins. Which can be frustrating at times.
NATIVE Instruments
Native Instruments are primarily a software company that also sells physical midi devices, such as their popular Traktor DJ equipment and KONTROL midi controllers. Their keyboards and dj equipment are responsive and intuitive.
What really sets Native Instruments apart is their software. Their main core of products - Reaktor, Kontakt & Massive are incredible proprietary products that have lead the evolution of physical instruments to software based equivalents. Their packs aren’t cheap & don’t think about even trying to pirate them. Some packs have hundreds gigabytes of data integrated into their complex ecosystem.
See their incredible range of digital products here.
REASON STUDIOS
Reason is seriously one of the most amazing products for producing music since they emerged on the scene with Rebirth RB - 303. Reason 1.0 followed soon after and I just loved the modular interface with powerful synthesis and the unique REX loop system. Mow in its 11th iteration, Reason Studios (formerly Properllerhead Software) has made the leap from standalone DAW to fully compatible plugin.
splice
Not to be confused with the disturbing Movie staring Adrien Brody. Splice is part online community / part sample, midi, plugin catalogue. Splice provide superior high-quality samples that can be purchased individually or in packs. There are a variety of subscriptions that provide members with credits each month. Generally one sample costs you one credit, alternatively you can spring for the whole pack.
The diversity of the labels working with Splice cater for the most eclectic of tastes. All samples are completely royalty free and can be used in your compositions for profit (should you be so lucky).
What makes Splice so great is the file manager that integrates with your DAW. You can easily search and filter for samples to suit your track. If you don’t like what you already have, you can download and insert any sample from their library using your credits from your account.
Splice also provide a variety of audio plugins, some of which you can “rent-to-buy” or purchase outright. Splice have partnered with some big name plugin producers such as iZotope and Xfer Records.