Analog versus Acid music studio In this article I’m going to go into hardware; or analog, versus acid music studio.
Even today there is a tendency towards a preference of hardware or analog equipment over computers. Some people will say the use of the computer is not really making music. This is usually from people that have spent years and years studying music and/or an instrument.
They feel that since anyone can just use a computer to make up their own music; without really needing years of study, it’s not real.
However using a computer to create music that sounds really good, does take years of practice and experimentation.
While a computer does allow a person to overcome a lack of knowledge in music education, or ability with an instrument, it is not going to turn garbage into a platinum album.
In this article I’m going to go over how useful a computer actually is.
I’m going to compare old-school analog equipment to modern computers, and the programs used by them.
To start off with the absolute essential analog recording device, a multi track tape deck.
A multi track tape deck allows you to make multiple recordings and play them back at the same time. This lets you take two, three, or more recordings and combine them into one.
This lets you record vocals, drums, guitars, keyboards and whatever other instruments being used as separate tracks. Then using the recorder you combine them into one.
These multi track tape decks are expensive, and can take up a lot of space. They are also limited in the number of tracks they can use at once.
Acid music studio has a number of tracks only limited by your computer’s ability to handle them. The same tracks you would use for loops can be used as a multi track recorder.
Next I’m going to go over effects.
There are a vast amount of effects available. In old-school analog recording you needed a rack full of various effect modules.
These effects can cause lots of different changes to your music, or the sounds that you use to make it.
Let me simply say that there are dozens of effects used both with instruments and recording. From the pedals guitar players use, to the reverb effect, there are many available.
And with traditional hardware each one takes up room, lots of room. If you’ve ever seen footage of a band in a recording studio you have probably seen what I’m talking about.
All those shelves of black boxes with the knobs and switches, with cords leading together are effects modules.
Furthermore most of these effects would be used while recording. Taking away the freedom to apply them later.
And on top of all that you have the massive equalization control panel. That’s the big desk with all the sliders and knobs.
A home recording studio using the computer combines all of this equipment into one tool. As long as your computer can handle them it can use as many effects as you want.
Including all the traditional effects as well as plenty of very weird ones that you will only find for computers.
Including EQ panels.
Best of all you can apply these at any time. While the best effects processors do cost money, plenty can be found for free. Most of these will plug in directly to your program. Acid music studio has built-in effects. I have also found a number of free ones I have downloaded to use.
The same thing that can be said about effects can be said about MIDI and drum machines.
Hardware versions of these machines, and old-school synthesizers which were also modular take up a large amount of space.
Certain models would have their own sound just like any instruments, and with any enthusiasts there would be a tendency to collect them.
A computer takes all of these tools and gives them to you in a single package. Again the best ones do cost money. However many very nice MIDI, drum machines, and synthesizer programs/plug-ins can be gotten for free.
To conclude I will say that Analog does have its own charm, and tends to give a richer sound. Much the same way vinyl records have a richer sound than CD's.
But unless you have a small fortune to get the gear and the space to house it, a computer is by far the choice for a home studio.
This intel first appeared on: http://acidhedz.com/wordpress/?p=5
