There is an old saying, “what comes around goes around” that I’ve heard applied to many things. Fashion, cars, whatever you can think of has a trend and then disappears for a while, then comes back sometimes in better form, sometimes not.
I’m noticing a lot of software manufacturers releasing plugins that emulate and model vintage gear. These plugins go for a premium price because of the gear that the tend to try and copy. But I’ve been noticing a quiet revolution of sorts….
While the market trend is to buy these software emulations the prices on some of the real hardware is coming down below the cost of the software. For example, the Lexicon LXP plugin bundle sells for $399. You can buy a real LXP for around $150. Now, I know that there are advantages to using plugins like being able to load as many as you want, I get that. But there are advantages to hardware as well….like the sound! There are ways around the limits of hardware within in DAW as well.
There are new manufacturers that are creating NEW world class hardware now for the same cost or less than a premium plugin would cost. For example, FMR makers of the “Really Nice Compressor” and Overstayer Recording Equipment makers of the “Overstayer” compressor which is being heralded on line as the next classic to rival the 1176. Both sell way under what some of the software packages do.
Both have advantages and disadvantages that you have to weigh to figure out what works best for you. Hardware requires maintenance, software doesn’t. Software requires a license key or number, hardware does not. Those are just two small examples.
Choose what works best for you, but I invite you to think out of the box! It’s a whole new world outside.
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