Analog Gear vs. Plugins: See if Pro Mixers Can Hear a Difference

Spot the difference in this shootout between vintage, analog gear and digital plugins
☛ Learn the go-to starting points for EQ and compression in heavy mixes with my FREE Mixing Cheatsheet: mixcheatsheet.com
Watch This Next: I Recorded Drums to TAPE... Can You Hear the Difference? • I Recorded Drums to TA...
Music I’ve Worked On: open.spotify.com/playlist/6I7...
Website: hardcoremusicstudio.com
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MY FAVORITE GEAR:
Computer / Interface:
Mac M1 Studio Max sweetwater.sjv.io/anOMOo
Avid Carbon sweetwater.sjv.io/ZQ6M6g
Apogee Duet 3 sweetwater.sjv.io/y2qXqb
Monitors / Headphones:
Avantone CLA-10a sweetwater.sjv.io/WqyMyZ
Audio Technica ATH-M50 sweetwater.sjv.io/PyOMON
Microphones:
Shure SM57 sweetwater.sjv.io/daOMy7
AKG D112 sweetwater.sjv.io/Kj0MBy
Sennheiser e604 sweetwater.sjv.io/DKyvWa
Shure SM7b sweetwater.sjv.io/5g5vk3
AKG C451b sweetwater.sjv.io/jre9Rv
Shure SM81 sweetwater.sjv.io/eK1LnD
Audio Technica AT4050 sweetwater.sjv.io/JzKMqr
Preamps/Outboard:
API 3124 sweetwater.sjv.io/eK1LRD
EL8 Distressor sweetwater.sjv.io/XYmMd4
Favorite Plugins:
BSA Clipper blacksaltaudio.com/clipper
Escalator blacksaltaudio.com/escalator
Low Control blacksaltaudio.com/low-control
Waves SSL Bundle waves.alzt.net/dMd4q
Waves CLA Compressors waves.alzt.net/0va0P
Waves Platinum waves.alzt.net/jxz2M
Slate Trigger 2 sweetwater.sjv.io/MmAM53
SoundToys Rack sweetwater.sjv.io/xkLgyd
Auto-tune Pro sweetwater.sjv.io/OreMYr
Vocalign Project sweetwater.sjv.io/xkLgyA
Cranesong Phoenix II sweetwater.sjv.io/PyOMrz
Instruments / Amps:
Ludwig Black Beauty Snare sweetwater.sjv.io/1r9vDR
Gibson Les Paul sweetwater.sjv.io/B0nvz1
Evertune Guitars sweetwater.sjv.io/WqyM6P
Fender Jazz Bass sweetwater.sjv.io/nLX5R6
Sansamp Bass Driver DI sweetwater.sjv.io/OreM9Q
EVH 5150 sweetwater.sjv.io/4PGvr9
Mesa 2x12 cab sweetwater.sjv.io/75avGA

[@strakhovmixing]

Hardware is a little bit smoother than plugins, but this difference so subtle. If you can't get a good mix with plugins, your mix wouldn't be good enough with hardware. Another awesome and eye-opening video for engineers. Thank you, Jordan!)

[@jodlex_music]

I guessed everything except the last Fairchild, because the first One seemed to me deeper and warmer, and the second one seemed to have become thin and low frequencies were cut off

[@seanp2k617]

it’s also just so easy to swap plugins, AB settings, automate any tweaks or gear swaps, and CHEAP to try a lot of different things that I don’t feel like I’m missing out on much by mixing in the box. I’ve got a nice stereo 500 channel strip in a lunchbox with Neve and elysia stuff into an RME interface and it’s safe to say that with anything I’m doing here at home, the performance, room, and my abilities as an engineer are going to be the weak points before any further improvements will be realized through better gear. The investment I’ve found most valuable has been spending time mastering (ha) the stuff I’ve already got vs worrying about gear…but it is a fun hobby, hence why I’m even watching this 😊

[@mcgritty8842]

@@jodlex_musicdoubt it dude. Quit being pretentious

[@Malc180s]

@@jodlex_music First one was 1db louder. Of course it as deeper and warmer. It was exactly one db deeper and warmer.

[@symonmarcusmusic2403]

I think, hardware are a little bit rounder but not better. Its just the taste of Analog. But the Fairchild I like the plugin over the hardware wirh my headphones. But maby its just on that Headphones :)) I think it really doesn‘t matter anymore. Its just taste and the Way we hear things…

[@echodream]

I'm glad I also achieved a 100% success rate on this test! In my opinion, the most noticeable difference is in the vocal breaths and all the micro transients, which tend to stand out more prominently in plugin emulations compared to being softer and more relaxed in real hardware. Thank you for taking the time to produce these high-quality tests!

[@storytimesongs1]

I wish I DIDN’T get them all right, considering how plugins are infinitely cheaper and more convenient lol! Granted, there are much better emulations that have come out over the last 2 decades or so since Waves. I’ve decided to spend my money on the front end (instruments, high quality sample libraries, amps, mics, preamps, acoustic treatment, etc) and back end (sending off to an analog mastering house). I’m happy using plugins for the mixing phase, and I’d probably find analog mixing impractical for my workflow anyways. Still not cheap by any means, but it’s the best bang for my buck

[@williambias3630]

It's not that they're softer and more relaxed, they aren't there! Digital output from the plugin likely destroyed all the clarity. I'm starting to wonder if every digital interface has the same problem

[@josealbertoum5149]

I really like how you are doing this with an open mind and just being honest about what you hear. So many engineers do these tests with the mindset of preferring analog

[@Il-Cane]

ANALOG IS FASTER, faster mean better result, so analog is better, end of the story. But analog is bettere isnt enough because if you are poor and you sell your car for a compressor, u will sound anyway shitty, because converters cost 1000x that compressor, u need them to take the advantage of analog. otherwise is useless. having said that, I buy analog because I have cash and I like touching things, and if I'm happy I automatically mix better :)

[@samuelbeltrami5647]

@@Il-Cane what do you mean by faster?

[@mohammedabduljabbar-kg4wp]

I dont think its an openmind, i think Waves us sponsering this video😂

[@entity9588]

@@samuelbeltrami5647 Transients almost always sound better with hardware ESPECIALLY when the plugin has oversampling. Hardware just reacts to everything in a faster way, whether it be saturation compression. It's just tighter without compromising as much as a plugin. You just have to know what to listen for.

[@Funkojazzist]

@@entity9588 exactly

[@risingphoenix1484]

I want to see and hear a complete mix with plugin vs hardware as a total mix I believe the accumulation is really where the hardware will completely show its metal.

[@breezyoakk]

that would be great

[@moe47988]

And the youtuber's testing with vocals is flawed, hardware really shines in the slap and thunk with drums.

[@LafemmebearMusic]

@@moe47988can you elaborate? Cus this maybe isn’t hitting like you think. I definitely think the bus compression and outboard eq mic pre make a difference on the vocals, so what do you mean?

[@moe47988]

@@LafemmebearMusic I mean that the strength with hardware compressors is on drums, with vocals the difference with software emulations are less noticeable.

[@TiamatSorakaSolotop]

The pros said it sounded different, not better. If you have to squint really really hard to notice a difference to the point you actually stop paying attention to the artistic part of the music, does it really matter then? In my opinion, no.

[@SenseiKreese]

Would really like to hear this done with newer emulations from other companies besides Waves. Make it harder for the engineers - A, B, C, D. Get 4x of each going, 1x hardware, 3x emulations.

[@who_is_dis]

Honestly... I'm sat here like "Waves...?! Seriously?"

[@landwirtschaft2116]

@@who_is_dis Currently trying Waves' NLS (Analog Summing Plugin) - can anybody recommend an alternative / something similar?

[@Jamusictv]

I remember back in 2000. When I first starting learning all this stuff. Everyone was saying a plugin could never get close to the hardware. And now in 2023 the closeness is insane. Don't get me wrong. The hardware units in this test had a just a bit of 3d feel to them and the mids felt more analog in general. But not enough to say paying 10k more plus is worth it. You can absolutely get great sounding mixes with plugins in 2023. Mind blown! and thanks for this test!

[@LaRabia1116]

Dang! I got all of them right, I guess after working with analog and pluings for so long you get to know the sound and characteristics of each one of them. Great video by the way 👍🏽

[@drummerguyron]

I started my music production journey in the box.. Actually named my home studio InaBox.. Can definitely hear the subtle differences. But considering the lack of cash flow in this industry for us small guys.. I could never justify that kind of money for the hardware. Plus the space it takes to have them. Great video! Thanks!

[@plaguebearermetal]

I love that lots of people that I've listened to for metal production are on this video! It makes me realise that the world of metal production is quite small, but also very tight-knit!

[@squeakyproductions]

It would be an interesting test to ask which they preferred rather than if it was hardware or software.

[@eattofuholmes]

The differences are subtle but they add up when you have enough tracks and become a bigger difference.

[@homestudioculture]

The difference is audible, but it definitely does not make one better than the other. I think it's safe to say that in these days mixing with plugins gets you results that can sit on the same shelve next to completely analog productions. Great episode!

[@RealHomeRecording]

Indeed. To further your comments, I would say the less pressing issue these days is plugins versus hardware and more that limiters are still being abused. Meaning, the dynamic range of music is crush due to the so-called loudness wars that should have ended many years ago.

[@scrapethebottom]

Come on the difference between the 2 g bus compressors was there and the hardware was simply BETTER. plug in was dull and small sounding. IMO

[@jodlex_music]

I guessed everything except the last Fairchild, because the first One seemed to me deeper and warmer, and the second one seemed to have become thin and low frequencies were cut off

[@Reggi_Sample]

Small differences over 50 tracks that end up being limited and compressed is like putting a microscope to those changes which suddenly become massive jumps

[@homestudioculture]

Definitely, love your channel btw!@@RealHomeRecording

[@spartahill]

Thanks for this very timely episode, as I'm at a crossroads between hardware and software gear as I move into a different recording phase. Admittedly, I lean toward plugins for their availability, transport, and options, all inescapably tied to one's budget. Still, the software route allows me to grow my skill set much faster based on the abovementioned attributes. Though I will forever be inspired by and in awe of the awesomeness of physical outboard gear, I'm just as inspired by inbox offerings. Thanks again for the objective comparison.

[@kyolic]

I guessed all of them correctly, yet I don't think the hardware sounds so much better to justify $60.000. Also, these were just Waves plugins. There are plugins out there which are even closer to those analog units tested.

[@xxsouthxxsidexxroyxx]

Hardware is so much more affordable than what he is showing. The $10,000 compressor he shows...there are modern clones that go for $400. You don't need a $50,000 neve console...you can get the warm audio neve clone channel strip for $700. This video is very disingenuous.

[@adamphillips6747]

@@xxsouthxxsidexxroyxxbut he is talking about the actual machine that were cloned.

[@dickdanson]

​@@xxsouthxxsidexxroyxxthat would just get criticized for not using the actual hardware the plugins are emulating if he used cheaper clones

[@xxsouthxxsidexxroyxx]

@@dickdanson the cloned hardware would still sound better and be picked out by the professionals. 🤷‍♂️

[@dickdanson]

@xxsouthxxsidexxroyxx the people in this video are professionals and while they were able to pick out the hardware, they didnt seem to have much of any preference for how it sounded. Dont see how that changes by using cheaper hardware clones instead of the real thing

[@MarcusSt0ne]

I feel like the main thing I noticed is that the plugin versions are a tad brighter. Like the hardware naturally rounds off in the higher frequencies making it sound a little smoother. Character wise they all basically sounded the same lol

[@choosers5177]

Allways master at highest khz posible with plugins and than covert to 44.1 aatter. Youll remove the digital harshnes this way

[@willsantos3781]

would be interesting to compare how it fares with a full song (drums, vocals, gtrs etc.) and see if that extra bit of low mid bump or 3d depth paints a greater picture when comparing to all digital mix.

[@NikolausBrocke]

That's exactly the point. My guess, no one will ever hear a difference in the full mix. But it's not only hearing. Operating hardware is much more fun. Some original hardware keeps the value of your investment for decades. Plugins might not work anymore after some years.

[@RealHomeRecording]

​@@NikolausBrockeOne reason I prefer hardware is for recording because why not get equalization and a little bit of compression done while tracks are being laid down? Saves time and frustration when the mix begins. And overall I think it results in a better mix. That said I've been mixing with plugins for a long time now and am confident that professional results can be delivered either all in the box or a hybrid.

[@NikolausBrocke]

@@RealHomeRecording Thank's for your quick answer. In the end it's a matter of taste and how it's comfortable for you. Most of the mixes in the charts are done in the box. Tracking is of course different. But you don't need much character gear, when you have a composer studio. There are not many big studios left for tracking bands and orchestras. It simply is way too expensive. If you can't make a great mix in the box you can't do it on hardware either.

[@Arcessitor]

@@RealHomeRecording In case the settings are wrong and you want to adjust? Seems pretty obvious. Whatever is run through hardware is committed, and you'd need to rerecord or process from scratch. That's why you'd use software. I really don't feel like I need to explain this, but here we are.

[@RealHomeRecording]

@@Arcessitor The beauty of modern audio hardware is that you can actually split a preamp signal two or even three ways using something like what Radial Engineering has on offer. That way you can get a raw signal along with processed analog if you want to and can spare the expense. Best of both worlds!

[@Frank_Kreepy]

Thanks for the greatly needed perspective once again, I love these series of vids 🙂

[@MisuAlexandru1]

wow, thank you for this video! The differences are so tiny, I had to listen multiple times and really, now, after I saw your video, I can't believe how close they are. I never got a chance to work with the hardware stuff, so it's important to me to realise that the differences probably don't matter that much, it's more about the experience you guys have

[@MrVleker]

A lot of it is experience, but once you have the experience those small differences add up. Especially in production/recording ;)

[@MisuAlexandru1]

@@MrVleker yeah, I believe you :D

[@DanRelayer_Ukraine]

amazing stuff. Taking into account how old the plugins are - even more so stellar!

[@RPMatiussi_]

Jordan is a Gem for the producer comunity. He always brings such precious knowledge for us all. I'm glad i can have a personal point of view from this guy. Thanks, man!

[@dom2555]

not only price difference (even though these are old and outdated plugins in terms of quality), but with plugins you also get automations and more creative routings, sidechains and recall that you don't get with hardware... the world moves on folks.

[@SaintJosh]

I got them all right except the last one! Blown away to know the plug-in version can achieve this level of sound. I would also love to see what things can be done to compensate in the plug-in versions to make them a little more brighter or fuller sounding. To me the analog versions were my favorite but it’s so subtle, I’m sure things can be done digitally to make up the difference

[@richardatwood3623]

Your cheat sheet helped me out so much dude. Quick and easy. Huge difference. Thanks!

[@steveglenister4939]

This is such a good video for many reasons. Hats off to your professionals, they really show their worth. And really pleased to hear their opinions that you don't need to spend to sound good if you've learned your craft.

[@pablokagioglu2546]

These comparisons are great and it goes to show how much progress Digital Recording has made in the last 40 years. It also explains why so many top level professionals are mixing in-the-box. Suggestion: use 4 choices instead of 2. With two choices it is a 50/50 chance. With 4 choices however, you could have 3 copies or two and two in random order, more of a challenge that way. In the end, the differences are so small, they could easily represent the differences between two analog units; nothing you couldn’t tweak with some EQ or other processing. If you got enough CPU power; for the money, go Digital. 😎

[@aaroncampmusic]

Great video! I would echo what some are saying which is that when you add up tracks in a mix, these differences become more apparent. I think a mix through a console with outboard on every track will certainly sound more different than solo'd track comparisons. But then you have to ask, can't you also make up for that difference with some small tweaks? It also matters which makes more sense business wise - and that's why so many are ITB now at least with a little hardware here and there.

[@josipsuker1893]

Nice settings matching! You've got it pretty close! Would like to hear new plugins vs. hardware! I bet there would be more difference with mixing and matching every plugin on the whole mix. I think those subtleties adds up.

[@siriusfun]

This was great. Yes, subtle difference in most cases, however subtle adds up across 40+ tracks! Cheers.

[@audiobunny1767]

Agreed

[@mariomaslik]

As long as you can afford to buy 40+ hardware preamps, compressors and EQs

[@dans5529]

@@mariomaslik Well, you don't need to record all 40 tracks simultaneously.

[@OrangeMicMusic]

This means top mixing engineers, making real money without using any real hardware at all, aren’t aware of this 😮 You can try sending them emails teaching them 😂

[@dans5529]

​@@OrangeMicMusic It's important to remember that in most cases those top mixing engineers are working with tracks that have been processed with hardware in the recording phase, usually with great mics and in great rooms. The final mixes will often get sent to a mastering engineer who will apply more analog processing at that stage too.

[@antcall6779]

Great as always Jordan 🤘

[@carterleynes6380]

I love videos like this because it confirms my feeling that there's almost no difference between some equipment. I think there's a lot of placebo effect happening here.

[@BNormousProductions]

It’s so cool to see you finally did this video! You have been talking about doing this for a long time! I have to say I heard zero difference lol ITB all day long especially for the amount of time it saves you with presets and templates! Plugins are gonna be the better option for 99% of mixers and not to mention the $$$ savings and also space you save in the studio. Plugins for me all the time way!!

[@shoebuddy]

I think the only time I heard a noticeable difference was the SSL Bus comp. My ears are not super trained for mixing, so it was cool to see insight on how the audio engineers tell things apart.

[@borisvillar]

The difference is so subtle wow amazing

[@hiyabuddy69]

I got them all right and easily preferred the sound of the hardware, this was fun

[@jewelzfinazzo2701]

I personally track with hardware and a very nice audio interface and mix in the box while using a very nice DA converter, good monitors and a solid mixing room I built. My whole setup is about $40k. But that's including all the Analog synths, drum machines, hardware, computer and software. So I would consider that a pretty good budget for creating a quality of music that many spend millions of dollars to create. Plugins are priceless for many of us. GREAT VIDEO!

[@marlonjarek9071]

got all of them right, even through yt compression. still huge advocate for software here, since its opened up music production for everyone. and in the end, creative, unique ideas is more important than a perfect mix!

[@damirvucic]

No expert would ever be able to differentiate between a song mixed with plug ins only or a song mixed with hardware only. I like both!!!

[@AlessioGaravelloMusic]

Really cool. i think that subtle on a lot of tracks = Big difference. To achieve the last few percentage points of excellence you have to invest A LOT. In any field. Audio is no different.

[@joeyf808]

Good Point about the Waves modeling, old, be great to see Waves revamp them. I felt with some small amounts of extra saturation, You could have gotten there. Would have been interesting to hear other Manufacturers SSL, 1176, & Fairchild plugins.

[@midlifeadventures3138]

It was subtle on here but I still picked all them right. There is a 3d element I get mixing into hardware that I cannot get in the box yet. When using hardware vs plugin for me. I feel hardware. I hear plugins. Thats the best way I can describe the experience.

[@Hxs28]

Individually each piece of hardware gear contributes with a small difference if compared with its digital counterpart, however when one uses all these unique pieces of gear within a mix or a production, the sum of each individual contributions create a massive difference with a mix or a production created in the box. This is what I experience every day when I use various physical items vs times in which I only use software. The difference of sound in the final masters is evident, especially when one listens to them on a good sound sytem.

[@rl4505]

If there is no difference on AirPods it probably does not matter.

[@LafemmebearMusic]

@@rl4505it’s not that simple. That’s the main take away for me. There’s definitely amazing plug-ins out and there’s a lot of hype on both the hard and plug-in side. But for me I really didn’t get any wrong on the tests either so it tells me we are hearing something different overall is it better, that’s subjective. I will say my mix buss compressor really does some beautiful things to sound that I like. Could I dial it in on a plug-in , definitely but I enjoy getting my hands on experience and I do think I prefer the sound. Is it ultimately necessary, I’d say no but I do think much like loop packs , there’s a place for picking up a real instrument or in this case the actual hardware to get a real hands on understanding of how you’re making sound happen. Also there’s alot of art to this and feeling inspired may not be worth 60k but for me it was worth the 2000 dollar neve eq copy for the buses compressor and mic pre eq s that I use. Go forth make music , it’s all about sonic a subtle differences stacking up to make your unique sound, if that means a mix of in the box and out of the box then awesomeness if not, awesomeness too 🤷🏾‍♀️😌

[@HOLLASOUNDS]

To get the hardware Equivalent of the effects, Compression, mixer and other devices included in My $500 DAW would cost around $100.000.

[@scrapethebottom]

@@Hxs28 amen to that. end of the discussion

[@elreyabeja4539]

Each hardware unit adds say 2% to the sound. But all those percentages together do add up. Is it worth 10s of 1000s of $ to make a track sound 10% "better"? That's up to the individual.

[@user-om1dv9lp9x]

Nice. This is so cool that I can record music at home using pretty old notebook and use such awesome soft. Really all we born and live in a great time.

[@rickenbacker40011]

always love these testsss

[@pro_influence]

That's a brilliant one Brother, I love it, and I think there will always be a subtle deference in better the two because during the process the signal still pass through the Analog Console which I believe will add characters to the response of the Hardware Compressor, and the plugin I want You to consider one thing which I have studied about Audio Interfaces no matter what their Tone or Character and or Frequency Responses will also tell, no matter what's the tone of the plugin, even if You test same plugin on deferent Audio Interfaces, I watched Jacquire King comparison on hardware versus UAD LA2A Compressor, and truly the deference was more subtle. I really appreciate this because it will answer so many questions and lack of confidence in using virtual plugins which many People has. Thanks ❤

[@hardcoremusicstudio]

Grab your free Mixing Cheatsheet to learn the go-to starting points for EQ and compression in heavy mixes: www.mixcheatsheet.com

[@HeartDrumMachine_]

Please recreate one of your mixes using the hardware. It's going to be Epic!

[@jamesmullins1990]

WOW, Waves is very impressive. This is a test that they should have ran from day one as part of their promotions. If you need more body on certain tracks just add a minute bit of high-quality e.q. to make the adjustment.

[@superdeeptom]

Exactly my first thought but does show us how far plugs have come. Quality of source material makes a huge difference too

[@ReneVignoli]

O GRINGO!!! QUE TAL USAR O ANALÓGICO COM VONTADE AÍ VOCÊ TENTA COPIAR COM PLUGIN. (O que eu duvido) Caralho, ou você é muito desonesto ou muito ruim de serviço. Lógico que em uma faixa confortável eles ficam praticamente iguais. Mas usar o analógico dessa maneira é perda de tempo. Arranca o som de verdade. O analógico só responde se você fazer ele trabalhar no limite. Até porque o analógico não clipa. Se eu meter 30 decibéis a mais do que "deveria" em qualquer equipo meu analógico, ele fica uma delicia. Enfia 30db acima do seu máximo no plugin pra ver o que acontece. 😂😂😂😂 DESONESTIDADE. A WAVES ESTÁ PAGANDO NÉ?

[@thanasis_beatbox3555]

What a great idea, sum up and message this video has. I Love it

[@GIANTSKY]

felt all the plugins were brighter. That might ad up in the mix, but could be comåensated for tho. Great test, thanks for making it 😊💚

[@Genital.Wartzenegger]

I'd love to hear a comparison of multiple full mixes where they're done analog (or hybrid) and then done fully in the box and vise versa. Not as an exercise to spot the differences or to fully match the other per but to see which mixes came out better and how easy it was to get there. So maybe the drums hit harder in an analog mix but overall the itb mix came out better and in less time, Or maybe it came out worse and it look way longer to get there.

[@galgogergo]

This, would 100% watch! Also, you have more possibilities with the hardware, pushing them into saturation, etc. Would be curious how a mix would benefit from it.

[@flowonyourbeat]

Both ways work great, I was lucky to try analog and plugins when I started from 0 with mixing which gave me my own opinion about the differences. The biggest difference in sound (in my opinion) is some kinda hiss in plugins, while analog is more silk. If I had the budget, I would buy an analog mixbus chain. But yeah, if I had… probably the biggest dealbreaker for a lot of us :)

[@blametheobserver]

Hi! Thanks for the video! Really curious what sample rate you used for the plugins. Aliasing can make you lose some of that punch that Nolly said the hardware had.

[@castlerainstudios]

Golden content as usual!

[@pappamusik]

Would be fun to see a comparison of time-based effects as well !!

[@denniskielton2447]

dude you seriously sent these to every single one of the people I follow on KZbin haha damn, small world. That's so awesome. I hate to say it, but I could legit tell the difference and spotted the hardware each time. the SSL Bus especially made the point to me though, that it doesn't matter. It's like 2 flavors of the same thing, the exact type of thing us guitarists seem to seek out & spend far too much time on with our tones haha

[@MarlonKingShow]

This was a good video. makes me feel better using my waves plugins, good that all the engineers got it right also :)

[@ARKenMan]

I got them all right except the fairchild but I'm at work listening on some crappy computer speakers too. But I admit, wow, they are very close. We live in a great time as music creators....honestly....I think about that all the time and am grateful.

[@audioglenngineer]

Don’t know if anybody else felt this way, but on the blue-stripe compressor comparison, I almost felt like I was hearing two separate hardware units, hearing the subtle differences in tolerances and parts, rather than a plug-in versus hardware. Impressive!

[@GgWifi-ot2sh]

I got em all right off the phone speaker ! But its all in the box for me! Once you add a tape saturation plugin it really doesnt matter. Abbey road vinyl is that thang. Also SAPHIRA harmonics plugin is really good

[@flotopo]

I absolutely LOVE this video because it proves that if we're having a hard time telling the differences between the analog and the digital emulations, not that there are aren't differences, then the general public listening to the songs that are mixed and mastered is not going to be to tell the difference. And also, the general public does not even think about that difference. If a song is good and it's well mixed and mastered, they'll like it, if not, they just won't like it and that's what it boils down to. So, we should definitely focus all of our attention and energy in becoming better at our craft and not obsessing over differences between analog vs digital.

[@atgred]

For me the real game changer was when CLA mixed a song, IVO "let her know" for MWTMs both analog and digital. For those who have a paid subscription you can download the session and both mixes come included. And when I would A/B them to my clients, most of the time they couldn't hear the difference. They were very subtle. I did prefer the analog mix, but for the thousands of dollars that would involve, I get why many, including me, have decided to sell all outboard gear! Except mic pres of course!

[@SoundKilterStudio]

Awesome video man! You are only one of two producers with a solid presence on KZbin that I watch, listen to, and from whom I trust production/mixing advice and "how-to's". But while I sure as hell wouldn't pay that much more for an actual Faichild, my personal opinion is analog, hands down. This video does show subtle differences. But Ive also heard, and performed A-B's like this that were MUCH more apparent (i.e. my BLA Bluey vs. Waves CLA Bluey, which I love, on a snare). From my experince plug-ins usually seem to be a lot more 2D and some sound like they actually cut off much of the tracks natural ambience. With that said, you can obviously get great results 100% in the box, as has been proven time and time again and shouldnt even be a debate anymore. However it takes more plug-ins, and time for me personally, to get there. And we cant ignore the fact thay many of the huge songs we know that were mixed in the box were recorded on/with the same kinds of analog gear in your videos. Anyways, just my 2 cents on it. Thank for all that you do man! 👊

[@perfektspace]

Great experiment. I got 3 of 4. Subscribed.

[@arjakir6268]

This video is very informative. Thankyou ❤️❤️❤️

[@fxcudrillz]

Hello! Nice comparison video!! I wondered what software you use to share the audio from your daw in high quality so that each of the "competitors" can hear the result in high quality. Is the Zoom with the audio plugin direct from the daw? or is it another better software? Thank you so much! very good information in this channel! Greetings from Argentina!

[@adkywun]

Never really tried to mimic the Hard and Soft, I think they both are very useful. Let say If I got some tone idea in mind, I will see what work out best, That's it. But I must say, use all plug-ins are easier to deal with trouble client that always look for final final final final. Thats for the vids. love it.

[@JeffAulich]

This is awesome. I guessed all but one correctly while listening on just my iPhone speakers. I totally agree that you can get by with plugins. But it also goes to show that there is something…. Dare I say….. special, to the hardware as well. Both are valid. Use both lol.

[@kodiakthejuggler]

I’m happy I could hear the minute differences, but they’re so subtle, that it really does the plugins justice for their price and ease of use. If you don’t have the hardware and can’t stomach the steep prices, you can still get amazing results with plugins, and it’s easier to implement. At this point in time, hardware is really just a way to flex. I’m sure you’ll draw in more clients when they see all that expensive hardware! ;)

[@el_ambient_dude7424]

It was subtle but damn! Nice work!

[@steveweilhart2359]

the listener does not think about whether it's digital or analog - they either like what there hearing or do not - plugins are awesome I love them will always use them - great video

[@dirkbrouns5293]

Great comparison. I have done many tests myself and after I found the Xtressor to replace my trusted Distressors on kick and bass while mixing, my search is over. Just from a testing perspective: it would have been interesting to not let them hear the differences first - it gives a clue what to listen for and as is mostly the case, there will be differences. If you would just let them listen blindly first and then pick a favorite - or conclude there is no favorite, that could have been very interesting. What these type of comparisons prove: it's in the mixing skills by now, not these very small differences. There may still be something that has to do with aliasing and accumulation of it, but if you record well, honestly, there is no need for expensive hardware during mixing anymore IMHO.

[@thattoothlessgrin]

this video made me feel a hell of a lot better about what im doing .. yea it looks nice having the big fancy studio and hardware but its not really that important (in our times) as it seems

[@1samwhich]

I can hear a tiny bit more airiness in the side information with the hardware, except the Pultec. It's very subtle and probably negligible. The Pultec hardware actually sounded like the room noise/airiness had been removed which surprised me. Cool test, thanks for that! Would love to see some of the PA Alliance plugins being put to the test! ;)

[@pedrobossio5440]

Thank you so much for the informative video. It makes it clear how far advanced has technology come. On the bass comparison I coundn't find any difference, very close. I'd like to see these comparisons with UAD plugings, I think it will be harder to tell. I used to use Waves and the difference side by side is notable. Great video!

[@chucksano]

The First one was the only one (for us viewers) that you gave us a chance to listen knowing which was which, then listen again to see if we could identify the difference blind. i.e. I could have guessed and said I hear more low end in B... but I got no reference as to which (plugin or hardware) seeemed to have more low end, so any guess is just a 50/50 shot in the dark.

[@italrecordsportal]

Thanks for the comparisons. I choose the hardware correctly every time except for the Bass Guitar EQ comparison. That’s the only one where I actually like the plug-in better and so I decided to listen again on my large speaker and found that I liked the hardware better. Hardware one on every test.

[@italrecordsportal]

These plugins are also doable

[@jessegrisham]

For me, I had preferences on a couple of them - on the SSL comp I definitely preferred the hardware, and on the Fairchild (gasp) I actually preferred the plugin! I agree with the premise though, the differences almost make no difference. The ease of setup, routing, and recall make plugins, for me, the way to go.

[@trapbeatproducer]

I could hear differences through my phone speaker but had to lift my left ear off of the pillow (I'm actually still asleep rn). The only one that was difficult for me eas the one you sent to Nathan Larsen or whatever his name was - the $60,000 difference with the vocal clip. I switched 100% to Waves plug-ins just a couple of weeks ago and Im blown away by what I can do with vocals. Great test! I'll share this video now!

[@IntheDAW]

If dialed in right plugins can get extremely close to hardware but if you noticed he dialed in a tone and had to match it. I have noticed with hardware eqs the top top end can actually be much smoother than plugins but 80% of the time I can make a close sound using my uad or PA plugins. Great hinest video and since your good at your craft man those plugins where doing an amazing job

[@theAshesofDecember1]

I think it’s fair to say that a decent plug-in will get you really close to the hardware at least close enough that you can compensate for what the plug-in may be lacking. I just know in my own space I can hear a difference when I’m on really awesome speakers, but as soon as I’m going to a different system, you wouldn’t be able to tell if I use plug-in or hardware

[@johnskerlec9663]

Thanks for the demo man. I couldn't really hear enough difference to justify the high price tag. Plug ins are ok it seems.

[@JosePineda-jn8jk]

I was not expecting to be able to get any of them but, I did call the hardware each and every time. Must be the attack or some extra frequencies that I’m picking up that are cluing me in.

[@vincentemerald2574]

Cool experiment!

[@AdamZiokowski666]

Nice test. I wonder if you set the sound on the analogue unit and then try to match with a plugin differences would be more or less audible? However I also got 100%, so there is a difference, but is it worth the price?

[@SamIntharaphithakOFFICIAL]

Thanks for the VDO. I could here the difference on most of them even through my phone's speaker. I think if you had the money why wouldn't you go for the best equipment money can buy to produce, mix or master your music, even if hardware can improve your music by 10-20%.

[@growprosper5279]

Amazing video! Are those vocals tracked though an analog vocal chain before mixing in the box?

[@andreweilermusic]

Using 3rd party “air pods,” the differences, if any, were so subtle that it proves your point. :)

[@Jason-hg4pd]

Fantastic video. There is so much covered and to be learned in under 7min. I love that. What a time to be alive. Although I do hear what everyone is saying about a 2% difference can compound across multiple tracks. But still the price difference is astronomical. What I’m really curious about is to hear what you may have learned in trying to make the plugins and hardware units sound so close to each other. I appreciate that every hardware unit can be a little different. But were there any trends? For example, did you find you had to push the plug-ins harder than you normally would or less hard than you normally would? Did you have to go as far as using different ratios on the compressors? Was there any interesting learnings like that? A shame you had to send all those guys 100 bucks LOL. Hopefully some of them told you not to bother. I still think it would’ve been a really great video without the gameshow bit. Thanks again.

[@GeorgeAmodei21]

Thank you for making this Video! George Amodei

[@georgezorbas9036]

I love so much your mixes...I want to know what metal albums you have mixed. Please tell us so to listen to them!

[@alexcampos7953]

Glad that I got all of them right! I think the difference might be in the actual ''analogic flaws'', it feels to my ears that the hardwares in general introduce more character to the sounds, how the bits and bops spike here and there for electrical fluctuations and 0.001% tolerances in the components, while plugins sound great, they sound a little too clean, almost as if trying not to appear in the mix, while the hardwares normally introduce more variance in the inputs.

[@gregfender]

This was a great test, thank you! My foray into analog gear for mixing reminds me of brewing my own beer. It's lots of fun and there's some satisfaction involved with it, but is it worth all of the extra time and effort? I'm inclined to say no from my own experience, and this video just reinforces that. Thank you!

[@ORACLEBALL]

Imo there are 2 main advantages of using hardware. Capturing your signal in higher fidelity will give you the most out of your headroom to noisefloor. The other is that it makes mixing easier when you already have the tones gently dialed in a bit, which can also help performers be inspired when they hear a nicer tone in their headphones. Both are viable and valuable and their strengths complement each others weaknesses.

[@damirvukelic8087]

I got a warm audio bus comp and when tested on a drum bus (vs g-comp), the WA was wider in stereo picture. So, even an inexpensive piece of hardware has advantages over plugins

[@DavidLuchow]

Great video! The big difference comes when this adds up to over 24 tracks then the sound will definitely make a bigger difference. At the end it’s work flow and budget.

[@trancepyorailija]

Would you or anyone else buy 24 blue stripe 76's for the cumulative effect? Probably not. Would you or anyone else print your two blue stripe 76's over and over to get 24 tracks worth of cumulative effect on your mix because it makes a difference compared to the plugin counterpart? Probably not, because this is not how engineers think to begin with. Like you said it's about workflow and therefore you don't see anyone stacking up their hardware compressors to get that "big difference". Use what you have people, in this day of age it's more than good enough.

[@W4TSKY]

@@trancepyorailija "Would you or anyone else print your two blue stripe 76's over and over to get 24 tracks worth of cumulative effect on your mix because it makes a difference compared to the plugin counterpart?" Jack Antonoff, you know, the most in demand producer in pop music right now - literally does this lol. I've watched tons of interviews and both of his MWTM courses and he works completely analog ~90% of the time. Quickly recording takes, printing effects, and then moving on. I agree that plugins sound great and they are more than enough in this day and age, but you gotta stop acting like people still don't use and buy tons of analog hardware and effects and print them individually on tracks. I'm moving out of the box and more into a hybrid setup myself and got a 500 series lunchbox with an EQ and compressor and a Echo-Fix EF-X3. I'm a mid-20s gen Z so it's not going away any time soon.

[@trancepyorailija]

​@@W4TSKY I highly doubt he has ever said in his interviews that he chose to use same one hardware compressors 24+ times in a mix just to get cumulative harmonic effect. Since you own gear yourself you must know that using one same unit in 24 tracks would be anything but quick. I'm well aware people buy and still use analog gear, but there isn't anyone even the people who could afford it and mix for their living who would buy 24 of the same compressor for summing purpose or tries to replicate this type of effect by printing 1 by 1. Therefore in this situation talking about cumulative effects and how hardware is better because of it is just pointless. To recap in studio setting you won't ever see 24 ssl bus compressors, fairchilds, pultecs etc. anywhere but in the box.

[@W4TSKY]

@@trancepyorailija I get what you’re saying and agree to a point. But you also use hardware and software differently. You can put 24 compressor plugins on a single project with software. You can only do that with hardware if you are working at a studio that charges $300/hr or are rich AF. If you’re using hardware, you’re either tracking directly through the hardware or running it through outboard gear, printing it, and moving on. A one to one type duplication of this would be pointlessly expensive, but it does still happen in some studios. You may not need 24 1176s, but it’s not uncommon for a studio to have 4-6 to run your instrument busses or track directly through. And assuming you’re not recording a live album/band, that’s more than enough. But what I mean when I was talking about Jack is that he tracks everything analog and will mess around with wet effects until he gets something interesting, print and keep going. So he doesn’t use a lot of plugins besides transparent EQ and utility. And when you work like that, which I assume is how most people who can’t afford to buy the same piece of gear 20+ times to put one on every track work, you’re fine.

[@trancepyorailija]

​@@W4TSKY 4-6 is much more reasonable than 24+ mentioned originally. Now that we're left with a handful you and everyone else might want to ask themselves how much of an cumulative "big difference" will these make compared to the plugin counterpart stacked the same amount.

[@secretarchivesofthevatican]

I could just about hear the difference on a couple but I'm one of those who thinks that it is so subtle that the public will never hear it in a track that's released. I am encouraged that the T-Racks emulations of classic kit that I mostly use are definitely good enough for the most professional work.

[@FrightboxRecording]

I'm of the same opinion and I can assure you, the T-Racks stuff is more than good enough to achieve 100% pro-level results.

[@FulvioCuppi]

Did you grab their mixbox for 29$?

[@dereklarance6321]

I favor UAD but that’s because I got into them when I started mixing and I know how to use them well. I have thought about getting some analog gear for my mix bus at some point though.

[@DazzleRebel]

I was actually listsning on my TV with its crappy speakers and got all but the Fairchild correct. I really wasn't expecting to hear a difference away from my studio headphones. Through my TV, the plugins all (except the Fairchild) sounded a tiny bit crisper and flatter than the slightly warmer and more depthy hardware. I guarantee that 1 year ago, I wouldn't have been able to tell the difference though. Unless I come into some serious money I'll be sticking mixing in the box for now!

[@alstontyler4788]

The biggest surprise for me was the 660, I liked the waves version much more.. like the warmth it has was awesome.. All the other gear was an easy pick for the Hardware My question for the G Bus, is how accurate were the settings? Because any differences in attack and release times would give it that more open feel But with that being said even if you selected the exact same settings, they might not be the same in reality Definitely like the G Bus hardware a lot and considering I use that plugin on every Mix it might be worth it to get the hardware Great video, God Bless you

[@twilightbiscuit]

I also defintely heard more body and low end on the real PulTec but the other ones sounded pretty the same to me

[@mcpribs]

I got them right, but wouldn’t consider buying any of them (even if I had the money 😉). I would consider a console, however, since that how my brain works, and I love having everything right in front of me. Great vid! Thanks!

[@brrxdesign]

Interesting comparison. During the video, I was thinking that in this test one version was compared to the other, but is this the best version in both cases? Do you make a different decision when using a plugin or an analog device, based on the context or listening like saturation or smoothness? One other think: this is like a master chef cook with good and premium ingredients

[@shan5445]

Good comparisons got most of them right not all but that maybe due to me listening via mobile phone. Hardware enables you to feel the music digital is kind of lifeless. But they were so close that nowadays it's hard to detect.