Does Analogue Gear ACTUALLY Sound Better?

0:00 Intro
0:30 Why might they sound better?
2:27 Plugins
3:20 Analogue vibe
5:35 Audio example
In this video I discuss my thoughts on analogue gear. Why does it sound different? and why do some people prefer the sound? I hope this gives you a clearer understanding whether analogue gear can benefit you or not.
Follow me on IG: josh.bartel
Hey, my name's Josh and I'm a mastering engineer at Viking Lounge Mastering and a part of the audio team at Tommirock Studios. I make videos to help you on your audio journey. Let me know if there's any topic you want to know about in regards to audio, production, recording, mixing or mastering and I'd be happy to make a video about it.

[@Zenvo-uu9tm]

I think most of the times analog gear(good analog gear) sounds "better" regardless of genre and is more forgiving. But nothing beats out a good recording and production, and plugins are more than enough if you know what you're doing

[@Josh.Bartel]

100% agree with everything you just said 💯

[@engmix]

Having been making records for 30 years, the biggest difference with analog from digital that I have noticed, is that a signal passing through hardware will make subtle to not so subtle changes in it's tonality as the level of the audio signal varies in level. This effect creates a dynamic coloration and sense of compression. Everything from tight to fat, warm to hot, and everything in between. Digital tools have become quite good at approximating the envelope of a compressors attack and release, or the curve of an eq. But, with analog you're going deeper into other stages of electrical circuits (as mentioned in the video) that haven't been cloned effectively enough to compare with a true piece of gear. That said, producers and engineers have different priorities from one another when it comes to making records. For me, I feel like I can get a bit of an original sonic footprint in my work if I'm using a hybrid system, versus the same exact tools as everyone else. I even run audio through guitar pedals to achieve interesting and unique sonic effects. Running through hardware doesn't always mean you have to use a 5k piece of gear to achieve something cool sounding. In fact, I think a combination of lo and hifi equipment is better than just having all audiophile grade gear. Unless of course you're mastering, or talking about one's Mix Bus. On a mix bus or mastering scenario you're at the mercy of your weakest link. In the end it's not about what's better or worse sounding, it's about application of the tools you use, and how you put them to use.

[@dimoscondos]

Analogue is elastic… you can manipulate and push it in ways a plug-in will just break down

[@valerycherney574]

In my opinion, the only test as to "what's better" is a blind test (HOFA has a great plugin for blind testing plugins and hardware). Sometimes the results will make you sell your gear, happened to me.

[@nrosko]

Yeah I’m disappointed in this video, I hoped it would be doing a stringent blind test. You rarely see these KZbinrs do this but I just disregard any ‘sounds better’ comments without removing psychological factors. I’m not saying he is wrong btw just the video isn’t really saying anything. I also think any such arguments needs to be broken into components as well as comparing specific gear.

[@emiel333]

What plug-in or plug-ins are so good that it made you sell some of your analog gear?

[@Josh.Bartel]

Yeah I agree. This would be a more scientific approach for sure. I took a more subjective route which opens up a whole can of worms haha

[@dannydaniel8975]

In side by side comparisons and shootouts, the plugin always, and I mean always falls apart at the seams when pushed for more grit...

[@LosFicosMusic]

Great Job. Bro.. now dona 1960 gear coloration video

[@dreammachine432]

Analog 4eva

[@SkratchingCatRecords]

Thanks man, I use mostly analog for recording but i have been mixing in the box, really itching to start picking up some analog outboard gear for my mix buss/ mastering chain. What kind of monitors are you using there? Cheers

[@vigilantestylez]

Analog sounds better than digital. Yes. Can digital sound analog if coded properly? Also yes. Brainworx. People have done shootouts with their plugins to the real gear and they nail it. It's not just for people who are "learning". I guess the top mixing engineers in the world who have gone totally in the box are noobs because they don't use hardware anymore.

[@tsoiaddy270]

Thank you and I feel that I am not alone after watching you video. As I’ve been working as a n audio engineer for more than 10 years and still learning, keep trying and putting myself to the margin. Sometimes success, sometimes feeling frustrated.

[@DavorRMX]

filany an good answer

[@dannydaniel8975]

I heard an old album from 72 from a group called Sly and the family Stone, and immediately, l was like, that's it! That's the sound I want! So, l began working on my EP with software and plugin emulations, and let me tell you, they sounded nowhere near the sound l was trying to achieve😢 So, I decided to by Tascam 8 track cassette recorder and some Joe Meek compressors, eqs and mic pres and a boss analog stereo chrous. Now, these things didn't exactly sound like what l was hearing on the Sly and the family Stone album, but it got me a HELL OF A LOT CLOSER than protools and its fancy wannbe "analog" emulations. I dont care what they say....Analog rules, baby!!!

[@MariooDisco]

I wasn't sure of that until i got my first ever analog gear which was ssl fusion, ngbuscomp and bettermaker limiter. I know you can do miracles with plugins but could't believe how analog changed sound. It just adds magic you cannot really describe ... I think no vst emulation can do that, at least for now

[@diyrecordingstudio]

Awesome vid, so much amazing gear on display in this vid. Very envious!

[@operasinger2126]

Josh, thanks for making this video. I must be deaf because I couldn't hear a difference. I bought $4,000 in out board gear (2 mono preamps, 2 compressors) and think from now on won't spend a penny more and focus on the music instead.

[@markstay1687]

Nice gear. That would certainly help.

[@adsertheblade]

I think that analog gear is a great tool to make you a better engineer. Let me explain: when you use plugins, you have a vast amount at your fingertips. Even if you're using only stock plugins. They come with loads of presets, and you can switch between them with ease. It's often quite difficult to actually learn them when they a are so readily available. Analog gear is expensive. Unless you are rich, you won't be ow ING more than some basic pieces, meaning you will probably only have one eq, one compressor available for a while. And no presets. That means if you want a sound, you have to work to get it, you can't just swap to another compressor or preset. You are likely to listen more and work harder. No it's not a guarantee, but if you're spending some time, then having some analog gear to work with, you are likely to learn more, faster. Certainly worked that way for me.

[@omarsuriel1112]

This guy: plug-ins are okay if you’re starting out. Most Elite mixers of almost every song in the radio today: we exclusively use plugins.

[@dirkbrouns5293]

It's difficult to look outside of your own bias. Reality is, today many of the top mixes are done fully digital - that debate is over for the open-minded engineer. I used to mix on an analog console with nice outboard. Having extensively tested - first the summing part, later the hardware inserts - I have moved to mixing ITB with only an analog 2bus chain. You need to commit to real blind ABX testing though - and you might be shocked once you commit to that. One example: I held on to my Distressors for mixing for a long time, believing I could not replace them on kick and snare with plugins. After blind ABX testing between them and one of the plugins emulating them, the results where clear - they are only used on tracking now. The workflow thing and "knowing what your analog gear adds" is a solid point though. You get quite some coloration "for free" with some analog gear. However, if you really know what you want to hear, you can find alternatives with saturation and distortion ITB with plug-ins. Maybe you just do not feel a need to go their or even feel it has drawbacks (e.g. mousing around and looking at numbers vs turning knobs and listening). For me, moving to an ITB setup where I am in the perfect monitor spot in my room, has made more of an improvement than I initially thought. This alone, is enough for me to stick to ITB mixing. The analog mix bus compressor stays, as I am just used to what it does and I do not touch it.....

[@gibson2623]

Yes it does sound better usually

[@wearashirt]

my thoughts as one who mixes hybrid - a caveat must be offered. Audio output from interface going into analog gear and out into the speakers are undoubtedly AMAZING. But when the signal from the gear output goes back into the input print, the A/D conversion is the final crux and oftentimes, can remove a lot of the flavor heard through the monitors. In this way, plugins as considered "living" inside the box, may provide better, truer sonic facts than the frankly the UTTER BEAUTY of analog sound - which dies on the way back into ADDA. My point here is "analog monitoring" /= print back mix or master. That said, life is still better lived working in analog than digital, especially for those reasons that have less to do with sound quality nor with midi-instruments either being analog or digital. There are reasons not to be golden-chained to DSP.

[@bigmacmillerlite8775]

Cool video.

[@Josh.Bartel]

Thanks! 🙏🏻

[@matthiasschaaff7083]

I agree with you in some points. But as you said, even two of the same hardware devices (massive passive f.e.) do not sound exactely alike. So why should a plugin? I have the feeling that this topic is more and more a "mastering thing". All the mixers and producers i know (incl. me) are almost never using hardware devices for their work. Besides hardware instruments of course. Why is that? It is not flexible enough!! You won't carry it around, you may need it more than once in the mix and nobody (i know) has time for analog recalls. Modern Productions often have 50+ Tracks before mixing. The mix engineer adds another 20-30 Tracks (Busses, Fx) to the project. How in the world would one do a recall of this analog session with todays budget and schedules? Everything you say about analog gear is true but it is not fitting the zeitgeist anymore. In Mastering, fair enough! In Recording sure! In Production and Mixing, obsolete. Thats my opinion. Please excuse my English if there are mistakes. Cheers

[@Josh.Bartel]

I agree it’s definitely more a mastering thing, I guess that’s because it’s coming from my own perspective / bias as a mastering engineer.

[@MFASonic]

To sum up, analog (high end) gear has its place in recording and mastering. Which is 2/3 stages of the production process. I'll add one: Also in stem mastering (which usually means that the mixing engineer is not very confident with his work 🤣). And I add another one: If a track sounds very static and sterile (VSTi) in the mix, it's sometimes faster to run them out of the box, record a Vertigo, Distressor or whatever and go back. You don't need total recall for that, just record and blend it in. I don't know what today's "zeitgeist" is, but from what I can see from sales of high end hardware and from colleagues I'm talking to (even younger ones), they are much like having a real hardware renaissance. First it was the subtractive synths since around 2010, now it's the EQs and COMPs since a few years, which have not been replaced by their digital counterparts yet. Thanks to UAD, people buy into the real stuff piece after piece.

[@emiel333]

Great ❤ video. Analog versus digital. The differences will stay. What also influences analog gear are the room they’re in. Think about humidity, temperature etcetera.

[@johnisrael5183]

Nebula and Acustica Audio are 90% there..to the point Im using my SoundCraft LX7II for final Pre Master....but because I can do my final master through my Amethyst 4 Set up as a AMEK 9098 Console Channel...EQ, Pre and Compressor (18 Core Live Analog Sampled from a $300,000 Amek 9098 Console...) Im probably never going to upgrade my console.... Between Amethyst and my SoundCraft Im getting the Same Quality of Someone with a $300,000 Amek Console....

[@brianwynn10]

Hey what your instagram I wanna get that set up

[@CybreSmee]

WARNING: Extreme overuse of marketing buzzwords ahead!

[@greggiorgio1846]

I dunno.. experience sounds better than analog or digital gear. My in the box mixes from this year sound much better than my mostly analog mixes from 15 or 20 years ago.

[@bighousemusic628]

I agreed brother im using plugin alliance and slate and acoustica audio for years now and my clients or the radio or the streaming platforms never complain about a bad mix that ive done

[@underwoodstudio1821]

YES it sounds better

[@EdwinDekker71]

I think working hands-on with real knobs etc makes people work better with the gear and thus makes the end result better, if the engineer knows how to use the tools and has good ears + lots of experience

[@metalliccolour]

well i got 2 analog synth aka a Moog

[@PlatinumMastering]

you gonna Fry Fusion with Manley being so close its producing crazy amount of heat ..

[@johnisrael5183]

How I mix I mix Hybrid I mix with Nebula...Waves (API EQs) and Acustica Audio Add Vocals...Mix with Waves and Slate Digital Run Mix through my analog rack and SoundCraft LX7II and back into my UAD476 Volt back int to Studio One Finish up with Nebula and Acustica Audio (Amethyst 4) Live analog sampled Ameck 9098 Console...there you go Hybrid, and Live analog Sampled Plugins are the way to go...trust me

[@leogolive]

The most important piece of gear is your ears. Whatever they tell you is what’s best.

[@lawrencerasmus]

Analog is easy to use. I love old Beatles 2 track and 4 track recordings

[@Josh.Bartel]

Yeah I agree! Tape machines are a ton of fun to use

[@DICARLOPRODUCTIONS]

Check out the AMEK 200 plugin!!! :)

[@ericbrody963]

Good stuff man! If you ever need anything from Vintage King, feel free to reach out! Always happy to hook it up with some discounts 👍

[@therealliveguy]

Answer: Yes.

[@kaznielflores8473]

When I print a track using analog hardware I can hear the analog noise in between the lyrics when I start placing plugins, is there anything I can do to reduce it or remove it? Please help

[@jodlex_music]

Use denoise plugins

[@operasinger2126]

@@jodlex_music Thanks

[@JimGramze]

Do check out Acustica Audio's offerings, I'd love to hear your opinion. They do impulse responses of each incremental combination of settings on their hardware emulations. I only say this because you did not mention them. They have drawbacks such as heavy CPU hit and often a disruption of the sound when changing a parameter because a new impulse response must be loaded, but the sound compared to other plugins cannot be denied in my opinion.

[@Josh.Bartel]

I know of them but haven’t heard their stuff. I’ll check it out for sure!

[@MrMahn21]

Acustica's Acqua plugins are already better than any algo plugs, but 3rd party libraries for their Nebula plugin is even better, with some being nearly indistinguishable from their hardware counterparts. Since the Manley Vari Mu was mentioned, I recommend checking out Cupwise's Flucti-Mew. It's incredible and very analog sounding.

[@jaceychan7099]

The only option that matters is the buying public and so far I don’t know anyone who has ever hated a song because it was recorded, mixed or mastered in the box people waste $1,000’s of dollars trying to sound like outdated technology so I’m sorry to tell you that more and more people are doing songs in the box start to finish and people will still buy them because at the end of the day they don’t care how the song was made or if anyone played a real instrument or if the singer could sing… sad but true 😢

[@AlexPettyMusic]

Analog does sound better. Of course it does. If you've tried analog gear, you know this first hand. Software emulations are great if you need a relatively cost-effective solution, but analog gear on your mix buses is indispensable and should be your goal, imo.

[@bluematrix5001]

REALITY, SONG, ARRANGEMENT, MUSICIANSHIP/PERFORMANCE/RECORDING AND MIXING. ALL PRETTY IMPORTANT........ MASTERING IS JUST A TINY PART IF ALL OF THE ABOVE IS PRETTY GOOD.... AND PLUGINS VS HW DISCUSSION IS SECONDARY

[@frieswijk]

I believe the question is the wrong one. It is not a match, 'better' is therefore not relevant. 'Does it sound good?' is the only question you need to answer. Regardless if it is digital or analogue

[@Gurun_]

bro super labored content congratulations! best analog differences explanation on youtube last analog colour debate section also amazing

[@Josh.Bartel]

Wow thanks for the kind words 🙂

[@edmc2]

😎🍻

[@patrick5301]

I would argue that there is nothing about a plugins that SOUNDS better than a piece of hardware, but there of course is stuff about software that you can't do with hardware and of course the price difference is ...

[@MellowXBrew]

My car definitely likes the unprocessed a lot better

[@Josh.Bartel]

Yeah awesome 👍🏻 The unprocessed sounds a bit more solid in the centre image to me which is why you may prefer it. The processed sounds a little wider and thicker which may not particularly suit the track. Further processing probably needs to be done to make it sound better too.

[@MellowXBrew]

@@Josh.Bartel for me it’s the bottom end drops in the processed version. It felt like half the bass kinda dissolved, especially in the kick

[@Josh.Bartel]

@@MellowXBrew yeah I agree, the low-end sounds less tight and more smeared. Kinda illustrates the point that analogue colour will not always suit every track and has to be used with intent.

[@KeenanCrow]

Analog won’t alias.

[@fullalbums5675]

sounds better raw, there's severe loss of low end in the HW version

[@AmbientWanderer]

exactly

[@Hypagen]

Can't blame the HW for that!

[@francishemmings5614]

when I'm dancing in club with a beautiful girl, I could'nt care less whether you used plugins or analog gear to make the song.

[@xray111xxx]

The laugh is that even it comes from a DAW, it is arriving to you analog. That is right. Now if you have a real reel to reel, vs. those plug ins, are you going to prefer the real deal? Your call. I am not telling you how to hear and listen. I will say this. I have had many reel to reels and cassette decks in my time, and I still prefer them listening wise to digital hands down. Note "prefer". Better? I stay away from that quick sand pit. I grew up in the analog days, so ahem...biased...heck yeah, but realistically I work digitally like everyone else, and so what? I am not splicing tape and all of that sh*t. Not happening. NLEs and creating digtially is so the way to go. Do I have a problem using a so called plug in being an Ampex ATR 102, or a Studer whatever? Probably not. 1 because I cannot afford the real thing. 2. The upkeep and maintenance are PITA. And also the tape is nuts expensive. Some would hold true for real Tube, Valve gear, no way am I getting those. Similar reasons. Costs, upkeep, and more BS than I want to deal with. So you know your use case, your realities and what works, and what will not. Pick what you want and get to work!

[@thematsc]

I know YT dont handle audio very god but the processed audio sound slightly worst not a big difference but...... A little bit lesser top and a bit less dynamic.....? Your argument for digital sounds very biased and even uninformed...I mean "real electricity....." what is then unreal electricity? I think if you are going to make a case for analog you have to look elsewhere for valid argument other than it sounds better. Most valid is probably that it looks better, Do I use analog equipment? Yes, but I would never use a better or worst argument. What is better? I use analogue equipment when it is needed for the task I'm trying to solve. Mostly there are software that does what I need, but in some cases analogue is nice to use. But then, its just me and I'm allergic to fairy dust 🙂 I would argue that you use the tool that's best suited for the intended purpose. It can be analogue, but to say analogue always is the best solution/sounds better is just....not true. What I do understand is that you are concerned and want to protect your investment, but honestly, its about the look.......🙂

[@Josh.Bartel]

@thematsc Yeah it may sound worse. It wasn’t an actual master. I only ran it through some gear to give an example of analogue colour. Not intended to persuade, just to share a quick comparison. You’re right haha. Maybe ‘real electricity’ is a poor choice of words. I was colloquially referring to the reactivity and variability in analogue gear. Possibly it didn’t come across in the video because I agree with a lot you are saying. I do agree plugins can sound better and analogue gear can sound better depending on what needs doing. I also don’t own this gear, I work at a commercial studio. But as general statement I have to be honest and say, I have had more success in making music sound better with analogue gear. Especially for mastering. But you’re right, definitely not in every case and sometimes digital processing is what the track needs.

[@dylanhughes4548]

I enjoy analogue gear but the price of that 2077 😬

[@foreverseethe]

00:15. I suspect your opinion is based on the current zeitgeist for analog. Wich was polar opposite in the late 80's. So I posit, If this was the late 80's you would say that the majority of people would prefer the sound of Digital. Therefore, in the absence of a definitive survey now nor then. I declare preferences a moot point. if there were two surveys done, one before, one after the transformation juncture in the music/hobby sphere, i suspect the opinions of musicians and consumers would diverge on either survey both then and now. Sorry I wrote this before I finished watching.

[@SeabornProductions]

PLUGIN ALLIANCE IRON COMPRESSOR IS PRETTY DAMN CLOSE TO THE REAL HARDWARE.. I WOULD EVEN SAY SSL CHANNEL STRIP BY SSL IS ALMOST INDISTINGUISHABLE

[@MFASonic]

I'm very happy to see young people stating the obvious (which seems to be not that obvious anymore): Hardware sounds better than plugins that claim to emulate hardware. Always. No exception. The question is if it is necessary to spend 50k on hardware when UAD will deliver you 80-95% of the sonic quality depending on the emulation? Well, for a hobby: Hell, NO! Don't forget the GIGO principle: Garbage In Garbage Out. But when it comes to top notch productions, you will have a lot of hardware involved from room treatment to preamps, from buss comps to (stem) mastering treatment, and your clients will love to pay for that extra quality if you are able to deliver.

[@Josh.Bartel]

💯 Couldn’t have said it better myself

[@thematsc]

its more like 95% or even 100.....

[@ratsneststudio6963]

I can't hear the difference between plug ins and analog 99% would not be able to distinguish in blind tests including audio engineers, I love analog because you get to turn knobs and look badass to your clients, plus the vintage gear is beautiful. I feel like analog gear gives you a different connection to the music but as far as sound they both sound pretty good if you know how to use them correctly.

[@rypdx]

Analog will always sound better. Theres always a certain sound it creates. The harmonics are beautiful. Plugins are manageable -could sound super Emulated In a bad way, they’re shitty and thin noises

[@rockascreen1109]

Plugins will never sound the same as hardware and there is not need to.They are convenient way to achieve something when you are on a budget.... Hardware will always sound more musical/pleasant to the ear.

[@MisterManiac777]

Analogue does not sound "better" at this point at all. That was the 90's!

[@OrangeMicMusic]

Wait a minute 🤔....."buying analog gear will not make you a better audio engineer" Andrew Scheps said this in a 2016 interview when asked why he stopped using analog gear😃 Jokes aside, it's 100% true what you're saying, but, It depends 😁. Some ears can hear a difference, some cannot. In the latest years, many big names in the industry started to use just plugins for mixing or mastering, because...it depends. Since I stopped using analog gear due to inconsistencies for recalls, my production/mixes improved drastically.

[@Songwriterbehindthecurtain]

Music 🎼 question will a mastering recordings that the recording artist that is sing 🎤 is in English and also when you buy a album 💿 let’s just say this time around by hanson say that the master recordings are actually in English right well why that the front of the cd 💿 and the spine and the back aka the tracklisting and also the cd 💿 sing 🎤 in English aka that the recording artist is sing 🎤 aka this time around got 13 tracks now buy the Japan version now same thing front of the album 💿 of this time around actually got the album 💿 title in English and spine English same and back cover tracklisting 13 tracks but actually 15 tracks the cd 💿 where all of the recording artist sing 🎤 still English and also tracklisting from track 1 to 13 aka track 1 to 15 English how come in Japan 🇯🇵 for buying a studio album 💿 how come the cd 💿 is not speaking in Japanese but the mastering recording is in English aka the lyrics that the mastering recordings aka that the recording artist is sing 🎤 is actually sing 🎤 in English in Japan 🇯🇵?

[@Phlabagasted]

🎎

[@Crookedletta601]

Yes hardware sounds better than software, now go back to sleep kids lol 😂