Is This The Future Of Audio Hardware?

[@strayesignal9312]

Paul is going to turn my coffee machine into a recallable plugin. Give the man his royalties!!

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

@strayesignal9312 if someone invented a piece of hardware that doubled as a coffee machine I'd be all over that.

[@strayesignal9312]

@@AudioAnimalsStudio Kickstarter Alert! Granular, gently compressed, tube roasted aromatic saturation.

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

@strayesignal9312 as your tubes start to heat up the beans start to gently roast. If you clip an alert comes up saying have a coffee you're clearly not concentrating.

[@Rhuggins]

I do think a control surface would be more realistic. Something like the Softube Console One, that has very powerful drivers and DAW compatibility. Where you can open up an SSL 9000 from plugin alliance, map it once, and then every time thereafter it will just work - LED screens showing the name and values of the parameter. They are almost there with the console one. That would be superior in my personal workflow, because I can stay in my listening postition with one dedicated controller - and the use the recallable analog. With such a configuration- one should be able to use this hypothetical controller, even on the analog devices with digital controll. To me that is the ideal. An extremely powerful controller

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

@Rhuggins yeah as I say I'm using the Avid S4 which is a console one on steroids. And the points you make are good and very valid. My only counter would be that when using a controller you know your on a controller. Your brain knows you are on a controller. Whereas if the hardware doubled as a controller your brain could effectively be tricked into feeling like you are using hardware with plugins.

[@AS-mm3wi]

Paul, I agree with your value proposition regarding plugin control, but... All of this ability to tweak, analyze those tweaks and make minute adjustments in the pursuit of perfection (which recall makes infinitely more possible) doesn't necessarily equate to an improved soundscape. I won't name the song because it'll give away my advanced age but the other day, I heard a 2017 remaster of a song released in the 1970's. It was everything you'd expect a remastered work from 50 years ago to be. No overlapping frequencies in the midrange. Punchy drums. Louder, but still dynamic. Objectively, a huge improvement. And yet...it was like the soul had been sucked out of it. Subjectively, it was a disaster. Gear (and technology) is important, but who's doing the work is so much more important. I've heard plenty of the work you and Nick do and it doesn't surprise me you guys master at the same facility. It's your ears. That's where the magic is. And no amount of tech is going to make some amateur like me hear things the way you guys do. So since you're clearly in a "product idea" headspace today, let me make a suggestion. What I'd really like is a box that sits on my console and has your, Nick's, Sylvia Massy's, Mutt Lange's, Bob Katz' and Michael Romanowski's combined ability to hear what I'm doing and simply says "Yup" or "Nope" as I make eq, compression and limiting decisions during mixing and mastering. Can you invent that?

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

@AS-mm3wi they've been kind of trying to do this with AI in the likes of ozone etc. Nowhere near what you are asking as its all guesswork and 9 times out of 10 it's wrong. The issue is that every song is different and every song needs a human ear to feel vibe and expression. That's what a robot can't do. It can't technically feel like a human does. So really the only way to get expert ears on a song to advise on changes is to physically have them listen to it.

[@AS-mm3wi]

@@AudioAnimalsStudio Absolutely. I was kidding about a "yup/nope" box being a real possibility. The greater point is, as much as I'm guilty of looking for the next great piece of gear that's going to solve all my problems, it really is the talent of the engineer that matters at the end of the day and you can tell who has that natural talent by finding consistently great results over a body of work. That's one reason why I think AA is gaining a reputation that's placing it up there with some very lofty company in mastering circles. And as a subscriber to your channel, it's nice because when you talk about a product or a concept in mastering, I know there's real world experience behind it. As for the video (which I apologize for getting way off track regarding), it would be awesome if a gear manufacturer would partner with AA and release some digitally controlled analog mastering processors that also doubled as control surfaces for multiple plugin instances.

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

@AS-mm3wi as much as you are kidding it got me thinking. Sometimes we kid about things and then we think hey wait a second that could actually be possible. I'm now wondering if in the future it'll be possible to clone my head and you could essentially have a talking head in your room that just advises on mixes. Absurdly ridiculous but in 10 20 years time who knows where we will be at. I partnered with Hendy Amps to develop the Michelangelo XL which came out incredible. Better than I imagined. I had an idea and Chris had the ability to build it and make it work. I'd love to do more like this. I like to think what is missing, what would I want. Where is there a gap in the market. It's really fun.

[@mosermichael4404]

From what I've heard, the new plugin black box HG-Q from plugin alliance is a real treat, and if there's a hardware addition to the plugin, it would be exactly what you're looking for!🤗😉

[@pluginhoarder]

Great video! This kinda whats supposed to happen with the Blackbox HG-Q once it released I think/hope can’t wait for that!

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

@pluginhoarder the blackbox HG-Q is a prime candidate for this idea. They already have a plugin emulation and digital recall hardware. I have mentioned this to them and I really hope they do it.

[@tommysa3atf714]

Superb and it actually feels like a logical development 👍

[@studioneo986]

100% with you Paul!

[@andreievkalupniek5717]

The Electra one controller seems great for this

[@ramonfelizjr]

I think we need a universal access of only one company taking care of the software and the hardware company let them control the hardware by using the software, also we need a separate hardware which can connect to the hardware and computer ? software company have to make a separate hardware that let you choose and pick the connections let’s call that the INTERCONET - if you change your MAC and the connection change from thunderbolt to something else you still can connect to your hardwared via thunderbolt or DANTE or Catm5 etc…. I thought about it too when I see your MCdSP , I also send him a email regarding that . I won’t buy a MCDSP until I know I can still use it 20 yrs from today . Great hope my extra will help .

[@ramonfelizjr]

That’s is an opportunity to open a company and make serious money . That’s something no one is doing . You won’t have any competition.

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

@ramonfelizjr really interesting. I would hope mcdsp will be compatible in 20 years. The good thing about the mcdsp is that the thunderbolt usb c card can be removed and changed if it needs to be. So if for instance something was to change which I'm told it can't they will be able to perform an upgrade.

[@wynton765]

Forgive me if I’m not understanding but doesn’t a control surface essentially do this?

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

A control surface already does this but yes. But what a control surface doesn't do is map exactly as the hardware does or feel like using the hardware does. The difference here is that you are buying the hardware for the purpose of using the hardware. The added benefit here is that at no extra cost you are also able to use it as a controller for the plugin emulation. It adds value to the hardware.

[@MFASonic]

I already use the WES hardware on every master I do, and sometimes the Bettermaker Limiter over the (better sounding) HUM LAAL simply because I don't need to recall manually if the client is not 100% satisfied. The only company I would really wish to implement total recall PLUS control over the plugin counterpart would be Elysia though, because the Alpha is still my go-to compressor day in day out and I haven't found a real competitor. Though I often find myself using the Weiss MKIII, since it is almost as good. Your idea is obvious, but take into account that hardware and plugin must match very accurately! It makes little sense to turn the knobs controlling the plugin if you get a different sound, which happens to large extend with the Fusion (to give an example) or the Manley MP as well.

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

@MFASonic there would be zero difference to how it currently works as an emulation. It's literally acting as a controller. No different to me using a S4 to control a plugin version of the hardware. Now imagine a digitally recallable alpha. That you could use the hardware as a controller for the plugin if you were using it in the mix just by selecting the plugin. Even if the plugin was off by fair bit. You are still using the plugin in a much more fun and hands on way.

[@OfficialAlexZitto]

Wow that will be nice! It’s so funny that today I was thinking about my Alpha Compressor hoping that the company will come up with something like an adapter that can be added to the Alpha Compressor for digital recalls or pay for an upgrade to digital recalls. Though I use the Ngbus for some things but the Alpha is the everything you can think of (tracking’ mixing and mastering) . Paul I think it’s a brilliant idea. 💡 I’m with you on this.

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

@OfficialAlexZitto I can see an alpha coming within a few years. My production with Elysia is they'll do the channel x digital recall then move onto the x filter and 500 series. We will see an alpha by 2030 once they tested the water. But can you imagine a digital recall alpha on your mix bus and plugin on your buses being controlled by the hardware. It would be amazing.

[@Pottwerke]

The future of audio hardware, is my electrical toothbrush in combination with my Rhode microphone. 🎉

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

@Pottwerke bit of duct tape and away you go. What's stopping you.

[@Pottwerke]

@AudioAnimalsStudio Nothing is gonna stop my electrical toothbrush and me! Riding into the sunset forever.

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

@@Pottwerke just remember to pack the charger for it

[@jamjam811]

This would be good over a network connection controling all hardware

[@skiiizo]

Wonderful. I had the Wes Audio ngBus comp and was used to the plugin for recall. Sadly I sold it. But your idea is fantastic. I bought recently a Elysia XFilter. I was wondering about buying the MuseEQ. But the plugin is so good that I stick to the plugin. If the release a MuseEQ with recall and the possibility to drive the plugin I’m in !

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

@skiiizo I know imagine that. A museq piece of hardware you could use as a plugin controller. The plugin emulation of the museq is brilliant. Would be perfect to do this idea with. I really hope elysia consider this option.

[@hiddenmaterial]

Crazy to think that midi has been doing this controlling "analog circuits" on synthesizers forever

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

@@hiddenmaterial I had a Dave Smith mopho a good 15 plus years ago that had midi control and recall. The issue with it was stability. Stability is really good now.

[@hiddenmaterial]

@@AudioAnimalsStudio for sure, as a modern example every Elektron device post 2012 release has Overbridge VST support and full usb streaming to control all parameters remotely with full recall and automation. Its very stable as well and there is far more data throughput than anything a piece of outboard requires. On top of that they work as audio interfaces and A/D D/A converters.

[@mrmorpheus9707]

They better give you credit when they do it!!!

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

@mrmorpheus9707 let's hope so. We shall see. I just want someone to do. I don't care who.

[@ZaccariahMusic]

I'm fully itb. One of the things that's put me off hardware is I would only have 1, whereas I could put the plugin on every channel in the mix. This idea would sway me more towards analogue tho

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

@@ZaccariahMusic this is my thinking. It almost bridges the gap for people are 100% itb.

[@mischief82]

Arturia did pretty much exactly that with the Minifreak. Admittedly, not outboard in the sense discussed here, but still kinda outboard. I would also very much welcome more of this, both for synths and other outboard.

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

@@mischief82 aren't they virtual analogue. I always thought of them like the access virus TI synth.

[@mischief82]

@@AudioAnimalsStudio It‘s digital sound generation with engines of all sorts and an analog filter.

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

@mischief82 does the minifreak use a plugin emulation though that totally bypasses the hardware and the hardware only functions as a controller?

[@mischief82]

@@AudioAnimalsStudio Pretty much. There‘s a VST which allows you to control the hardware, and you can use the hardware to control the VST, but the VST also functions completely independently from the hardware. The VST comes with the hardware but you can also buy the VST without the hardware. If you have both, you can decide if you want the audio from the VST or the hardware. I think it‘s pretty much your idea, just for a synth.

[@mischief82]

Still, the Minifreak is mostly digital, only the filter is analog. It would be much more exciting to see this for the Polybrute, which is fully analog but digitally controlled. It has a VST that controls the hardware, but the VST has no emulation. In that sense, it‘s very much like the Wes Audio gear. It‘s already quite useful, but…

[@thegsalmon]

Most likely by 2030 I just hope that all companies can agree on 1 standard future proof communication protocol like RTP midi. I would love to see more use of the ethernet port in all recallable gear that way you can have it in another room and run it along with something like Dante all in one cable for something like preamps or have something like a split room setup where you can use different pieces of hardware from different studio rooms.

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

@thegsalmon yes I think all digitally recallable hardware should have ethernet. This covers you just in case. Doesn't rely on drivers. Just works. If mac decide to change their ports, it doesn't matter. There are EU laws now that prevent people like Apple changing their ports so products are no longer compatible.

[@thegsalmon]

@AudioAnimalsStudio It would be brilliant! I think it can also be used as local communication port the only thing is figuring out how to physically adapt it to a serial bus port like usb c without causing confusion amongst other adapter but that it can do it it cann

[@TheSupergan]

TC Electronics got half of that done with their Icon series but yeah if the Big players implement the digital recall revolution then that will be great!

[@carlos-pratspratsonthebeat1145]

I think i am agree with you , is time to wait for new gears with recall , i think is not time to buy gears , because New things is about to come , that can be totally recall gears that can stay for long term in hour Studio , Best regards from Poland

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

@carlos-pratspratsonthebeat1145 Poland are leading the charge with digital recall. Some of the best companies in pro audio are Polish. Really impressed with Poland at the moment. I'm in the same boat as you. I'm holding back buying gear without recall because 2025 is going to be so good for recallable gear.

[@carlos-pratspratsonthebeat1145]

@@AudioAnimalsStudio Yeah is From here very close to me Wes Audio COmpany Is amazing , but we want to see also Universal audio , ssl , etc etc More Compnies doing amazing Gear Recall , Thats why i prefer to wait instead to spend in some gear now.Thanks for your answer and opinion

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

@carlos-pratspratsonthebeat1145 I think in 2025 we will see a lot of companies going down this route. I know a few who are really going to surprise you.

[@blessed_by_welfare5922]

2:40 or if it could replace it if it’s not I. The chain for whatever reason

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

@blessed_by_welfare5922 yeah you can even use it without hardware at all and have a very expensive digital controller.

[@blessed_by_welfare5922]

@ lol 😂 it will be pretty though

[@JBrm]

The thing is, for this idea you also need dedicated D/A A/D for every hardware unit. This also means no direct hardware chaining without conversion. Unless you build the converters into the actual hardware unit as a switchable, parallel option. But even then this would make the hardware units a lot more complicated. As well as driver handling and latency. Even though it's a nice thought, but imho this will never happen, sorry.

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

@JBrm no you're thinking of something totally different. The hardware would be connected as normal. No change there. The only change is in the box. Instead of only controlling the plugin that controls the hardware. You are also able to control a plugin with the hardware. Your thinking of making it way too complicated with internal conversion and using the USB connection to transfer audio. This will never work. We need analogue IO as normal and a choice of converters we want to use. As we normally do.

[@JBrm]

@AudioAnimalsStudio ah, you mean using the hardware as a controller only. Now I'm with you - and that'll work :)

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

@JBrm yes exactly that. So it's essentially a plugin controller as well as a hardware unit. Brings something extra to the hardware.

[@Javarrockamore]

I believe blackbox eq will operate like that. ironically the blackbox eq is a similar concept to the Michelangelo xl ...kinda weird. hope you didn't tell them the ideas lol

[@PedalPaddlePush]

Class compliant audio over usb, render plug in track via analog bus.

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

@PedalPaddlePush this is another one I've spoken in length with companies about, but it just seems too painful to do. You could essentially apply the settings using a plugin then select to re-render through the hardware. Would need to be real-time which just makes me think it's pointless. The idea is there and this could be something someone can develop further.

[@joeyf808]

100% agree!👍

[@scanmusik4660]

I would say you have to pick up some decend engineers and develop your own product.

[@MR_Cellarpop]

Good idea. Best/Mathias

[@lordwindsor]

Love the idea!

[@hakangurdol]

My next hardware will be MCDSP APB16 equal to 8 hardware.

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

@hakangurdol you'll love it. I have 6 units and it's one of the best investments I ever made. The gift that keeps on giving as they build new modules for it every few months. And they are free.

[@budaalamalamusic]

Wess Audio and Bettermaker they already have something similar

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

@@budaalamalamusic no they don't. You realise I'm surrounded by Wes audio and Bettermaker in this video. They have digital recall. The plugins are just for recall. Zero analogue emulations in recall plugin.

[@budaalamalamusic]

@ oh ok thank you for that information I misunderstood

[@djlajci]

LIQUID MIX

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

The liquid mix was very cool. However it was DSP and wasn't analogue. It effectively wasn't a plugin. It was like a controllable UAD satellite. This is hardware with that double as a controller for the plugin emulation. The liquid mix was hardware control for DSP without any plugin emulation using the computers CPU so you were limited to I think it was 16 instances on the DSP.

[@ultracello]

100%.

[@bachelorgamer8001]

literally everyone has thought of that! it wont work. cause you would still have to bounce plugins mostly, and it would be easier just to make a control surface

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

@bachelorgamer8001 No, you've totally missed the point. Your counter argument is exactly what I said. You're literally saying what I said as how it should be done. Think of it like this it's a controller for plugins. But it's also a digitally recallable piece of hardware. The plugins do not record through the hardware. That's a stupid idea. As it'll need to be done in real-time and it'll print the audio. The plugin is active always it's just being controlled by the hardware. No analogue processing. Understand it now?