#1942677 - 05/15/08 03:30 PM
software based recording studio versus workstation keyboard
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acdc
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Registered: 05/10/08
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Thanks a lot those of you who responded to my Motif versus S90ES question. I decided I like the Motif best based on your responses and from testing the products further.
I was just about to get it but then someone said that these days, I should just get a cheap keyboard and get software like Reason that could allow me to record my songs on a computer and would provide me with more synth sounds. What benefits are there for getting the Motif over using a laptop? I already have a pretty powerful laptop so could do this if desired. I wanted very realistic guitar (both electric and acoustic), piano, and drum sounds so I could put play and record a song like a full band.
Sorry if the questions seem simple, I'm a newbie to the electronic keyboards.
Edited by tfan27 (05/15/08 03:33 PM)
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#1942684 - 05/15/08 03:45 PM
Re: software based recording studio versus workstation keyboard
[Re: acdc]
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bloodyMary
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Registered: 12/22/04
Posts: 583
Loc: Southern Israel
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The question is not simple at all, in fact it's something many keyboard players are asking themselves these days.
The most obvious benefit of hardware is the 'all in one' concept. You don't need to assemble a collection of soft-synths, samples, and also hardware (midi keyboard, sound interface, etc), and plug it in one-by-one. With Motif, dialing in a guitar patch takes a second. Also, it won't ever crash on you.
The topic was discussed countless times in every possible forum.
Personally I think it is possible to use all-software rig, and some forum members might do it, and be more helpful.
There are software synths with the same all-in-one concept, they have all the bread-and-butter sounds you'll ever need. I liked Steinberg Hypersonic 2 very much - it sounds great, is very easy to control, and usable in live setting (quick sound searching and switching, low CPU and RAM load). It's actually a sample library with ~2gb of samples.
Personally, I've thought about making a switched to software, but never did it. There were too few benefits, and too much complications. If I gig with a workstation, I just plug it in, and it works. With laptop, I need to connect audio interface, midi keyboard, load the VST host.
A good software-based setup won't be much cheaper than a Motif, if you count in the price of audio interface, midi keyboard, software, even without the price of a computer.
_________________________
Korg Karma, Roland FP4, Yamaha S03 (retired), Korg K25, IBM laptop, Yamaha HS80M monitors - the new toy.
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#1942707 - 05/15/08 04:20 PM
Re: software based recording studio versus workstation keyboard
[Re: bloodyMary]
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timwat
Senior Member
Registered: 11/21/01
Posts: 174
Loc: Concord,CA,UNITED STATES
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I'm currently running a hybrid rig - a digital piano and Logic Mainstage for everything else.
I have a lot of my own reasons for building this config I won't bore you with, but the advantage I find with Logic is simply that its B3, clavinet and rhodes sims sound better than any hardware I've found out there.
What Logic doesn't do well is acoustic piano, and that's why I have the Kawai MP4. But even there, I run the dry output into Logic and its EQ and reverb rather than the ones in the board. In my opinion (for whatever that's worth), it just sounds better than anything in my hardware-only rig.
But it requires several moving parts, I'm a little nervous about gigging with my laptop, and it certainly isn't cheaper compared to hardware-only.
Now, that's the performance side only. Your topic title refers to recording.
In that world, I have to vote for software every day of the week.
I grew up with workstation sequencing, first on the Korg M1, then the Roland W30, then the Kurzweil K2500, then a K2600. IMHO, the capabilities and possibilities of software recording beats hardware, in every conceivable category or by any metric you want to use. The only downside is it requires a computer, an audio interface and some cabling.
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#1942732 - 05/15/08 05:38 PM
Re: software based recording studio versus workstation keyboard
[Re: timwat]
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DanS
MP Hall of Fame Member
Registered: 11/14/00
Posts: 3379
Loc: Montréal
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For live I use hardware (S80, Fantom X7, & DSI PEK).
In the studio I use Cubase SX3, Gigastudio, Acid, & Reason.
Once you hear & use some of the amazing soft synths out there, you can't limit yourself to just hardware in the studio. Your recordings will thank you tenfold.
Check out some of the Spectrasonics stuff. I just installed the Garritan Steinway this week. Try finding that in hardware.
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#1942737 - 05/15/08 05:49 PM
Re: software based recording studio versus workstation keybo
[Re: timwat]
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Bill Heins
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Registered: 07/03/03
Posts: 663
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A few questions first-
1. What are you trying to do? Record demos? Finished mixes? It makes a big difference!
2. What kind of music do you write? The more complex the music the more complex your recording solution will be...relatively speaking.
3. What's your budget? Quality comes at a price.
A workstation is great for fleshing out material...it allows you to create your own sounds, sequence your song( to me it's like using a tape recorder- hit record with a metronome on and play  ), use and create samples, etc. But it will never give you a finished product if that is what you are after. There's three ways to accomplish that level- First is the old school pay-as-you-go method. Pay someone in a studio gobs of money to professionally record and mix your project. Then pay again to have the final product mastered for manufacture and distribution.
The second method is to buy tons of analog gear and do it all yourself. You'll need a mixing console, tape or digital recorders, and a rack or two of fairly decent processors.
The third method is to go all software- use a recording suite to record and mix your tracks. You'll need software emulations of those analog processors as well for the mixing and mastering phase.
Personally I believe that a good set of ears will beat a million dollars worth of equipment any day so I use method 3, not that it's not going to cost you a bit
I'm using two workstations and a desktop...plus other stuff 
Good luck!
Bill
Edited by Bill Heins (05/15/08 05:51 PM)
Edit Reason: Stupid mistakes ;)
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#1942797 - 05/15/08 11:17 PM
Re: software based recording studio versus workstation keybo
[Re: Bill Heins]
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Analogaddict
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Registered: 08/19/02
Posts: 1437
Loc: Stockholm, Sweden
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I've been using software and hardware both live and in the studio for the last couple of years. I prefer hardware for live gigs, since it's less likely to crash and since you usually have a 10 minute line check anyway you won't really notice minor differences in sound. Neither will the audience. I really like the thought of having a maxed out laptop running plug-ins, but since you usually have to bring a keyboard anyway, it might just as well be a workstation of some kind.
The last generations of workstations are IMO significantly better than previous, and with a Fantom-X or an M3 you have a sonic arsenal that would require a LOT of plug-ins.
_________________________
"Please keep things civil...or I'll have to kill you."/dB
"Lantern or Turbert Paw Kwee..!"
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#1942883 - 05/16/08 06:50 AM
Re: software based recording studio versus workstation keybo
[Re: Analogaddict]
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MusicWorkz
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Registered: 04/20/01
Posts: 1686
Loc: Philadelphia,PA,UNITED STATES
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It's a nice option, but as a musician that does studio AND stage work, I believe in BOTH.
Having a laptop running music software with a controller is a great studio option. Digital Performer 5.1 + Reason 3 is an awesome combimbation to have (I use Reason 3 with a Novation Remote LE controlling things). Add in some quality plug-ins and I have the musical world at my fingertips.
Still, it is a secondary part of my setup for the flexibility and power it provides, even though it is pretty much stable. When gigging, I don't want to worry about audio buffers, program and sample loading times, audio/midi settings and interface issues.
So on stage, there is nothing better for me than to have the tried-and-true hardware at my fingertips. There is a comfort in the dependability of a piece of hardware purpose made without the additional computer-related overhead.
And this same hardware travels well into the studio, too. With the right synth/workstation set-up, you have an unlimited possibilities just like software, assuming you make the effort to actually learn and program your rig.
Not to say it isn't achievable in other ways. Instruments like the Access Virus TI/Snow are blurring the line between software and hardware. The RECEPTOR is a wonderful product that bridges the gap, too. But these things come at a price and unless you have the surrounding support for it (controllers, interfaces etc.), isn't a great first choice to get into this realm.
My suggestion is to find the best of both worlds and incorporate them into a set-up that works for YOU. Your needs are different than mine/ours.
Just know that once you start down this path, you will be afflicted with G.A.S. for the rest of your natural life.
_________________________
Yamaha (Motif XS7, Motif 6, TX81Z), Korg (R3, Triton-R), Roland (XP-30, D-50, Juno 6, P-330, R-8). Novation (A & V-Stations, Remote LE), Akai MPC 2000XL Studio http://www.myspace.com/ieg_musicworkz
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#1942898 - 05/16/08 07:15 AM
Re: software based recording studio versus workstation keybo
[Re: MusicWorkz]
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RABid
MP Hall of Fame Member
Registered: 11/01/01
Posts: 7562
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I use both. While software/computers officers the best options I consider hardware more portable. It is nice to pick up a workstation and move it to the deck, in front of a window, or to another house and put things together. There is a writing process and a finalizing process. While finalizing is almost always better on a computer a workstation can be great for writing.
_________________________
All I need is one more keyboard.
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#1943171 - 05/16/08 04:11 PM
Re: software based recording studio versus workstation keybo
[Re: RABid]
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acdc
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Registered: 05/10/08
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Thanks for all the input. To answer some of your questions, I won't be performing on stage. Just in my home with a couple of friends. We just want to make some songs that we'd like to sound nice but don't have to be professional quality. We were going for the alternative rock sound and although we do want to record our songs on occasion, we would mostly just play for fun and not record. Also, my brother wants to use it for an acoustic (piano, guitar, and drums) sound so we wanted to be able to do that as well. I already have an audio interface which could be used for the keyboard as well and good computer. I don't have a set budget but I had thought that if the computer way was cheaper and produced better results, I would be preferable. From what you guys have posted though, I think the price difference may be negligible and shouldn't be the deciding factor.
Is it much clumsier/slower to work with the laptop instead of a workstation?
After listening to you guys I'm leaning towards getting a Roland RD-700SX so that I can have a good acoustic sound and real piano feel and then get software as well to have a laptop based workstation and more synths like the motif(though I wonder if this may be more money than just the motif even with my already owned computer and audio interface). Boy this is a tough decision.
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#1943372 - 05/17/08 07:44 AM
Re: software based recording studio versus workstation keybo
[Re: acdc]
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MusicWorkz
Platinum Member
Registered: 04/20/01
Posts: 1686
Loc: Philadelphia,PA,UNITED STATES
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Boy this is a tough decision.
And it only gets worst AFTER your purchase. Welcome to the world of Gear Acquisition Syndrome (otherwise known as G.A.S.)...
_________________________
Yamaha (Motif XS7, Motif 6, TX81Z), Korg (R3, Triton-R), Roland (XP-30, D-50, Juno 6, P-330, R-8). Novation (A & V-Stations, Remote LE), Akai MPC 2000XL Studio http://www.myspace.com/ieg_musicworkz
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