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#1
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Hardware vs Software/pc audio
I have a question out of general interest. I am a guitar player and
own a Boss gt-6 guitar effects processor. It provides distortions and a host of other effects for guitar. It's a physical box that sits of the floor that you plug your guitar into (I'm trying to keep this simple). However, there are software guitar effects available as well that you can use on your pc. The same effects are available. Distortions, amp models, eq, etc... Boss doesn't provide the GT-6 as pure pc software that I know of. So, my question is: Is there a sound advantage to using the physical GT-6 as opposed to pc/ software guitar effects? I only use the GT-6 here an an example. I'm curious if hardware/physical effects systems provide better sound than software, or provide any audio advantage. I realize you can use software in a very flexible way, especially for recording purposes. But, I want to compare this in terms of sound quality. If I am recording in a home studio, does the GT-6 (or other hardware effects) provide better sound than I would get from software effects? I'm guessing the computer sound card will be a factor in this too, but in general can anyone shed light on this topic? Pros/cons? |
#3
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Hardware vs Software/pc audio
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#4
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Hardware vs Software/pc audio
On Dec 4, 11:08 am, Randy Yates wrote:
writes: I have a question out of general interest. I am a guitar player and own a Boss gt-6 guitar effects processor. It provides distortions and a host of other effects for guitar. It's a physical box that sits of the floor that you plug your guitar into (I'm trying to keep this simple). However, there are software guitar effects available as well that you can use on your pc. The same effects are available. Distortions, amp models, eq, etc... Boss doesn't provide the GT-6 as pure pc software that I know of. So, my question is: Is there a sound advantage to using the physical GT-6 as opposed to pc/ software guitar effects? I only use the GT-6 here an an example. I'm curious if hardware/physical effects systems provide better sound than software, or provide any audio advantage. I realize you can use software in a very flexible way, especially for recording purposes. But, I want to compare this in terms of sound quality. If I am recording in a home studio, does the GT-6 (or other hardware effects) provide better sound than I would get from software effects? I'm guessing the computer sound card will be a factor in this too, but in general can anyone shed light on this topic? Pros/cons? Hi, There are lots of issues associated with your question and it is impossible to answer generally one way or the other. Conversion from analog to digital and back is one potential factor, but these days converters are pretty much flawless, whether in the pedal or in a PC soundcard. Another unknown is the algorithm and its implementation. Generally there are two ways to implement DSP effects digitally: floating point or fixed point. Depending on how savvy (or un-savvy) the algorithm designer / implementer is, you can screw things up one way or the other, and either one can be used in either a standalone system like the GT-6 or in the PC. However, low-power systems often use fixed-point algorithms, and these are typically harder to get "right." Why do you ask? Are you having problems with the sound quality of the GT-6? -- % Randy Yates % "And all that I can do %% Fuquay-Varina, NC % is say I'm sorry, %%% 919-577-9882 % that's the way it goes..." %%%% % Getting To The Point', *Balance of Power*, ELOhttp://www.digitalsignallabs.com No, I'm not having any issues with the sound. I work with web applications and have been toying with ideas of Java apps that communicate with music devices via midi (like the gt-6, keyboards, etc..). I'm just wondering if anything useful can emerge from a device like the gt-6 being networked via a web site or software, where people can connect to it remotely. Are there any useful services that can be built from this scenario, or is it not practical? I'm comparing the sound quality of pure software to the device just because, if there are no real advantages with having a separate box, then pure software seems to be much more efficient and cost effective. I'm no expert in this area, so I'm just possibilitizing. I've seen a few web sites where they offer musician collaboration online. Each person is in a different location, but they collaborate to record music. Not sure if or how well this idea has be realized yet. What about a virtual studio where something like remote guitar effects can be provided as a service? Or, does this already exist? |
#5
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Hardware vs Software/pc audio
wrote in message
... Is there a sound advantage to using the physical GT-6 as opposed to pc/ software guitar effects? I only use the GT-6 here an an example. I'm curious if hardware/physical effects systems provide better sound than software, or provide any audio advantage. You've got to get the guitar into the computer somehow. If you plug the guitar straight into the sound card, the low input impedance of the sound card will make the guitar sound like crap. Likewise if you plug into the line input of a mixer. So, in a simple boneheaded sense, the Boss makes the guitar sound better because it handles two tasks, not just one: it handles impedance and level matching, as well as tone shaping. Of course, that problem can be solved. Just sayin'. |
#6
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Hardware vs Software/pc audio
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#7
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Hardware vs Software/pc audio
On Dec 4, 11:05*am, wrote:
Is there a sound advantage to using the physical GT-6 as opposed to pc/ software guitar effects? I only use the GT-6 here an an example. I'm curious if hardware/physical effects systems provide better sound than software, or provide any audio advantage. If I understand your PC scenario correctly, no sound is actually being created. The electrical impulses leave the guitar routed through the GT6 (or not) and are converted to digital in the A/D and live in the computer hence-forth. No air has moved yet and no sound has been created or heard. The data stored in the PC is a synthetic approximation of an electric guitar with (or without) effects. So, by definition, it cannot be better sound if it's not "sound". Yes, I understand that sound is a byproduct of realtime monitoring and subsequent playback. But it's not the same as playing a guitar, not in my book. Part of the nature of the audible sound created by an electric guitar is the amplifier's circuitry, the character of the speaker (very important) and the "human servo" part of the loop which allows one to adjust one's playing according to the sound being created in realtime and space. The recognized signature of most recorded electric guitar also includes the character of the recording microphone (also very important). My opinion is that most modelers, synthesizers and plugins are cheezy aproximations. Some are decent and come surprisingly close, none are completely convincing. I realize you can use software in a very flexible way, especially for recording purposes. But, I want to compare this in terms of sound quality. *If I am recording in a home studio, does the GT-6 (or other hardware effects) *provide better sound than I would get from software effects? I'm guessing the computer sound card will be a factor in this too, but in general can anyone shed light on this topic? Pros/cons? The effectivness of a lot of the effects used on guitar are determined by where in the chain they are implemented. A chorus used inline before distortion stages will never sound the same as one used later in the chain, the ultimate example being a Leslie cab. You should decide for yourself how important "tone" really is. Most guitarists are obsessive about their tone. If you're not and just want something that's "OK", (or if you really can't hear the difference) I think you might be better served by working alongside someone with a higher standard. Your "sound" will thank you later. rd |
#8
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Hardware vs Software/pc audio
"Michael R. Kesti" writes:
[...] I often find that the best guitar effect is a cable between a good guitar and a great amp, but this usually requires an excellent player, too. AMEN, brother! -- % Randy Yates % "...the answer lies within your soul %% Fuquay-Varina, NC % 'cause no one knows which side %%% 919-577-9882 % the coin will fall." %%%% % 'Big Wheels', *Out of the Blue*, ELO http://www.digitalsignallabs.com |
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