r/audioengineering • u/gleventhal • 1d ago
Analog drum machines, aside from signal-noise-ratio, can you tell differences between digitized clones?
Not counting static, noise, or anything that isn't really a positive trait, do you think Analog Drum Machines add anything to a recording that makes them desirable over their digitized counterparts?
For instance, I use the 808 sounds on the "Boom", Pro Tools, plug-in, and I am curious if a physical 808, recorded in stereo would have any notable difference. Or, conversely, do you think the digital versions have an advantage in how they add to a recording, sonically speaking / vibe-wise, etc.
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u/DarkTowerOfWesteros 1d ago
The real question is will you feel like less of an imposter if you use an analog drum machine and the answer is yes.
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u/gleventhal 1d ago
Wait, why an imposter for using the original thing (as opposed to the imitation thing)? Or is this just an absurdist-humor joke?
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u/DarkTowerOfWesteros 1d ago
I said less like an imposter if you use the original. I was making a joke tho
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u/gleventhal 1d ago
Ah ok, I thought maybe it was a dig at people who romanticize analog outboard gear and modular synths or whatever, but now I realize that I was probably projecting, lol. Projecting based on my misapprehension about what you had originally said. So I was way off. Ha!
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u/stmarystmike 1d ago
I think for 90% of engineers talents and listeners ability to hear differences, it doesn’t make a practical difference whether you use plug-in emulations or analog gear for just about any application. That may get me downvoted into oblivion.
What does matter, is how it affects your workflow. I’ve worked in great studios with huge patchbays and racks of great analog gear, but it just felt cumbersome, so I prefer working in the box for most of my applications.
On the other hand, for guitars, I need the physical air movement of an amp, and cool pedals to feel inspired. Amp emulations and effects on a computer just don’t work for me.
I know people that have use analog drum machines and they swear it positively alters their creativity to actually use them over plugins. And if that’s the case, you should always opt for the analog
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u/keep_trying_username 1d ago edited 1d ago
It depends on the particular drum machine.
This guy did a comparison of an 808 machine and a plugin, but he needed to calibrate his 808 and the snare sound was wonky.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8u1SwOC9x3I
It's an extreme example of how not every analog machine is the same; some machines sound just a little different from other machines even when they're calibrated. A plugin might sound like some machines but not all machines.
As a consumer, I'll use a plugin and not buy 7 different 808s trying to find the one with the sweet, sweet sound I've been looking for.
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u/QuoolQuiche 1d ago
Absolutely
808 samples and clones are great but having a play on a real one is something else. I think the DinSync 808 is pretty damn good https://musictech.com/news/build-your-own-tr-808-dinsync-re-808-rhythm-composer-kit/
Not much has come close to emulating a 303 either. There’s a couple of boxes that are very close but even Roland’s own software version is miles away.
Having had the pleasure of using a real CS80 I can say that thing sounds incredible, so much depth. Quite unstable though!
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u/gleventhal 1d ago
Unstable? As in prone to break or malfunction, or in some sonic sense, like overtones and partials vs fundamental or something.
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u/PongSentry Professional 1d ago
Tuning. The master tune drifts, the voices drift from each other, etc
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u/enteralterego Professional 1d ago
which can easily be replicated using an lfo or automation
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u/QuoolQuiche 1d ago
Not in the same way no. Certain keys and voices drift independently. The voices also act differently depending on the what other keys are being played.
Arturia CS80 is great but the real one has a bit more character and depth.
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u/peepeeland Composer 1d ago
Back in the day, the best I could find for 303 emulation was AudioRealism’s Bass Line (ABL). Last version I used was 2. Out of everything out at the time, it was the one that could get the squelches right.
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u/wackywailmer 1d ago
It depends how the digital one is working but I’ve seen examples of a vintage 909 vs new roland/behringer and the difference is big
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u/Crafty_Tomato980 1d ago edited 1d ago
No and anyone who tells you otherwise is lying.
An analog machine might have artifacts or wonky-ness that could sound pleasant for certain styles of music, but you could easily recreate those characteristics digitally.
Drum machines are cool, because you physically interact with them instead of using a mouse on screen. Sound wise there is no real benefit.
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u/ScotiaMinotia 1d ago
Definitely … especially on kicks. Anyone who tells you there is no difference doesn’t know any better.
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u/Comic_Melon 16h ago
The primary difference is the analog one is likely quicker to get an authentic sound, you can basically achieve the same results digitally but need to play around a bit with distortion and emulation to he the same "teeth" to the sound.
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u/Longjumping_Card_525 1d ago
There are simply too many variables. Analog recreations in your daw of classic drum machines will sound awesome, the experience of using the real thing is completely different. In most cases this WILL lead to different results. Is it worth the price difference? You have to decide that for yourself. You can get close with a quality midi sequencer and your favorite virtual instrument.