hardware vs. plugin/VST effects

[swartzfeger]

All, I'm going to start diving into doing a lot of recording/demoing with my fretless (don't we all go through a fretless phase?)

How do pitch software VSTs compare to a dedicated pedal like the Boss OC-2 or MXR BOD?

For vst effects, is it the same argument of analog pedals vs. digital pedals for the most part?

 

[Zanpa]

I like how I can turn then on or off after recording clean

 

[Snakepit93]

For the most part a well-programmed VST plug-in should sound just as good as a dedicated digital effects pedal. If you're an analog enthousiast though as far as I know, dedicated analog pedals are the only option.

 

[seamonkey]

Record it straight in.
Once it's in the digital domain, VST's have all the time in the world to tweak the sound.

Some VST's, like Lexicon, TC, or others, can connect to external DSP like hardwarre. But I'm sold the CPU is fast replacing DSP in studios, live too.

 

[Jalfrezi]

I haven't used a pitch pedal but I do know about plugins. They do a good job except there will be a small delay of a few ms so you would need to drag the track back so that its exactly where it was in the first place.

I have just left it in the past and its been fine but I don't know how much of a perfectionist you are.

The only other thing is with pitch shifters like in logic there's some digital artifacts that make it sound horrible if you shift too much.

 

[4to5to6]

I would highly recommend Celemony Melodyne for tuning, doubling, harmonizing etc. etc. Software acts alone or as a VST plugin. As a bonus, it is great for converting both single note and chordal bass lines to midi and then doubling a synh bass or transcribing. Does not work in real time for live performance... only for postprocessing recordings.

 

[MNAirHead]

for fretless (depending on your technique).. correction may not work that well with any gizmo.

I'm all for VST when possible.

 

[JimmyM]

and now for something completely different...

plugins are good if you want to experiment around and don't know exactly what you want, but generally i know if i want a certain effect, so these days i almost always burn them straight to the track when possible. the great thing about recording with computers and plugins is that you don't have to make a decision right away. the bad thing is you get done recording and then you have to make all these decisions and you can bury yourself in options.