One of the most heated conversations in the audio community is the comparison of digital and analog recording. While some people consider analog recording the holy grail for making records the truth is that the whole industry lives in the digital domain. Nevertheless, mixing and mastering engineers still like to add some sonic flavour using emulations of their favourite equipment. In that case, why not use the real gear? Is there a benefit of using analog equipment compared to work all in-the-box? When should I consider using analog gear? To answer some of these questions and help ease the eternal discussion let’s go through 4 things to consider about digital and analog workflows.

1- Electricity and Data

When we work in the analog realm, the electric signalsget processed and sent through circuits, cables, patchbays, passive and active components and even turned into magnetic fields by storing it in tape. Each step adds and removes something from the signal until it reaches the speakers and then our ears. During the recording process some engineers try to reduce the path from the source to the recording media as much as possible so they capture the analog signal in its purest form.

When we work with digital audio we only move zeros and ones. The data gets transferred between the DAW, plug-ins, computer and audio interface. The only analog signal that moves in this scenario is the one coming from a microphone or an instrument into the audio interface and from the interface to our speakers or headphones. Once the signal arrives at the converters the analog processing ends.

2- Processing Signals

When we record, mix or process audio through analog equipment the audio signal gets modified through filters, compression, EQ and saturation. Every electronic component will change something in the signal. That is part of the charm of this workflow. But as special as it sounds, each time you do a mix you will get a different experience. If you try to repeat the same processing on a signal on a different day you might not get exactly the same result. Even if you get all the settings from the equipment just right. Small changes in temperature, dust or even the smallest errors when dialling each knob will change the sound of your mix.

On the other hand, no matter how many times an audio file gets played, copied or sent through DAW buses. If no processing is applied the data remains the same. And if you repeat the same processing at any given time, the result will be the same. There is no variability in the behaviour of a plug-in, unless you change their parameter. They are lines of codes that under the same conditions will do exactly the same process.

3- Maintenance and Uniqueness

Every piece of equipment needs some love and attention from time to time to be fully operational whenever they are required. Big commercial studios have their own team of engineers to keep all the equipment in check. That’s why if you own or want to get your hands on an analog console, tape machine, compressor, EQ or 500 modules, bear in mind that they would need to be looked after every now and then. Especially if they are vintage or second hand. Obviously good practices and controlled studio environments help to keep analog equipment in good shape. But still, with time and use, valves will blow, capacitors will get old and even solder joints will need to be refreshed.

Software on the other hand is just text. A set of instructions to be followed by the computer when an input is introduced. This way, unless there is an update to fix a bug in the codeor an improvement to the GUI or processing, the maintenance of plug-ins is next to zero. You only need to worry about running a healthy computer.

Having said that, the fast paced processing development increases the need to upgrade our machines more often to run the latest software or technology. This can turn into a big expense to do every 5 years or so. Instead, analog processing doesn’t get outdated. Microphones, preamps, compressors and EQs are still relevant even if you record in digital. Plus you get the uniquefactor with them. Two units of the same compressors or preamp will sound different under the same settings. In comparison two instances of the same plug-in will sound exactly the same.

4- Analog Warmth

We have talked in previous articles about the sound of analog and how modern DSP technology has been able to emulate it inside the box. Allowing us to get our hands on tools that were only available in major recording studios by a fraction of their original price and democratising the recording and mixing process. Tools like the ones developed by Sonimus that always try to create original and unique plug-ins that go beyond simple emulations and still provide the saturation and warmth characteristic from analog gear.

That doesn’t mean that there is no space for analog processing in the modern days. There is still something special about using analog gear. The interaction of electrical signals with the circuitry together with the small changes in the behaviour of the equipment can create some magical moments that won’t be able to be replicated in the digital domain. Special moments that can even bring the best out of the talent’s performance.That’s why, although analog gear might not be required for modern recording, mixing or mastering, it has turned into something to have fun and experiment with. That special sauce to bring to the table when a spark is needed or to get some extra mojo and character in your sessions.

Do you use analog gear in your studio? Do you work all in-the-box? Let us know in the comments and don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter to get the latest blogs and news about Sonimus plug-ins.