Hybrid is where it's headed
Hardware will always be around. Some people simply just prefer hardware.
I have been into music production for close to 9 years now and came in at an interesting time. Reason may have been in its 2.5 stage and FL was at 3.0. At the time, it was all about hardware with the argument being stability and reliability. Computers were still seen as incapable of managing the load needed to produce quality music and at the time both RAM and Hard Drive capacities were still low. As a result of this, the argument for hardware was sound even with the understanding that even hardware workstations still rely on some form of computing and an operating system.
Fast forward a few years and suddenly computers are more stable, have seen significant increases in RAM and HD space and can multitask like nobody's business.
With this in mind, I believe the direction music production is headed in is more of a hybrid environment. Companies can offer more flexible workflows, better updating capabilities and still address the fact that a mouse is the worst way to make music. Great examples are:
- Ableton and the Akai partnership on the APC 20 and APC 40
- NI Maschine
- MPC Renaissance
There have been other unique controller/software systems like M-audio and Pro-Tools a few years ago, Cubase and Yamaha, etc.
Ultimately, this conversation is comparable to a carburetor vs. a fuel injector. They both are vital to making a car run. One is the old school way and the other is the current way. Ultimately, they both make something happen that is desirable. Music production is no different.
I like the hybrid approach. It extends the life and usefulness of your investment. Limitations are only reached when companies miss opportunities to be forward thinking with the design and construction of their hardware control devices.
---------- Post added at 01:53 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:52 PM ----------
I think the future is machines where you can just mumble your melody and the machine will record it.
And the software will detect the pitches and make it automatically midi for your synth.
It's to hard to recreate exactly what's in your head. What i said will be the future and i know it can already be done in FL Studio's Edison i think.
I'm still gonna figure that out.
Actually...you need to take a look at
Ableton Live 9's new features! Audio to MIDI homeboy! It's already been done - well...not yet exactly. It totally blew my mind when I saw the video demonstration.
Check the video at 6:45...and get ready to change yo drawls! LOL!