I record my VST synths just like any hardware | This is how

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  • Опубліковано 8 гру 2024

КОМЕНТАРІ • 212

  • @НонэймНоластнэйм
    @НонэймНоластнэйм 6 днів тому +47

    Two years later:
    We created a VST plugin that emulates Espen Kraft sitting in his room tweaking his hardware equalizer

    • @EspenKraft
      @EspenKraft  6 днів тому +5

      Why not indeed. :P

    • @20680
      @20680 5 днів тому +8

      I would call that "The Final Kraftdown"

  • @morphoice
    @morphoice 5 днів тому +13

    As a developer for audio software, plugins and software synths I know where the problems are, what restrictions on the math need to be made to make it work on an average CPU, so yes, they can do a lot, and we have come a very long way but no, they are physically impossible to replace the real thing. We simply just cheat or approximate to make it sound similar, within the capabilities at our hands. Urs from u-he gave some great insight into that. This being said, however, the average user cannot tell or hear the difference, and therefor the math is good enough and plugins are totally fine. And the math is even suprisingly less magickal and mysterious than one might think. There are companies selling you a literal tanh() function with some fancy graphical knobs for 29,-

    • @EspenKraft
      @EspenKraft  5 днів тому +4

      10 years ago I wouldn't dream of making the music I do without genuine vintage hardware. Now it's not a problem at all and I have videos on here where people believe they're hearing genuine vintage synths, when in fact they're hearing plugins. No complaints from anyone of them, even if they claim they hate plugins. ;-)

    • @Fl4ppers
      @Fl4ppers 5 днів тому +3

      I've heard many emulations that nail it tbh. What they cant nail is the hands-on feel of hardware.

    • @AC_Martin
      @AC_Martin 4 дні тому +1

      The amplification is difficult to get precise on. Like shorten the envelopes and use a delay/reverb for the tail-end of the sound.

    • @analogholic3651
      @analogholic3651 3 дні тому +2

      @morphoice. I agree....do you happen to have any link to what Urs had to say regarding this?

  • @anythingbox
    @anythingbox 6 днів тому +10

    I would add one more hack... Send the output of the preamp into a great set of speakers and MIC them. I did this on a track years ago. I took a piano part that was playing from Kontakt, and Mic'd it across the room, and it sounded very pretty.

    • @EspenKraft
      @EspenKraft  6 днів тому +5

      If you have a nice sounding room. ;-)

    • @SLPGroundSoundMusic
      @SLPGroundSoundMusic 5 днів тому +3

      You used the laptop the way I think a laptop should be used in a recording session. Basically, a laptop should be treated as an instrument, and just like a digital or analog instrument, the outputs should go into an analog mixer and be processed and mixed through a rack of analog processing and FX sound editing gears, which will definitely stamp that analog sound texture. This is especially true if you connect a 16-outputs interface to the laptop, which means you can send up to 16 VST instrument tracks outputs. Each output channel/track can be sent, mixed, and processed individually through the analog mixer channels rack processors. It is essentially joining digital and analog in a different or maybe a better way.

    • @unclemick-synths
      @unclemick-synths 2 дні тому

      I've done this with DI violin. Violin pickups often give a really scratchy sound that can't be fixed just by adding EQ and reverb. So I played it back through a speaker lying on its back and positioned the mic off axis as if the speaker was a real violin.

  • @Shred_The_Weapon
    @Shred_The_Weapon 7 днів тому +9

    Wow, Espen, instead of just having the plug-in sitting in your DAW on a MIDI track, you export it into an audio signal chain. That’s a different angle entirely. It’s December 2nd, 2024 as I comment, and I was just telling a fellow musician yesterday how I don’t use plug-ins any longer for being anti-sequencer since the end of 2012. This method of capturing the sound of the plug-ins almost tempts me to do two things I had considered, upgrading my own laptop with a more complete DAW than I’ve ever used *and* getting an Akai MPC Key for the plug-ins.

  • @MilesAwayOfficial
    @MilesAwayOfficial 7 днів тому +3

    Love this workflow dude! Same reason I love running VSTs out of my DAW and through pedals before back in.

    • @opticalman6417
      @opticalman6417 7 днів тому

      i would love to know the tech side of doing that how would i go about doing this say in reason studio 12 ?

    • @AdamTheAd-vanc3d
      @AdamTheAd-vanc3d День тому

      It such a basic trick missed because some just want fast results. I sometimes record vstis through a real tape and analog mixer machine too .

  • @alienmachine
    @alienmachine День тому +2

    Glad to hear this, Espen. Since I have moved exclusively in the box since 2004, I have been through several iterations of this technique by taking my tracks out of my DAW/computer and recording them back. First, by using the converters of the Creamware Pulsar interface (long gone now) and last by using an SSL 12. It definitely injects the analog character to the digital tracks. It takes time but the results worth it. You can even put an analog compressor or mixer in between for more coloration. I have also used a Allen and Heath analog mixer and a FMR RNLA7239 amplifier for more drastic results! 😁

  • @cl1xor
    @cl1xor 6 днів тому +8

    This is how i've been doing it for over 20 years, in the early days of VST's they sounded quite thin or harsh, so i bought a lot of (budget) processors like compressors and fx to give them more life. Still using that same gear (with a lot more ;)) to this day.

    • @80iesDude45
      @80iesDude45 6 днів тому +1

      I used to produce most of my first Psytrance vinyl records for Cosmophilia label with an old Apple Laptop and Rebirth RB-338 on it running through EQ's and external compressor, perfect ;-)

  • @GlennMainMusic
    @GlennMainMusic 7 днів тому +4

    Cool way to get the «hardware» sound in the plugins 😃😃😃👍👍👍 As always .. great video man !

  • @Studio8FX
    @Studio8FX 7 днів тому +3

    That sounded crazy good from plugin synths! Thank you for sharing.

  • @getbusymakestuff
    @getbusymakestuff 2 дні тому

    Interesting. I must confess, whenever I hear about this kind of thing, I can't help remember the days when our 4-track cassette demos, bounced into noise floors that were three stories high, prevented us from any serious consideration from radio stations, record labels and even our own friends. It was not a good time for Indie and DIY musicians. Thankfully, the DAW changed everything. Now, it doesn't mean that 'old' and 'noisy' are bad and, as shown here, can legitemately become good artist choices. I love the idea of using old computers to run VSTs and plugging their outputs into analogue mixing consoles, just like pre-MIDI and pre-USB vintage synths. Heck, my Korg Wavestate is nothing more than a keyboard and a Raspberry Pi. Very nice. Thank you for making this video.

  • @Urfinchannel
    @Urfinchannel 6 днів тому +3

    Using them in stand alone Modus with a little outside Love is a good way to recycle all the VSTs lost in my Computer Nirvana.
    Thinking outside the Box as always , thanks for that inspiration.

  • @cph2004
    @cph2004 6 днів тому +2

    I hear a warm, more fuller sound. Great touch.

  • @clarencejeyofficial
    @clarencejeyofficial 5 днів тому +2

    Nice. I usually bounce it all down in Cubase. Then send what I need to send out to various hardware and bring them back in via line signals. It gives me the option to use various hardware chains for different sounds (cleaner like Avalon for strings and a Tube DI for Moog like sounds). This also utilizes my analog to digital Apogee converters. Almost like re-amping, one can send to guitar pedals like this and to guitar amps as well (as long as the impedance is right).

    • @EspenKraft
      @EspenKraft  4 дні тому +1

      Yes, that's another way of doing it. I do that too occasionally. Cheers

  • @IlkoBirov
    @IlkoBirov 7 днів тому +3

    Nice demonstration! Very cool hybrid setup.

  • @forsale313
    @forsale313 2 дні тому

    I'm happy to see/hear that I'm not the only one that does this. Thanks for sharing

  • @Ashfaq1999
    @Ashfaq1999 5 днів тому +2

    Great video espen. My first vst/plug in was the rebirth 338 back in 1996. I have an original tr909 but haven’t used it again since getting the rebirth 338 software.

    • @EspenKraft
      @EspenKraft  5 днів тому +1

      Thanks! Had the TR-909 once myself.

    • @MLochMusic
      @MLochMusic 4 дні тому

      Dont mean to be a dick but are you def?? An infant could tell the difference.
      Rebirth was great for the day but cant hold a candle to a real 909 or 303 or 808.
      I mean yeah today there are some superb clones, but rebirth 338? really?

  • @sonic2000gr
    @sonic2000gr 7 днів тому +13

    Using a vintage hardware synth as a controller for VSTs satisfies both the need for amazing sound / capability of the VSTs and the (sometimes needed) emotional connection to a 'real instrument'. I like your setup a lot!

    • @EspenKraft
      @EspenKraft  7 днів тому +4

      Very true.

    • @pawnotdaw4559
      @pawnotdaw4559 7 днів тому +2

      I miss using my DX7 as a controller as I really liked the keys.

    • @sonic2000gr
      @sonic2000gr 7 днів тому +1

      @@pawnotdaw4559 I am using an SY77 which I believe has the same keybed, and like it a lot.

    • @kevgamble
      @kevgamble 6 днів тому +1

      This is a nice way to do it. I've been using my Prophet-600 as both VST player and standalone synth (updated to the newest v2022 firmware, easily the best it's ever sounded). Having the first-ever consumer MIDI synth from 1982 controlling 2024 VST instruments is quite fun!

    • @pawnotdaw4559
      @pawnotdaw4559 6 днів тому +1

      @@sonic2000gr cool. I sold most of my synths and now use a Moog One as controller for everything. Feels nice and all the knobs control the vsts.

  • @samprock
    @samprock 7 днів тому +4

    Totally! Plugs deserve more treatment and get into the chains like any other hw sources. That's why they are called plugins. Especially Arturia, I'm with it from V2. Also I run plugins into Model D or ARP2600. Though I have zero hw "pedals" there is no limit the other way around as well. Running hw synth thru guitar centric sw processor is cool too! Cheers!

  • @KeytarKris
    @KeytarKris 7 днів тому +2

    Wicked sounds as always!

  • @xp38music
    @xp38music 7 днів тому +1

    I had previously figured this out a few years ago! Using Linux, along with Ardour as the main DAW and running a hardware mixer with a separate laptop running Ableton Live, FL Studio, etc... It really gives the sound more presence this way imo

  • @whaleguy
    @whaleguy 7 днів тому +4

    Using a vintage synth to MIDI control a VST on a modern laptop running through various hardware to be finally recorded onto an older computer to produce 80's inspired music. I wonder how many eras are touched on in there 🙂

    • @EspenKraft
      @EspenKraft  6 днів тому +1

      I didn't think about it like that, but now you mention it, it sounds cool. :P

  • @IHSisable
    @IHSisable День тому

    i have played a wurlitzer vst trough some nice monitors, mic''d them with some vintage microphones and then recorded the thing - wow - that was just what it needed to get of that clean sound - so usefull if you record "" analog"" on two alesis HD24

  • @Fl4ppers
    @Fl4ppers 5 днів тому +2

    I've been trying to use the Line 6 Helix to treat VSTs as its so powerful, its got emulations of a lot of classic fx and processing. I've also got a Warm Audio Tone Beast and Neve 1073 I can use.

  • @noahbirdrevolution
    @noahbirdrevolution 7 днів тому +5

    Now I have an excuse to keep my old modded thinkpad around. 😊

  • @marcom.
    @marcom. 6 днів тому

    It's interesting to see what different approaches there are for the home studio. As I work exclusively with plugins, I basically take exactly the opposite approach and try to avoid fully rendered audio tracks for as long as possible so that I have total recall until the end and can still re-adjust all the parameters of the instruments. So far, I've even mastered in the same project, but I'm actually considering rendering all tracks into a new project for that in future.

    • @EspenKraft
      @EspenKraft  6 днів тому +1

      Unless I'm working for a client I don't want the option of total recall until the end. I find that thought limits my inspiration in the creative process. I commit as many tracks as possible during recording. Printed wet with effects and everything. To me that's liberation. And it's the 80s way. ;.)

  • @danm3570
    @danm3570 7 днів тому +1

    thanks for sharing, uad software preamps will have to do for someone like me who isn't motivated enough to use hardware fx and processing but yeah you make those softsynths sound amazing 😁

  • @thedddemon
    @thedddemon 7 днів тому +2

    Really cool set up!

  • @keyboardkingpin
    @keyboardkingpin 7 днів тому +1

    I do the same if im gonna use a vst. Excellent hybrid solutions. Cheers S🖋!

  • @retro-dademusic6403
    @retro-dademusic6403 7 днів тому +1

    I was just thinking of doing something like this! Thank you! 😎

  • @carlasker9285
    @carlasker9285 4 дні тому

    I agree with the lack of sound of many VSTs, but I use the Kazrog True Iron for that. I think it beautifully compliments the other software. I have a MIDI bounce channel strip that I use for enhancing the plugin sounds when turning them into audio in Logic.

  • @thomaslthomas1506
    @thomaslthomas1506 7 днів тому +1

    I often mic vst’s monitor or amp,then bring them back in (time corrected) . This certainly gets rid of a lot of the harshness.

  • @BishopEddie5443
    @BishopEddie5443 5 днів тому

    Brilliant Mr. Kraft!

  • @paradoxstate5018
    @paradoxstate5018 6 днів тому

    And here I was all this time thinking you only used hardware synth !!!!!!!
    and your right about some software synths, they are so good now.

    • @EspenKraft
      @EspenKraft  6 днів тому +1

      I use a lot more plugins than hardware. ;-)

    • @paradoxstate5018
      @paradoxstate5018 6 днів тому

      @@EspenKraft My best friend does, I've got a few but I just cant get to grips with them.

    • @EspenKraft
      @EspenKraft  6 днів тому

      Like any new tool one must practice.

  • @cortical1
    @cortical1 7 днів тому +2

    This is the pose I strike when my wife asks for a bite of my pizza: 6:28. I really like your song Computer Love. Looking forward to the whole album. Cheers.

    • @EspenKraft
      @EspenKraft  6 днів тому +1

      The right pose is important, especially when pizza is involved. :P Cheers man

    • @cortical1
      @cortical1 6 днів тому

      @@EspenKraft 😑🍕

  • @andivax
    @andivax 7 днів тому

    Interesting concept! Inspiration!!!

  • @gcoudert
    @gcoudert 6 днів тому +1

    I've wanted to do this for ages but couldn't be bothered. Maybe I should give it a go...

  • @nickbirkby2521
    @nickbirkby2521 5 днів тому +1

    I recently almost bought an old Hammond organ cabinet to play and record Native instruments B4 organ through. Space constraints and common sense stopped me. :)

    • @EspenKraft
      @EspenKraft  5 днів тому

      The same constraints prevents me from bringing home a Yamaha D-85 too. ;-)

  • @AsteroidKiller
    @AsteroidKiller 7 днів тому +2

    Great video! Any chance we can see more of that Emulator in the background in a future video? ❤️

    • @davidhayes8883
      @davidhayes8883 7 днів тому +1

      I discovered Asteroid Killer via Espen. You should do a duet. Both great channels.

    • @EspenKraft
      @EspenKraft  6 днів тому +2

      Thanks! Hopefully, once it's been fixed.

    • @AsteroidKiller
      @AsteroidKiller 6 днів тому +1

      @@EspenKraft Looking forward to that! 🙌

  • @os2w4rp
    @os2w4rp 5 днів тому

    Computer Love sounds awesome. I like to run the mix through a RNC1773, nice and small on the desktop.

  • @starsky101
    @starsky101 5 днів тому

    I see, it does sound good and I like the immediacy of hardware

  • @theoasisbbs
    @theoasisbbs 5 днів тому

    Awesome. Wish I could play like that.

  • @relaxmax6808
    @relaxmax6808 5 днів тому +1

    To be honest I don't like the production of your singing voice. It seems to me that there is a lack of surplus production on it (it lacks thickness for example IMO). But it may be an artistic choice and I know that it is something that is hard to do yourself without an engineer.
    On the other hand, I like your love of sounds and the strength you put into searching for them.

  • @TheBoyCalledHedge
    @TheBoyCalledHedge 6 днів тому +1

    Great recordning chain 🙂

  • @justinmerritt3843
    @justinmerritt3843 6 днів тому +1

    My computer has two separate audio interfaces so I just slave Fl Studio or Reason and record them from program to program.. Get the program Loop-be and now you have virtual midi cables from program to program and daw to daw and you can start and stop them just like hardware... thank me later. But I run a complete hybrid setup. You can also get a vst host program and now all of your plugins can become standalone and you can skip the host(Fl studio or Reason) and go straight to the daw and slave your standalone vst's like hardware and come back and use them setup and ready to go everytime. Especially if you have studio 1, the rabbit hole gets very deep.

  • @Freakydile
    @Freakydile 7 днів тому +2

    2:35 Nice rendition of a Final Counting of a kind of Down in an alternate universe........ What could have been... What could have... been...

    • @EspenKraft
      @EspenKraft  6 днів тому

      It should have been recorded with Whitney Houston as a ballad.

  • @styssine
    @styssine 7 днів тому +5

    Nice midi keyboard

  • @gixerags750
    @gixerags750 3 дні тому

    Can you please mention the outboard eq and pre amp you are using here?.
    🍻 ❤😊

    • @EspenKraft
      @EspenKraft  2 дні тому +1

      EQ mentioned numerous times in comments already. Converters are Audient ID22.

    • @gixerags750
      @gixerags750 2 дні тому

      @EspenKraft cheers, i did read through a heap of comments, Easier if you mentioned the EQ in your description.
      thanks for the reply .
      Much appreciated.

    • @EspenKraft
      @EspenKraft  2 дні тому +1

      I could have, but by not mentioning it I increase the number of comments and that itself drives the algorithm to suggest the video to more people. ;-) Cheers

    • @gixerags750
      @gixerags750 2 дні тому

      @EspenKraft I thought that might be the case...ime ADHD so a little frustrating , but I thought it was deliberate..nice !!

  • @flowmaka
    @flowmaka 7 днів тому +2

    Great video by the way. Are you coming back into your DAW from the hardware?

  • @NickHowesAstro
    @NickHowesAstro 6 днів тому

    How I roll and have for years, nice one.. (about to get an M4 which will purely act as a synth with multiple outs from the Focusrite 18i20

  • @matthiashubler3401
    @matthiashubler3401 5 днів тому

    What about your Preamp/EQ Kombination you Used in this Video - what brand is it? The white Rackmodul behind you 😉

    • @EspenKraft
      @EspenKraft  5 днів тому

      Check earlier comments and replies by me. I link to my demo/review video of it. It's a Z&H Design HVC250.

  • @relaxmax6808
    @relaxmax6808 5 днів тому +1

    What synth and preset did you use on your song " settle the score ", which is a string pad sound ? Sound like a classic sound , that s why i talk about preset .

    • @EspenKraft
      @EspenKraft  5 днів тому

      The string synth sound on "Settle the Score" is done with the Korg DW-8000. It's a patch I've made.

    • @relaxmax6808
      @relaxmax6808 5 днів тому

      @@EspenKraft Nice creation ! It Sounds Classic !

    • @EspenKraft
      @EspenKraft  5 днів тому

      Thanks.

    • @relaxmax6808
      @relaxmax6808 5 днів тому

      @@EspenKraft Well, it's funny, in fact I had already "clicked" on your presets on the Korg, I remember it now. And yet it's been a while
      This is a good sign for me: it is confirmed ! I'll have to buy this... ;)

  • @IgorMckAnzie
    @IgorMckAnzie 4 дні тому

    I also do the something like that, cause i totally love the synth keyboard of the dx7 FD-II, but when i use the yamaha as a master keyboard to drive a vst, if i'm not wrong it send only key velocity from 0 to 99, it can't send a full message because of internal limit...correct me if i'm wrong

    • @EspenKraft
      @EspenKraft  4 дні тому

      Nope, only the first DX7 (mk1) has that bug. All other models fixed that.

    • @IgorMckAnzie
      @IgorMckAnzie 4 дні тому

      @EspenKraft oh wow, thank you so much Espen!

  • @spurv
    @spurv 7 днів тому

    Thanks. Would’ve been nice with a before/after comparison.

    • @EspenKraft
      @EspenKraft  6 днів тому

      It's really not about that. It's not "better" or "worse". It's a workflow that I like to use to sculpt the sounds I record. Cheers

  • @SeverityOne
    @SeverityOne 7 днів тому +1

    Didn't you have an Arturia keyboard controller in the past? Though from a side angle, the keys on the DX7 look longer. It's funny, though, that you use a 40 year old synth to control a piece of software.
    I'll give this workflow a bit of thought. It's interesting.

    • @EspenKraft
      @EspenKraft  6 днів тому +1

      Yes, but I got rid of it. Didn't like the key bed very much. The DX7 has really nice keys. And sounds of course. ;-)

  • @wildzeke
    @wildzeke 7 днів тому +1

    I thought the DX 7 only puts out a max 100 for midi velocity. Is this an issue for using it as a controller?

    • @covett
      @covett 7 днів тому

      Not ideal, but you can rescale the input range on the DAW.
      I tweak the velocity of my MIDI keyboards on Logic so the response feels more consistent between them.

    • @EspenKraft
      @EspenKraft  7 днів тому +1

      Yes, the old mk1 did. This is the DX7s from 1987. No such thing there.

  • @Fallingoverbackwards
    @Fallingoverbackwards 7 днів тому +3

    Separate computer that runs DAW and recording? Then laptop/s become like synths

    • @EspenKraft
      @EspenKraft  7 днів тому +3

      Exactly what I'm showing here yes. ;-)

  • @musicianlaurenceUK
    @musicianlaurenceUK 6 днів тому

    Could you do a video where you A/B the plugin with/without the routing please?

    • @EspenKraft
      @EspenKraft  6 днів тому

      No plans to do that. This is not a question of "better" or "worse" really. How a sound sounds on itself is not important. All the sounds will be mixed together with others and that determines how they will be sculpted in the first place. Any A/B comparison is useless.

  • @relaxmax6808
    @relaxmax6808 5 днів тому

    Do you know a Tape machine emulation plugin that can reduce the pitch and tempo (in sync) ?

    • @EspenKraft
      @EspenKraft  4 дні тому

      I have no idea, the thought makes no sense to me really.

    • @AC_Martin
      @AC_Martin 4 дні тому

      Try a 8/12/16 bit sampler.

  • @spunicunifait2697
    @spunicunifait2697 7 днів тому +1

    Hi Espen, so inspiring, I have a bunch of old computers, maybe I should get a decent mixer. What do you mean by 'smeary sound'?

    • @EspenKraft
      @EspenKraft  6 днів тому +1

      I sometimes feel midi plugin synths tend to lack some definition when everything is exported/rendered out as one stereo mix at the end. This way I can add some texture because they've gone through the analog eq and whatnot before being recorded.

    • @spunicunifait2697
      @spunicunifait2697 6 днів тому

      @@EspenKraft I have to try this, but I don't have a mixer :-( I neeeeed mooooore geeeeaaar

  • @Pettemusic
    @Pettemusic 5 днів тому

    Maybe simply try DA > AD conversation, simple record your output straigt back. Use cheap 7-10m cables, for more damping / analogue feeling.

    • @EspenKraft
      @EspenKraft  5 днів тому +1

      I like to run the cables around the house at least one time to get some earth radiation infused onto the tracks.

  • @soonsooner9639
    @soonsooner9639 2 дні тому

    Can you recommend a new controller that has similarly feeling keybed to the DX7? Whatever I tried feels toyish or spongy.

    • @EspenKraft
      @EspenKraft  2 дні тому

      Nothing made today will give you that same feel.

  • @nschul4
    @nschul4 4 дні тому

    Can you recommend any other techniques for avoiding that "smeary sound" (good term) you get inside the daw without all of the hardware?

  • @davidhayes8883
    @davidhayes8883 7 днів тому

    Espen you need to re-record 'the weekend' with Analogue Gear it's your true PSB tribute. Or alternatively give the acapella to your fans!

    • @EspenKraft
      @EspenKraft  7 днів тому

      I like it as it is. ;-) Did it live last year with a different setup.

  • @starsky101
    @starsky101 5 днів тому

    Surely you can dial in good enough eq via the DAW plugins?

    • @EspenKraft
      @EspenKraft  5 днів тому

      It's not a question of "good" or "bad". It's a workflow I like to use to sculpt the sound of plugin synths before recording them. When I make my own music I have the time to do it like this.

  • @opticalman6417
    @opticalman6417 7 днів тому

    i would love to know the tech side of doing that how would i go about doing this say in reason studio 12 please ?

    • @EspenKraft
      @EspenKraft  6 днів тому

      If Reason is your DAW then you record into that. The rest (what comes before) is exactly what I show in this video.

    • @opticalman6417
      @opticalman6417 6 днів тому

      @@EspenKraft the bit i am struggling with is how do you get those vst in the daw back in to the same
      computer daw ?

    • @EspenKraft
      @EspenKraft  6 днів тому

      I don't. That's not what I show here. The computer running the VST plugins is just that, running the soft synths I want to PLAY. I play them, and the output of that computer is taken through various pieces of gear before I record them on another DAW in another computer. The last part I don't show here at all.

  • @MS-1
    @MS-1 7 днів тому +1

    Hey Espen what Parametric EQ rack unit is that out of curiosity? Love the vids.

    • @EspenKraft
      @EspenKraft  6 днів тому +1

      Thanks! Check it out in my video here: ua-cam.com/video/k2rqaRKi45A/v-deo.html

  • @oriomenoni7651
    @oriomenoni7651 7 днів тому +1

    No Alpha Juno in your studio? 😮 That's a first!

    • @EspenKraft
      @EspenKraft  7 днів тому

      It's in storage. I pull it out when I need it. Not often anymore.

  • @jrsmoots
    @jrsmoots 4 дні тому

    How are you dealing with latency when playing virtual instruments from your laptop(s)? Are you able to get a low enough latency to make playing live feel good?

    • @EspenKraft
      @EspenKraft  4 дні тому +1

      That's not a problem when I record like shown in this video where I only have one instrument in the memory. I get the latency down to around 2 ms or so on the Mac M1.

  • @crhkrebs
    @crhkrebs 7 днів тому +2

    Hi Espen, I also do this, but usually just for my outboard effects (Strymon El Capitan, Lexicon multi-FX, and Eventide H9). But maybe I need to look for an old rack mount EQ unit to “soften” up some of the harshness of the digital VST sounds? Food for thought. As to the audio quality of today’s virtual instruments, you are spot on. For starters, what are the alternatives to using the Arturia Synclavier, Fairlight CMI and CS80 VSTs? Buying the real hardware versions? Hardly. Plus, Hans Zimmer won the Oscar for the soundtrack to Dune. The main synthesizer he used was the Zebra 2 VST by U-he. In fact, if you buy this VST you get the Zebra HZ with all his sounds. I suppose Hans doesn’t realize how “crap” these virtual instruments sound either? 😄

    • @wackerburg
      @wackerburg 7 днів тому

      I highly recommend the Elysia xfilter. It's flexible, sounds great and lacks all the vintage nonsens.

    • @EspenKraft
      @EspenKraft  7 днів тому +1

      Correct. Any working producer and composer knows to use the right tools for a job. If they didn't they wouldn't make a living from doing music. Only hobbyists think otherwise. ;-)

    • @brennendehexe7934
      @brennendehexe7934 7 днів тому

      ​@@EspenKraft so what would be your standard EQ move then? Soften the highs and boost the mids? Something that could be done with a eq plzgin after recording? I would like to hear an A/B comparison whether it really makes that muvh of a difference...

    • @EspenKraft
      @EspenKraft  7 днів тому +1

      This isn't about "better" or "worse", it's about a way of doing it basically. It's not something one has to do. I just like to record my soft synths this way many times.

  • @julioagnosia
    @julioagnosia День тому

    why don't use a Hvc250 vst?

    • @EspenKraft
      @EspenKraft  День тому

      I like to use some hardware.

  • @pizzagogo6151
    @pizzagogo6151 6 днів тому

    Hi Espen I'm sorry I if this very basic, but i have VST i wish i could have some of my fav preset instantly available as playback samples (eg such from a xv5080). can you maybe demo how to sample a synth/keyboard VST instrument (not single sample like drum hits) but best way to do it chromatically for use in hardware. Thanks

    • @EspenKraft
      @EspenKraft  6 днів тому +1

      You should use SampleRobot for this. It's made for things like that. I use it myself and I have a video about it here already. Check that out. I sample hardware synths in my video, but you can do it directly inside a VST as well. Check out their website for more info. Cheers

  • @axs203
    @axs203 7 днів тому

    There's the old Cubase still going strong!

    • @EspenKraft
      @EspenKraft  6 днів тому

      Cubase 11 isn't that old, it's from 2021-22 or so.

    • @axs203
      @axs203 6 днів тому

      @@EspenKraft Oh sorry Espen I thought it was an older one. Didn't you use to use an old one in your old videos? I can't remember now!
      I like Cubase 5 on the mac on OS 9 :)

    • @EspenKraft
      @EspenKraft  6 днів тому

      I have many computers with different daws and sequencing programs. My main daw runs Nuendo 4 though and that's what I usually show and use in my videos. Not in this one though. This is a pretty new Mac M1 with Cubase 11 pro.

  • @ajsmith4181
    @ajsmith4181 9 годин тому

    Hey Espen, which usb adapter do you use for your MacBook?

    • @EspenKraft
      @EspenKraft  9 годин тому

      It's a Satechi MacBook Air M1 Slim Pro Docking (space gray).

  • @Vitalka_project
    @Vitalka_project 6 днів тому

    Do you have synths without midi?

  • @jroobz
    @jroobz 4 дні тому

    what smeary sound from exporting?

  • @ChaosToOrder777
    @ChaosToOrder777 5 днів тому

    I like to record my loops onto a reel to reel tape machine then duplicate multiple copies and splice them together and rework all my tracks into a 16 track from 1971 just to make it really complicated.

    • @EspenKraft
      @EspenKraft  5 днів тому +1

      Sarcasm can be a great thing, or not so much.

    • @ChaosToOrder777
      @ChaosToOrder777 5 днів тому

      ​@@EspenKraftlove that you do this. I had years in a room full of machines and wire and I love my laptop that can do way more than 20k worth of gear in the early 90's.😊

  • @dr.gregoryf.maassen2637
    @dr.gregoryf.maassen2637 7 днів тому

    What is the name of the first VST you refer to in the video? Would love to see it.

    • @EspenKraft
      @EspenKraft  6 днів тому

      I use Arturias V-collection in all the examples.

    • @dr.gregoryf.maassen2637
      @dr.gregoryf.maassen2637 6 днів тому

      @EspenKraft You talk about the first ever VST on the old computer. This is what I am referring to. Thanks for the video. It is educational.

    • @EspenKraft
      @EspenKraft  6 днів тому +1

      Ah, yes... that's the NEON from Steinberg. And the VB-1. I did a video about them a while back. I go through my old VST5 rig. It's the PC you can see on the left behind me in the intro of this video.

    • @dr.gregoryf.maassen2637
      @dr.gregoryf.maassen2637 6 днів тому

      @@EspenKraft Super Thanks!

  • @sebastiandior1315
    @sebastiandior1315 7 днів тому +1

    Wow what eq was that??

    • @EspenKraft
      @EspenKraft  6 днів тому +1

      It's a nice one. ;-) Check out my video review of it here: ua-cam.com/video/k2rqaRKi45A/v-deo.html

  • @janne808
    @janne808 3 дні тому

    What if analog synths just try to emulate digital VSTs?

  • @strangehermitage2299
    @strangehermitage2299 6 днів тому

    Correct me if I'm wrong but I guess you can't sample poly portamento patches like in the JD-800, for instance?
    Admittedly, there aren't many.
    For most bread-and-butter work that's not essential.

    • @strangehermitage2299
      @strangehermitage2299 6 днів тому

      You have a grouse set-up, workflow, and approach.

    • @EspenKraft
      @EspenKraft  6 днів тому +1

      But I CAN record a performance in real time, after I've set up the sound the way I want it. This is something I do a lot.

    • @strangehermitage2299
      @strangehermitage2299 6 днів тому

      Good point.

  • @gonreebgonreeb
    @gonreebgonreeb 6 днів тому +1

    I prefer to use real hardware but sometimes I output fake synths out of my computer inside a DI and micro preamp , and the sound is better

  • @Majool
    @Majool 5 днів тому

    I dig your t shirt.

  • @abdulmuhammad5054
    @abdulmuhammad5054 6 днів тому

    Do you still use the ssl 6?

  • @anreoil
    @anreoil 7 днів тому +1

    You could virtualize your old computers, you know that? There is no point in holding to old PC/Mac hardware.

  • @FrankLorenz23
    @FrankLorenz23 7 днів тому +1

    Your Cubase version is also from the 80's, isn't it? 🙂

    • @wackerburg
      @wackerburg 7 днів тому

      That is Nuendo as seen in the window title.

    • @FrankLorenz23
      @FrankLorenz23 7 днів тому

      @@wackerburg So 80's Nuendo....

    • @EspenKraft
      @EspenKraft  7 днів тому +1

      Of course not. There was no DAW in the 80s

    • @FrankLorenz23
      @FrankLorenz23 6 днів тому

      @@EspenKraft There was a fine grain of irony in my comment ;-)

  • @FredF78
    @FredF78 7 днів тому

    Do you sync the arp in the separate softsynth to the daw into which you record it into?

    • @EspenKraft
      @EspenKraft  7 днів тому +1

      Yes, if I need to sync up an arp I'd run MIDI clock out of the DAW I'm recording into, into the external computer running the soft synth. That happens.

  • @lukassbeataddicts
    @lukassbeataddicts 4 дні тому

    Can't beat old FM7 and REFX Vanguard. If you think new versions sounds the same, well you are wrong

  • @rogerioamorim8057
    @rogerioamorim8057 7 днів тому

    Don’t you increase the total latency of the system?
    Just out of curiosity. 🙂

    • @EspenKraft
      @EspenKraft  7 днів тому +1

      What's recorded in the DAW is recorded like any hardware synth. The only added latency might be what's going out of the first computer, but the latency there is about 2ms so of no consequence.

  • @danhectic5629
    @danhectic5629 7 днів тому

    when i use Synth1 or various FX Ableton won't export properly- i just record everything to my Zoom H4n. (need new laptop!)

  • @danielortizdecaracas
    @danielortizdecaracas 3 дні тому

    try analog summing with dangerous hardware devices

  • @MDMvision
    @MDMvision 7 днів тому

    no decent D/A needed ? you just go out of the headphone jack of the macbook ?

    • @EspenKraft
      @EspenKraft  7 днів тому

      I'm running the Yamaha DM3 as the audio interface. No headphone output in play here. I say this in the video.

    • @Fallingoverbackwards
      @Fallingoverbackwards 7 днів тому

      @@EspenKraft so if i ran 2 laptops as "synths" then each would need a separate audio interface.

    • @MDMvision
      @MDMvision 7 днів тому

      @@EspenKraft oh yeah i got that the laptop went into the Yamaha mixer, i didnt hear/realise that it was a digital/usb connection ok makes sense thanks

    • @MDMvision
      @MDMvision 7 днів тому

      @@Fallingoverbackwards well looks like Espen records them 'live' so not using MIDI to edit/quantise etc meaning he can layer different plugin synths after each other ?

    • @EspenKraft
      @EspenKraft  6 днів тому

      Correct. This method is used to record my synth parts as audio. I always record my synths as audio. I almost never use MIDI plugins, except when I'm working for clients.

  • @danielortizdecaracas
    @danielortizdecaracas 3 дні тому

    you re fb01 yamaha and kawai k3r owner great

  • @Rustik1722
    @Rustik1722 7 днів тому +1

    Great vid.....same here. I generally run mine thru a piece like the SP404MK2 for Fx, Elektron compression, and then some sort of tube for warmth. INB4 digital cry babies attack you...

  • @Mr.1.i
    @Mr.1.i 7 днів тому +1

    The thing about vst......u cannot use it externally..you have to record it with the same computer.......u can hear the computers clock ticking like an old computer loading a game......listen and you should be able to hear it faintly,,,,,put the amp on full and line out from the computer and you will hear computer jargon

    • @dazeja
      @dazeja 7 днів тому +1

      What interface are you using? You should not be getting computer/motherboard sounds on any of your outs. That usually happens with the analog outs of onboard sound cards.

    • @EspenKraft
      @EspenKraft  6 днів тому +1

      Not true at all.

  • @TheJonathanlewis1000
    @TheJonathanlewis1000 7 днів тому +2

    If your using sounds that are that digital sounding why bother taking them into the analog domain. They sound terrible anyway. Dx7? The worst sounding synth of all time. Thank god for analog.

    • @Sandelec-gm2cl
      @Sandelec-gm2cl 7 днів тому +1

      Take another chance with the Korg Opsix FM synth.
      You will change your idea on the FM..😏😏

    • @carstenaltena
      @carstenaltena 7 днів тому +3

      Oh my… I love both FM and analogue synths. What’s wrong with me?

    • @Sandelec-gm2cl
      @Sandelec-gm2cl 7 днів тому

      @carstenaltena you wrote that DX7 FM synth is the worst sounding synth of all time.

    • @crhkrebs
      @crhkrebs 7 днів тому

      @@Sandelec-gm2cl you may have the wrong guy.

    • @BinuralOdyssey
      @BinuralOdyssey 7 днів тому

      Maybe in your hands it is.