Sometimes Digital is Better than Analog

There is always a lot of praise for “analog” machines. Their sound is supposedly warmer and has more character. People are so attracted to it that sticking “virtual analog” on a VST plugin makes it stand out.

Yet digital has a lot under its sleeves. Granular and FM synthesis are a lot easier to do in digital. Stored data doesn’t decay over time, neither do the circuitry. Many effects (reverb, anything based on frequency domain analysis) are weak in the analog world.

In the end, it’s a matter of choosing the right tool for the right job, or combining everything. There is an uncanny aspect to digital plug-ins imitating analog gear. Embrace what each is capable of.