The word ‘invest’ is sometimes used interchangeably with ‘buy’ but in the purely financial sense to ‘invest’ implies an expectation of profit, a return on investment. Most purchases don’t carry this expectation and there is nothing wrong with this. Depreciation is normal.

There is of course a second way the word can be used, you can invest in something because it will help you do something better or more efficiently. It’s helpful to be clear about in which sense you are using the word if you are considering ‘investing’ in some new gear. However good your new computer is it’s unlikely that you are going to be able to sell it for more than you bought it for!

The answer to the question posed in the title might on first glance seem self-evident. Of course hardware is a better financial investment than software. The resale value of software is poor to non-existent. The growth of software subscriptions limits the sense in which one can talk about financially ‘investing’ in software anyway but it is still sensible to consider how such software can be a useful ‘investment’ of time and energy.

Looking at the pros and cons of each in turn:

Software - Pros

• There are many tasks for which there simply isn’t a hardware equivalent.

• For traditional processing, software is cheaper than hardware.

• Software allows you to run multiple instantiations, we take this for granted today but in the early days of plugins this was amazing. You get as many instances as your computer will run.

• Recall - This is the big one. ‘In The Box’ workflows have been with us for so long that client expectations have changed completely. The ability and expectation of being able to recall mixes instantly has largely driven hardware out of mixing workflows.

• Sonics - There is little difference but there are still plenty of people who believe that there’s nothing like the ‘real thing’.

Software - Cons

• Software is vulnerable to ‘upgrade orphaning’. Support from developers is pretty reliable but there are the big events in technology like the move from TDM to AAX DSP or the move from 32 to 64 bit which can leave users of certain software out in the cold. And of course operating systems change regularly and developers do go out of business or leave the industry.

• Limited resale value - You’ll never get what you paid for software even if you can sell it, some developers don’t even allow it.

Hardware - Pros

• Outboard gear is largely future proof. Just ask that 60 year old compressor!

• Good resale value - Just as long as the hardware doesn’t feature a computer data connection. Anyone want to buy my old Firewire interface…?

• Tactile experience - There is something very satisfying about the immediacy of using hardware. Particularly really well built stuff. The clunk of a red Neve gain switch or a big bakelite knob is the handshake of the gear, it instills confidence.

• Wow factor for clients - If you are running a commercial studio clients will never be impressed by the plugins you have. A rack full of the gear modelled for the plugins does impress though.

• Feel good factor - This is intangible but definitely there. In the same way as I can make a great cuppa in a mug with a tea bag but there’s something about using a teapot (I can hear how British that sounds…) there is something which feels good about working out of the box.

Hardware - Cons

• Maintenance/repair - Stuff breaks, pots crackle, valves need changing. It’s all downtime and money.

• Only one instance - Yes you can use it on multiple passes but still. And you have to work in real time. That feels a bit 20th century!

• No recall - This is the deal breaker for most.

• If you have a reasonable amount of gear you will have to move out of sweet spot to operate it. This can be a shock to people who have only ever mixed ITB.

So there’s a case in both directions. If you’re a busy professional who has clients visit your studio there are plenty of reasons why some quality hardware might project the kind of exclusivity and quality you’d like to be recognised for, but when that client comes back to you 3 weeks later asking for an extra repeat on a vocal delay throw but everything else is perfect you might regret your out of the box aspirations. Andrew Scheps recently sold his vintage Neve as he works in the box these days, Chris Lord-Alge is still sitting at his SSL with a rack full of 1176s behind him. Are they both right?

Get A Second Opinion

I decided to ask Gareth Young, owner of Cube Recording in Cornwall UK why he keeps the large collection of outboard he has at Cube.

He’s recently opened a third room at Cube fitted with a new SSL Origin and a mixture of new and reallocated outboard. When I asked him why he uses outboard and what he uses it for he came straight back with his answer “Because it makes a difference on the way in.” Gareth has a lot of nice gear but the necessity to recall mixes instantly has all but forced out the use of outboard and the console for mixing but being able to supplement the SSL’s preamps and EQ with the highest quality mic preamps, EQ and compression and committing the right sound to his DAW is his preferred way of working and one which he feels gives better results.

There are other advantages. If you buy quality equipment and particularly if you buy used gear you’re not going to lose on it if you decide to sell it. The best gear often goes up in value. That’s an investment in both senses of the word!

Where do you stand on this? Do you use hardware, if so, what for? Given the funds and free from the necessity to be able to recall anything at a moment’s notice would you use hardware or do you think that that way of working belongs back in the last century? Share your thoughts in the comments.