THIS^^

and the problem is, hardware needs proper maintenance and operating system softwares are designed with planned obsolescence
so neither "just works" long-term

 

Exactly.

I was searching for Celestion Creamback Pulsonic, they are not produced since 1973 because the cone factory burned AND technique to create those cones burned inside the factory forever too
So now, ppl sell those speakers for 1200 bucks a 4 set
And if you change a damaged cone ... it will not sound like Pulsonic cone.

Yes, hardware is a problem too. How many of those speakers ended up their lives one way or another ?
How many hardware can't be repaired at all ?

About software planned obsolescence, i have only a problem with ONLINE server authorisation.
Because i can always runs them on an older computer, virtual machine, dual boot ... still can use those old softwares.

 

This solution will probably prevail: the second PC/notebook is and will remain "OFFLINE." The problem with OFFLINE is the limited durability of the hardware. I recently bought an old replacement motherboard and MIDI keyboard on eBay because the manufacturer discontinued production.

 

If on Windows, you can try Windows SYSPREP and clone the hard drive to the new machine.
It is like making a new "factory" image, but with all already installed.

BE CAREFUL TO BACKUP the HDD on original PC BEFORE making the sysprep procedure

Depending on software maker protection, it may work.
At work, we made a sysprep image with up to 6 totally different hardware profiles
And it worked

 

I don't even do sysprep. My windows setup is maintained in a VM. From that vm I write an image of c: to an usb drive. that image is deployed to whatever machine is new or doesn't feel well. That works like a charm, I'm doing that from windows 98 to windows 11 now. System boots, ask for the drivers it didn't get yet and I'm good to go.

 

Last edited: Oct 21, 2025 at 3:57 AM

The MPCs have a great workflow for fast loop based patterns that you can turn into songs on the fly, and they're fun. That being said, hardware sequencers always have a set midi note capacity (which includes CC#s) and every one I've ever owned didn't have enough memory for me to play an entire set from. Maybe they've gotten better, but I always come back to cubase.

 

I might not mind a hardware sequencer one day (and an Oxi is a great choice), but for software, my go-to tends to be Stepic. Such a powerful tool. And if you want more of a hands on feeling, I'd say you could get something like a Launch Control XL, or a midi fighter twister or something with some good encoders on it and just map it to a software sequencer and save yourself a LOT of money. I'm honestly not sure what a hardware sequencer can offer over software if you're just working with VSTs and DAW.

 

I guess some people prefer hardware sequencers over software ones not because of features but because they distract less and have the benefit of "1 device 1 purpose". And I get that, it's nice to have a device like a kitchen appliance, switch it on, works.

 

... and a hardware sequencer does what to make it better than a DAW? Except for making you feel like a better person to be one of the intellectual pointless elites that are against DAWs?

And no. I never wanted the real thing. I always wanted the better thing. And digital audio is god sent. (Says the atheist ...) Better on every level under every aspect. What a world ...

So, get yourself a hardware sequencer and wake up every night melting down in secrecy over all the things you can't do with it ... 3, 2, 1, ... go! You never in your life ever had a hardware sequencer while there were no DAWs ... good luck with that bullsh!t, as well as with vinyl, tape, cassettes, tubes, transformers and all the other crap. I am 68 and I know what I am talking about, making live and "studio" music since 1972. Get a hardware sequencer, get one that costs you a fortune ... I hope you learn by burning yourself.

 

You can get something out of your toaster without connecting a computer to it.

 

I own an Elektron Digitakt 2 and I can attest it is incredible. Its a great sequencer, sampler with amazing FX. I absolutly love it. Great thing about it is its portable for performance, writing and intergrates fully into Bitwig (or any Daw) on my Macbook. Great for resampling andf mangling, sweetning. I realy dig using it as the workflow is different, chalanging and inspiring. Quality is next leval.
Another really cool rig I use is my Ipad pro with a UA Volt1 interface with the 1010 Lemondrop & i've started using the Digotakt 2 to resample. The Ipad has heaaps of wild stuff you can get but I absolutly love Loopy Pro. Its a Daw that kind of is'nt..

 

Last edited: Oct 21, 2025 at 7:17 AM

Get a digitakt or something like researchmake sure its what you want you won't regret treat it like an instrument to master learn inside out rather than just another tool in your arsenal to be collected it can never replace a computer sequencer like bitwig but if you want an instrument to hold and caresses even to make beautiful music with a midi controller and computer can't compete with a dedicated instrument like this for tactile music making but if you're just getting it to replace a vsti its not really worth it