Let’s be honest: nothing splits a room of producers faster than the words “hardware vs. software synths.” On one side you’ve got the purists—the diehards who wax poetic about analog circuits, wood panels, and “the warmth you can feel in your bones.” On the other, you’ve got the digital disciples, clicking their way through infinite presets, grinning about recall and asking, “Do I really need to dust my synth if it lives in a laptop?”

This week on Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody stroll straight into the controversy with the confidence of two guys who’ve twisted enough knobs (both real and virtual) to know what’s hype and what’s useful. They’re not afraid to admit that both sides have their perks—and their pain points.

First up: hardware. Ah, the romance of plugging in a Moog, Prophet, or Juno and letting the voltage flow. There’s nothing quite like the tactile feel of turning a real knob, hearing a filter sweep morph under your fingertips, or watching lights flicker as the room vibrates with analog mojo. But let’s not kid ourselves—hardware comes with baggage. It’s heavy. It’s expensive. It doesn’t fit in your carry-on. And heaven forbid you need to recall yesterday’s patch in a session—good luck recreating that happy accident.

Now, software synths. The underdogs that grew up to dominate modern production. VSTs like Serum, Omnisphere, Diva, and countless others can live inside your laptop, ready to summon entire orchestras or alien soundscapes at 2 a.m. Software is flexible, affordable, and infinitely expandable. But it’s not without flaws. Clicking a mouse doesn’t exactly scream “rock star performance,” and let’s face it: sometimes the presets can feel a little… sterile.

Chris and Jody don’t just stop at pros and cons—they dig into practical applications. Hardware tends to shine in live setups where the immediacy of hands-on control adds energy (and spectacle) to the performance. Software, meanwhile, thrives in the studio, where instant recall, layering, and endless sound design options keep the creative flow moving. The duo shares which side of the fence they personally lean toward, how they combine both worlds, and why the smartest producers aren’t picking a fight—they’re picking the right tool for the job.

And let’s not ignore what the big-name producers are doing. Some swear by walls of vintage synths like shrines to electronic gods, while others make chart-topping hits entirely “in the box.” Spoiler alert: it’s not about bragging rights, it’s about results.

Expect some laughs, some jabs at both camps, and a few hot takes that may ruffle feathers. (Yes, we said it: sometimes your $199 plug-in sounds better than your $5,000 analog beast. Deal with it.) But underneath the jokes is solid advice: don’t let the gear debate derail your creativity. Hardware or software, knobs or mouse clicks—use whatever gets you to the sound in your head.

At the end of the day, music isn’t about which side of the fence you’re on. It’s about what comes out of the speakers. Chris and Jody are here to remind you that whether you’re twiddling a knob, clicking a mouse, or doing both at the same time, the point is the same: make something that moves people.

So grab your favorite synth—hardware, software, or both—and get ready for some laughs, some insight, and maybe a little controversy. This episode is proof that in the war of synths, the only side that matters is yours.

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Gear we used:
Jody’s Mic & Voice Chain: Telefunken C12 – Groove Tubes Vipre – Apollo – UA Neve 1073 – UA LA2A – UA Studer A800
Jody’s Channel Strip: iZotope RX Spectral DeNoise – iZotope RX Mouth DeClick – UA Neve 1073 – UA LA2A – UA 1176E

Chris’ Mic & Voice Chain: Slate ML1 – Apollo – UA – Slate VMR (FG12, FG73, API Eq, SSL 4kE) – iZotope RX Voice – DeNoise
Chris’ Channel Strip: Eventide Precision Time Align – iZotope RX Spectral DeNoise – iZotope RX Mouth DeClick – UA Neve 1073 – UA LA2A – UA 1176E

Master: Oek Sound Soothe 2 – iZotope Ozone Imager – iZotope Ozone Maximize.

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If you want to collaborate, sponsor a podcast, donate, or want us to review your product – contact us at: collaborate@insidetherecordingstudio.com