I think "general non-production" people can hear differences between analogue and VA, but only if they are in the same room with the machines. I have tested this with a few students who like electronic music, but have no idea about production. With-out a digital link in the chain, they always like the analogues more.
Post recording/production people tend to hear the sound of the production over anything else. Because most of us are using the computer for recording it's become difficult to judge.
One thing for sure though, it's easier to produce an analogue bass synth than it is a VA. For example when I record bass from the CS (single OSC mono) it fills the bass end really well, but to do it with the VA (Virus for example) I need to use the unison alot, use slight distortion (maybe stauration), sub, and maybe the 3rd OSC.
I think for recording tunes VA does a great job! There are things I'd use a VA over analogue anyday. But for sheer inpriation playing (specially bass) analogue gear has an edge. That's what I'm leaning to these days - more fun when playing and less worrying how I'm gunna produce.
|