DAW direction and hybrid setups. Are we getting what we want? – Hosts & Applications (Sequencers, DAWs, Audio Editors, etc.) Forum

A recent switch over to a Mac Studio with coincident vintage hardware synth repairs struggling to get fixed has catapulted me towards going ITB, which for an analog devotee is sacrilege. However, I’ve never been happier. Reluctantly, I’ve felt for some time that FGPA or digital oscillators into real hardware filters was where the sweet spot lies and facilitating this through a hybrid setup, with minimal latency, now seems a realistic proposition.

Dialog audio, Cableguys, Sonic Charge, and many others, create amazing plugins that create modulation possibilities that seem a long way away from the complexity offered within your typical DAW. Ableton seems to offer the best catchup on what is available via 3rd party software but it definitely lags behind.

The question, “Are we getting what we want?” is applicable in both the hardware and software realm because the two states now offer relatively seamless integration that will only improve with time.

So what do synthesists aspire to in their future setup? Are we capable of guiding DAW and hardware development?