Analog vs Digital... but it's not what you think.

KNOBS — Season 1 Episode 1 Analog vs Digital: Why Workflow Matters More Than Gear

In the very first episode of Knobs, Simon Moro and Terry Hart dive headfirst into one of audio’s oldest arguments: analog vs digital.

But instead of obsessing over whether tape sounds warmer or plugins perfectly model vintage gear, the conversation takes a different turn, exploring the psychology of workflow, creativity, speed, signal flow, and why the way you interact with audio can dramatically shape the outcome of a mix.

Topics covered in this episode include:

• Why analog consoles encourage faster, more instinctive mixing
• The hidden psychological impact of mixing with a mouse
• Why speed matters so much in the first 20 minutes of a mix
• Parallel workflow vs serial workflow
• Signal flow and why understanding it changes everything
• Gain staging and why analog-modelled plugins behave strangely on hot tracks
• Why many producers overprocess audio in DAWs
• Control surfaces and recreating analog workflow in-the-box
• How limitations can improve creativity
• Why physical interaction with music changes decision-making
• Patch bays, compressors, SSL workflows, and throwing faders
• The difference between listening emotionally vs analytically
• Why analog workflow can still matter even if you mix completely digitally

Along the way, Simon and Terry also discuss:

• Avid D-Control
• Softube Console 1
• 1176 compressors
• Parallel processing chains
• Pro Tools workflow
• Hybrid mixing
• Analog console ergonomics
• The creative side of engineering

The format is loose, improvised, and conversational, more like sitting in the studio listening to two engineers talk between sessions than a formal interview podcast.

Hosted by Simon Moro and Terry Hart Produced by Academy of Audio

Follow Academy of Audio: academyofaudio.edu.au