The first episode of the Knobs Podcast dives into one of audio’s oldest debates: analog vs digital. But instead of arguing about whether tape sounds “warmer” or plugins perfectly emulate vintage gear, Simon Moro and Terry Hart explore a far more important question:
How does workflow affect creativity, speed, and ultimately, the quality of a mix?
Drawing on decades of experience across analog consoles, Pro Tools systems, hybrid rigs, commercial studios, and modern digital workflows, the conversation reveals that the biggest advantage of analog gear may not actually be the sound at all.
The Real Difference Between Analog and Digital
One of the strongest themes throughout the episode is that analog mixing encourages speed, instinct, and musicality, while digital workflows can encourage overthinking.
As Simon explains, much of the magic in a mix often happens in the first 20–30 minutes. Decisions are fast, emotional, and instinctive.
On an analog console you can:
- Reach for multiple controls simultaneously
- Adjust EQ while riding a fader
- Quickly solve masking issues
- Balance drums with both hands
- Stay physically connected to the music
Mixing with a mouse often forces a slower, more serial workflow:
- Open plugin
- Adjust setting
- Close window
- Move to another track
- Repeat
Terry compares it to the difference between writing music one note at a time versus strumming a chord on a guitar.
Why Analog Workflow Improves Creativity
Modern production often encourages us to look at audio instead of listen to it.
When staring at plugin windows, meters, graphs, and gain reduction displays, producers naturally shift toward analytical thinking instead of emotional listening.
Analog workflow changes that because:
- You spend less time looking at screens
- Controls are tactile and immediate
- Adjustments happen faster
- Your ears stay in charge
A perfect example? You’re deep in flow during a mix, then open Melodyne. Instantly, your brain shifts from creative mode into problem-solving mode.
Parallel Workflow vs Serial Workflow
One of the biggest advantages discussed in this episode is parallel workflow.
On an analog console you can:
- Ride the bass while EQing another channel
- Hear masking and fix it instantly
- Adjust balances while solving problems simultaneously
With a mouse, almost every action happens one at a time.
That friction compounds across hundreds or thousands of mix decisions.
Signal Flow Still Matters
Learning on analog systems forced engineers to understand:
- Routing
- Gain staging
- Aux sends
- Patch bays
- Inserts
- Bussing
Understanding signal flow deeply gives you the ability to troubleshoot quickly, build creative processing chains, and understand what your plugins are actually doing.
Or as Simon asks in the episode:
“When you look at your DAW, do you see the cables?”
Why Producers Overprocess Audio
A funny side effect of modern DAWs is that empty plugin slots can feel incomplete.
Which often leads to unnecessary processing:
- EQ
- Compression
- Saturation
- Exciters
- More compression
- More saturation
Analog workflows often encourage the opposite approach: if it already sounds good, leave it alone.
Control Surfaces: The Best of Both Worlds?
You do not need hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of vintage hardware to benefit from analog workflow.
Control surfaces can bring much of that immediacy back into modern production.
Examples discussed include:
- Avid D-Control
- Softube Console 1
- SSL controllers
- Fader-based control surfaces
The goal is simple: spend more time listening and less time navigating software.
The Hidden Benefit: Mixing Becomes More Fun
Standing up. Walking around the room. Reaching for controls. Listening from different positions.
These things sound small, but they fundamentally change your relationship with the music.
You stop operating software and start interacting with sound.
Final Thoughts
Neither Simon nor Terry argue that analog is objectively better.
Digital production has democratised music creation and opened incredible opportunities.
But if you have never worked on an analog console before, go try one.
Hire a studio for a day. Throw some faders around. Experience a different workflow.
Because ultimately, great mixes are not just about equipment.
They are about momentum, instinct, emotion, workflow, and staying in flow.
