I've been following the "hardware synth versus software synth" controversy, and please, just jump all over me if I have it wrong...
A "controller" keyboard hooked up to your personal computer via MIDI will allow you to play (and sequence) an on-board softsynth like ZynAddSubFX just as if
the whole rig (keyboard, PC, software, amp, and speakers),
when operating as a unit, was like a big
hardware synthesizer...
?
What I hear from Will and his MIDI controller keyboard coupled with Zyn ends up sounding suspiciously like some of the higher-featured hardware synths out there. Hmmm?
Yep... quiet true... although you'll have a lot of on-buttons, cables, installation and stability to worry about. When comparing soft versus hard, you shouldn't compare only the soundquality. Although I'm more a tech-wizard than a musician, I like both, but I do like hardware synths more since they act more music-friendly to me. But honestly, this is my opinion. Everybody will feel different about this and there is really no need for one to be better than the other since both hard or soft have pro's and con's...
Moon