Ultimately, the computer stuff, or even digital keyboards that do analog modeling, are vastly less expensive to purchase, and even more important easier to move around, than vintage analog gear. You don't actually need Pro Tools to run VST plugins on a computer, you can get very inexpensive or even free software to active your plug-ins. And even a $1,000 or less computer can run a lot of plug-ins. RAM and hard drive space are cheap, and the plug-ins don't require that much in terms of computer space. If you gave me a budget of $1,500 - $2,000, I could get a rig together that sounded decent and covered all the "vintage" bases. I couldn't even get one or two decent vintage keyboards for that cost.
And even if I got all those lovely vintage keys, how the heck would I transport them? Yeah, I could probably handle a MiniMoog, or some such. But a Rhodes? A Tron? A freaking Hammond with its obligatory Leslie? For the average band, this is out of the question. There's simply no doubt about it, the modern digital emulations give you much of the benefit with a minuscule fraction of the cost associated with purchasing, transporting, and maintaining a true vintage rig. And they are far easier to work with.
My kudos go out to those bands that use vintage gear. If it's truly worth it to them, then I have no problem with it. But given the quality and flexibility of modern digital emulations, coupled with the price and portability issues, I blame no one for choosing the digital option. It's almost a no-brainier.
Bill
Bookmarks