Joanne,
This is a great blog. It is so funny, I am married to so much of the same stuff. But I think simplicity is best.
I have Sonar and every VST and sound library known to man but I steadfastly record inside Real Band--it is so easy and reliable--and fiddle with the tracks in Audacity.
Ozone 5 and the TT_DR meter you mentioned are two things I could not live without.
Great column. It is SO easy to get carried away with all the widgets when sometimes simplicity will get us there with a richer sound.
It sure comes through in your fine work!!!