I tend to work "in the box" when recording music.

I hear about some folks who "really really like the sound of my whatever piece of old crusty gear" and just have to have THAT sound in their mix.

So.....Send the midi out to that crusty gear and run the audio back to the DAW and record it.

I prefer to use the modern softsynths and do so not only because it's so much easier and convenient, but they sound so much more realistic.

Yeah I know, there's times when only the old DX27S electric piano #2 will sound right....

You can find my music at:
www.herbhartley.com
Add nothing that adds nothing to the music.
You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.

The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.