I appreciate your methodical approach to research opinions. It really is going to come down to how you use it. Your ProPak does come with some RealTracks, so you should be able to audition at least some styles. To be more sure, you could first buy one add-on RealTrack package in your preferred genre.

But be careful you aren't comparing different things, since you are really asking two questions. The RealTracks are audio. They will sound as good as any other audio on your system. The reason you would buy a VSTi or a hardware sound module (I use a Roland Integra-7) is to hear the MIDI, primarily on the Melody and Soloist tracks and perhaps on other tracks in place of a RealTrack.

Make sense? I suspect you are asking how best to spend a limited budget. If melody/harmony are most important to you, look at the sound software or hardware. If backing tracks are most important, go for more RealTracks. But if you want opinions whether a software synth (VSTi or DXi) is better than a hardware module (like my Roland) for melody/harmony and some backing tracks, then we can have that discussion.

BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Roland Integra-7, Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.