There are some things that do sound as good or better than the real tracks.

Piano and drums, and perhaps bass sound really nice on midi with good patches and or good samples. This assumes that you know how to play and or program the midi track for those particular instruments.

Midi that doesn't sound as good include the horns, reeds, stringed instruments, and other misc instruments. Try making a midi synth with samples sound like a guitar or a steel guitar or a sax with all the inflections a live player uses.

The test is simply this: can you fool someone who has been playing that particular instrument into believing it's real and not midi?

I've never had anyone ask me who was playing "that instrument" when I used midi and samples, but I have had several people ask me who was playing the fiddle or the steel guitar on my tunes.

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.