OK, it’s obviously a “different strokes” thing, use it however works best for you!

I've never had reason to “call up” MG2 or Fishman Triple Play as plugins from WITHIN any DAW. Using MG2 (or FTP) as a plugin would not improve my work flow - they would just get in my way.

But as far as “fat synth sounds” and killer “distorted guitar echo” - there is MUCH better FREE stuff out there, let alone all the commercial SW and HW I own, then what is provided with MG2 in those categories.

I LOVE MG2 but as a fast accurate tracking MIDI guitar device, NOT as a synth, let alone a powerhouse synth.

Try these

http://www.musictech.net/2016/10/best-freeware-synths/

or for a commercial "fat synth" try Synthmaster or Synthmaster One, or even Z3ta2, and those are all on the LEAN side of FAT’ish.


You want guitar tape echo FX and distortion - just get the free IK Amplitude (you mentioned) and free NI Guitar Rig plus "shake out" the free delays, tape echo’s, etc. provided with your DAW (they all have some) or look on web

Here is a year old short list of tape echo’s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYBRHZTpMRA

also the free Reaper plugins

Good Luck
Larry

Win10Pro,i9,64GB,2TBSSD+20TBHDDs,1080TI,BIAB'24,Scarlett18i8,Montage7,Fusion 8HD,QS8,Integra7,XV5080,QSR,SC-8850,SPLAT,FL21&others,Komp.14,IK suite&others, just a guitar player-AXE FX III &FM9T, FishmanTP, MIDIGuitar2, GK2/3'sw/GI20