Hardware MIDI synths are instantaneous...

*NO CPU load.

*Zero latency (well, under ~1mS and for all intents and purposes, that's zero)

*Very stable and robust. They aren't going to suddenly change due to software corruption, added programs, windows updates or any other of the seemingly endless myriad of problems that can pop up with software solutions.

*Very good sound. This, of course, depends on the synth, but these days, there are many good sounding hardware MIDI synths on the market. Ketron SD-2 sold by pgmusic is right up there among the best in that regard.

Look. I spent a small fortune on software solutions. Soundfonts. Then Gigastudio and Gigasamples ($$$). Then some Modeling synths. Would it ever end? Seemed like that as soon as I got one "next big thing" up and running halfway right, the "next big thing" was there to blow it out of the water.

I could have taken that money spent over the years and bought at least THREE Ketron SD-2s with it.

And not lost so much TIME.

And avoided hassle after hassle when trying to get music work done.

Think it out carefully before spending your hard-earned money.


--Mac