Even the more so with soft-synths becoming more and more
pervasive.
Soft synths had their peak already imho. We are talking about audio after all -
there is only so much which can be done. It senseless to put 200GB PCM
library with 100s of key/vel switches. The more advanced VSTis sure produce
great sounds but it isn't what couldn't be done before. And there is no
comparison when talking about software reliability - with my hardware it's
just power button away to have it working always. No activation, copy
protection, performance oriented, latency and stuttering problems at all.
Waldorf Blofeld and Access Snow are examples of the next wave of portable,
inexpensive yet capable hardware synthesisers. No fuss, with real knobs and buttons to touch, great sounding solution with prices less than combination of a decent laptop, audio interface and software licences.
Fantom-G will be probably quite expensive at the beginning but prices for
former Xes should go down. Perhaps I might be getting X6 finally!
F-G is making me kinda excited thought....