mike, when I say the sound is superior to any hardware based system I mean the instruments sound more realistic, there is less noise, there is less distortion and so on. Some of this comes about from higher quality effects and samples. Samples do not use looping. They have more samples per instruments and per velocity. As an example, pianos have every key sampled at 7 up and 7 down velocities plus release samples. This is why the Piano is 2.5 GB as compared to a couple of MBs in a hardware based module or keyboard.

So the whole thing just sounds more realistic......but its not perfect. Modelling a B3 Organ (NI B4) or a Saxophone would yield better results. Same could be said for guitars or other acoustic instruments. On some of the libraries I use the samples include keyswitching, e.g., changing from a smooth sax to a growling sax by depressing a key in a lower octave of your keyboard....but modelling is still better.

For the sound to sound similar to my system you would need to use my software and sample libraries. Plus you would need professional quality sound cards, e.g., RME, Echo, VSL, etc. The same applies to your audio equipment (speakers, mixer, amps, etc.).

One thing I would like to make clear is that the hardware based solutions are good enough quality for live performances and have a better control surfaces. For studio, club work, etc. a system such as mine makes more sense....you notice the quality.

[This message has been edited by Frank L. Rosenthal (edited 05-04-2005).]