I find for "live" gigging, the amount of bends and scoops I am able to add is realistic enough for my style of music and playing...I don't even remotely pretend to emulate a master at the saxophone...I just want another "color" to work with...harmonica is another I like to use...again, I'm no Toots Thielman...but, realistically, I'm no Toots Thielman.

I don't use SMF on gigs...I prefer style play for it's advantages, at least for my manner of playing.

For recording, the sky's the limit, as I can multi-track and my left hand is free to do much more expression, but for regular "live" work, I am very content with the amount of expression I am able to add, especially with SA/SA2 voices.

I am a perfectionist, but sometimes, perfectionism gets in the way...I can live with a few less bends, and a less than totally perfect sax emulation (especially of a master sax player) if I can have the fun and enjoyment of playing alternate sounds and not be restricted to the more traditional keyboard controlled voices such as piano, Rhodes, organ etc.

That's my take on it.

Ian