| Let me first say that I never have used hardware synths... so I can only speak on software synths:
VSTis are all I have ever used and they have NEVER prevented me from creating tracks that are on par with those you hear on commericial hip-hop albums.
That being said: maybe hardware synths are EVEN better than their "soft" (I remember an interview where Cool from Cool & Dre said: "ain't nothin soft about them [software synths]") counterparts and would take my skills to the next level... That I cannot say at the moment.
In the end: no need to rush for hardware: work with what you have and push it to the limits. |