A large amount of "realism" can be gained by playing the voice sympathetically, especially with respect to almost any "non-keyboard" instrument. Pitch bend, vibrato, "breath", harmonic content can all vary dynamically as a single note is played.

Play a sax voice like an organ and it will sound like an organ. Play a violin voice like a banjo and it will sound like a banjo.

Alternatively spend vast amounts of time and effort on getting the gear setup, then to learn how to play a moog like Jan Hammer and the rest of the world will think you are a hot lead guitar.

I agree that the only real sax is a real sax player. It is not coincidence that even on a lot of clearly sequence/sample based songs the "lead break" bit is usually played by a live sax or live lead guitar even if the rest is "produced to death".