Scott, I would have to respectfully disagree. Given todays computers and software, the sound quality of software based solutions are vastely superior to hardware based modules or keyboards. Plus the latency is much less than say a Tyros. I can easily run my system at 2.5ms. Most hardware runs at 10ms or more. This is, of course, good enough for live performances.

It is for these reasons that serious composers, screen writers and performers are turning to such systems. It is true that these people usually do not use soundfonts. They use Kontakt, GigaStudio, Halion and so on. I have given examples in some of my past posts.

The main disadvantage is that the control surface is not as good as that of say a Tyros.....but one can get used to it.