I really don't want to break the 20 year rule here, but I don't feel like it's possible to properly clarify what your question actually is, without doing so.

Synthesised sounds and sampling are now far more common and easily available than they were in any time period we're allowed to discuss here - they've just migrated from standalone units and devices to computer software.

As a result I'm not really sure what your question is aiming to find out? It seems obvious to me that flexible software solutions are preferable to bulky, hard to transport, difficult to wire up hardware units.