It is amazing to think that thanks to digital audio workstations and plug-ins most users can have access to features that professional studios could only dream about a few years ago. This is also exciting for vintage synth enthusiasts as it allows access to software that recreates features of analog equipment that are almost impossible to find. Purists will always prefer the real deal, of course, but for some users, there is simply not enough cash or space to go completely vintage. Sometimes using a plug-in is simply more convenient too, as is the case with tape emulation.

NAMM's Museum of Making Music has something brand new for synth enthusiasts with a first-of-its-kind exhibit titled, Music from the Sound Up: The Creative Tools of Synthesis. The official opening was Friday, 18 October 2019, and this special exhibit will continue until April of 2020. The purpose of this unique exhibit is to highlight the creativity and flexibility of synthesizers. To accomplish this, the exhibit is using tactile-based stations that offer visitors interactive experiences that are designed to inspire music-making.