Hello Everyone,
I am trying to understand the benefits of synth recording.
Is it any different than bouncing a softsynth down to audio?
What I've always been doing was making my softsynth tracks, and then bouncing them to an audio track once I know it is finished. 
So I don't understand what benefit synth recording has.
If someone can shed some light, I would much appreciate it!
Thank You!

Real time adjustment of the parameters in like a performance mode, versus just automation, which may not be always consistently repeatable in some randomized settings of a synth.  Some live players also get "feedback" off the synth adjustments when performing and it typically might affect [inspire] their playing at the time as well.  IOW, rather than trying to map out parameter changes after the performance, you capture it live.

mixmkr
Real time adjustment of the parameters in like a performance mode, versus just automation, which may not be always consistently repeatable in some randomized settings of a synth.  Some live players also get "feedback" off the synth adjustments when performing and it typically might affect [inspire] their playing at the time as well.  IOW, rather than trying to map out parameter changes after the performance, you capture it live.

hmmm, I record softsynths now and map the parameters via ACT and they record just fine, it would have to play back just as good because it is recording my automation, no?
 

The most obvious one is a synth with multiple unsynced oscillators, like what you can do in Z3TA+2. Even playing the same note repeatedly can yield a changing texture, so if that audio was not captured "live" it may not playback a Xerox copy each time.

That feature is not a must in most situations, but is definitely useful in certain scenarios.

I think it's almost the same scenario as with guitarists who want to record monitoring  the final, effected sound, because it affects your playing, how you handle small nuances etc.

I wondered at this features usefulness to, but last night I dscovered that Sylenth VST will not bounce under Kingston (even with fast bounce disabled). I was, however, able to play back the midi recording and simultaneously record the output Handy:)

Kalle Rantaaho
I think it's almost the same scenario as with guitarists who want to record monitoring  the final, effected sound, because it affects your playing, how you handle small nuances etc.

but why wouldn't those nuances make it to the recorded track and stay there anyway in VST Synth version?  Especially if you have aftertouch enabled?
 

I sometimes come across softsynths that have controls which can't be automated or mapped and can only be accessed by clicking on the synth's interface. For instance I sometimes use a Reaktor drum module that has solo/mute buttons for each drum and the only way to control them is by clicking them. Since I can't map them to controls or automate them, now I can just record the synth and click them on/off during recording. 
 
Sometimes you just want to record a quick performance of a synth's controls with a mouse, without mapping stuff to controllers or opening automation lanes. Now it's so easy to do with synth recording. And it's also quicker than creating automation lanes, exporting the track, dragging the new audio to the track etc....Just hit record, twiddle the controls and you're done. It's a major workflow improvement for me and also encourages me to get synth parts into audio format sooner, as opposed to keeping them as VSTi's with the temptation of endless tweaking and tail-chasing. Because it's so easy to do now I find myself committing to synth parts easier, and of course you can then turn off the synth in the rack and hide the MIDI track. 

it comes in handy when working with synths such as z3ta+, dimension pro and rapture that internally allow you to configure random generators to be used as controllers but offer no outlet for that random sequence to be recorded. therefore, each time you bounce to track or freeze you can get a different performance.   

rabeach
it comes in handy when working with synths such as z3ta+, dimension pro and rapture that internally allow you to configure random generators to be used as controllers but offer no outlet for that random sequence to be recorded. therefore, each time you bounce to track or freeze you can get a different performance.   

so then who says the first take is the best take?  it might limit you from trying a new random pattern?