Good thoughts for sure, and it would be hard to replace some of the hi end Kontakt libraries or Slate drums with freeware (maybe not for long if software evolves at the current pace).
Was inspired or forced (once again) to look at tools versus talent while compiling discographies of the old masters. These guys did magic with a spring reverb and a tone control on their amps. Life on the edge if they had an echoplex.
I'm out of the closet as a GAS victim. Nothing wrong with GAS if it is associated with creative output, and think we're all as musicians on the same page that we want to create something good and memorable. For me, seems like I'm spending too much time chasing the ultimate sound rather than creating the ultimate song.
Fired up a few free reverbs, analog and convolution freebies. Free delays (yeah Clint, it was Bionic Delay). Did some free distortions and flangers, comps and phasers, eq's. Found I could get most of what is needed by subtle application of current freeware that rivals the big bux stuff, emphasis on actual need. Aimed at me only, if I had more inspiration and spontaneous creativity, I could do much more with creative insight and freeware than I currently crank out with less creativity and all the hi end toys. Wish for everyone I was alone in this club, but think I'm not.
Side note on old technology I thought was cool, wandering off subject. Good friend Barry Paul did his grunge rock Hearts on Fire CD in a hi end Portland studio. Really tight and consistent sound quality. Young kid and genius engineer with a 100k ProTools setup. Bary went to do the vocals and burned his hand on a 10 thousand dollar Neuman mic. The mic was driven by a tube from a WW II German submarine. All state of the art equipment and plugins done in 192k and 32 bit float depth.
Last stage of the mastering was to mix down stereo onto a 1970's Revox half track tape machine to get real saturation and warmth.
Clint, another thumbs up to the Slick eq plug. Definitely a presence or warmth or something there that is good.
John