tape vs tape emulation

Lately, I have been trying to learn more about tape. I grew up listening to albums tracked to tape, but have only worked professionally in the DAW environment.

There is a craze with tape plugins in the last several years - including Universal Audios Officially endorsed Studer A800 mkIII plugin , as well as u-he Satin and Slate's Virtual Tape Machines.

I bought a Pro Tools system after working 15 years with a board and tape machine. As mixerman has said, Pro Tools proved to be a sonic compromise for me, so I have partnered up with a fellow and now we got the rig hooked to a Neotek Elite and some good outboard with Apogee D/A.