Hardware VS Software.
There is an ancient Egyptian curse which says that he who scorns hardware synthesisers will be punished by the gods with having more hardware synthesisers arrive in their man cave. At least I think it was something like that except there was a bin chicken involved.
EASE OF USE
Easier to move the sliders on the hardware, seeing as the software is about the size of an ant. Although you might say that being able to save the result of all that sliding on the software more than makes up for that. I moved all the hardware sliders to the init position and took a photo on my phone. That was a lot easier than drawing a picture in an authentic notepad so the phone wins this round.
RUBBER SMELL
The software lacks the authentic rubber mask smell of the suitcase. It’s up to you whether that’s a good or bad thing, depending on your kink.
PORTABILITY
The hardware when in its case is quite luggable, tidy and well protected. The software would have to be on a laptop in a backpack. To get a fair comparison, I tried to fit the suitcase in my backpack but it wouldn’t go. Seeing as there is no way in hell I would lug the ARP to a gig anyway I called it a tie.
SOUND
I am equally bored and disinterested in the sound of the ARP in software and hardware. The software can create the sound in polyphony, which I guess means I’m getting much more boredom and disinterest so I should declare the hardware the winner of this round.
DESIGN
If you mean the faceplate on the ARP the software can provide three different butt-ugly designs, where the hardware is stuck with the one, although it is the least ugly. I’m not sure if that’s better or worse.
If you mean the layout of the controls I have consistently hated the ARP layout since 1970 something and nothing has changed my mind recently. The pitch bend is particularly horrible.
VALUE FOR MONEY
Seeing as it has no value for me, either could cost anything and when divided into zero you still get zero. I should try to be charitable and pretend I like something about it. In which case the software will leave you less ashamed the day after you blow your savings.
IN SUMMARY
It’s not my kind of thing. It’s old fashioned horse and buggy stuff. Get a Novation BassStation 2.