[bzzzt]

> I've heard trying to emulate subtractive synthesis can be difficult.

Just filtering frequencies isn't that difficult, but to get a digital filter sounding equivalent to a specific analog audio filter is an art. There's an entire industry trying to recreate the 'character' of certain imperfections found in old synthesizers. Some FM synthesizers also have subtractive filters. There are even analog synthesizers with FM so it's not an either/or.

[ClimaxGravely]

It's funny, the whole analog vs digital thing I personally can't tell the difference that often with EXCEPT the filter.

I have a digital synth with a digital filter that's great but I feel like I have to put a lot more work into the filter parameters to make it sound good.

I also have a digital synth with an analog filter and I find I don't have to play with the filter much at all. It sounds pretty good in pretty much every case.