I finally got around to rationalising my plugins- I’ve halved the number of free VSTs I’m using it Pro Tools via fxpansions excellent VST to RTAS wrapper. Using the excellent Massey tape head plugin for mastering warmth it doesn’t sound exactly like a good tape machine, but makes nice sounds nonetheless!
Garageband ’08 is seeing a lot of use as a composing tool- it’s so fast for getting ideas down and orchestrated.