My first ever synth (I gigged with it) in the 80s was a Korg MicroPreset M-500.
I discovered electronic music in the eighties, as a teacher of computer languages (C, LISP, PROLOG) and an amateur musician, I was thrilled. The DOS DAW Voyetra was quite popular.
No internet, no endless supply of free synths as you aptly put it.
Those that want to make their own sounds or tweak the sounds others have made.
I started on a used SQ-1, then a used VFX. Both had never been programmed! The owners of the shop were working musicians and did not have the time to program and tweak.
It can become almost an addiction rather than a necessity
Yes, that was my point. I have a good pension plan but I know younger (or older) musicians (amateur or pro) have to make hard choices. They should not fear missing on something if they canât buy a VST or a bank of presets.