Good question.
My answer to it is "sort of."
Since I switched to digital recording, I've begun thinking of my outboard gear in 2 categories- things I use DURING recording and things I use AFTER recording.
Outboard gear that I use during recording I still use all the time: preamps (obviously), compressors, the (very) occasional EQ. You use it the same way you always do- plug in, set carefully, and go.
Gear that I used to use AFTER recording sits on my shelf and gathers dust, unfortunately: reverbs, the EQ's most of the time, outboard effects. You just lose too much sound quality transfering the digital signal back to analog for the effects, then back to digital again. And that assumes that you have an I/O device with multiple outs that will even let you do that. I don't and I don't miss it.
Every time the audio signal goes through a digital/analog conversion you lose quality and add distortion. Once the signal is digital it is best to keep it there- unless you are fortunate enough to be working with the highest quality converters, I'm told.
Since I certainly don't have the best converters, I use my plugins exclusively after I've recorded a signal into my DAW.
For that reason, its worth learning how to tweak your plugins the same way you learned to tweak your hardware units. Sure, its not the same useing a mouse instead of moving knobs, but its WELL worth the fiddling time because most plugs can give you very useable sounds when you learn how to use them.
Have fun!
Chris
