Usually
at first I write my compositions in notes. With that far too expensive, complicated but on the other side also very comprehensive app; Sibelius.
Maybe I lied a bit. I watch tv, I try something on the guitar at the same time and then I take it to my friend from Finland….Hm
Midi
You can save sibelius parts as Midifiles which you can use in ableton, and than I tweak the synthesizers of my choice to make my sounds. Completely in “the Box”.
Choices
Should I use analog synths?…. I’m in doubt.