But yes, what we're aiming for is fundamentally no different to what a tube emulator for use with a DAW does. Just looking for a different flavour, as those VST emulators tend to be of either guitar amps or vinyl or tape reel or various other vintage gear - all a bit too low-hi compared to what I'm after..
The tools to achieve this for 'audio' applications are well developed. It only needs the effort to be applied in this area. The 'audio' 'market' is very conservative and opinionated and not as willing to accept the DSP advances in this regard.