Hey!
I wont answer by numbers, its all pretty much the same. So simply, using own VST drums , is much easier to do.
VST:
Pros:
-You don't need to place microphones, do 1000 checks about placement then after all still dig into mixing the same and get the good sound...* And that's only if you always keep the setup and just use it by the need*.
-If you find certain drums or combination *snare from one vst, toms from other etc*, you can always use the same setup. Most of them are already premixed which makes it even more easy..You will learn how they sound and how they are combined, making them very very easy to use every time you do another project. Basically, when you learn your drums once, you can always use them
*It applies the same for writing..as you write you will improve, and as you improve it would sound better and better, and if you would give people a blind check (as i did), lot of them won't be able to tell...
-Find onemanbands, lot of in metal/djent style and composers (I do the same...
but not djent..hah) and listen to drums...they are all writen in studio by hand on some vst instrument.....You would be amazed...
cons: It may sound generic, and the same ( but that is if you always ALWAYS use same velocity for snare...and litterally loop drums without fills and some feeling) otherwise..its difficult, be creative
-It might not sound like real one...*Which if you dont know how to mix........can sound 10x worse then just using worse VST available and smashing with bad settings...hahah
Real: pros:
- If you have drummer..definitely awesome thing, *good drummer , it can sound really good and rich, and organic
- You learn how to mix real recorded drums, and how to record the same..
- Many other...(i guess)
cons: YOu have to learn how to record, how to position mics and all the rest so i dont repeat myself..and you have to learn how to play hahah(if you dont know already) , on vst drums you can do anything...you can do any fills that only few drummers can do...on real ones...you have to play it
Have that in mind! Its also very difficult to quantatize....
Another advice:
Dont bother with plugins..plugins are the last step, dont go just smashing 100 plugins you can just destroy sound, first listen how it fits and how it all comes together, *snare sound kick, can you hear it even before mixing stage, does it blend, does it sound bad , good, quiet, or dull, after that at the end, go minimum plugins, first
EQ the unnecessary frequencies( hi , lowpas and such) then adjust volume, and then if necessary do some other processing... after all keep in mind that VST-drums are already pre mixed, so there is not much to do... Unless you are using Superior drummer and other drums that are "original" without any mixing, then you might apply the same mixing process as for the real drums
But still be careful, That was also your question i believe...
Last thing, you can finish your drums and then mix them...(export to files), if you cant, separate always channels at least to most basic groups, kick snare hh, toms,amb comp..etc, and mix them , good thing is you can always rewrite if you dont like something later..still no difference
Cheers!