It's about the music that comes out of your performance - you don't get extra points for doing it the hard way. Some people will admire the skill but they might also admire DJ-ing while playing Tetris with your other hand. If you get the same results by doing it the easier way - all the better.

> just not a substitute for putting in the hard work

It appears that it is. Well, not really of course, the actual important part of choosing what, when and how to mix, responding to the audience and creating the atmosphere - that's something you still have to do.