db filters?

[joel]

I have a question..

I've noticed that some synths have different filters you can switch to;
like a 24db filter, 12 db filter 8 db filter (do i say this correctly? i
hope so..) and i was wondering:
how important are those features in an analogue or virtual analogue syth or
synthmodule (in terms of the _variety_ of sounds it can make through
them..) more specifically i mean:
how important are these? and is it like the more you have of these the
better you are off..?

sorry for the rather strange question :) hope i don't offend anyone :)

Joel