Maybe they are tinkering, but sounds still come out while they are tinkering. So maybe they're playing music after all? The idea that if you're not recording and releasing tracks you're doing it "wrong" is a bit silly IMO. Just strumming a guitar or playing some chords on a piano without recording any of it was always an "acceptable" hobby and not considered "unmusical", playing with synths and sequencers is no different IMO.
I've been asked for recordings from my system multiple times and I always tell people I just like to play it for me, in the moment. I have no desire to record it's output. I also go for more drone style output and tweak it constantly. But it makes me happy and that's all that matters in the end.
