the advantage of getting a software set-up is the possibillity to run as many vst's as you want (harware depending numbers)

First get a good vst host/ or sequencer. I am using OMB with chainer as a vst host.

I'd use bandstand for GM sounds (its very good and affordable.

I am totally intoo NI (native instruments as base of my setup right now

Kontakt (with GPO)
Kompakt (with colossus)
Reaktor
Guyitar combo
Bandstand (general midi)
Absynth
Akoustik Piano (Not as good piano as Steinberg the grand)
FM7 remember yamaha
Elektrik piano for elektrik rhodes and such
Pro 53
B4 II for my B3 sounds

but also from other makers:

steinberg the grand for my mainpiano sound.
Steinberg virtual bassist
Steinberg virtual guitarist
Korg the legaccy collection.
Tassman for some great phisical modelling
Arturia Brass ...Physical modelling brass

All these Vst instruments together give me a very good sound.

For orchestral sounds i like Kompakt with Colossus better then Kontakt with GPO, but then GPO is much cheeper and leaves room in the budget for other things.


[This message has been edited by Bachus (edited 04-23-2006).]