I try to use the minimal number of plug-ins possible...so when it comes to processors, I'm boring. I mostly use the Cakewalk plugs. The L-Phase processors (especially M/S), CA-2A, and QuadCurve rock my world and with dynamics and EQ covered, I don't need much else. I use ReMatrix solo with my own impulses to get the reverb sound I want, and the only amps I use these days are the CA-X ones. I like Amplitube too, but use it only rarely. For modulation effects, delay, etc., the Sonitus stuff still rules for me. 
 
One huge exception is the Waves L3 Multimaximizer, that plug-in is a work of art and it's on every master I do. I also use the UA plugs (which are excellent) from time to time.
 
As to instruments, the most instances in my projects are Rapture Pro, then Kontakt, then various Arturia goodies. I use acoustic drum loops but when I need electronic drums, use Session Drummer and Battery.
 
I think a lot of the CW plug-ins are underappreciated. For example the ProChannel Tube distortion is incredible for bass and drums, much better than other saturation plug-ins I've used because of the two different modes. The QuadCurve is great as long as I choose the right curve. Of course there are a zillion other fantastic plug-ins, but for me, the impact of most tracks is 85% the recording/editing and 15% the processing, with the exception of my vocals which are more like 50-50.
 
However...after going through a phase of guitar-oriented projects, my next project is going to go back to my EDM roots from 20 years ago. So I'll probably be going plug-in crazy. 

Speaking of vocals, gotta give love to Melodyne and/or Revoice Pro 3.3.

what's the difference between hard rock and metal?
 
eq: dmg equick
compression: fabfilter pro-c
reverb: 112db reverb
limiter: wavearts finalplug
guitar: s-gear
delay: no goto here

pwalpwal
what's the difference between hard rock and metal?

That's a subjective question I'll never answer for the obvious reason that I know what it means to me and that may not mean the same to you.

bapu

pwalpwal
what's the difference between hard rock and metal?

That's a subjective question I'll never answer for the obvious reason that I know what it means to me and that may not mean the same to you.

it may seem like a setup but it was a genuine question
hereabouts, i'd say, say, led zep or sabbath are hard rock and metallica are metal? but that gives away my total lack of thing thereabouts, is it just an age thing?

pwalpwal
it may seem like a setup but it was a genuine question
hereabouts, i'd say, say, led zep or sabbath are hard rock and metallica are metal? but that gives away my total lack of thing thereabouts, is it just an age thing?

Close enough for jazz (as the saying goes).

i thought "jazz" was the genre for things that didn't fit any other genres? i don't do jazz, at least not knowingly

I use minimal plug-ins, usually. By far the most common one is Exponential Audio's Nimbus reverb. It's my goto verb, and is in virtually every project I do. Others that see moderate use: Valhalla's Shimmer, BlueTubes Tempo Delay (which I really like on cinematic pianos and similar), and some of Cakewalk's plugins (including the Sonitus stuff, which I still find useful even after so many years). Occasionally, I'll call up the T-Racks compressors, but not often. I do use the Waves Stereo Imager from time to time.
 

Because I'm currently bouncing between 2 locations, I stick mostly with the Sonitus plugs and Pro Channel EQ. The only thing I have added to both locations is Izotope Nectar 2. I use that because it very quickly gets me in the ball park to test ideas. Mastering is still done by a 3rd party so I focus on getting the best tracks possible, mix it and let somebody else do the final tweaking.

What's in your wallet?

 
Very little cash after all the VSTs I've purchased.