davdud101
 
I've always wondered about Kontakt player - does it also work with all standard Kontakt soundsets like the full version does? What are the limitations - given that the one of them is free?

I have the Kontakt Player, not the full version.  Many Kontakt libraries require the FULL version to work.  But there are some made specifically for the Player version.  You need to check the system requirements for any package you are interested in to see if it is compatible with the Player.

According to the NI website "All of NI's KONTAKT instruments run in the free KONTAKT PLAYER and do not require the full version of the software."
 
Here is a list of NI soundsets "Powered by Kontakt":
https://www.native-instru...earch=poweredbykontakt
 

If your looking for a good all-around virtual instrument, checkout HALion Sonic 3 (just released).
It's the Vi equivalent to a Montage/Kronos hardware workstation.

davdud101

cclarry
 
And then you can get the AIR Complete for $62.99 at JRR and have EVERYTHING!
Use code GROUP at Checkout...
https://www.jrrshop.com/a...-pack-complete-upgrade

Actually Larry, does this pack also come with an ADDITIONAL license for Xpand? Haha, I should've noticed that before I bought the one-dollar licenses... save me two bucks, eh?
 
 

You need the $1 Xpand Serial # for this upgrade....you have one instrument
to get this upgrade price

+1 Omnisphere + Keyscape
 
There are even whole groups that exist for worship based in Omnisphere that you might find a home at which  people from Hillsong United to Planetshakers post also on:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/OmnisphereWorshipSounds/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/KeyscapeWorshipSounds/
 

TerraSin
+1 Omnisphere + Keyscape
 
There are even whole groups that exist for worship based in Omnisphere that you might find a home at which  people from Hillsong United to Planetshakers post also on:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/OmnisphereWorshipSounds/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/KeyscapeWorshipSounds/

I would argue against this choice (or these choices if you prefer).  The OP wants conventional instruments and Omnisphere really excels at more exotic stuff.  Try to find a solo cello, for example, in Omni and all you will get are weird (in a good way, but weird) approximations.  HALion is much better at supplying conventional ensemble (real world) instruments. 
 
I know nothing about the AIR option (but it frankly sounds way too good to be real). 
 
Some here would argue against my final recommendation, I know, but IKM Sample Tank SE can be had for 99 bucks (less probably if the right sale comes along).  It's got a good selection of instruments out of the gate and add-on libraries of all sorts can be purchased over time to add to its capabilities.

dmbaer
 
HALion is much better at supplying conventional ensemble (real world) instruments. 
 
I know nothing about the AIR option (but it frankly sounds way too good to be real).

Halion Sonic 3 looks good, but the $250 entry point, or $350 for the full version of Halion 6, is still steep for a tight budget.  But it may be cheaper vs. Kontakt if you add up the cost of several Kontakt libraries to get the equivalent sounds.
 
The AIR stuff is actually very good, and the recent sale prices are hard to believe, but they are for real.  AIR Music Tech is a German development group that has provided the instrument bundle that has been an exclusive Avid Pro Tools feature for years.  Since inMusic has acquired AIR, they have been marketing these instruments in VST and AU formats.  Some of their interfaces are dated, like some of the older Cakewalk plugins, but for the price, the sounds are hard to beat! 

Here's an interesting article from SOS back in 2011. "Steinberg Halion Sonic"
http://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/steinberg-halion-sonic
 
It seems that the predecessor of Halion was Steinberg's Hypersonic, developed by Wizoo (AIR Music Technology started as Wizoo Sound Design).  However, by the time it came out, it was already clear that Hypersonic 2 was likely to be the final version, as Wizoo had been taken over by Steinberg's rivals Avid. Much of the original Hypersonic content would soon reappear as the free Xpand! plug‑in bundled with Pro Tools, but that was the end as far as Cubase and other VST or AU‑format hosts were concerned.

abacab

dmbaer
 
HALion is much better at supplying conventional ensemble (real world) instruments. 
 
I know nothing about the AIR option (but it frankly sounds way too good to be real).

Halion Sonic 3 looks good, but the $250 entry point, or $350 for the full version of Halion 6, is still steep for a tight budget.  But it may be cheaper vs. Kontakt if you add up the cost of several Kontakt libraries to get the equivalent sounds.
 
The AIR stuff is actually very good, and the recent sale prices are hard to believe, but they are for real.  AIR Music Tech is a German development group that has provided the instrument bundle that has been an exclusive Avid Pro Tools feature for years.  Since inMusic has acquired AIR, they have been marketing these instruments in VST and AU formats.  Some of their interfaces are dated, like some of the older Cakewalk plugins, but for the price, the sounds are hard to beat! 

Ditto, Between the Air and Sonivox deals lately, I've topped off my instrument collection significantly. Awesome sounds at insane prices.  The Air Fx are really good too.

Have I already spouted off on this thread? If these are good enough for your purposes is open for debate, but lots of free VSTi stuff including pianos. Note turn the volume down on the pianos if they distort, my bad I should have normalized them lower.
 
http://bcvsts.blogspot.com/2016/11/the-gm-soundset.html
Newer version of the VSCO2 Chamber orchestra
http://bigcatinstruments.blogspot.com/2017/02/vsco2-rompler.html