You've heard Omnisphere in almost every TV show aired over the last 5 years. It's truly ubiquitous. After you've played with it for a while and become familiar with its sounds, you'll start hearing familiar patches every time you turn on the TV. There's a reason for that: it sounds great!
 
I love Omnisphere and use it a lot, it wouldn't be my first choice for pop productions. Kontakt would top the list for bread 'n butter sounds. After that, a versatile synthesizer such as Zebra or Synthmaster. Only after acquiring those staples would I add Omnisphere and/or Alchemy to broaden the sonic palette further.

noynekker - I've been saving up spare change to acquire Omnisphere myself. Since it's a larger purchase than most I've been approaching it differently than an impulse buy.

I picked up the tutorial on Omnisphere from Groove 3. The tutorial is very low cost and goes through hours of explanation about the tool. It's a demo in regards to showing how to use the settings and then listening to the results.

It's a slam dunk to make the purchase because Omnisphere is fantastic. I'm almost now have saved enough for it and will be getting it soon. The Groove 3 tutorial has kept me plenty busy learning how to use Omnisphere while I was saving up for it.

I have...and love...Omnisphere. That said I agree you'll get way more production bang for the buck with K9 Komplete (or the more expensive Ultimate). If you just need a good all around, easy to use and affordable synth you might take a look at the new WAVES Element. $99 usually at most net retailers.

I concur with the others - Kontakt for overall everything-is-here stuff (plus tons of add-ons), Omni for the awesome background/New Age/movie/TV soundtrack stuff.
Don't overlook Korg Legacy and Arturia for the olde skool synths - decent price for what you get.
The afore mentioned U-he (Zebra, Diva, etc), Synthmaster, and Camel Audio's Alchemy are also ones that are outstanding.  
 
And in 3 or 4 years Sampletank 3 might be out, so that's something to consider ... 

Thanks everyone !
Some great and helpful comments here, especially those recommending targeting my spending on more core
basic synth sounds such as NI Kontakt, since I do mostly pop music.
I really like the idea of combining symphonic / orchestral samples with a 5 piece band, and many songs I work on use that concept.
So far, Omnisphere seems to have the most unique sound library, but it's true I may not use it to it's potential in vocal based pop music.
 
I also need to buy a new weighted controller keyboard, so I have spending decisions there as well, and might yet find a hardware synth option that appeals.

OMnisphere is a beast.  comes with some 8000 patches.  mostly sample based and layered.  Omni does have a synth engine and ALL the 3rd party sound packs are using the synth engine to produce new sounds.  you cannot import your own samples at all.  what you get is what you get.  sounds amazing though and my go to VST for inspiration.
 
ReFX Nexus 2 is another rompler with tweaking very similar to Omnisphere.  sample based sounds and requires a eLiceners (Steinberg).  many many addon packs and really great sounds for pop, dance, trance EDM.  it really is a preset user dream cause the sounds are so good and just usable.  - no 3rd party add-ons only ReFX makes add-ons but there are a lot available.
 
Korg M1 VST.  it's $49.00!!!! it comes with ALL the factory soundbank cards that Korg produced and you can find tons of sounds for free on the web.  it's a dated synth but just one of the Pop music go to synths.  still sounds great and it's ....it just sounds great and works.
 
Korg Wavestation VST.  it's $49.00 .....see Korg M1 LOL.
 
I also have NI Komplete started with Komplete 8 to get the basic programs (Kontakt, Guitar Rig, FM8, Massive, etc) it's you want 2 of any NI basic programs then just buy Komplete standard and you get so so so much more.  I now have Komplete 9 Ultimate cause I wanted a lot of the add-ons.
 
Camel Audio Alchemy.  great synth.  multiple type - FM, grandular, sample manipulation.  great addon packs available.  this is really a synth.  easy(ish) to program but presets and addons can get you by.  Alchemy player is free and you get some sounds to play with but the player can be used to start a fully functioning trial for 30 days of Alchemy.  I did it that way and fell inlove with it. 
 
My go to synth VSTs are Omni, Alchemy, Nexus2, Massive then Korg M1 and Wavestation.  I am a preset guy.  I don't tend to program or tweak much - I can, I just prefer to lay down a track or idea not get in LFO black hole LOL.

also wanted to mention you should listen to YouTube sounds of anything your thinking of buying.  free and you get a idea of what sounds you can get or find.  saves you sometimes investing in expensive synths.
 
I have a Akai MPK 88 weighted controller and it's expensive but I got it on sale.  pads and knobs plus sliders for MIDI learn to control VST synths.  it has true weighted keys and feels like a true piano with 88 keys.
 
I use my Ensoniq ESQ-1 61 keys keyboard and my Oxygen 49 for most synth programing and playing cause I like the keys better than the MPK.
 
they all have a different use for different playing styles for different uses.
 
if you have hardware synths I would use those for a while as MIDI controllers until you find you need something else. depending on your playing style and what you find you need.

My only complaint about the stuff in Komplete is that the presets ain't all that...take something like Massive, I would never dream of using at least 95% of the presets you get with it. The synths are brilliantly designed and easy to learn, but I've heard the presets in Omnisphere are more usable.

noynekker
Hi . . . just looking for opinions about Omnisphere as a soft synth.
 
I've read many good things, heard the demos online.
I've been looking to upgrade from my 1990's hardware synths for a while now, and Omnisphere seems to be what I'm looking for, but if anyone here uses it, can you please comment about it ? My musical needs for a soft synth are mainly as a producer, and composer. I'm just looking for some ready to go sounds I can call up to complete arrangements, very little sound + synth tweaking desired.
 
Also, while we're at it, suggestions for any other favoured "meat and potatoes" soft synths welcomed.

 
For me , don't laught but at 99 you get the Arturia minilab (controller) AND the Analog Lab witch is a stupid deal for real if you're looking for presets and variaty in the analog world (5000 presets !!)
 
For the big dog , yep Omnisphere is great (got the moog tribute and Trillian ) , trillian monosynth section is just a joy !!!
 
 thks to Ol Pal (or John can't recall) i got also Alchemy witch can be my desert island with no problem !!
 
NI bundle is serious 
 
other since that i consider must hav :
 
OPX pro II 
UHE Diva 
LUSH -101
FXpansion DCAM Synth squad 
AAS ultra analog V2 (love it for lead !!)
 
 
Modern 
 
Tone 2 Saurus / Electra X/rayblaster /nemesis (dec 01)
Rob papen : Blue /predator /Blade (for atmospherique and wobbling sound)
Massive
Zeta2 
Reveal sound  SPIRE .....just got it , sound super good ....but i don't validate yet until i'm sure it's stable