I was at a friends working in Logic Pro and was using the EXS24 that comes with logic (Sampler VST included)  and loved it, and noticed they sell alot of sample libraries in EXS24 format.  This is not sold as a VST on its own.  Booo
Anyone have recommendations for a top notch VST sampler like the EXS24?  Thx  ; )

Kontakt is the daddy

+1 for Kontakt.
The closest competition is Mach 5 v3
 
Both are more advanced than the EXS (offering custom scripts - which opens an almost endless range of potential)

I have used Kontakt since forever ago, and love it.
 
Bob Bone

I have Kontakt 5 but don't like the way it's layed out.  The EXS24 was more like a VST synth layout, where your able to turn virtual knobs (Attack, sustain, release, etc.)  Changing and editing a sample parameter in Kontakt is a  mess for me.

You already own the most popular commercial sampler. There is a free one TX16Wx that might have a better layout for you.

californiamusic
I have Kontakt 5 but don't like the way it's layed out.  The EXS24 was more like a VST synth layout, where your able to turn virtual knobs (Attack, sustain, release, etc.)  Changing and editing a sample parameter in Kontakt is a  mess for me.

If you read the Kontakt manual, you can pretty easily create a (reusable) script where you assign ADSR to virtual knobs or sliders.
Once created, add this script to any instrument... and you'll have control over ADSR (or anything you wish).

I'm not crazy about Kontakt's GUI, but it's not that bad once you're familiar with everything.
As far as virtual samplers, it's at the top of the heap... and that won't likely change anytime soon.
 
If you're going to spend time learning, I'd spend time working with an advanced tool that I know will be around for a long while.
Everything you learn will be useful/applicable for years to come...
 
 

Jim Roseberry
If you read the Kontakt manual, you can pretty easily create a (reusable) script where you assign ADSR to virtual knobs or sliders.
Once created, add this script to any instrument... and you'll have control over ADSR (or anything you wish).

Easier than that ... spend ~$12 on this:
 
http://www.hollowsun.com/HS2/products/gui_shell/
 
where all that has been done for you.

dmbaer

Jim Roseberry
If you read the Kontakt manual, you can pretty easily create a (reusable) script where you assign ADSR to virtual knobs or sliders.
Once created, add this script to any instrument... and you'll have control over ADSR (or anything you wish).

Easier than that ... spend ~$12 on this:
 
http://www.hollowsun.com/HS2/products/gui_shell/
 
where all that has been done for you.

Good point...
 
FWIW, It's really not hard to create a simple script for ADSR control.
That can be done (even by someone completely new to Kontakt/scripting) in just a few minutes (referencing the manual).