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I forgot about that one! I have that orchestral companion bundle, but it lost a home on my disk when I needed the space for SampleTank 4 Max, and a few others. If you can get it really cheap, the samples are decent (24-bit dual velocity) with 6 keyswitch selectable articulations, and it's useful in that regard. So, if you just need a horn, then sure! ? Just be aware that the plugin UI has a very basic, single instrument window for one preset at a time, with no multis (which might be an advantage regarding CPU). It needs 15GB free space for download and installing (5 GB download + 5GB for the unzip folder + 5GB for the permanent sample library). iLok license manager required for activation. The product is also apparently no longer being developed, yet still for sale. So wait for a deal! https://sonivoxmi.com/products/details/orchestral-companion-brass

If you need 16 channels in a plugin, then either NI Kontakt 6, or IK SampleTank 4 would accommodate that, provided that you can live without GM compatibility. The free Kontakt 6 Player will run many of the various instrument sample library titles published by NI in the NI store. If you still need GM. the Roland cloud has a virtual GM module ROMpler plugin, the Sound Canvas VA, that you can buy a license for.

Point taken! Don't know if classic rock is your cup of tea, but I was always amazed by the rock trios ZZ Top and Rush, and how 3 dudes with 3 instruments totally put up such a huge wall of sound!

It seems as if Waves gives away a different knob each year... probably just to suck unsuspecting victims into WUP,... ? "Come on in... the first one is free".

WUP is totally optional.

Same general idea, but they are Waves plugins. And you can use them anywhere, not just Cakewalk. Here's the whole OneKnob Series (8 plugins) bundle for $65.99, or $24.99 each. So far I have collected 5 of 8 for free... https://www.waves.com/bundles/oneknob-series#dial-in-mix-sounds-fast-oneknob-series

The full Kontakt Factory Library has a solo fiddle under "World > Strings".

Spitfire Audio BBC Symphonic Orchestra Discover edition is free if you sign up, and then wait 14 days for a license. Or pay $49, no waiting... https://www.spitfireaudio.com/shop/a-z/bbc-symphony-orchestra-discover/ It has strings, brass, woodwinds, and percussion sections. In brass there are horns, trumpets, trombones, bass trombones, & tuba.

I don't use Omnisphere, but as with any plugin that comes in both VST2 and VST3 versions, you can choose whichever version of the plugin instrument you want to insert. Then your MIDI controller input can be routed to whatever active track has your instrument (either VST2 or VST3).

A penny saved is a penny earned!

Thanks for the heads up! Got it! Easy! Starting with the OP link above, just click on "Get" at Waves to have it added to your account. Then run Waves Central to install and activate.

Maybe there is an advantage to modeled pianos...

iZotope offered me a stupid good deal back in June to crossgrade from "any paid iZotope product" to iZotope Music Production Suite 4 for $299, with a free year of Groove3 thrown into the deal! That was like $33 for each application/plugin, plus Groove3! So no subscriptions for me! I'm all set! Everything, but the kitchen sink! https://www.izotope.com/en/products/music-production-suite.html

They were a giveaway to Studio One users, via PreSonus Hub. Not bad, but I like AmpliTube better!

Has anybody tried the Ampire and Pedalboard plugins from PreSonus Hub?

How does Guitar Rig compare with IK Amplitube 5? I have not looked at Guitar Rig in a few years...

SampleTank 4 MAX has some great brass, including French Horn with articulations! However, it's neither free or cheap! ? The Kontakt Factory Selection (Player) and the full Kontakt Factory Library has a muted trumpet.

Then maybe try exploring what you have, rather than seeking more deals! ?

If your first reaction is don't, then don't. However, my first reaction was, "I gotta have this"!

You "should" be able to authorize it from IK Product Manager.

But AAS are great folks and their support is responsive! Plus they give stuff away all the time... I eventually bought the full versions of Chromaphone and Ultra Analog. No regrets! Have the Session versions of the rest.

Don't think so. MIDI out is grayed out in the Player plugin (as well as a couple of full AAS instrument versions that I have)...