Yes, the answers to the questions above would really help us to help you.

This question involves hitting an ever-moving target. As recently as around ten years ago, I posted here requesting the best hardware synth, and I bought it. Now I've moved to software sounds.

I make composer's demos, so my interest is reasonable quality sounds without a lot of effort to produce them. If I create something with serious production intended for release, I'm more willing to spend a lot of time to get just the right sound and make all the tweaks in Kontact etc.

Another consideration is that many musicians find more fault with a synthesized sound of an instrument they play. I play brass and woodwinds, so I'm harder to please with those sounds than I am with a string library. You could be the reverse, so take recommendations from whence they come. But right away you have great advice from Mario, who has helped me a lot, and Dan, another of the most knowledgeable members of this forum. Tell us more about your music. And welcome to the forum.

BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.