Dear Mark, all,

First of all thanks for all the copious information you provide.


No, I use Windows for Windows apps. I use Linux for Linux apps.  I
have a couple of dedicated outboard machines running Windows for
VST's, samplers and the like. To me using Windows this way is no
different than using a hardware synth. I prefer to make music vs make
political statements.

Not sure what you mean with 'political statements', this is the Linux Audio User list so I guess it's fair enough to ask what software/solutions run on linux, anyway I do see your point.
I use Windows VSTis (I find LADSPA and LV2 very good for effects) through dssi-vst (guess it's using the Wine layer somehow).

Just out of curiosity: I see in your specific case you have the dusting windows machines, but in general using windows machines as 'hardware' is really cheaper (giving for granted that you are paying all the software licenses and the cost of the PCs) than buying, say, a hardware sampler?

In case you're not aware there is a free downloadable Kontakt Player.
Not sure if it has fixed sounds or whether you can load your own Gigs
but you might check out whether it runs under Wine. My experience with
NI apps is that they mostly work in Wine, or used to. Battery runs
really well, Guitar Rig not at all, Reaktor Session mostly.

Wavosaur (simple yet valuable freeware soundforge-like wave editor) also works well.

Kind regards,
Lorenzo.