Kristal all the way mate, solid as a tank, efficient, so simple to use it make think your note doing something you should, (no wait, there is something you
should do.....midi....kristal 2 covers that though so yeah kristal,

Its free too, get aload of free vst plugins (fx) and your sorted,

I advise Vexengo, and the Simulanalog ranges for guitar sims,
and the classic range for compression,verb, ect..

Glaceverb is good too!

Theres basically loads of free plugins to use, some of them extremely good,
i use some of the free ones above the ones cubase and other pay-for products,

Thrust me i know, my diet over the last month wouldnt feed a 9 year old,

So i am a starving musician.......lol..

Best of luck matey