I have 12 stereo inputs (3 adat lightpipes) in my sequencer (Logic) from 3 sampler PC's. So the sequencer sends out the midi to these machines and gets the 24 bit digital audio back into its audio mixer.
Within these 12 stereo inputs, I have two stereo inputs for the woodwinds (flutes, clarinets, and oboes, bassoons, etc). I use a SoundStage plugin on both woodwinds inputs and position them at slightly different places in a "common" space. If you are not familiar with this plugin, it's a bit difficult to explain in a few lines. Some pictures would be handy, but I am not in my studio room.
I hope this makes a bit more sense than my previous post.
Take care,
Peter