Only have experience with the Vienna ensemble pro vst plugin in combination with the Synchron sample player which is not multi-timbral.
With this I then get 16 midi channels on midi port 1.
On the Vienna ensemble pro server (VEP) I use, the Kontakt sample player can be connected to any of the 8 midi ports : multi-timbal..haven't done it yet
( haven't figured it out yet )
Now I have a Kontakt instance set up for each instrument and that takes processor load.
I am in the same situation as you yet to get it clear how the setup should be done to get Kontakt sample player multi -timbal in Vienna ensemble pro-vst + the 7 Event plugins working.
Can't answer your question unfortunately yet.