Soft Synth Suggestions for MC6

I'm fast learning that MC6 has provided a nice set of sounds to get you started, but when the time comes to find that exact bass, string or woodwind sound in my head, I can't find it with the stock sounds provided in MC6.  Can you guys make some suggestions for soft synth sounds to add onto MC6?  I'm big on strings, orchestra, bass and piano. 
 
Also, as I don't play guitar, I would like to add some strummed and picked guitar to the mix.  Any thoughts on this product: AAS Strum Acoustic Session Download?
 
Thanks!

once you decide that the cake default synths are .....lacking that elusive sound you are looking...... the next step up requires a significant outlay of cash. 

One of the better all round packages is from Native Instruments   http://www.native-instruments.com/#/en/  Komplete 8 or at the very least the Kontakt 5 synth . It has a pretty good orchestral sample set with strings, brass, woodwinds, and more. 

If you check on the NI site... they will GIVE AWAY some fully functional synths from time to time. The latest one is SKANNER.... just look in the products and see what they have for free right now.  I picked up KORE2 for free a few years back..... I also bought the Komplete collection as well. 

Money is the only barrier to the good sounds. Do a google search for the instruments you seek.... and on the NATIVE INSTRUMENTS site.... you will find they have a huge selection of really nice sounding synths and samples for everything. 

Another good one is http://www.soundsonline.com/  the East West stuff is awesome!

As far as guitar: the synths from Real guitar and Real Strat (google them) are pretty decent. There are also a ton of guitar players here and if you record the basic track and contact a few via PM here or post for collabs in the songs forum when you post what you have to that point..... you can usually get someone to jump in and lend a hand. 

Dimension LE or Pro with Garritan Pocket/Personal Orchestra sound pretty good to me.

But can you also use it to create picked strings too?

If you play single notes it just does a plucked string, but if you play a three note chord it seems to expand it to five or six on the 'guitar.'  The GUI shows the shape that it has determined to use.
 
You can get SFZ+ in the Cakewalk store.  You 'buy' it but the price in $0.00
 
Glen
  
 

Thanks to all for the lists of freebies and for the input about finding freebies.  I will definitely check them all out.  I am back to work today after 11 days off for the holidays, so this searching will unfortunately have to wait until after work today, but it gives me something to look forward to.

Guitarhacker: I'm definitely going to the NI website to check out their freebies and other products, thanks!

RobertB: I'm running Win 7 32 bit.  Also, I will check out the sites you suggest.

GColbert: I 'purchased' SFZ+ and another free synth that Cakewalk has to offer.  Again, I haven't checked it out yet because real life is stepping in today, but I'll let you know what I think after I've had a chance to play with them.