Hey, folks!
 
I do a lot of sound work for my church, and it looks like it'd smart for us to invest in some better synths than what Logic comes with.
 
Does anyone have any good recommendations on some sort of "all in one" synths and sound libraries for instruments like bass, piano, e. piano, and strings, plus some orchestral woodwinds and percussions and stuff? We're not looking to compose whole symphonies, but I would like to look at something that sounds reasonably realistic and gives a lot of function for the money. We mostly do stuff with vocal solos/duets and choirs. 
 
We do NOT have a specific budget, but everything else we're able to afford (monitor stands, a new table, MIDI controller) will be directly dependent on how much we decide to spend on AU instruments. I've used Kontakt before and LOVED it, but I think it and the good libraries will end up coming in at a bit too much to be able to continue to fund the other components we need.
 
Thanks!

Garritan GPO 5 or the new Kirk Hunter Virtuoso Ensembles. Maybe even Sampletank 3. Maybe. Even.

Omnisphere.

I would start with AIR Xpand!2 for a buck, just $1, and go from there.
https://www.audiodeluxe.com/products/virtual-instruments/air-xpand2
 
It's a 4-part multitimbral all-in-one workstation, use layered, or split to 4 separate MIDI channels. Compatible with AU and VST.
http://www.airmusictech.com/product/xpand2
 
2500+ total presets and parts in the following categories:

• Soft Pads
• Bright Pads
• Huge Pads
• Action Pads
• Ambience and FX
• Polysynths
• Synth Brass
• Percussive
• Simple Arpeggios
• Multitrack Arpeggios
• Soft Leads
• Hard Leads
• Acoustic Piano
• E-Pianos and Clavinet
• Organs
• Strings
• Vocals
• Brass and Woodwinds
• Mallets
• Bells
• Guitars
• Ethnic
• Hits
• Synth Basses
• Basses
• Drums
• Percussion
• Loops
• Multitimbral

 
 
 
 

Yep, that must be the best generalist buck bang.

WOW! Xpand2 is AMAZING! Kontakt is definitely the very best in its field, but at the cost of Xpand2, and for how it sounds / what it can do, it's certainly where I'm putting my money.
Thanks for the recom, abacab!
 
And thank you other guys for checking out the thread. What a deal!
 
I'll definitely be adding a couple more sound libraries - namely, piano (as the provided piano sounds aren't *quite* as good as what I'm looking for). So cool, I'm mega-excited! Buying two licenses as we speak 

davdud101
WOW! Xpand2 is AMAZING! Kontakt is definitely the very best in its field, but at the cost of Xpand2, and for how it sounds / what it can do, it's certainly where I'm putting my money.
Thanks for the recom, abacab!
 
And thank you other guys for checking out the thread. What a deal!
 
I'll definitely be adding a couple more sound libraries - namely, piano (as the provided piano sounds aren't *quite* as good as what I'm looking for). So cool, I'm mega-excited! Buying two licenses as we speak 

And then you can get the AIR Complete for $62.99 at JRR and have EVERYTHING!
Use code GROUP at Checkout...
https://www.jrrshop.com/a...-pack-complete-upgrade

cclarry
 
And then you can get the AIR Complete for $62.99 at JRR and have EVERYTHING!
Use code GROUP at Checkout...
https://www.jrrshop.com/a...-pack-complete-upgrade

Great idea larry, I'll look into that. Just emailed the person handling budget to see if this'll get a approved... but in the meantime, might as well look at picking up my own expansion pack as well 

You can also get the free Kontakt 5 Player here: https://www.native-instruments.com/en/products/komplete/samplers/kontakt-5-player/
 
There is a free sound library with 650 MB of premium sounds and 50 instruments for the free Kontakt 5 Player: https://www.native-instruments.com/en/products/komplete/samplers/kontakt-5-player/kontakt-factory-selection/
 
If you do find that you need to broaden your sound library, there are also some good NI instruments, and some 3rd party instruments that you can buy, that are compatible with the Kontakt 5 player version.  So you don't necessarily have to upgrade to the full Kontakt version.

cclarry
 
And then you can get the AIR Complete for $62.99 at JRR and have EVERYTHING!
Use code GROUP at Checkout...
https://www.jrrshop.com/a...-pack-complete-upgrade

Actually Larry, does this pack also come with an ADDITIONAL license for Xpand? Haha, I should've noticed that before I bought the one-dollar licenses... save me two bucks, eh?
 
 

abacab
You can also get the free Kontakt 5 Player here: https://www.native-instruments.com/en/products/komplete/samplers/kontakt-5-player/

I've always wondered about Kontakt player - does it also work with all standard Kontakt soundsets like the full version does? What are the limitations - given that the one of them is free?