bigcatt
Probably mentioned already (by me likely) but I'm lazy. SForzando is a freebie with tons of free instruments (all sfz instruments work). Great free pianos in Piano in 162 and Estate Grand LE. Karfoyfer has all kinds of great stuff for it. VPO is a whole orchestra for it. VSCO2 is a chamber orchestra for it. SSO is a classic free orchestra for it. SM drums is brilliant.

I agree that sforzando is a great freebie.  I grabbed the VPO orchestra, and it has some great solo instrument samples.  It even found my Dimension Pro sample libraries!
 
Too bad that sforzando doesn't support a multi-timbral setup like the ARIA Player in Garritan.  sforzando is light enough that you can insert multiple instances, so not a biggie, but it's still nice to have multiple parts in one plugin. 
 
sforzando relies on the same ARIA Engine that powers the ARIA Player.  If you are up to the task, there is a one click button to open the SFZ file for editing.

davdud101
 
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. 

Magix Independence might be what you are looking for.

Magix has some very reasonable pricing. 
 
I bought Kontakt Komplete Ultimate not long ago. It's full of both synths and sampled instruments. There hasn't really been a reason for me to look anywhere else. I've been steadily buying Kontakt sample libraries here and there to the point that 99% of all sound bases are covered. Aside from playing real instruments it doesn't leave much to be desired. 
I also bought several of the stand alone synths. The Korg M-1 and similar. 
My most recent surprise was buying Hybrid 3. I picked it up for 12.00. I didn't expect much. I'm really impressed with it. As it turns out AIR music technology is a direct competitor to Native Instruments in Germany. They either were or are major contributors to the synths in Pro Tools. Since then they have branched out to sales for everyone.
Their UI is very easy to grasp. I'll probably buy the rest of their synths the next time I see a sale. 

Starise
Magix has some very reasonable pricing. 
 
I bought Kontakt Komplete Ultimate not long ago. It's full of both synths and sampled instruments. There hasn't really been a reason for me to look anywhere else. I've been steadily buying Kontakt sample libraries here and there to the point that 99% of all sound bases are covered. Aside from playing real instruments it doesn't leave much to be desired. 
I also bought several of the stand alone synths. The Korg M-1 and similar. 
My most recent surprise was buying Hybrid 3. I picked it up for 12.00. I didn't expect much. I'm really impressed with it. As it turns out AIR music technology is a direct competitor to Native Instruments in Germany. They either were or are major contributors to the synths in Pro Tools. Since then they have branched out to sales for everyone.
Their UI is very easy to grasp. I'll probably buy the rest of their synths the next time I see a sale. 

It sounds like you are all set for sampled instruments.  But I agree that Hybrid 3 is a nice synth.  I got it with the AIR Instrument Expansion Pack 3 upgrade, which as far as synths go, includes that plus Loom and Vacuum Pro.  Lots of useful presets in all of them, and together they cover hybrid, additive, and subtractive synthesis.
 
That upgrade bundle is good if you own any single AIR instrument.  It had been on sale for a long time until recently for $74.99, but I just noticed it went back up to $149.99.  The best price I see now is at Audio Deluxe for $125.99 with code APR2017. 
 
The Structure sampler has 37 GB of good samples, and the Strike drummer is a fun virtual drummer, with total control of performance and mix settings.  The Velvet and DB-33 are good digital piano and B-3 organ emulations.
 
All in all it is a worthwhile package for the cost.  Hopefully the door buster sale will happen again at some point! 

Try Lethal Audio www.lethalaudio.com

I bought it on sale on a whim but very quickly and somewhat surprisingly it's replaced my nexus as VST of choice. Quality sounds and new expansions monthly to keep the library growing. Good price too.

genebel
Try Lethal Audio www.lethalaudio.com

I bought it on sale on a whim but very quickly and somewhat surprisingly it's replaced my nexus as VST of choice. Quality sounds and new expansions monthly to keep the library growing. Good price too.

Never heard of it.  And it's not suspicious at all that you're a brand new member who joined minutes ago and your only post is to sing the praises of this new VST....
 
I guess what I'm trying to say is, Welcome to the forum!

Thanks, I think?

Anyway, it is a an interesting suggestion, yet not necessarily as an all-in-one.