Do I need a Sampler? or a Soft Synth?

[Joeybear]

I use Project5, and I need some advice. I'm looking for a soft synth plug-in that can give me realistic sounds in the following categories...

Guitars
Horns
Strings

I've tried the Edirol Hypercanvas demo, and while it sounds good in some areas, it's bad in others. For the most part, it sounds like a plug-in version of those "Wal Mart" keyboards they sell to the general public, if you know what I mean.

I attempted to try out the Sonik Synth 2 demo, but that experience was so bad that I won't even give them a second thought. If something as simple as
trying out a demo turns into a fiasco, I'm moving on... quickly.

I'm considering purchasing a MusicLab Guitar plug-in for guitar sounds only, but I'm still stuck on something good for strings and horns.

Would I be better off with a good sampler? Instead of a soft synth?
And if so, what sampler is a good one for strings and horns?

Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[James Argo]

String and Horns?

EDIROL ORCHESTRAL!

[Sklathill]

For anything orchestral, I'd check out Garritan Personal Orchestra or East West Quantum Leap Silver. both are just above the 200 mark and kick ass, take names, and all that.

OTOH...

Synful Orchestra is pretty frigging amazing for solo orchestral instruments. FRIGGING AMAZING. Try out the demo. It is a 400 dollar piece of work, though...but damn it sounds like it. It's totally light on system resources and fantastic sounding.

If you really want good guitars, strings, and horns and you've got money to blow, invest in GigaStudio 3, then pick and choose from the various giga libraries...Dan Dean brass libraries, SAM Horns, Hans Zimmer guitars, Garritan strings...etc.

[Joeybear]

Thanks for the input.
I decided to go with NI Kompakt, and so far it's been great. Along with the sounds, it seems to be a lot easier to use than P5's DS864.

I still have to try out my other audio software; to make sure there's no system conflicts, etc., but so far so good.

[acidrock]

You can import samples of different types into Kompakt.
Here's a few places for freebies...

http://www.worrasplace.com/

http://kontakt.daw-mac.com/

http://www.soundbank.hu/download.html#drum