e_zedeck
asked on
MIDI Player with SF2 (sound fonts) support under Windows
Hi everyone,
I'm a music crazy man, and I create a lot of musics using my Keyboard, and save them on diskettes to play on PCs. The problem is that, it sounds quite bad under Windows, but it's almost OK under my Linux box (Fedora Core 2) using timidity, which support sf2.
I've heard of Cakewalk and Cubase products, that are able to take care of those sf2 sound fonts, but they are a way too big for just playing MIDI files on a PC. I mean, they are supposed to be in Professionnal domains, where studios create their own musics; but what I want is, a smooth, fast, light MIDI player, with an excellent sf2 supports.
Curiosity: is there a timidity under Windows ?
e_zedeck
I'm a music crazy man, and I create a lot of musics using my Keyboard, and save them on diskettes to play on PCs. The problem is that, it sounds quite bad under Windows, but it's almost OK under my Linux box (Fedora Core 2) using timidity, which support sf2.
I've heard of Cakewalk and Cubase products, that are able to take care of those sf2 sound fonts, but they are a way too big for just playing MIDI files on a PC. I mean, they are supposed to be in Professionnal domains, where studios create their own musics; but what I want is, a smooth, fast, light MIDI player, with an excellent sf2 supports.
Curiosity: is there a timidity under Windows ?
e_zedeck
The sound font notion was created by Creative Labs. If you have a Soundblaster card, the player can be downloaded for free from the site (or upgraded because is always delivered with the sound card). If you have another card, there must be a soundfont loader for it.
ASKER
I know that it's from Creative, but my sound card is not from Creative, it's from VIA (via8235).
What you mean by the soundfont loader for other sound card ? I don't know that ?! could you explain more in details ? plz ? and where can I get them.
What you mean by the soundfont loader for other sound card ? I don't know that ?! could you explain more in details ? plz ? and where can I get them.
The sound font is a file that can be loaded into Sound card's memory. That mean, every sound card which support sound fonts, must have the program for that, usualy from the manufacturer. Read here something about sound fonts:
http://www.fetherbay.com/custom-scripts/MidiHelp.html
http://www.fetherbay.com/custom-scripts/MidiHelp.html
I recommend purchasing a Sound Blaster Live 5.1 Card, or a Sound Blaster Audigy 1 card. They both have extensive soundfont support for windows and multiple sequencers such as Cakewalk, Cubase, etc.. Those are the lower end (cheaper) cards that are still available. They both come with not only a soundfont editor (Vienna) but also banks that run off of your SYSTEM memory to load larger soundfonts. There are also many free soundfont collections available online. www.hammersound.net is a great resource for soundfonts. I am a producer and began making music with soundfonts and still use them on occasion. I hope this helps.
G'luck!
TBoog
G'luck!
TBoog
Hi e_zedeck :-),
Since we haven't heard from you for a couple of days could you please give us an update on the status of this question?
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Offtopic comments about this script to https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/21188389/Unanswered-question-list-and-ping-feedback-and-bugs.html please :-).
Since we haven't heard from you for a couple of days could you please give us an update on the status of this question?
See: https://www.experts-exchange.com/help.jsp#hi51 Thank you, turn123's friendly update request script.
Offtopic comments about this script to https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/21188389/Unanswered-question-list-and-ping-feedback-and-bugs.html please :-).
ASKER
Hi Guys,
I've been sick during around 2-3days, it was my back's articulation problem. That is the reason why I was unable to respond to anyting, because I had to relax totaly.
I have checked the web for my VIA Sound Font loader, but didn't come with good result. Does VIA made one (universal) for their different sound cards ?
I think (or I'm even sure), that sound font can be loaded by a program (under Linux, it's timidity), and can be converted to wav, and then played back to any system that have sound. Because, even if I use a soundfont loader, it will only sound great on my PC, but if the music is played on another PC, the worse would happen.
So, there is no point on using a sound font loader anyways. But thanks for you're advice on it.
Isn't there a MIDI player, that loads the sf2 files in it's memory, and then receive the midi events and playes the notes thru the loaded sound fonts, not the sound card directly? There is a collection of sf2 files on sale, but I don't want to buy it, unless I have a proper player for it; as it doesn't come with such MIDI Player.
Purchassing a new Sound card from Creative is not yet my goal, as I've just spend my economy for a DVD-Writer. SO, I don't think I can have enough money for that. I'm not a rich man!
e_zedeck.
I've been sick during around 2-3days, it was my back's articulation problem. That is the reason why I was unable to respond to anyting, because I had to relax totaly.
I have checked the web for my VIA Sound Font loader, but didn't come with good result. Does VIA made one (universal) for their different sound cards ?
I think (or I'm even sure), that sound font can be loaded by a program (under Linux, it's timidity), and can be converted to wav, and then played back to any system that have sound. Because, even if I use a soundfont loader, it will only sound great on my PC, but if the music is played on another PC, the worse would happen.
So, there is no point on using a sound font loader anyways. But thanks for you're advice on it.
Isn't there a MIDI player, that loads the sf2 files in it's memory, and then receive the midi events and playes the notes thru the loaded sound fonts, not the sound card directly? There is a collection of sf2 files on sale, but I don't want to buy it, unless I have a proper player for it; as it doesn't come with such MIDI Player.
Purchassing a new Sound card from Creative is not yet my goal, as I've just spend my economy for a DVD-Writer. SO, I don't think I can have enough money for that. I'm not a rich man!
e_zedeck.
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
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Hi e_zedeck :-),
Since we haven't heard from you for a couple of days could you please give us an update on the status of this question?
See: https://www.experts-exchange.com/help.jsp#hi51 Thank you, turn123's friendly update request script.
Offtopic comments about this script to https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/21188389/Unanswered-question-list-and-ping-feedback-and-bugs.html please :-).
Since we haven't heard from you for a couple of days could you please give us an update on the status of this question?
See: https://www.experts-exchange.com/help.jsp#hi51 Thank you, turn123's friendly update request script.
Offtopic comments about this script to https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/21188389/Unanswered-question-list-and-ping-feedback-and-bugs.html please :-).