Some how my post went to the wrong forum. Here is it.
I would like to be able to listen to MIDI files and have them sound like something. I use the Turandot notation program to create string quartet scores from scanned parts. Turandot allows me to play back the music, via MIDI, which is useful for proof reading and enjoyment. However, with few exceptions all of the instruments sound very much like an accordian, or cheap electric organ.
Is there a cheap way I can update my very basic setup to do this? I currently have a cheap sound card with FM-Synthesis MIDI. What do I need to do?
Thanks in advance for any help for this MIDI neophyte.
A very very very basic MIDI question.
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- KVRAF
- 6740 posts since 25 Mar, 2002 from sheffield, england
You need a Sampler or Rompler.
Probably the cheapest & easiest way would be to fit a Soundblaster Live card: This will allow you to work in the same way you do now (triggering sounds from the card) but instead of simple FM synth bloops you will be playing a "Soundfont" which is a collection of multisamples arranged into banks of patches.
The Live card ships with an 8mg GM soundfont made by Emu (a big name in the sampling business), although you will have to load it onto the card manually as it defaults to a smaller one.. this will already give you a much better string ensemble sound than the FM synth on your current card. You may find the violins, violas, cellos etc a bit dissapointing still, but you can load multiple soundfonts onto the card if you have enough system RAM, and the net is full of free sf2s..
I can't think of another low budget solution, but Gigastudio + an Orchestral String library of some sort would probably be the best quality if you have the funds..
Probably the cheapest & easiest way would be to fit a Soundblaster Live card: This will allow you to work in the same way you do now (triggering sounds from the card) but instead of simple FM synth bloops you will be playing a "Soundfont" which is a collection of multisamples arranged into banks of patches.
The Live card ships with an 8mg GM soundfont made by Emu (a big name in the sampling business), although you will have to load it onto the card manually as it defaults to a smaller one.. this will already give you a much better string ensemble sound than the FM synth on your current card. You may find the violins, violas, cellos etc a bit dissapointing still, but you can load multiple soundfonts onto the card if you have enough system RAM, and the net is full of free sf2s..
I can't think of another low budget solution, but Gigastudio + an Orchestral String library of some sort would probably be the best quality if you have the funds..