Soundfont relevancy - not a trick question!

[PaulG]

OK...just starting to "ramp up" my PC-based audio production after 20 years of being both a musician and computer specialist (I mean "geek"). Here's a lambast-qualified pre-newbie question -

Are SoundFonts actually of pro-level quality? I'm still putting together my system, which for me not only includes hardware and Tracktion, but vsti's and samples, as well...

Aren't SoundFonts based on Creative Labs technology? Which, as I must say, gets pretty "lambasted" itself in this forum?

Notably, though, and the reasoning for this post, is my lack of finding good bass guitar samples and some have posted that they have good SoundFonts of them.

To those of you that do "pro" (or at least "above-consumer-level) work, are SoundFonts worth looking into? It is a proprietary technologe that won't be around long? Are they compatible with vsti's, etc? Is the quality good enough to use on an album, or at least a really good demo?

Thanks, and next round is on me for the stupid neewbie question that was probably answered elsewhere but due to the second hurricane coming overhead, i-net's been limited...

Take care, all.

- Paul

[SuitcaseOfLizards]

You should probably have asked this in the Instruments forum, but since it's here I'll go ahead and answer...

The Soundfont2 format is a pretty decent format. There really isn't anything inherent in the format that makes it "non pro", most of that problem is in the Creative soundcard itself (lol). There are a lot of "ok" soundfonts out there, the issue is finding good ones.. and the best soundfonts I have are purchased ones, I could never find a freebie that was high quality enough for me.

If you look at rgc:audio sfz or sfz+ as a player, and get a commercial soundfont, it sounds just as good as any other soft sampler I've tried. Granted you can't manipulate the sound like you could with a full-on sampler like Kontakt or HALion, but it's plenty fine as a fancy ROMpler.

I have guitar and bass soundfonts from Sonic Implants, they sound fine, especially when I route 'em through my external amp sim (Behringer V-Amp, admittedly not the best but worlds better than even the best software amp sim, in my opinion). The're multisampled and velocity layered so you can fake some playing techniques, but not all of course.

I'm sure someone else will come along and add their opinion.

[NAD]

You don't have to be so apologetic! Jeez…. It's a legitimate question. And even if it wasn't, it's not like you shot someone…. In short: Yes, the SoundFonts are still relevant. You'll probably have to do a lot of weeding to remain with the quality ones so you better have highs speed internet. There are many dedicated SoundFont player VST's, the most popular of which probably being the free SFZ. Or you might opt for the more versatile, (but less free), SFZ+. I think most of the major VST samplers have native SoundFont support or they can at least import them. I know Kontakt does. You might wanna check out this thread: http://www.kvr-vst.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=28724. All in all, the SoundFont remains fairly popular as you can see by this poll. I hope answered some of your questions.

[NAD]

I'm sure someone else will come along and add their opinion.

Damnit! I was typing really fast....

[Shazbot]

There are some terrific soundfonts out there, even some free ones. I recommend Sonic Implants (not free, but very reasonable and generally sound excellent).