SoundFonts/DownLoadable Sounds (DLS)

[Richard Strayer]

After having suffered through years of listening to MIDI files playing on the stock MIDI instruments I've just become dimly aware of SoundFonts and DownLoadable Sounds (DLS). I know that my sound card supports the latter, but not sure about the former. Can anyone direct me to sources of additional information, and/or somewhere that I might download bagpipe soundfont or DLS files?

Or, if you have a better suggestion regarding how to enjoy bagpipe MIDIs using more authentic samples? Thanks!

[Richard Strayer]

Just thought I'd bump this to the top, since I never received a reply - I'll only do this once.

Maybe I should open up the question a little more as well, to see if anyone has a better idea for what I'm trying to do.

The reason I'm asking about SoundFonts is that I've got a collection of BWW files of our band's official settings, which I've exported in various formats (including MIDI) and posted to our band's web site. These are set to play at the approximate tempo that the band normally plays them, and are intended to be used as a rehearsal tool for the band members to play along with on their practice chanters.

What I'd like to do is take the MIDI files and burn them to an audio CD (I'm using a sound program that allows me to capture the MIDI playback and save it in WAV format, which I can then use to create a standard audio CD). This will give the band more flexibility in how/where/when they can play back the tunes (since they won't have to be sitting in front of a computer). However, I'd like to improve the quality of the audio, so that it doesn't sound computer generated. I understand that SoundFonts and DLS allow MIDI files to use actual samples, so that the playback sounds more realistic.

If anyone has another suggestion on how I can improve the quality of the MIDI (or BWW) playback, I'd appreciate it. Thanks.

[Scot Kortegaard]

I know this sounds too simple but, why not just record yourself playing the band set. Perhaps using a set of shuttles or something similar.

Sorry, can't help with the SoundFonts thing.

Cheers,
Scot.

[Richard Strayer]

Wish I could, however I've only been playing for 2 years, don't know all the band tunes yet, and even the ones I do know I wouldn't want to record myself as the example for everyone to follow. Maybe some day.

[DNP Bill87]

You actually have two problems to tackle. One is making the MIDI files sound "better" using what is known as "sampled sound". The other is recording the playback into a CD-ready file.

There is a free program called MIDINight Express by polyhedric software (www.polyhedric.com (http://www.polyhedric.com)) that will play back MIDI files using sampled sounds (no SoundFonts, etc required). Also, you can optionally "record" the playback to a WAV file which can then be burned to a CD.

The program comes with some basic sampled sound sets. You may also create your own by recording the various notes on a pipe chanter, as well as the drones.

Creating sampled sound sets isn't that difficult but does require a bit of know-how (polyhedric's non-free software really helps).

Hope this helps!

Bill