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SoundFonts
by Geetesh Bajaj
What Is A SoundFont?
Can I use SoundFonts?
SoundFont Formats
How To Use SoundFonts
Create Your Own SoundFonts
Learn More
Commercial SoundFonts
Free SoundFonts
Newsgroups
What Is A SoundFont?
The first obvious question is what is a SoundFont? The easiest
answer is that it's like a typestyle - but it defines sounds rather
than shapes. I know that's not the answer you want to hear. So
let's start our exploration into the magical world of SoundFonts.
You all have heard MIDI files - and they can sound anything from
bearable to ethereal depending on your sound card or speaker setup.
WAV files are more predictable - they run more or less the same
in a given sound setup. There's a reason behind all this - WAV
files contain actual digital recordings whereas MIDI files are
basically music notations, which your sound card interprets and
plays. Not all sound cards are created equal - and that's why MIDI
files sound so spectacular on some machines, rather than other
less privileged ones.
All the notes are interpreted using a table of recorded sounds
sampled in a special area of your sound card. There was a time
when you could not change these sampled sounds. SoundFont is a
technology which enables you to change these samples, giving more
control to software, rather than hardware.
You could create your own SoundFont, you could download or buy
from the Internet or purchase SoundFont CD collections. Creative
Labs has been a forerunner in the entire SoundFont revolution -
in fact they are the reason behind the revolution!
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Can I use SoundFonts?
To use SoundFonts, you need a sound card
capable of storing and playing SoundFonts. There's a compatibility
list available at SoundFont.com
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SoundFont Formats
SoundFonts have been available in different
formats with different sound card manufacturers coming up with
new formats which could be used only with their hardware. Fortunately,
almost all have standardized to use the SoundFont 2 standard
- sf2. Users of other formats can find converters to convert
to and from the sf2 format.
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How To Use SoundFonts
To use SoundFonts in your sound card, you
need to change the active soundfont. If you're using one
of the Creative cards, there should be an icon for a program
called AudioHQ in your Windows traybar. Click it to expand -
select the SoundFont option. This opens a dialog box with three
tabs. Select the 'Configure Bank' tab, and click the 'Load' button
to import a sf2 file into your configuration.
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Create Your Own SoundFonts
Yes, you can create your own soundfonts - see the following links:
Vienna
SoundFont Studio available as a free download from the Creative
site allows you to create your own soundfonts.
Smurf is
a soundfont editor for Linux users.
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Learn More
Soundfont.com has
all the information you need to know including compatibility and
free downloads.
SoundFont
Technical Information lists technical specifications.
Creative's
SoundBlaster site has all the Soundfont information you need.
Synth
Zone has an elaborate section on SoundFont links.
At the eMusicmag site,
you can find or post soundfonts, MIDI files, tablatures, gear reviews,
etc.
Sounds
Megastore has selections of professional sounds.
sfArk is
a great soundfont compressor.
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Commercial SoundFonts
Jayzen Sound
Design provides high-quality and original sound design
products for music and multimedia production, including soundfonts.
SoundFont
Central has an online soundfont store.
CDxtract sells
soundfonts amongst other things.
MelodyMachine has
links to free and commercial soundfonts.
SONiVOX has
sound libraries, audio software and music for your PC & Synthesizer.
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Free SoundFonts
Steinway
Grand Piano has piano soundfonts.
RealMIDI has
free soundfonts for download.
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Newsgroups
eGroups maintains
a SoundFont mailing list.
Creative has a newsgroup for music with the SoundBlaster live
series at news.creative.com
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