Soundfonts vs GigaStudio/samples

[DingBat]

Hi All,

I have a setup that I use for backing tracks for guitar - this is purely for jamming/practice. I use midi files from the web of songs that I wish to play, and run them through my SBLive using soundfonts. Since I have been doing this, I have not looked at any other packages out there, but after browsing this forum it seems that things have changed

What I would like to know is how do soundfonts compare to apps like GigaStudio (using Gig files)?

What I am trying to achieve basically is an all-software based setup using either soundfonts/samples to reproduce the instruments in midi files to be able to create a nice (realistic?) sounding backing track.

Any suggestions would be great.

Cheers,
D

[James Argo]

Compared to soundfonts, quality of Giga Sampler is GREAT!!! I worked many years with soundfonts (SBLive!), Giga Sampler, and other sampler (VSampler, Sampletank, DR-008). I found myself using soundfonts alot because there's alot of free (or cheap) available across net. But Giga's samples are expensive, and Giga is system hog! It will tax your disk & CPU alot. IMHO, if you don't feel to spend a grand for MIDI work, then Giga is not for you. Don't get me wrong, but you need new soundcard that support GSIF (which SBLive! doesn't support), Giga application, and separate sample CDs. Then you'll need extra PC as Giga machine. You need different machine to host it, because usualy you'll get problem running Giga and your sequencer/recorder at the same time.

Just my 2 cents...


Jaymz