midi libraries & soundcards

  • Thread starter Thread starter gregfly
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gregfly

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Hi Group

I feel I should apologise ahead of time if this is a really stupid question but here goes.

Ok first of all I'm using the soundcard which is built into my gigabyte motherboard. I'm pretty sure this is a big no, no. Anyway, I'm trying to compose just a very simple piece of music as a music bed for a DVD menu I'm working on.

I'm using 1 of those sample midi libraries programs (I have a few demo samples from east west orchestra that will do just fine) but the output sounds very very computerish and nothing like how a real instrument would sound. I just wondered, if I upgrade to a superior soundcard, would the sounds sound more real?

I know I'm sticking my neck out and showing my ignorance, its just I want to be sure before I shell out on an expensive piece of hardware.

Thanks in advance
Vic
 
gregfly said:
but the output sounds very very computerish and nothing like how a real instrument would sound. I just wondered, if I upgrade to a superior soundcard, would the sounds sound more real?
Click to expand...
The soundcard which is built into your motherboard almost certainly has a set of General Midi sounds for playback of midi files. These sounds are assigned according to an agreed-upon scheme whereby program change 1 is always a 'grand' piano, and program change 128 always calls up a gunshot (I think). These sounds are handicapped by lack of memory committed to the wav samples - they're recorded at a lower than CD frequency rate or at a lower resolution or both.

The way you will get your midi files to sound better is by replacing the sounds with better General Midi sounds. This could be one way to go - it's not too expensive and is a big step up from your stock GM sound card. You'd need a midi interface for your computer --- this is one that's cheap.

Another way to go would be a SoundFont plugin like the SFZ freeware or the SFZ+ Pro which is sixty Euros - about $80. SoundFonts are individual instrument programs which you put together as needed by finding them on the web. This may be preferred because your DVD is unlikely to include both a banjo sound and an English horn sound - you can download selected sounds as you need them.
 
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