No Soundblaster = No Soundfonts?

[88fingers]

I hope this isn't a terribly stupid question, but I'm still learning midi little-by-little. I have a Delta1010 and don't have a soundblaster on my computer, so can I still use Soundfonts since they're made to use with Soundblasters?

 

[TimOBrien]

Yes you can. Go to www.rgcaudio.com and download their free "sfz" soundfont VSTi. Read the instructions and install it, then load up your soundfont in it.

That is, if your sequencer can use VST plug-ins.

Another good one (but not free) is Bismark "BS-16". I use both of them and they work great (and your sound will be better than using an SBLive...) Oh, and you can use much LARGER soundfonts because you don't have the ram limitations of the SBLive, too.

 

[Kiauma]

Awesome link! I have a Audigy 2 (and a Delta 44) and I really like some of the soundfonts on it. Some are trash, but some are pretty good, like the slap base and the fret sound, amoung others.

I figure if I need something for system sounds anyway, why not buy something I could always use in a pinch for MIDI? The Audigy cards are pretty inexpensive but do give a lot, IMO.

 

[TimOBrien]

Mainly 'cause you'll get better sound and have less problems with a card that wasn't primarly designed to be a gamer card like everything made by Creative....



Your choice, but after I started using sfz and BS-16, I took out the SBLive I was keeping in my DAW for soundfonts and pitched it to my kid's game PC. Never looked back...

 

[Kiauma]

Thanks for the advice Tim, but I didn't mean I intend to only use my SB, or that I don't use any other sound card. I was just saying I do enjoy what I get out of it.