Windows 7 Polyphony OR: Simple GM Module

[Bogwhiskers]

Windows 7 Software Synth OR: Simple GM Module?

I've had two laptops, both with Windows XP. I've also had two desktops, one with Vista, one with Windows 7. I've noticed something strange and annoying about midis on these computers: On the XP laptops, I've only once ran out of notes (I had a whole orchestra going on, plus a ton of really low taiko drums to simulate marching). But in the Vista and Win7 desktops, I seem to run out of notes anywhere from having 4-8 channels. So... would this be a problem with newer versions of Windows having crummy midi drivers (does midi even use drivers?) Or is it a problem with the onboard sound on the desktops' motherboards?

So I've done a bit of research, but I can't really find anything conclusive. But I figure, either there's something I can download to "unlock" more polyphony for these computers, or else I should look into getting a midi module.

In the case of a module being the only option, I don't really want something too fancy. I only really need the basic GM set of sounds—it's what I'm comfortable with while composing (I tweak the songs in Reason later, but I write them in Music MasterWorks). So for just the basics, but with lots of polyphony, what would be recommended?

 

[altitude909]

its a function of whatever software synth is being used, not the OS. Windows has an onboard software midi synth which is selected by default so just replace that with something more capable. It's really only there for legacy support (i.e. playing midi files on websites), it is not designed for composing. Polyphony on a computer is usually limited only to your processing power.

 

[Bogwhiskers]

Ooh... thank you.

So where can I find a Windows 7 compatible software synth that will play the amount of notes I need?

I'm still not sure why it's acting so strange. Both computers are using the same version of GM.DLS, same version of the same software... If anything, the Windows 7 computer should be able to play more notes, since it has more processing power than my laptop. Besides the OS, the only difference between the computers is the laptop is dual core 32-bit and the desktop is quad 64-bit.

I don't think it's that Music MasterWorks isn't compatible enough?Winamp has the same issues with dropping notes. I have Cakewalk Home Studio 2004, too, but that one won't even let me choose the Microsoft Synth as a midi output...

 

[c7sus]

Use the "bounce to tracks" function on the parts you are satisfied with to free up processor power for using the soft synths to add more parts.

You can always re-bounce them later as long as you save your finished MIDI clips if you decide you want different instrumentation on those clips.

 

[Bogwhiskers]

I would if I could! MMW is ... pretty bare-bones in terms of things like that, though. I like it for its piano roll view—I can't stand other programs' piano roll views... I've got two MT-32s that I'd like to use, but the overflow mode is terrible and I can't use more than one device at a time in MMW, so I can't split the tracks between the two... MMW's other problem is I can't load VSTs or soundfonts. So (I'm guessing, having never installed another soft synth before) the only options I have are whatever is installed in such a way that Windows itself will recognize it, or something plugged into a USB slot.

I've found something of a breakthrough: Quicktime's soft synth plays my midis perfectly... almost. The drums sound a bit off, though. But I can deal with that. What I need to do is figure out how to get Quicktime's synth to be recognized by MMW/Windows. Gonna try seeing where the driver is located and moving that around until something happens!


Edit:

Managed to replace GM.dls with a Final Fantasy 8 dls file (naming it GM.dls to trick any programs that use it.) Going by the results, neither Winamp nor MusicMasterworks are using GM.dls in the first place! When I set Quicktime to use General Midi, I get the same result: not using GM.dls either. So I'm guessing these programs are using the motherboard's synth? Hmm.

 

[c7sus]

Download Reaper and give it a try. You should be able to import your MIDI files into Reaper and Reaper should be able to play nicely with Reason too. MMW may work for you for composing but it seems the feature set is pretty limited for anything else.

 

[altitude909]

here is your problem, this talks about soundfonts but same thing applied to replacing the default player with anything:

"Playback of SoundFont enabled MIDI files using standard media players (such as Windows Media Player) requires the operating system to offer the ability to change the "Default MIDI Device" to a SoundFont compatible MIDI Synthesizer. This "Default MIDI Device" switching option was removed from Windows Vista, though the registry information for the "Default Midi Device" can still be modified to select SoundFont compatibiliy synthesizers, or making use of a tool called Vista Midi Picker[2] created by Joseph Cox. However, currently Vista Midi Picker is not supported on Windows 7. Windows 7 users can use Vista MIDI Tool by Ben Ryves to successfully change the MIDI output device because it runs as an independent executable instead of being a Control Panel applet.

Several tools have been created to allow playback of MIDI files using SoundFonts on any version of Windows. They are, however, independent applications and so do not integrate with Windows Media Player or Windows itself in any way. Using SoundFonts for music creation is also fully supported under Windows Vista and Windows 7 in some of the more popular Digital Audio Workstation software programs such as PreSonus Studio One, FL Studio, Cakewalk Sonar, Steinberg Cubase and Synthfont. Studio One also supports the use of SoundFonts on MacOS X via its Presence virtual instrument."


I agree with c7sus though. Give reaper a whirl and dump MMW, it sounds like you the time you have wasted screwing around trying to shoehorn capabilities into it that are not there could have been better spent elsewhere. It will definitely have the capabilities of MMW at the least and will also serve as a host for reason so you dont have to use to separate programs.

 

[Pierceful]

Those wanting to use the original Roland synth set without any polyphonic limitations beyond your processing power:

Google these 3
- CoolSoft VirtualMIDISynth: this virtual output device is to easily use a .sf2 file, like the original Roland synth that Microsoft uses.
- vanBasco: MIDI player which allows you to change MIDI Output Devices, a feature removed from Vista and W7
- Any .sf2 synth-set you want, including the original Roland set which is clearer and less limited than Microsoft GS Wavetable synth.

Apply the .sf2 to CoolSoft VirtualMIDISynth; open vanBasco and click on "?" for the setup, then select "CoolSoft VirtualMIDISynth" as "Output Device"; restart vanBasco. BAM. Unlimited polyphonic count, even better than XP if using the Roland synths.