Best Softsynth Solution

[endre1952]

Which is the best softsynth solution for GM games composed on the SC-55? I've tried Windows GS and Virtual Sound Canvas. Is there a way to get reverb in DOSBox while using the built-in Windows GS support?

[Hopeapaa]

For my preferences the Virtual Sound Canvas sound a bit thin. I use Yamaha S-YXG50, which is more close to Yamaha cards, but as software solution sounds fat and strong enough.

If you put that as the default windows midi device, it's easy to use with DosBOX etc.

[Alistair]

For some reason WinAmp (and probably others) can use Windows GS Synth with reverb and chorus, which sounds really good, almost identical to a SC-55. I have never figured out how to use that outside of WinAmp though. If possible, that would be a perfect GM setup. Otherwise, the GS Synth sounds very dry and boring IMO.

- Alistair

[jharris01]

I have not checked in a long time, but you could try searching for this at the scummvm and vogons forums (eg, http://bit.ly/dD9b0e). See what sound fonts people are recommending. IIRC there was a guy here who recommended an expensive Sound Blaster card that included a sound font in its software package.

[Ari]

Anyone here heard of the BassMIDI Software Synth? There's an extensive discussion on VOGONS regarding the synth, and it sounds promising, as it is able to load a variety of sound fonts, seems to have very low latency and generally seems like a good piece of software.

Have a look here: http://vogons.zetafleet.com/viewtopic.php?t=27975

I'm downloading it at this very moment.

[RichNagel]

Hehe, funny you should mention the BASSMIDI Driver <grin>.

In response to this very message thread, I registered here in the Quest Studio forums, and posted this message a few days ago here -> http://queststudios.com/smf/index.php/topic,3329.0.html

P.S. Version 2.0 of the BASSMIDI Driver (the current release version) suffers from a wee bit of latency, but all of the older versions (1.00-1.06) do not. Discussion with MudLord (one of the co-authors of the BASSMIDI Driver) about it here -> http://www.vgmusic.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=13967&start=90 (scroll to the bottom of that page for the initial discussion about the latency).

[jharris01]

Have not heard about it until now. Thanks for the heads up.

[Ari]

Hehe, funny you should mention the BASSMIDI Driver <grin>.

In response to this very message thread, I registered here in the Quest Studio forums, and posted this message a few days ago here -> http://queststudios.com/smf/index.php/topic,3329.0.html

P.S. Version 2.0 of the BASSMIDI Driver (the current release version) suffers from a wee bit of latency, but all of the older versions (1.00-1.06) do not. Discussion with MudLord (one of the co-authors of the BASSMIDI Driver) about it here -> http://www.vgmusic.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=13967&start=90 (scroll to the bottom of that page for the initial discussion about the latency).

Heh... must have missed it. Thanks! I'm gonna try the GM SF in your post now.

[RichNagel]

Heh... must have missed it. Thanks!

Yer welcome!

I'm gonna try the GM SF in your post now.

I think you'll like it... since I released it back in March of last year, I've had rave "reviews" about it -> http://www.simpilot.net/~richnagel/#comments

BTW, on my BASSMIDI Driver installation help page here -> http://www.cmoo.com/snor/weeds/SoundFonts/XMPlay/BASSMIDI_Driver_Installation_and_Configuration.htm , I've also mentioned a few other freeware GM-compatible SoundFonts... although, I'm quite partial to my own WeedsGM3 <grin>


P.S. Everything on my web site here -> http://www.simpilot.net/~richnagel/#mp3 was recorded from my custom WeedsGM3 SoundFont (and a red "*" denotes some of my own stuff, which can also be heard in the little Shockwave Flash MP3 player thing-a-ma-jig at the top of the page)