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What is the name of the soundfont that comes with every computer?

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NOODLESOUP
Posts: 6
Active Member
Topic starter
 

When I open a MIDI file, no matter what computer, whether it's Mac or Windows, MIDI files sound the same. And as far as I can remember it's been this way for years - maybe 15 to 20 years? Even when I play Doom in Dosbox I hear the same soundfont.

So what is the name of this soundfont? You know, those typical sounds that when you hear it you go "ahh yes the sound of MIDI". (Yes I am aware MIDI doesn't actually haver a sound itself).

QMIDI tells me that on Mac utlises "QuickTime Music Synthesiser" for playing MIDI. Is this the soudnfont's name? Or is it just QuickTime's version of an older classic familiar-to-all soundfont?

Thanks!

 
Posted : 15/05/2018 12:10 am
Geoff
Posts: 1043
Noble Member
 

I don't know about Macs, but Windoze has for a long time (but not now ?) been supplied with something called Microsoft GS Wavetable Synth, and this has been set as the default midi playback device via a midi mapper. This system does use a soundfont file (sort of). The files (on my XP system) are in the Windows\System32\drivers, and the files are GM.DLS and GM.DIS. As I understand it, the sf data is based on a (now) VERY old Roland sound canvas version.

As far as WinDoze is concerned, I'd loaded the Coolsoft Virtual Midi Synth, which in effect replaces the MS system. With that, I'd downloaded a separate SF2 file (Timbres of heaven - there are others) which is nearly 400 Mb, as in about 100 times the size of the MS-GS system! Much, much better!!

Geoff

 
Posted : 15/05/2018 2:44 am
Pedro Lopez-Cabanillas
Posts: 154
Estimable Member
 

Hi,

I have a laptop with Windows 10, 64 bit, version 1803 and it has the same file "gm.dls" in four locations. It weights 3.28 MB each. On the other hand, in my mac book there is a file "gs_instruments.dls" in /System/Library/Components/CoreAudio.component/Contents/Resources that weights 1.9 Mb. Both versions have a "Copyright Roland Corporation" string inside.

Regards,
Pedro

 
Posted : 15/05/2018 12:37 pm
Sean
 Sean
Posts: 1
New Member
 

Pedro, where can I find these files on Windows?

 
Posted : 02/09/2020 7:29 am
Clemens Ladisch
Posts: 323
Reputable Member
 

Typically C:\Windows\system32\drivers\gm.dls.

 
Posted : 02/09/2020 8:07 am
Pedro Lopez-Cabanillas
Posts: 154
Estimable Member
 

Pedro, where can I find these files on Windows?

On any Windows 64 bits, the file can be found in:

C:\Windows\System32\drivers
C:\Windows\SysWOW64\drivers

There are two other copies under C:\Windows\winsxs\...

You may be interested also in this original announcement from Microsoft:

https://news.microsoft.com/1996/10/22/microsoft-licenses-sound-canvas-sounds-from-industry-leader-roland-corp/

 
Posted : 02/09/2020 2:03 pm
Geoff
Posts: 1043
Noble Member
 

Since this thread has been re-awakened, I might add that I'm now not at all sure that the file/data in the 1996 original Wavetable Synth is actually anything to do with 'soundfont', although it might well be digital data. The data stored in sf2 files nowadays may be any number of levels of greater sophistication/quality.

However, it may well be that some (perverse ?) person might actually have sampled the Roland sounds from 1996, and created a genuine sf2 souindset. Supposedly for an original retro experience, so anyone who has not experienced the playing of a midi file with those sounds can do so.

Maybe I shoule compare the data inside the .dls file with that in a .sf2 file and see if there are any hints of them being - even distantly - related?

Geoff

 
Posted : 04/09/2020 11:30 am
Eddie Lotter
Posts: 295
Reputable Member
 

Maybe I shoule compare the data inside the .dls file with that in a .sf2 file and see if there are any hints of them being - even distantly - related?
Geoff

I would say it's more effort than it's worth. :p

 
Posted : 04/09/2020 3:07 pm
Clemens Ladisch
Posts: 323
Reputable Member
 

I'm now not at all sure that the file/data in the 1996 original Wavetable Synth is actually anything to do with 'soundfont'

The DLS and SF2 file formats are different but equivalent. It is technically (if not legally) possible to convert the gm.dls file into an SF2 file.

 
Posted : 05/09/2020 12:12 am
Pedro Lopez-Cabanillas
Posts: 154
Estimable Member
 

The DLS and SF2 file formats are different but equivalent. It is technically (if not legally) possible to convert the gm.dls file into an SF2 file.

AWave Studio imports and exports DLS and SF2 files .

 
Posted : 06/09/2020 6:55 am
Mike Kent
Posts: 86
Trusted Member
 

The QuickTime Music Synthesizer and Windows use a General MIDI and GS Format sound set licensed from Roland. The same sound set was in the Nintendo SDK for some years (I don't know if it is still there). The sound set is a subset of the sounds in the original Roland Soundcanvas and still in any Roland products that support General MIDI 2.0.

Chair of MIDI 2.0 Working Group

 
Posted : 06/09/2020 3:45 pm
Eddie Lotter
Posts: 295
Reputable Member
 

As far as I know, in the new Windows 10 such a feature is missing.

Windows 10 still has a built-in software synthesizer. It has not been removed.

 
Posted : 25/09/2020 8:35 am
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