vidrazor
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GM Softsynths
Can anyone suggest any GM softsynths that have better-quality sound than you can get from Cakewalk's TTS, but don't "weigh a ton" and choke your system's resources? Not that I don't like the TTS, but I'm looking for alternatives. Gotta be GM. Thanks.
post edited by vidrazor - 2009/01/23 00:07:47
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moosetex
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RE: GM Softsynths
2009/01/23 06:04:21
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Have you played with the Roland Groovesynth yet? Some people find it interesting, and others love to use it for drums. Do a search for "Roland Groovesynth" and you'll find a whole lot more comments about it on this forum.
post edited by moosetex - 2009/01/23 06:06:08
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garrigus
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RE: GM Softsynths
2009/01/23 09:58:53
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AT
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RE: GM Softsynths
2009/01/23 10:43:27
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+ 1 on groove synth. Under rated, tho I don't really consider it a gm.
YOu can also try SFZ player (free!) from Cake/RGC. I'm not really sure where it is hidden anymore. Load in any soundfont gm set and go.
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Guitarhacker
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RE: GM Softsynths
2009/01/23 10:52:06
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A+ on SFZ.... here's the link: http://www.project5.com/products/instruments/sfz_player/default.asp I still use TTS & it's GM sounds when I need to.... for "less common" instruments, but for bass & piano...it's SFZ. You can google "free soundfonts" and you'll find tons of stuff. Also visit my website for tips on setting it & TTS up. ...also more stuff on my links page...like free fonts. IMO...SFZ is way better sounding than GM. Also... Native Instruments is giving it's Kore Player away for FREE, and giving away a couple of hundred FREE samples with it... find it on their website.
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Oaf_Topik
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RE: GM Softsynths
2009/01/24 01:47:07
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I'd go with Bandstand. It's 99 bucks, and you get a massive upgrade from the TTS
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vidrazor
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RE: GM Softsynths
2009/01/27 23:03:38
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Thanks for your replies. Well, the GrooveSynth is a bit too "synthy" for what I'm looking for. The Bandstand program, while interesting, strikes me as one of those "heavy" synths I was referring to that looks like it would choke a system while in use, similar to Steinberg's Hypersonic.
The soundfont synths seem like they may be a decent compromise, although they don't automatically configure themselves to a standard midi file the way the TTS does (as long as you don't have midi I/O assign). They're also at the mercy of the library loaded. I found one called Fluid R3 that's halfway decent, haven't compared it to the TTS yet. Does anyone know of any other decent GM soundfont libraries? Thanks again for your replies.
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mgh
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RE: GM Softsynths
2009/01/28 05:05:12
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Fog
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RE: GM Softsynths
2009/01/28 08:04:17
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ORIGINAL: garrigus
I don't think there are any GM synths that sound really great, but you might want to check out NI Bandstand. It uses better samples than the TTS...
hhmm the yamaha XG / MU things don't do bad either, BUT are hardware. they should make a VST of them + any expansion cards, that'd be cool like korg did with the M1 etc. Although everyone is about using sampled based engines.. there still a place for the midi side of things.
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bitflipper
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RE: GM Softsynths
2009/01/28 11:36:33
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If you're looking for a lightweight synth, you should seriously consider going with a hardware synth. It'll cost more, but it's a virtually zero CPU load and it won't ever ask you for re-authorization, require a dongle or crash your DAW.
I use a rather pricey rack synth this way, but nowadays it isn't necessary to spend $1000-$2000 for an outboard rack synth. Check out the Roland Sonic Cell, JV-1010 or even some older Kurzweil/Roland/Yamaha units that could be obtained via eBay.
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kwgm
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RE: GM Softsynths
2009/01/28 19:26:39
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I'm impressed with the Global collection from Ultimate Sound Bank It's an older product, but nice sampling and the engine is solid (same engine as Spectrasonics Atmosphere). Direct link below. Global Collection
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Fog
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RE: GM Softsynths
2009/01/28 20:13:49
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Bit I still have my mu-10.. that thing even uses batteries, but alas not usb.. it's probably about the size of a hard drive caddy to give you some idea.. but very light.
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bitflipper
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RE: GM Softsynths
2009/01/28 21:29:51
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I'd probably still use my old (early 90's-era) Yamaha TG-33 if I still had it. It sounded pretty good, even if it only had 32-note polyphony. I paid $300 for it way back when; I wonder what they're going for on eBay now?
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Fog
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RE: GM Softsynths
2009/01/29 08:40:46
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"I bought one of these a few years ago for $36."
that was on vintage synth explorer.. I do remember seeing a few of them sy-75? or whatever keyboard.. and one place we went had a rack mount T G.. and we had one at works demo studio.. errm I do recall the front being blue.. and thats about it..
the one unit I'd like to get rack wise is an mu 100r ... a friend has one , but would never sell it.. he knows I'd buy it if he was selling it though and half the time you see them on ebay they are in japan.
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