Hello all. I've been using the Cakewalk TTS-1 GM synth for MIDI, and I was wondering if there is a better synth that's idiotproof and set up to play GM without a lot of hassle. I usually replace the MIDI with samples, but I'm under the gun with a deadline, and need something fast and easy. I'm running X3D.
 
Thanks,
 
 
Bob

Don't think so. "Fast and easy" and good sound quality don't usually go together. Perhaps use TTS1 just for the basics and replace the more prominent sounds?

One solution might be to grab the sfz+ soundfont player (Cakewalk gives it away for free now) and load up a GM soundfont. I haven't tried it and you'll need to search Google for a good soundfont, but it's worth a shot... http://www.store.cakewalk.com/b2cus/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=35-CWSZ1.40-20E
 
Scott

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Garritan does a few libraries and it's simple, it's just not GM/GS AFAIK.

My friend has a Ketron SD2 hardware unit http://www.musiciansbuy.c...ones-SD2KETRONKIT.html

that is the best GM sounding unit, hardware or software that I have heard.  He uses it for all of his MIDI tracks.

Thanks everyone. I would just bite the bullet and get a Ketron, but I don't use MIDI much anymore and can't justify the expense. I never see any used models.
 
Regards,
 
Bob

After SFZ, Studio Instruments might be a better replacement.  A bit more bother and it doesn't cover all the instruments, but drums and some keys are covered and it ought to be fairly simple to replace those GM parts w/ the superior sounds of SI.
 
@ 

if you don't want to spend money, you still can do this in sonar x3.this is how I do it. For bass use studio instrument bass, drums use studio drummer because its drum map is gm compatible. Guitar use dim pro or the new accoustic guitar sim by aas. Synth maybe zeta or rapture. The best piano in sonar is truepiano. Ep of cause the ep plugin lounge lizard. Strings would come from dim pro. drop the breverb room setting into a reverb bus and a bit of send from all instruments. Hope this would help a bit.

musichoo
if you don't want to spend money, you still can do this in sonar x3.this is how I do it. For bass use studio instrument bass, drums use studio drummer because its drum map is gm compatible. Guitar use dim pro or the new accoustic guitar sim by aas. Synth maybe zeta or rapture. The best piano in sonar is truepiano. Ep of cause the ep plugin lounge lizard. Strings would come from dim pro. drop the breverb room setting into a reverb bus and a bit of send from all instruments. Hope this would help a bit.

 
 
Thanks, but that isn't a possibility on this. I've got to throw together a bunch of songs for a gig at the end of the month. I usually do replace the MIDI tracks with samples, but I simply don't have the time. Anyone have a used SD2 they want to sell?

I think just about all "GM" synths will sound the same, It's almost like they would have to be like that so that GM songs will sound the same on any playback. One thing I have noticed is that adding good quality efxs, like reverbs, makes a big difference to the perceived quality of the sound. 
The Roland MT 32 was possibly the first GM module and sounded terrible. But there was an editor by Jeff Kofftinoff that allowed us to get inside and re program the unit, it made it almost passable. My next module I still use is a Korg 05r/w sounds way better, but it's just got better efxs, the base sounds are the same if you turn off the efx.