TTS-1 has basic sounds that are a great starting point and super handy for playing downloaded midi GM files.
For a real easy way to play a GM midi file do this:
Under Preferences/Midi/Devices/OUTPUT --UNCHECK ALL BOXES- This will let Sonar OPEN a midi file and load TTS-1 automaticly with all channels set and ready to play the song as it was composed.
You must
OPEN the midi file, not import it.You might want to set Windows to open Midi files with Sonar. So then all you need to do is download a file and double click it and it will open in Sonar ready to play. Here's an example of a web site with lots's of free files. Do not use any web site that asks you to install something. Midi files should download quickly without other pages opening and are very small.
http://www.midiworld.com/search/3/?q=country Once you have your song in Sonar now you can experiment with better sounds and replace parts one by one with other VST's. TTS_1 can sound pretty good if the person who sequenced the song new what they where doing, but the Drums and Bass are low quailty comaired to most others we have in Sonar.
That said I really like TTS-1 kick and brushes. The GUI is very deep and you can edit sounds and add 2 effects.
Be aware that changes to certain settings in the GUI are overwritten by the above track inspector settings.
I always replace the TTS_1 instruments as example:
Bass- SI Bass ( you might have to transpose +12)
Piano-Air mini grand ( or you can use True Pianos)
Drums - AD2 - make sure to set to GM mode.
Then things like organs, horns and what not you have lots of choices in Dim Pro etc. I use Air expand pak.