My son has become quite addicted to making music on the computer, using
Cakewalk Home Studio.

Now he really likes making music with classical instruments and he is really
blown away from Edirol's HQ-OR Orchestral!

Unfortunately I am really blown away by the price... almost 400 bucks!

Now I guess this is peanuts for all music pro's out there (since all music
software is expensive) but that really is too much for me. Even though I can
hear the sound quality is A LOT better (just as the possibities) than (for
instance) the Edirol Sound Canvas that came with Home Studio. And don't even
think about comparing it to the SB standard soundfont...

So... I'm looking for something cheaper. Or even better... something free!

But it's quite hard finding it. There are just too many soundfonts out
there! SO I thought: there must be more people who do have the same cashflow
problems like I have, so let's ask it here!

So if anyone knows a good free (or cheap) orchestral soundfont, let me know!

(Yes, I know, it won't be the same as HQ-OR Orchestral, but there must be
something better out there than those crappy standard orchestral things I've
got now: they all sound like a cheap organ...)

TIA!

On Thu, 30 Oct 2003 20:32:47 GMT, "My nickname is..."
<nomail@coldmail.com> wrote:

>My son has become quite addicted to making music on the computer, using
>Cakewalk Home Studio.
>
>Now he really likes making music with classical instruments and he is really
>blown away from Edirol's HQ-OR Orchestral!
>
>Unfortunately I am really blown away by the price... almost 400 bucks!
>
>Now I guess this is peanuts for all music pro's out there (since all music
>software is expensive) but that really is too much for me. Even though I can
>hear the sound quality is A LOT better (just as the possibities) than (for
>instance) the Edirol Sound Canvas that came with Home Studio. And don't even
>think about comparing it to the SB standard soundfont...
>
>So... I'm looking for something cheaper. Or even better... something free!
>
>But it's quite hard finding it. There are just too many soundfonts out
>there! SO I thought: there must be more people who do have the same cashflow
>problems like I have, so let's ask it here!
>
>So if anyone knows a good free (or cheap) orchestral soundfont, let me know!
>
>(Yes, I know, it won't be the same as HQ-OR Orchestral, but there must be
>something better out there than those crappy standard orchestral things I've
>got now: they all sound like a cheap organ...)
>
>TIA!
>
Hi, you could give the Big Merlin GM v3.5 soundfont a try from
www.midi-contest.com. It's free and sounds pretty good.

Hi Nickname,

I wish you good luck with this search for better sounds.
I recently spent a whole weekend surfing the net for free, demo or shareware
soundfonts. They all were crappy! Some better than others, but violins still
sounded like heavy smokers and trumpets were more like bagpipes. Finally, I
stranded with Sonic Implants and you choise Edirol Orchestral (and Quartet).

I do also suffer budget problems, but the 400 bucks you mentioned I will try
to overcome by not drinking wine, by saving on my household expenses, by
....... etc. Isn't there anybody in your family willing to give you some
money for SantaClaus, your birthday....?

I hope you will find what you want, but think it will be difficult(maybe
some other writers in this newsgroup know about better soundfonts).
The soundfonts I found were the oldies from the previous century and only a
few newer.

Greetings,
Raymond ---- trying to convince my wife of spending money to my hobby.

-- 
www.raymondrobijns.nl
info@raymondrobijns.nl
ramrobijns@hetnet.nl



"My nickname is..." <nomail@coldmail.com> schreef in bericht
news:Pzeob.410456$oO4.4168010@news.easynews.com...
> My son has become quite addicted to making music on the computer, using
> Cakewalk Home Studio.
>
> Now he really likes making music with classical instruments and he is
really
> blown away from Edirol's HQ-OR Orchestral!
>
> Unfortunately I am really blown away by the price... almost 400 bucks!
>
> Now I guess this is peanuts for all music pro's out there (since all music
> software is expensive) but that really is too much for me. Even though I
can
> hear the sound quality is A LOT better (just as the possibities) than (for
> instance) the Edirol Sound Canvas that came with Home Studio. And don't
even
> think about comparing it to the SB standard soundfont...
>
> So... I'm looking for something cheaper. Or even better... something free!
>
> But it's quite hard finding it. There are just too many soundfonts out
> there! SO I thought: there must be more people who do have the same
cashflow
> problems like I have, so let's ask it here!
>
> So if anyone knows a good free (or cheap) orchestral soundfont, let me
know!
>
> (Yes, I know, it won't be the same as HQ-OR Orchestral, but there must be
> something better out there than those crappy standard orchestral things
I've
> got now: they all sound like a cheap organ...)
>
> TIA!
>
>

Il Thu, 30 Oct 2003 20:32:47 +0000, My nickname is... ha scritto:

Hi,
if you have the patience to create your own soundfont, here are good (and
huge) samples of orchestral instruments:

http://theremin.music.uiowa.edu/MIS.html

You need a (free) program called "vienna" to create and edit the
soundfonts.

HTH
-- 
Emiliano Grilli
Linux user #209089
http://www.emillo.net

Interestin glink, But unfortunately I don't have the knowledge (nor
desire...) to make anything of it...


"Emiliano Grilli" <emillo@despammed.com> schreef in bericht
news:pan.2003.10.31.10.13.59.356215@despammed.com...
> Il Thu, 30 Oct 2003 20:32:47 +0000, My nickname is... ha scritto:
>
> Hi,
> if you have the patience to create your own soundfont, here are good (and
> huge) samples of orchestral instruments:
>
> http://theremin.music.uiowa.edu/MIS.html
>
> You need a (free) program called "vienna" to create and edit the
> soundfonts.
>
> HTH
> -- 
> Emiliano Grilli
> Linux user #209089
> http://www.emillo.net
>

Hm, pity... I already expected this... Well, anyway, you're spoiled weekend
saved me a lot of time! ;)

"Raymond Robijns" <ramrobijns@hetnet.nl> schreef in bericht
news:bnt6o8$apg$1@reader10.wxs.nl...
> Hi Nickname,
>
> I wish you good luck with this search for better sounds.
> I recently spent a whole weekend surfing the net for free, demo or
shareware
> soundfonts. They all were crappy! Some better than others, but violins
still
> sounded like heavy smokers and trumpets were more like bagpipes. Finally,
I
> stranded with Sonic Implants and you choise Edirol Orchestral (and
Quartet).
>
> I do also suffer budget problems, but the 400 bucks you mentioned I will
try
> to overcome by not drinking wine, by saving on my household expenses, by
> ...... etc. Isn't there anybody in your family willing to give you some
> money for SantaClaus, your birthday....?
>
> I hope you will find what you want, but think it will be difficult(maybe
> some other writers in this newsgroup know about better soundfonts).
> The soundfonts I found were the oldies from the previous century and only
a
> few newer.
>
> Greetings,
> Raymond ---- trying to convince my wife of spending money to my hobby.
>
> -- 
> www.raymondrobijns.nl
> info@raymondrobijns.nl
> ramrobijns@hetnet.nl
>
>
>
> "My nickname is..." <nomail@coldmail.com> schreef in bericht
> news:Pzeob.410456$oO4.4168010@news.easynews.com...
> > My son has become quite addicted to making music on the computer, using
> > Cakewalk Home Studio.
> >
> > Now he really likes making music with classical instruments and he is
> really
> > blown away from Edirol's HQ-OR Orchestral!
> >
> > Unfortunately I am really blown away by the price... almost 400 bucks!
> >
> > Now I guess this is peanuts for all music pro's out there (since all
music
> > software is expensive) but that really is too much for me. Even though I
> can
> > hear the sound quality is A LOT better (just as the possibities) than
(for
> > instance) the Edirol Sound Canvas that came with Home Studio. And don't
> even
> > think about comparing it to the SB standard soundfont...
> >
> > So... I'm looking for something cheaper. Or even better... something
free!
> >
> > But it's quite hard finding it. There are just too many soundfonts out
> > there! SO I thought: there must be more people who do have the same
> cashflow
> > problems like I have, so let's ask it here!
> >
> > So if anyone knows a good free (or cheap) orchestral soundfont, let me
> know!
> >
> > (Yes, I know, it won't be the same as HQ-OR Orchestral, but there must
be
> > something better out there than those crappy standard orchestral things
> I've
> > got now: they all sound like a cheap organ...)
> >
> > TIA!
> >
> >
>
>

Mr NickName and others,

I followed that website www.midi-contest.com and downloaded the big
improvement for GM sounds(top of the list) and the Orchestral fonts.
Also downloaded SynthFont to apply those soundfonts (because I don't have a
Creative soundcard). In the test I imported a midi-file (jazz-like) of my
own and applied the GM-soundfonts (merlin.... or what the name is).

It is just a bit better than the Edirol/Roland Virtual Sound Canvas 3.x
Next I tried to make that jazzy-piece something like the Hot Club France
with Stefan Grapelli, so I assigned the violin to the solo-part.
Sorry, Grapelli died but if not he certainly would have died after hearing
that violin!!!

Applying the full Orchestral soundfont to a orchestral piece I composed,
gave me no satisfaction at all. Sounded like an old 78rpm (ok without all
the rumble but ....).

To be sure, Mr. NickName, try it yourself. Type in Google and
download/install SynthFont (it is free). Go to the website above and fill in
your name and email and the word guest. Then you can download the soundfonts
yourself (I hope you have a fast connection). You need two other programs:
SfPack and SfArk to unzip those soundfont files. They are free to download
too. (SFPack is on the website above midi-contest).

Raymond


-- 
"tomsun" <lilsatchNOSPAM@yahoo.co.uk> schreef in bericht
news:cl73qv4gbganbupcgn568kck1si72l70ct@4ax.com...
> On Thu, 30 Oct 2003 20:32:47 GMT, "My nickname is..."
> <nomail@coldmail.com> wrote:
>
> >My son has become quite addicted to making music on the computer, using
> >Cakewalk Home Studio.
> >
> >Now he really likes making music with classical instruments and he is
really
> >blown away from Edirol's HQ-OR Orchestral!
> >
> >Unfortunately I am really blown away by the price... almost 400 bucks!
> >
> >Now I guess this is peanuts for all music pro's out there (since all
music
> >software is expensive) but that really is too much for me. Even though I
can
> >hear the sound quality is A LOT better (just as the possibities) than
(for
> >instance) the Edirol Sound Canvas that came with Home Studio. And don't
even
> >think about comparing it to the SB standard soundfont...
> >
> >So... I'm looking for something cheaper. Or even better... something
free!
> >
> >But it's quite hard finding it. There are just too many soundfonts out
> >there! SO I thought: there must be more people who do have the same
cashflow
> >problems like I have, so let's ask it here!
> >
> >So if anyone knows a good free (or cheap) orchestral soundfont, let me
know!
> >
> >(Yes, I know, it won't be the same as HQ-OR Orchestral, but there must be
> >something better out there than those crappy standard orchestral things
I've
> >got now: they all sound like a cheap organ...)
> >
> >TIA!
> >
> Hi, you could give the Big Merlin GM v3.5 soundfont a try from
> www.midi-contest.com. It's free and sounds pretty good.

On Fri, 31 Oct 2003 18:06:52 +0100, "Raymond Robijns"
<ramrobijns@hetnet.nl> wrote:

>Mr NickName and others,
>
>I followed that website www.midi-contest.com and downloaded the big
>improvement for GM sounds(top of the list) and the Orchestral fonts.
>Also downloaded SynthFont to apply those soundfonts (because I don't have a
>Creative soundcard). In the test I imported a midi-file (jazz-like) of my
>own and applied the GM-soundfonts (merlin.... or what the name is).
>
>It is just a bit better than the Edirol/Roland Virtual Sound Canvas 3.x
>Next I tried to make that jazzy-piece something like the Hot Club France
>with Stefan Grapelli, so I assigned the violin to the solo-part.
>Sorry, Grapelli died but if not he certainly would have died after hearing
>that violin!!!

  One of the hassles of working with plain samples is that they can't
emulate all the tones that the real instrument does.  At least, not
from using just one instrument sample per instrument played.

  Violin solo has so many possible elements.  You could get samples
for them, but you at least need to have slow and fast attack, a proper
vibrato, plucked and struck.  Also, to do it really well, you'd want a
sample for each string, and then play those on separate channels, to
reflect how the real thing works.

  Then there is tuning -- violin players rarely play equal temperament
scale.

  

>Applying the full Orchestral soundfont to a orchestral piece I composed,
>gave me no satisfaction at all. Sounded like an old 78rpm (ok without all
>the rumble but ....).
>
>To be sure, Mr. NickName, try it yourself. Type in Google and
>download/install SynthFont (it is free). Go to the website above and fill in
>your name and email and the word guest. Then you can download the soundfonts
>yourself (I hope you have a fast connection). You need two other programs:
>SfPack and SfArk to unzip those soundfont files. They are free to download
>too. (SFPack is on the website above midi-contest).

  I'd say that for a start, you want to try to get a file which is
arranged for GM or GS using an orchestra, and see how that sounds.  It
is much easier to get fair ensembles to sound well than solo leads,
because solos on most instruments require a lot of expressive
variation in the playing.  You can do that either using many different
samples, or using a number of controllers to manipulate the sound.
Either method is harder than simply entering the notes.


-- 
*-__Jeffery Jones__________|  *Starfire*   |____________________-*
** Muskego WI Access Channel 14/25 <http://www.execpc.com/~jeffsj/mach7/>
*Starfire Design Studio* <http://www.starfiredesign.com/>

I already downloaded it. And although some sounds aren't exactly super and
although you can hear all sounds have gathered from all over the world (all
classic instruments don't 'belong' to each other) I have to say it's better
than Edirol Sound Canvas! And in a lot of instances A LOT better. The Edirol
makes everything sound like a cheap organ! This soundfont has some nice
sounds. Okay, the solo violin isn't exactly the best, but the stereo slow
strings are a lot better than the mono Edirol drone..

Okay, you can't compare it with some Gigs or Akai discs I've heard, but hey:
it's free! And my son likes it, so... I'm happy for the time being...

Maybe it makes a difference that I use Live Synth Pro instead of that free
sf player...?

So thanks, tomsun, for the link.

Other suggestions are still welcome!

"Raymond Robijns" <ramrobijns@hetnet.nl> schreef in bericht
news:bnu4ue$cug$1@reader10.wxs.nl...
> Mr NickName and others,
>
> I followed that website www.midi-contest.com and downloaded the big
> improvement for GM sounds(top of the list) and the Orchestral fonts.
> Also downloaded SynthFont to apply those soundfonts (because I don't have
a
> Creative soundcard). In the test I imported a midi-file (jazz-like) of my
> own and applied the GM-soundfonts (merlin.... or what the name is).
>
> It is just a bit better than the Edirol/Roland Virtual Sound Canvas 3.x
> Next I tried to make that jazzy-piece something like the Hot Club France
> with Stefan Grapelli, so I assigned the violin to the solo-part.
> Sorry, Grapelli died but if not he certainly would have died after hearing
> that violin!!!
>
> Applying the full Orchestral soundfont to a orchestral piece I composed,
> gave me no satisfaction at all. Sounded like an old 78rpm (ok without all
> the rumble but ....).
>
> To be sure, Mr. NickName, try it yourself. Type in Google and
> download/install SynthFont (it is free). Go to the website above and fill
in
> your name and email and the word guest. Then you can download the
soundfonts
> yourself (I hope you have a fast connection). You need two other programs:
> SfPack and SfArk to unzip those soundfont files. They are free to download
> too. (SFPack is on the website above midi-contest).
>
> Raymond
>
>
> -- 
> "tomsun" <lilsatchNOSPAM@yahoo.co.uk> schreef in bericht
> news:cl73qv4gbganbupcgn568kck1si72l70ct@4ax.com...
> > On Thu, 30 Oct 2003 20:32:47 GMT, "My nickname is..."
> > <nomail@coldmail.com> wrote:
> >
> > >My son has become quite addicted to making music on the computer, using
> > >Cakewalk Home Studio.
> > >
> > >Now he really likes making music with classical instruments and he is
> really
> > >blown away from Edirol's HQ-OR Orchestral!
> > >
> > >Unfortunately I am really blown away by the price... almost 400 bucks!
> > >
> > >Now I guess this is peanuts for all music pro's out there (since all
> music
> > >software is expensive) but that really is too much for me. Even though
I
> can
> > >hear the sound quality is A LOT better (just as the possibities) than
> (for
> > >instance) the Edirol Sound Canvas that came with Home Studio. And don't
> even
> > >think about comparing it to the SB standard soundfont...
> > >
> > >So... I'm looking for something cheaper. Or even better... something
> free!
> > >
> > >But it's quite hard finding it. There are just too many soundfonts out
> > >there! SO I thought: there must be more people who do have the same
> cashflow
> > >problems like I have, so let's ask it here!
> > >
> > >So if anyone knows a good free (or cheap) orchestral soundfont, let me
> know!
> > >
> > >(Yes, I know, it won't be the same as HQ-OR Orchestral, but there must
be
> > >something better out there than those crappy standard orchestral things
> I've
> > >got now: they all sound like a cheap organ...)
> > >
> > >TIA!
> > >
> > Hi, you could give the Big Merlin GM v3.5 soundfont a try from
> > www.midi-contest.com. It's free and sounds pretty good.
>
>

"My nickname is..." <nomail@coldmail.com> schreef in bericht
news:H8Bob.482672$oO4.4872391@news.easynews.com...
> I already downloaded it. And although some sounds aren't exactly super and
> although you can hear all sounds have gathered from all over the world
(all
> classic instruments don't 'belong' to each other) I have to say it's
better
> than Edirol Sound Canvas! And in a lot of instances A LOT better. The
Edirol
> makes everything sound like a cheap organ! This soundfont has some nice
> sounds. Okay, the solo violin isn't exactly the best, but the stereo slow
> strings are a lot better than the mono Edirol drone..
>
> Okay, you can't compare it with some Gigs or Akai discs I've heard, but
hey:
> it's free! And my son likes it, so... I'm happy for the time being...



Ok, this thread has done the job. One has to begin with something.
Have a nice musical future and enjoy life. Somebody said: a life without
music is an error. Music is fun!




> Maybe it makes a difference that I use Live Synth Pro instead of that free
> sf player...?
>

I don't think so. But.....


> So thanks, tomsun, for the link.
>
> Other suggestions are still welcome!
>

Hello from France

http://www.sonicimplants.com/

It's really great but it's not free.
I bought several Sonic Implant sounds. It's easy. And i don't regret it.

You will find some classic music MP3 files on the site made with their
sounds...
An example of 1 minuteand you will fall on your ass...
http://www.sonicimplants.com/Strings/SonicImplantsSymphonicPrinceWilliam.mp3

http://www.hammersound.net/

Here it's free...  excellent site with thousands of soundfonts... you will
find what you want here i think.

Good luck.

Pascal
borow@wanadoo.fr

Yes, well, okay, it sounds AWESOME, but I'm sure that was made with the Giga
version of heri Strings set, costing $ 995,-...
Even the small Soundfont version costs $ 449,-. Which is more than the
Edoril softsynth I found to expensive...
These Sonic Implant sounds are a lot better, clearly, so if you had to buy
one, this might be a better option, but then again: you only get strings
with these Sonic Implants sf's...
BTW I can't find any other (cheap) strings on their site.

"Pascal" <borow@wanadoo.fr> schreef in bericht
news:bo0ob5$tpa$1@news-reader1.wanadoo.fr...
> Hello from France
>
> http://www.sonicimplants.com/
>
> It's really great but it's not free.
> I bought several Sonic Implant sounds. It's easy. And i don't regret it.
>
> You will find some classic music MP3 files on the site made with their
> sounds...
> An example of 1 minuteand you will fall on your ass...
>
http://www.sonicimplants.com/Strings/SonicImplantsSymphonicPrinceWilliam.mp3
>
> http://www.hammersound.net/
>
> Here it's free...  excellent site with thousands of soundfonts... you will
> find what you want here i think.
>
> Good luck.
>
> Pascal
> borow@wanadoo.fr
>
>

> Hi, you could give the Big Merlin GM v3.5 soundfont a try from
> www.midi-contest.com. It's free and sounds pretty good.

I downloaded this, but don't understand how to extract the soundfont files.
Can some help me with this.
Olushola

On Thu, 30 Oct 2003 23:29:55 +0000, tomsun
<lilsatchNOSPAM@yahoo.co.uk> wrote something 
.......and in reply I say!: 

I am quite impressed. It all appears to be in tune, and have
reasonable loops! My main problem with it is that there is a lot of
vibrato and other "realisms" in many of the instruments (eg violin),
and AFAICS it's in the sample, not in the Font, and therefore cannot
be removed to allow full individual note control. 

Ahah! I have noticed that the Instrument pool does contain quite a few
samples not modulated, and these could be used instead, working with
Vienna.

A lot of sampled sounds are bagged because the users do not bother
applying expression or controls to them to give vibrato, tremelo,
attack, or tonal qualities etc.

>>
>Hi, you could give the Big Merlin GM v3.5 soundfont a try from
>www.midi-contest.com. It's free and sounds pretty good.

******************************************************************************************
Until I do the other one,this one means nothing
Nick White --- HEAD:Hertz Music

remove ns from my header address to reply via email

    !!
   <")
   _/ )
   (   )
  _//- \__/ 

On Sat, 1 Nov 2003 19:32:36 -0500, "Olushola" <balagi@starpower.net>
wrote:

>> Hi, you could give the Big Merlin GM v3.5 soundfont a try from
>> www.midi-contest.com. It's free and sounds pretty good.
>
>I downloaded this, but don't understand how to extract the soundfont files.
>Can some help me with this.
>Olushola
>
You need to download a small program called Sfpack (google for it) and
decompress using that just like you would use Winzip or similar.
Hope that helps.