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

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  1. NOODLESOUP
    NOODLESOUP
  2. MIDI Software
  3. Tuesday, 15 May 2018
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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!
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Geoff
Geoff
Sherlock Holmes The Voice
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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
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  1. more than a month ago
  2. MIDI Software
  3. # 1
Pedro Lopez-Cabanillas
Pedro Lopez-Cabanillas
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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
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  1. more than a month ago
  2. MIDI Software
  3. # 2
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