
#CAN I USE SF2 FILES FOR MIDIS DRIVERS#
Therefore, the configuration programs for all three drivers above allow to select the default MIDI device driver and store that setting in the corresponding registry setting. MS deleted the User Interface part for default MIDI device selection from the Sounds Control Panel in Windows Vista, 7 and 8 - however, the windows registry settings still exists. Oops, the link to the VST MIDI driver didn't survive the move. Its from the same author as the BASS MIDI driver. There is another MIDI driver ( VST MIDI driver ), which uses VST plugins instead of SoundFonts. The two MIDI drivers I mentioned above use SoundFonts. There are many more SoundFonts available, as well as applications to create and edit SoundFonts. When selecting a SoundFont, I would recommend to start with the GeneralUser SoundFont by Christian Collins (see CoolSoft site for the link), because - in my opinion - its sounds are quite well balanced and can be used for classic and contemporary music. I haven't tested Windows 8 yet.ĭriver #2 has a nicer User Interface, but supports just one port (16 MIDI channels).ĭriver #1 is open source and supports two ports (2 x 16 MIDI channels).īoth drivers can be installed and used side-by-side with each other and the standard MS GS Synth. If you are unable to open the file this way, it may be because you do not have the correct application.

#CAN I USE SF2 FILES FOR MIDIS HOW TO#
How to open a SF2 file: The best way to open an SF2 file is to simply double-click it and let the default assoisated application open the file.

In other words, these two drivers are software replacements for the Wavetable MIDI hardware on earlier soundcards, but without their hardware limitations (number of voices, size of SoundFont).īoth drivers work in Windows XP, Vista, 7 (32 and 64 bit). If you are aware of any additional file formats that use the SF2 extension, please let us know. These chips use Soundfonts (SF2 files), that contain the wavetables (audio samples) for the various instruments.

I am using these two MIDI drivers on Windows XP Professional 32 bit and Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit:īoth drivers are installed as MME (MS Multimedia Extension) MIDI drivers, just like the standard MS GS Wavetable Synth.īoth use the BASS audio library, which contains a software synthesizer, that emulates the EMU sound chip of Creative Soundblaster audio cards (and compatible hardware).
