What's the best sound font that is the most accurate
So, I've had it in regards to how musescore sounds. I would like to find the most accurate sound font possible that musescore could handle. What is it?
Also, I have read the hand book to see how sound fonts work, however, I could not find how to make a certain soundfont default. I would like to replace the junky soundfont that's currently in my musescore software with something more accurate. How do I make my choice default?
Comments
That is quite the tall order.
So here's what I have to say: that is entirely based on what you want.
Do you want a good GM bank here's one, it's nearly a GB:
http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=42&t=351893
However, just because it's the biggest does not mean it's the best. That's completely subjective. I know some people really like Timbres of Heaven:
http://midkar.com/soundfonts/
Another popular one is General Users GS:
https://musescore.org/en/handbook/soundfonts
(download link in handbook)
If you want to get out of the GM specification, that is a whole other issue. There are many specialty and individual soundfonts.
Sonatina is a good orchestral soundfont, it is almost strictly classical (and maybe a bit of jazz):
https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B95vv0ZidxbBfmItbFNjZV9jM3ExMk9…
Also look at Squidfont, it's older, but it has some good patches:
http://paperstreetfreesamples.blogspot.com/2013/02/squidfont-orchestral…
For Piano, the Salamander grand is very good: http://freepats.zenvoid.org/Piano/
So is Piano in 162, but you need to edit the file to get it to work with MuseScore:
http://www.ivyaudio.com/Piano-in-162
Anthony Deaton has some good pianos and percussion:
http://www.anthonydeaton.com/philharmonic.html
If you want an accurate pipe organ Jeux de Orgues is impossible to beat, but is complicated to use with MuseScore:
http://www.realmac.info/jeux1.htm
If you like early music, check out Sonae Musicae, they have excellent harpsichords, a carillon and a small organ :
http://sonimusicae.free.fr/accueil-en.html
If you want accurate sounding electric Guitars, check out FlameStudio:
http://www.flamestudios.org/free/Soundfonts
Also, for guitars, basses (including an acoustic upright), there's Karoryfer, which uses SFZ, thus only limited support in MuseScore:
http://www.karoryfer.com/karoryfer-samples
That's what I have, but you may not like them, there is no "magic bullet" so to speak for this issue. It's all a matter of personal preference
PS.
to set a soundfont (or multiple soundfonts) to default go to view -> synthesizer make sure all files are loaded in the order you want. Hit set as default.
In reply to That is quite the tall by [DELETED] 597046
Okay, thanks for what you've provided. I am UNABLE to have winzip files. I would prefer a file that is easy to install. Basically download it, and then add to Musescore. What I'm focused on is Choral, Orchestral (full and String) and Piano. Maybe percussion if necessary.
In reply to That is quite the tall by [DELETED] 597046
I also hope that the files are safe. Also, we can have multiple defaults? Every time I would do that, the default changes.
In reply to I also hope that the files by Elwin
You can load as many soundfonts as you like, and when you press the "Set as Default" button, they will all then be loaded each time you start MuseScore. It will still be up to you to choose which instruments get used from which soundfont for each score, though.
In reply to That is quite the tall by [DELETED] 597046
Sonatina is moderately good, it's just that the oboe lacks ranges and some flute notes are severely out of tune. I need really good orchestral ones.
In reply to That is quite the tall by [DELETED] 597046
Okay, after trying a few, I would say I think Timbres of heaven is the best overall, however, it does have its drawbacks. I have had to turn the volume down pretty low since it knows the definition of forte. General User has the best orchestra sounds, however it is lacking some instruments and its choir sounds are terrible. HQ orchestral soundfont has really accurate sounds as well, but it lacks other instruments as well. HQ orchestral also has the best choir sounds. Florestan Basic was not exactly good, some sounds were irritating me.
Timbres of heaven's sounds were a little less that General user or HQ orchestral for some of the instruments, but it had the all instruments in it. Its dynamics are well defined, I'm talking to the point that you will need to lower the default volume even if your headphones are on 1 setting. (Yes I keep my headphones in settings less than 3. When I had windows 7, I kept them at one. 2 was considered too loud. Now that I have windows 10, one is a bit too soft. I usually keep mine at 2 now). The choir sounds are tolerable, they can work, the piano sound couldn't top HQ orchestral.
In reply to Okay, after trying a few, I by Elwin
Which one do you mean by "HQ Orchestral"?
In reply to Which one do you mean by "HQ by Jonathon Tran
HQ Orchestral is the SoundFont that a member of Young Composers group in MuseScore created.
In reply to That is quite the tall by [DELETED] 597046
Hi what changes you have to make in Piano 162 in order to work with musescore
In reply to That is quite the tall by [DELETED] 597046
That is a killer answer, dude! Now I'm going to try to figure out how to download and use some of those fonts. Thanks. CP
In reply to That is quite the tall by [DELETED] 597046
thank you so much for this list
In addition to depending on your needs, it's also hopelessly subjective. Some people like the saxophone samles from soundfont X better than than those from Y, others prefer Y to X. But the same person who prefers the saxophones from X might prefer the violins from Y, and vice versa.
The soundfont that comes with MuseScore - FluidR3 - has for many years been generally considered one of the very best GM-compatible soundfonts that is freely available. But of course since this is subjective, everyone has their own preferences and things they like better about some other particular soundfont. The one that the most people seem to find the biggest improvement overall is Timbres of Heaven. A few people find GeneralUserGS to be better even thought it is much more limited in its sample sizes. Probably when push comes to shove, in a blind test, most people would prefer some sounds from each of these.
Aside from those three, there really aren't any freely available GM-compatible soundfonts you'll see many people preferring over FluidR3 overall.
If you remove the GM-comaptible requirement, the field opens a bit. For orchestra instruments *specifically*, a lot of people like Sonatina, but it's missing pretty much any instrument Mozart didn't use. For piano specifically, a lot of people like Salamander, but that's *all* it is - just a piano. And so on.
In reply to In addition to depending on by Marc Sabatella
Well, how do you turn the GM requirement off and on.
In reply to Well, how do you turn the GM by Elwin
You don't - either the soundfont conforms to the GM standard or it doesn't.
Be aware, however, that using a non GM soundfont may lead to unexpected results when using MuseScore's default instruments, as the Instruments.xml file which controls them uses the GM soundset as its standard.
Consequently the SSO SF2 soundfont does not produce the sounds associated with ones in the instrument dialogue.
TBH if you're wanting better playback then you would be better to invest your efforts into exporting an SMF from MuseScore then using a DAW to produce the sounds you want with VST instruments and effects.
MuseScore lacks the fine control over performance parameters available in a DAW, and so, whatever soundfont you use is not going to sound accurate.
It is, however, good enough for checking harmonies etc.
In reply to Well, how do you turn the GM by Elwin
It' not a requirement in that sense - it's more a question of user expectations. You are free to use non GM soundfonts already, but that means they won't be plug-and-play compatible with GM soundfonts. So they won't contain the full set of instruments you are accustomed to, or might have them in different places within the soundfont so you'll need to use the Mixer to tell MuseScore where the flute sound can be found, etc.
In reply to In addition to depending on by Marc Sabatella
"any instrument Mozart didn't use" is too accurate lol ! That's where the specialty soundfonts come in.
In reply to In addition to depending on by Marc Sabatella
Tried all 3 for the flute, Timbrels of heaven last and FluidR3 middle and GeneralUser GS 1.471 number one - and it is the biggest to the samlest as well... So GeneralUser flute was the best and the smallest package, although just started out testing midi fonts... and figuring out how to do it.
I use the MuseScore Orchestra SoundFont . I think you'll like it.
In reply to I use the MuseScore Orchestra by Isaac Weiss
Other Isaac, is this a zip file? I can't download open zip files.
In reply to Other Isaac, is this a zip by Elwin
It is—that's the way Google Drive works. What doesn't work about it on your end?
In reply to It is—that's the way Google by Isaac Weiss
I worked. I was a little worried because most soundfonts I found were zip files.
In reply to I worked. I was a little by Elwin
I know this is an old thread, but if you're still having problems with zip files, try peazip. It is opensource(free), and is super powerful, opening almost anything from .rar archives to .zip files, all except .alo/.aol(I forget it, but there is only 1 it can't open.
In reply to I use the MuseScore Orchestra by Isaac Weiss
Other Isaac, the only notable difference that I've noticed is the piano sound. I've also noticed a slight difference in the strings in the fact that they are no longer ear-splitting. Okay, I actually do like it. It's just that the choir sound is still horrible. However, I think it can work for now. What I hate about it is how notes like D4 sound.
In reply to Other Isaac, the only notable by Elwin
Oh boy, those Oohs and Aahs are horrible. I hadn't realized because I don't write a lot of vocal/choral music, so thanks for pointing that out—I'll have to find something better.
In reply to Oh boy, those Oohs and Aahs by Isaac Weiss
It did work. I was able to download it. I was arranging one well-known Christmas song (Mele Kalikimaka) for string orchestra and I noticed the difference.
In reply to Oh boy, those Oohs and Aahs by Isaac Weiss
Well, what I did wish I could find was for the choir sections, that actual professional sections would sing the Aah or Ooh so their color would be able to show in the music. There should also be one for the voice where the whole choir sings Aah or Ooh and then people drop out when it gets too high or too low. That would actually help a lot. Then again, I have a great imagination accompanied by perfect pitch, so I can imagine what it would sound like if a real choir sang them.
In reply to Well, what I did wish I could by Elwin
Unfortunately, what you are asking for: A 100% perfect sound library that is compatible with MuseScore does not the MuseScore Orchestra and what I listed is about the best there is in my opinion.
You will have to shell out 300+ US Dollars for the library, about 25$ for a JACK compatible DAW (unless you're on Linux), Download and use JACK to hookup MuseScore and your DAW. I would say that you could take b presets that you like of each soundfont to use.
I think that is the only way you could avoid having to pay for Garritan Personal Orchestra or a similar product.
What system do you run where you can't unzip a .zip file. Are you having a problem with the .7z files? The program 7zip is free. If you can't unzip .rar files with a free program called Rarzilla (it's safe) is free add unzips them. You can look up SfPack and SfArk to unpack compressed soundfonts.
And yes, I have downloaded every one of those files and I uploaded one of them I can say they are safe downloads.
In reply to Unfortunately, what you are by [DELETED] 597046
Well, I think that that would probably work. *Win Zip is not present in the windows 7. I can not just pay for stuff like that because I'm a minor.
I watch what I download because If a virus gets on the computer I use, my Dad is going to get mad.
In reply to Well, I think that that would by Elwin
.zip files will decompress without software installed. WinZip is entirely unnecessary. Right click on the .zip and select extract all. .Zip was created by Microsoft.
In reply to .zip files will decompress by [DELETED] 597046
I tried that so many times. Extract all, Extract to, etc. You know what? It took me directly to winzip. This only works for Windows XP/Vista. I have Windows 7. If you could provide step by step instructions on how to do that for windows 7, then that would be nice.
In reply to I tried that so many times. by Elwin
I have Windows 7 too. It can extract your files.
EDIT: 7 zip can extract them if Windows won't
In reply to I have Windows 7 too. It can by [DELETED] 597046
Shoot Me! (just kidding. My AP Chemistry teacher would always say that every time we would forget a topic. I kind of picked up that bad habit from her). I figured out how to do it. You right click, open with windows explorer, and then hit extract all. Well, it doesn't work with some files though.
In reply to Shoot Me! (just kidding. My by Elwin
Those are probably corrupted files, you can try with 7 Zip.
In reply to Those are probably corrupted by [DELETED] 597046
The one it didn't work on was the one for a sound font issued by one musescorer.
In reply to The one it didn't work on was by Elwin
General User GS?
In reply to General User GS? by [DELETED] 597046
http://www.mediafire.com/download/maz5z394oog5xlm/HQ_Orchestral_Soundfo…
I think that it's not exactly a zip file. What program can open this?
In reply to http://www.mediafire.com/down by Elwin
See https://musescore.org/en/handbook/soundfonts#specialised, it does mention sfArk
In reply to http://www.mediafire.com/down by Elwin
This is an ancient form of soundfont compression called sfArk which was used way back when the standard for Internet connections was Dialup, and connection speeds were 56 kbps if you were lucky!
You can find it here for Windows.....
http://melodymachine.com/sfark.htm
It still works on Windows 10 :)
You will also find some soundfonts around in SFPack format you can find that (for WIndows) here....
http://www.personalcopy.com/sfpack.htm
HTH
In reply to .zip files will decompress by [DELETED] 597046
<<.Zip was created by Microsoft>>
No!
(Nevertheless the rest of the post is correct)
In reply to <<.Zip was created by by frfancha
Actually, the ".zip" format was created by the late Phil Katz, through his PKZIP program, which turned out to be one of the best AND the fastest file-compression programs ever yet invented. Unfortunately, he battled both lawsuits and alcoholism throughout his too-short life.
In reply to .zip files will decompress by [DELETED] 597046
If you mean that Microsoft originated the .zip file standard, then no. Microsoft was in fact a bit late to that party.
. zip software and specifications started out as open source, freely available.
Far more information than anyone needs can be found on Wikipedia:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zip_(file_format)
In reply to .zip files will decompress by [DELETED] 597046
>> .Zip was created by Microsoft
Do mean Microsoft started the Zip file format and Zip tools?
Because they didn't.
In reply to >> .Zip was created by… by jim.weisgram
You're the 4th in a row to mention this... And actually the 2nd time
In reply to You're the 4th in a row to… by Jojo-Schmitz
Yeah, I noticed that after the fact
Well, define what you consider "accurate"?
You will often find many soundfonts are strong on certain songs, or weak on others. Some sound good with certain instruments, some sound horrible. Often the Overdrive and Distortion guitars sound like strange electric razors!
If you want to check out my soundfont, OmegaGMGS2, here is my Soundcloud with my soundfont playing different midi songs: https://soundcloud.com/rick-simon-828789564/tracks
Now, if you want the soundfont, download it from here. It is only 125 MB in size, yet feel free to compare it to those many times its size! http://www.mediafire.com/download/2as606szvw1pbw8/OmegaGMGS2.sf2
One of the things I did to make it sound as good as possible is make sure it is accurate, well balanced, and sounds good in a mix (not just individual instruments). I have compared it to every soundfont and have yet to find anything that beats it. I have about 58 complete banks, commercial and free, and none of them sound better (not to toot my own horn, everyone that hears it has said the same).
In reply to Well, define what you by Ricsim78
I tried your soundfont, and it sounds great! So far the only problems I've had is that the fingered bass and picked bass sound pretty quiet and the contra-alto flute has wheezing sound before every not. At forte the fingered and picked bass sound like they're at piano. Other than that, it's wonderful
In reply to Well, define what you by Ricsim78
Hey
I want to compare some soundfonts.
In order to do so, do you have or can address me to a large midi file or several small ones that contain a wide representation of genres and instruments?
Many thanks !
On the sonatina soundfont the viola sounds like a piano
In reply to On the sonatina soundfont the by AkwadTypo YT
Apparently you are using a non-General-MIDI version. Either find a version listed as General MIDI compatible, or use View / Mixer to assign the sounds to your staves manually.
I've decided that when I get my own laptop, I'm going to get GPO5. It's the only sample that impressed me. I think Sibelius+noteperformer would be too expensive.
Revisiting this, in that it's a year old.
Any new updated soundfonts that sound good for orchestra or jazz?
Thanks.
Revisiting this, in that it's a year old.
Any new updated sound fonts that sound good for orchestra or jazz?
Thanks.
In reply to Revisiting this, in that it… by Anonymous
Maybe the better thing to do is to start a -new- thread on this particular topic . . .
I've been using General User GS, by S Christian Collins. I like it, but I haven't tried every possible option to compare.
This is the best one I've found: https://musescore.org/en/node/278859
If are you still having trouble unzipping files, download them on a smartphone or tablet then extract them on the device in a folder you can find easily. Plug the charger cable into the device and the usb end into the computer. The computer will recognize it as a "removable disk" like a flash drive. Use the files application on the computer to access the device's files and move the soundfont file to the musescore soundfont folder. If you didn't need this I am sorry for wasting your time! (Side note: this method works best with an android device and make sure your cable has file transfer capabilities.)
In reply to If are you still having… by violinzfa
"Side note: this method works best with an android device and make sure your cable has file transfer capabilities."
Unzip is a free iOS app that works very well.