One note of the Recorder soundfont out of tune.

• Jul 8, 2016 - 11:26

As stated in the subject title, what should I do to solve this [one note "D" of the Recorder soundfont is out of tune] problem? Note that the D note (of all octaves) is only out of tune when I try to play it on musescore itself, not when I try to export it as midi file -that sounded fine (but that's not my aim), and I'm using the newest ver. of musescore. Please help me with this...thank you.


Comments

In reply to by Min Yeo

I hope this doesn't sound condescending...

Robert is just saying he tried it on his system and it sounds fine. He gives detailed information of what software he is using and what kind of operating system be is using.

The latter info is provided in case the operating system and/or the exact software compiler run (which converts the Musescore source code into an executable program and does other related things) make a difference.

Probably they don't matter. But it is nice to have complete information on case they do matter.

Please post a copy of a score that shows this problem. Then people that follow this forum can try to duplicate what you are hearing.

See the "File attachments" link at the bottom of this page.

In reply to by Min Yeo

It sounds fine to me, also using version 2.0.3 of MuseScore and the default soundfont. I even checked that note using a tuner - it's right in the same range as the other notes (a few centers sharp on average). There is a small amount of wavering in pitch over the course of the note, which in my experience is quite common with most wind instruments, so to me this adds to the realism. But I guess spme prefer a more "perfect" attack, and presumably there exist other soundfonts out there that emphasize that more. Free to check out the Handbook under "Soundfont" to learn how to try a different soundfont you might personally like the sound of better.

In reply to by Min Yeo

MuseScore gets its sounds from a soundfont file. The one that is delivered with MuseScore is named FluidR3Mono_GM.sf3. It is an modified version of what was originally a freely available download. The poster "Church Organist" has been painstakingly working improving it.

The soundfont is made up of recorded "samples" from each instrument. The recorder note that sounds flat is either from a poor recorder or the performer played that note badly, or both.

At this time, to get that note to sound better, you need a different soundfont. You need to download it from an Internet source and uncompress it, put it into the appropriate folder on your computer, and then tell MuseScore to activate that soundfont.

Details are covered in the handbook: https://musescore.org/en/handbook/soundfont

This page has links to commonly used soundfonts to be downloaded and uncompressed. I tried General User GS and it sounded very flute like. Possibly the soundfont just uses a flute recording for the recorder instrument. You would have to try some out on your computer and see what they sound like on your system. I also tried Timbres of Heaven which is definitely a recorder, the low D sounds clear. But my system is not beefy enough to handle that soundfont. I get lots of pops and pauses.

In reply to by jim.weisgram

Hi. The reason I kept to this recorder sound is because I'm creating tutorials meant for Ocarina (don't think such soundfont existed yet)...and the recorder sound I'm using on my musescore sounded closest toit. So I needed a clear sound of the pitch of each note, at the same time requiring it to sound a bit more natural. Guess I shall try out the timbers of heaven and see...

In reply to by Min Yeo

Have you tried the search bar?
The instruments dialog, by default, only shows "Common Instruments". You can see that in the upper left corner.
NOT FOUND: 1
Switch from that to "All Instruments", and then you can see "Ocarina" under Woodwind
NOT FOUND: 2

In reply to by Fyrult

Oh wow I found the ocarina sound (and it doesn't have this issue I stated)...but I still find the recorder sound more pleasing to the ear to use for the tutorial. Yea, so I guess I'm still sticking to that. Thanks a lot for the clarification though. And I've tried other soundfonts too...but non of them hits my expectations like the one I currently have (aside from the wavering note that is).

The problem is with the sample.

The whole recorder instrument is on the list for replacement as there are many problems with it, all at sample level.

In reply to by ChurchOrganist

Oh, yes, definitely! That particular instrument in Fluid is so bad that I replace it with the Flute whenever I have to create an MP3 for one of my collaborators. (For the purposes of hearing it myself, here in my own computer rather than on MuseScore.com, I just switch the recorder sound to the Tim sound font, which is still not great but a good deal better than Fluid.)

Michael, I know you're working on this hard, but do you have any predictions as to when it might be fixed? Will we have to wait until 3.0 is released, or will you be able to put out a patch for this instrument that could be applied to the MuseScore.com cloud before that happens?

In reply to by Recorder485

I shall be going into my local recording studio with a semi-professional recorder player to record new samples in October.

She has instruments available from Contrabass through to Sopranino so we will be able to get a comprehensie sample set.

Once I have the samples there will be at least three months of processing in order to get them into SF2 format for inclusion into FluidR3Mono.

I will be releasing a beta standalone recorder sound font shortly before Christmas if all goes to plan.

Integration with the default soundfont will be taking place after Christmas, so you may get something in time for Easter if nothing goes wrong!

Whatever happens I will keep you informed - keep an eye on the Soundfont forum for news.

In addition to the above...
For a quick fix, and if it's only a small number of notes, you can tweak the tuning in the Inspector:

Tuning.png

Also, getting rid of the tie helps, as the note does waver - just enter and listen to a whole note!

Regards, and welcome aboard.

Attachment Size
A Morning of the Slag Ravine2.mscz 12.72 KB

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