My soundfont settings are lost when I open a saved file...

[sseaton]

I am using soundfont banks instead of the internal Quicktime sounds, because Quicktime sounds so bad. Unfortunately, I lose my soundfont bank settings... it defaults back to Quicktime when I open a saved file. This seems like an easy fix, but I have no idea what to do. Thanks!

[Jerm]

SSeaton,

How exactly are you using sound fonts? I do not think you are using them correctly. You should be using the DLS/Soundfont plug-in in OS X.

[sseaton]

Jerm... I could very well be using soundfonts incorrectly. When I download a soundfont, I put the soundfont in Library/Audio/Sounds/Banks. When I use them in Metro, I open the "instruments" window and click on "port" and choose "internal" and name it. Then I go to the "tracks" window and where it says "instruments" I change the instrument to the corresponding name in the "instruments" window. Then I simply click on "program" in the "tracks" window to select my sound. The soundfonts I'm using are GM banks. This always works, but when I open a saved file my settings are changed back to Quicktime's internal sounds.

So... there it is. I would be happy to learn a better way. I would be happy to hear from Jerm or anyone else in this forum. Thanks!

[Jerm]

Selecting internal always selects quicktime for your output (except channel 16 which is reserved for the metronome).

Are you using OS X?

If yes, to use a soundfont you need to drag the DLS/Synth from the plug-ins window to the effects window or aux buss. Then a new MIDI port will appear in the popups called something similar to 'DLS'.

As I mentioned before, more info on using a soundfont can be found on the effects help page at:

http://www.sagantech.biz/metro/help/help5022.shtml

[Scoot]

Jerm.

I am trying to get them to the aux to save CPU.
I don't see DLSMusicDevice as an option for the Aux Bus (Modify Instruments)......only built in audio.......so I don't know if they can run on the Aux Bus. Running them on the audio aux bus produces no sound I can find. I think they required bank and program allocations.
Work ok on tracks


Mr Seaton

I have a horrible thought that although you hate the quicktime instruments, that is what you're probably listening too as you're selecting internal.

How I get soundfonts to work...........

Open the midi file
All the tracks in the file are probably internal.
Let's say track 3 is piano.
I open track 3 in the effects window and drag DLSMusicDevice over to it from plug-ins.
Choose my soundfont bank (which is a 100MB bank of GM)
Allocate some channels to the DLS port in Modify Instru. Busses.
Go to the graphic editor or elsewhere to select a DLS port (this is so it can show up in the instruments window as a fader)
Then I can choose banks and program numbers for the soundfont.

The clue that told me I was working in soundfont rather than Quicktime was when I installed a really awful harpiscord soundfont.

When I switch from quicktime drums to soundfont drums its awesome!

good luck

scoot.

PS once you have your DLS ports appearing in the port selection pop up, go to preferences to save them and then they will appear at metro startup.

[Jerm]

I am trying to get them to the aux to save CPU.
I don't see DLSMusicDevice as an option for the Aux Bus (Modify Instruments)......only built in audio.......so I don't know if they can run on the Aux Bus. Running them on the audio aux bus produces no sound I can find. I think they required bank and program allocations.
Work ok on tracks

Before you see them you have to drag the plug-in to the aux buss either in the instruments window or the effects window with the aux buss selected. After the plug-in is installed the ports will appear and you can add them in modify instruments and busses.

PS once you have your DLS ports appearing in the port selection pop up, go to preferences to save them and then they will appear at metro startup.

I do not think this is entirely true. Unfortunately the plug-in is never automatically loaded from preferences. The DLS port will not appear until after the plug-in is loaded either manually or from opening a Metro document.

[Scoot]

>Before you see them you have to drag the plug-in to the aux buss >either in the instruments window or the effects window with the aux >buss selected. After the plug-in is installed the ports will appear and you >can add them in modify instruments and busses.

Have you tried this?
I don't see them in the aux at the bottom of the "modify instruments and busses" dialog.
[/quote]

[Jerm]

Scooter,

It is not necessary to create an aux buss with the port of DLS. All you need to do is have the effect installed on the aux buss.

And yes I have tried it. All that should show up in the bottom of the dialog is audio ports.