SoundFonts

Noteman says: A SoundFont-compatible sound card is required to use any SoundFont for playback.

A SoundFont is a collection of audio samples that have been converted into MIDIMIDI is a standardized protocol by which music applications, computers and MIDI instruments talk to each other. instruments. SoundFonts can be used by MIDI programs such as Finale for playback. A General MIDI SoundFont called SmartMusic SoftSynthA set of General MIDI sounds included with Finale. The SmartMusic SoftSynth is provided both as a soundfont for MIDI playback and as a plug-in for VST playback. (synthgms.sf2) is included with Finale, and is used by default for MIDI playback. You can also use your own SoundFont in Finale if you wish, or use the SmartMusic SoftSynth SoundFont in other MIDI playback software.

To use the SmartMusic SoftSynth SoundFont for MIDI playback

Noteman says: Regardless of the device chosen in the VST Banks & Effects dialog box, the SoundFont chosen in the SoftSynth Settings dialog box is used for all audio files (.WAV or .MP3) and SmartMusic Accompaniment files (.SMPX) saved from Finale.

1. Choose MIDI/Audio > Device Setup > MIDI Setup.
2. From the MIDI Out Device dropdown menu, choose SmartMusic SoftSynth 1.

   If you expand the MIDI Setup dialog box, a separate instance of the SmartMusic SoftSynth can be loaded into the subsequent seven MIDI Out slots, for a total of 128 unique channels possible.

3. Click OK.

To use a different SoundFont for MIDI playback

1. Choose MIDI/Audio > Device Setup > MIDI Setup.
2. From the MIDI Out Device dropdown menu, choose SmartMusic SoftSynth 1.
3. Click the SoftSynth Settings button.
4. Click the Select button to choose a different SoundFont.
5. Click OK, and click OK to return to the document.

To use the SmartMusic SoftSynth SoundFont in another MIDI playback program

You can load the synthgms.sf2 into your sound card’s SoundFont manager for use with other MIDI playback programs. The procedure for doing so depends on the sound card you are using and the accompanying software. Consult your sound card’s documentation for specific instructions for loading a new SoundFont. See Finale Installation Details for the location of the synthgms.sf2 file.

Tip: Marching percussion sounds are also included with the SmartMusic SoftSynth SoundFont - see Percussion MIDI Maps: SmartMusic SoftSynth.

See also:

MIDI terminology

To use the legacy SmartMusic SoftSynth patches