Question about playing MIDI Files

Archived from groups: rec.audio.tech (More info?)

Hello Everyone,

I have a reletively old SoundBlaster 16 PCI card in my computer and
I'd like to be able to hear actual instruments when I play MIDI files.
I've gone to the Creative website and looked for a driver update that
would allow this but can't find one. Can the SB16 just not play actual
instrument voices instead of the silly sounding wave sounds? Can
anyone point me in the right direction?

Thanks,
Charlene

Archived from groups: rec.audio.tech (More info?)

Lucas Tam <REMOVEnntp@rogers.com> wrote in
news:Xns95B686780D83nntprogerscom@140.99.99.130:

> mzchar@gmail.com (MzChar) wrote in news09a8b4.0412050143.3c6a8224
> @posting.google.com:
>
>> Hello Everyone,
>>
>> I have a reletively old SoundBlaster 16 PCI card in my computer and
>> I'd like to be able to hear actual instruments when I play MIDI
>> files. I've gone to the Creative website and looked for a driver
>> update that would allow this but can't find one. Can the SB16 just
>> not play actual instrument voices instead of the silly sounding wave
>> sounds? Can anyone point me in the right direction?
>
> You'll need a WaveTable Soundcard. The SB16 only does FM Synthesis (or
> as you call it silly wave sounds).
>
> You can try a SoundBlaster Awe, SoundBlaster Live, or the new
> SoundBlaster Audigy/Audigy II.


Another thing you can try - You can use a software Midi driver. Windows
has a basic one (in XP at least):

Control Panel -> Sound and Audio Devices -> Audio -> Default Playback
Device -> Microsoft GS WaveTable Synthesis Device

There are better software midi drivers out there by Yamaha and Roland.
However, for the price of the software, you might as well buy a new
soundcard : )


--
Lucas Tam (REMOVEnntp@rogers.com)
Please delete "REMOVE" from the e-mail address when replying.
http://members.ebay.com/aboutme/coolspot18/