RKhive links Windows Software (requires a compatible soundcard) AWE V-bank 98 patch manager/editor, by Markus Eisenstoeck Magnificent, years ahead of its time. Formerly US$50, now discontinued (so you'll have to find a serial number for it). Highly recommended. Vienna editor Creative Labs' basic free SoundFont editor; still a reliable choice. Windows Software (no extra hardware required) SoundFaction Alive editor A new $39 SoundFont editor that--theoretically, anyway--can work with a soft synth. Unfortunately, it seems to require the LiveSynth DXi plugin, which is discontinued and difficult to find. Hopefully this will be fixed soon. RGC Audio SFZ soft synth Recently bought by Cakewalk and discontinued, this is an excellent free software-only VST plugin for using SoundFonts in Windows MIDI apps. Well worth tracking down. Bismark BS-1 and BS-16 soft synths These soft synths are a good deal at $30 and $50, respectively; they come in multiple flavors (AU and VST, Windows and Mac). They refuse to load a small number of soundfonts, but are otherwise solid. Mac Software (no extra hardware required) Bismark BS-1 and BS-16 soft synths My preferred choice on the Mac at the moment, thanks to the Quicktime 7 and Intel compatibility problems that have temporarily impaired the usefulness of its free or cheap competitors. Apple DLS Music Device soft synth Apple's own soft synth, included with OS X. Its usefulness is limited by an inability to select more than the first patch in a soundfont bank and, as of OS X 10.4.10, serious sound quality issues on Intel Macs. SoundFont Synth by Andy Drabble Site is apparently down for now. $15 Audio Unit plugin for using SoundFonts in OS X MIDI apps like GarageBand. Some quality issues on Intel Macs, and it can't run on Ableton Live with Quicktime 7. SimpleSynth soft synth, by Pete Yandell Free, no-frills standalone app that you control through the IAC Driver. fluidsynth~ soft synth, by Norbert Schnell Free Max external that lets you use SoundFonts in Max/MSP/Jitter. Resources Hammersound Very big SoundFont collection. SONiVOX New home of Sonic Implants' high-end SoundFonts. Prices start at around $10. SynthZone A collection of links for SoundFonts and sampling in general. Jordan van Bergen Another good link collection. FreeMusicSoftware.org Blog focusing on free tools. top

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