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Subject:Questions on DLS Synths
Posted by: SonicJG
Date:10/18/2002 6:21:43 PM
1. How many people are using them? 2. For what purpose are you using them? 3. Do you use the standard GS voice set, or do you use DLS files from elsewhere? If the latter, which ones? 4. How many people create their own DLS files, or would, if it was fairly straightforward? 5. If you're not using them, is there something that would make them more attractive? Just looking for a little feedback. Thanks in advance, Joel |
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Subject:RE: Questions on DLS Synths
Reply by: MacMoney
Date:10/18/2002 9:34:44 PM
No Sir---------I don't use em! Ron Jones |
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Subject:RE: Questions on DLS Synths
Reply by: Solafide
Date:10/18/2002 9:35:36 PM
1. I tried to use it but foound it difficult to use. 2. NA 3. NA 4. Definitely, especially if it was simple to convert soundfonts. 5. If using the dsl synth was easier to use (change sounds, etc.) and if you could easily convert sound font files to dsl format. When I first purchased acid 4, I tried to work with the dsl synth and then gave up and havent looked back. If it was straight forward to use I would gladly use it regularly. |
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Subject:RE: Questions on DLS Synths
Reply by: anon
Date:10/18/2002 10:52:36 PM
1. I have toyed around with it, but so far it has been minimal. 2. I really havent "used" it, only just messed around seeing what it was about 3. So far only the GS voice set. 4. Haven't tried doing this yet, I would defintely be more inclined if it was easier to do 5. Yeah, I guess if it was more straightfoward all around, but it just seems to be a big effort to really do anything with it, so I've tended to ignore it for the most part when actually working on a project. |
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Subject:well...
Reply by: Jacose
Date:10/19/2002 1:32:43 AM
its good for previewing midi files, but I would much RATHER the sf2 format, as I have about 4 gigs of soundfonts..... DLS was sort of like a plane that crashed b4 it even left the ground, as promising as it seemed. I think it should be changed to a small sampler, utiliaing DLS,Sf2,and other simple sample formats... nothing complicated, thats the beauty of it. |
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Subject:RE: well...
Reply by: Jacose
Date:10/19/2002 1:33:33 AM
o yeah... and think about it, theres literally millions of sf2s available and only a handful of DLSs.... |
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Subject:RE: Questions on DLS Synths
Reply by: Neil_Palfreyman
Date:10/19/2002 4:00:07 AM
1. How many people are using them? Not me. 2. For what purpose are you using them? ...I'm not, apart from auditioning MIDIs and only then because I have no choice. I would far rather be able to select a VSTi to use for this purpose 3. Do you use the standard GS voice set, or do you use DLS files from elsewhere? If the latter, which ones? There are so few available to download this seems a pretty pointless question. 4. How many people create their own DLS files, or would, if it was fairly straightforward? May do if it was simple. I would far sooner use SoundFonts. 5. If you're not using them, is there something that would make them more attractive? How about massive internet wide support, lots of free or cheap resources, a standard that everybody uses....err, hang on - thats SoundFonts again. Sorry, but SoFo have backed a dead horse with DLS. It could have taken off, and maybe we should have expected it to, what with it being "promoted" by M$, but it hasn't. No-one uses it. |
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Subject:RE: Questions on DLS Synths
Reply by: dhanjit
Date:10/19/2002 4:40:30 AM
1. Yes 2. Midi sounds 3. Both, I have Awave Studio and have converted all my soundfonts to DLS 4. Yes in Awave Studio 5. n/a |
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Subject:RE: Questions on DLS Synths
Reply by: dkistner
Date:10/20/2002 8:10:58 AM
I tried the DLS with intitial 4.0 and had problems (piano on the first play-through before it picked up the proper patch; rendered piano). 4.0a fixed some of them, but there were still display problems with importing other DLS files into Acid and dropping out of the newly loaded DLS. A default DLS folder setting would be nice. I initally made a ton of DLS files using Audio Compositor. Easy enough...just save as DLS. Then I read somewhere that the conversion from SF to DLS sometimes leaves much to be desired depending on how the original SF is set up. Then when I started having the DLS files I loaded drop out, I just gave up on trying to use it. If a DLS Soft Synth would actually read the channels/patches coded into the midi files, and you only had to load it once to get it to play them (which I think is how it's supposed to work), it would be great. I couldn't get it to work predictably enough to fool with it. But I would if the problems could be ironed out. I also use a lot of VSTis. Haven't had a lot of success with them remembering saved presets, though. Probably something I'm doing wrong. |
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Subject:RE: Questions on DLS Synths
Reply by: TeeCee
Date:10/21/2002 1:54:35 PM
Joel, I used them a few times, but not for serious work. I used the standard GLS voice set plus one from the Hybrid demo. I also created one or two of my own using Microsofts FREE DiretMusic producer. If I need a sampler and did not have a lot to spend on it, I would use the DLS synth as it is free with a free editor. TeeCee |
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Subject:RE: Questions on DLS Synths
Reply by: Laurence
Date:10/22/2002 12:49:04 AM
1. How many people are using them? I'm trying. I want to be able to use it. 2. For what purpose are you using them? To play back converted soundfonts and other converted instrument samples. 3. Do you use the standard GS voice set, or do you use DLS files from elsewhere? If the latter, which ones? The standard GS voice set is not high enough quality for me to use. 4. How many people create their own DLS files, or would, if it was fairly straightforward. I have tried using Awave Studio, but it is extremely akward. Simple conversions work well, but even the simplest tweaking is extremely akward. 5. If you're not using them, is there something that would make them more attractive? What the DLS synth needs is a good integrated editor. The DLS synth is extremely CPU friendly. With a good editor, it would become my main keyboard sampler. Laurence Kingston |
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Subject:RE: Questions on DLS Synths
Reply by: SonicJG
Date:10/23/2002 5:09:45 PM
Just a note to say thanks for the feedback, that this thread has been read and we're going to weigh these comments in for current and future decisions. :) Joel |
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Subject:RE: Questions on DLS Synths
Reply by: MacMoney
Date:10/23/2002 7:06:43 PM
I know this has nothing to due with DLS but I would really like to see what Sonic Foundry could come up with as far as a DXi/VSTi like A GM soft synth, Mini Moog, Oberheim OBXa, ARP 2600, Juno 106 etc. A Acoustic Modeled Neve Mike Pre DX/VST. A OPT CC Graphic Midi Editor. A OPT/Standalone Midi Sequencer. A DX/Standalone Sample Converter that would let Acid users use Akai, EMU, Roland, Korg, Sample Cell 1&2 and Kurzweil samples. Well that's my 2 cents George Ware |
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Subject:RE: Questions on DLS Synths
Reply by: Laurence
Date:10/24/2002 2:09:48 PM
Here's one more kind of big thing with the DLS synth: I noticed that it responds to volume, pan, damper pedal and expression controllers, but not to GM2 defined envelope generator and filter controller numbers. It would be really nice to see them implemented here as well. A lot of times you want a string patch with a little slower attack and release, or a slightly brighter or mellower patch or a little extra resonance on a synth bass. With these controllers implemented, the DLS synth would be MUCH more versatile! Laurence Kingston |
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Subject:RE: Questions on DLS Synths
Reply by: pwppch
Date:10/24/2002 10:15:33 PM
The DLS synth is actually part of DirectMusic8 and part of the OS. This synth is GM compatible and does not support GM2. ACID provides a UI for it and loads the DLS sound sets. Peter |
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Subject:RE: Questions on DLS Synths
Reply by: Laurence
Date:10/25/2002 8:17:42 AM
Thanks for the info. I'm starting to like the DLS synth more and more. The CPU useage is just so unbelievably light. I can do a nice two handed piano part that would choke Halion or Kontact on my PIII 1.1, and have plenty of CPU left for an entire arrangement. The samples load really fast too, and the looping has none of the pitch problems that plague the Creative Labs cards. The filters sound great too. I've got the Akai 72 meg "Splendid Grand" converted to a DLS patch and it sounds like a Gigastudio piano. I've also converted and tweaked several of the incredibly good sounding Sonic Implants SoundFonts. Their drum kits in particular are outstanding. The Microsoft DLS synth interface is quick becoming one of my favorite Acid 4 features. Laurence Kingston |
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Subject:RE: Questions on DLS Synths
Reply by: Laurence
Date:10/26/2002 1:47:09 AM
One further note: I checked the CPU usage with an involved piano part playing the 72 meg Akai "Splendid Grand" converted into a DLS. With a chorus and reverb added, the CPU usage on my PIII 1.1 averaged less than 20%. That is a HUGE improvement over my attempt to do the same thing using Cubase and either Halion or Kontact. My computer stuttered and choked like crazy. It used all my available CPU and was still hungry for more. What a difference! Laurence Kingstons |
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Subject:RE: Questions on DLS Synths
Reply by: dkistner
Date:10/26/2002 7:26:52 AM
A note on memory usage. In another forum, somebody recommended turning off Windows System Restore if you were using something like Norton Ghost to regularly make backups. Said system restore just eats up a heck of a lot of hard drive space. But when I turned off system restore on all my drives, my CPU usage went WAY down. I hope I haven't screwed up something in XP by doing this, but so far so good. And Acid is balking less, too. |
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Subject:RE: Questions on DLS Synths
Reply by: Laurence
Date:10/26/2002 4:17:17 PM
Boy the system restore has saved my butt a number of times! I guess I could turn it of and just try to remember to do manual system restore points regularly. How do you turn it off again. Is it possible to just turn it off temporarily when you run Acid or Vegas Video? Laurence Kingston |
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Subject:RE: Questions on DLS Synths
Reply by: johnvulich
Date:10/26/2002 7:42:30 PM
For Christ's sake... just dump the DLS player and implement an SF2 player instead. Why are you guys always trying to suck-up to Microsoft and their evil plots to replace already existing standard file formats with their own proprietary file formats. Do they give you guys a kickback or something??? JV |
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Subject:RE: Questions on DLS Synths
Reply by: pwppch
Date:10/26/2002 9:12:54 PM
DLS is not a proprietary format. It was defined by the MMA not Microsoft to be an open standard. Microsoft chose it because it is an open standard. SF2 is a proprietary format owned and controlled by Creative/EMU. Peter |
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Subject:RE: Questions on DLS Synths
Reply by: johnvulich
Date:10/28/2002 4:04:23 PM
Oh... Well in that case, what is the strategy behind supporting the DLS format over the more popular SF2 format? JV |
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Subject:RE: Questions on DLS Synths
Reply by: Girlio
Date:10/28/2002 7:41:47 PM
I use DLS soundsets all the time, since it's cool to be able to load my midi files into acid. I make my own, mostly from soundfonts that I convert to DLS files using a 3rd party program. I use the GS set the most, an XG dls file would be great. ~Girlio~ |
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Subject:RE: Questions on DLS Synths
Reply by: pwppch
Date:10/29/2002 10:50:03 AM
The intent was to make sure everybody could have a softsynth right out of the box. The DLS synth exists on every Windows box that ACID supports. The DLS synth works and has the ability to load in available sound sets. We also had to maintain backward compatability with ACID 3 projects. Peter |
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Subject:RE: Questions on DLS Synths
Reply by: TeeCee
Date:10/29/2002 1:52:07 PM
johnvulich: I think you're missing the point. Acid supports whatever your soft synth supports. Go get Kontakt or something if you want sf2 support, or the even more popular, Akai support. They made Acid support VSTi's and the Windows built in DLS soft synth. Windows doesn't have a built in sf2 soft synth. TeeCee |