What is a DLS synth? -ACID Product Family - MAGIX Community Forums Archive

Subject:What is a DLS synth? Posted by: jackn2mpu Date:1/28/2005 4:50:16 PM I've read the manuals and such, but still can't wrap my brain around what exactly is a DLS synth? Is this anoither name for a dxi or vsti synth? Is it a soundfonts player? What would be the name of some of these DLS'S, and where does one get them? Never heard of the term until Acid 5, and I've been around electronic music for 3 decades, and music itself for over 4 decades.
Subject:RE: What is a DLS synth? Reply by: JohnnyRoy Date:1/28/2005 5:28:29 PM > Is this another name for a dxi or vsti synth? Yes you can think of the DLS Soft Synth like a DXi or VSTi that plays DLS files. It stands for DownLoadable Sounds and you can read about the spec at MIDI.org. It’s a lot like Soundfonts but, of course, someone had to be different. I’m sure there is some engineer somewhere who can wax poetic about how much better DLS is that Soundfonts but its basically the same ideas except, there isn’t much to choose from. I’ve only found a handful of DLS files while there are 1000’s of Soundfonts available. If I had to guess, it was probably created because of licensing issues with Soundfont technology from Creative. ~jr
Subject:RE: What is a DLS synth? Reply by: Iacobus Date:1/28/2005 5:31:19 PM A DLS synth is not unlike other soft synths such as VSTis. They use MIDI to help produce the sounds you hear. I believe it was developed with the help of Microsoft. I also don't think there were any real DLS soft synths made since its induction. Iacobus ------- RodelWorks - Original Music for the Unafraid Buy Instant ACID by JohnnyRoy and Me! Now! mD at ACIDplanet
Subject:RE: What is a DLS synth? Reply by: pwppch Date:1/28/2005 8:55:51 PM The DLS is a standard defined the MMA. It has been around for a sometime. Just never got much attention. Every Windows box ships with the DirectMusic DLS softsynth. It was a simple way for us to provide a consistent sampler for all installation of ACID. The current sounds set is the Roland GS GM sounds set that Microsoft licensed. The DLS sound/sample format is like any other sampler format. SonicImplants at one time had many DLS sounds sets available. (I believe you can still order some of them). There are also tools available that let you convert many other sampler formats to DLS. The DLS softsynth is a very capable sample playback tool. With the proper set of sample sets, you will be amazed at the sound you can get. It is also a very efficient sample play back engine. Peter

Subject:What is a DLS synth?

Posted by: jackn2mpu

Date:1/28/2005 4:50:16 PM

I've read the manuals and such, but still can't wrap my brain around what exactly is a DLS synth? Is this anoither name for a dxi or vsti synth? Is it a soundfonts player? What would be the name of some of these DLS'S, and where does one get them? Never heard of the term until Acid 5, and I've been around electronic music for 3 decades, and music itself for over 4 decades.

Subject:RE: What is a DLS synth?

Reply by: JohnnyRoy

Date:1/28/2005 5:28:29 PM

> Is this another name for a dxi or vsti synth?

Yes you can think of the DLS Soft Synth like a DXi or VSTi that plays DLS files. It stands for DownLoadable Sounds and you can read about the spec at MIDI.org. It’s a lot like Soundfonts but, of course, someone had to be different. I’m sure there is some engineer somewhere who can wax poetic about how much better DLS is that Soundfonts but its basically the same ideas except, there isn’t much to choose from. I’ve only found a handful of DLS files while there are 1000’s of Soundfonts available. If I had to guess, it was probably created because of licensing issues with Soundfont technology from Creative.

~jr

Subject:RE: What is a DLS synth?

Reply by: Iacobus

Date:1/28/2005 5:31:19 PM

A DLS synth is not unlike other soft synths such as VSTis. They use MIDI to help produce the sounds you hear. I believe it was developed with the help of Microsoft. I also don't think there were any real DLS soft synths made since its induction.

Iacobus
-------
RodelWorks - Original Music for the Unafraid
Buy Instant ACID by JohnnyRoy and Me! Now!
mD at ACIDplanet

Subject:RE: What is a DLS synth?

Reply by: pwppch

Date:1/28/2005 8:55:51 PM

The DLS is a standard defined the MMA. It has been around for a sometime. Just never got much attention.

Every Windows box ships with the DirectMusic DLS softsynth. It was a simple way for us to provide a consistent sampler for all installation of ACID. The current sounds set is the Roland GS GM sounds set that Microsoft licensed.

The DLS sound/sample format is like any other sampler format. SonicImplants at one time had many DLS sounds sets available. (I believe you can still order some of them).

There are also tools available that let you convert many other sampler formats to DLS.

The DLS softsynth is a very capable sample playback tool. With the proper set of sample sets, you will be amazed at the sound you can get. It is also a very efficient sample play back engine.

Peter