Bruce
Miles ✞ 14th January, 2016. This page is part of the jOrgan
mirror of Bruce Miles' homepage. |
Utilities page. |
This page contains information and download
links for programmes and utilities referred to on this site.
|
ZipGenius
A
comprehensive freeware compression/decompression utility. If you do
not have Windows XP or Winzip you will need it to decompress the
Supporting Files and Klangsynth downloads below. Handles .zip, .rar
and most other compressed formats but not compressed soundfont files.
WindowsXP includes a Zip utility.
Download
here
sfArk.
A utility especially for
compressing and de-compressing .sf2 soundfont files, zip is not
effective for soundfont files. sfArk was used to create the
self-extracting Soundfont files on this site so it is not normally
needed to obtain the .sf2 files. It is available for PC, and
(decompression only) for Mac and Linux. Freeware for non-commercial
use.
Download
here.
Hubi's Midicable.
This enables you
to interconnect midi ports and programmes within your computer with
complete flexibility, that is, up to Windows 98. Hubi's is not fully
compatible with Windows XP, but you can use the section that does
work (the single connector part), alone for simple one-to-one
connections, or, for full functionality, in conjunction with Midiyoke
NT (below). The Hubi's included Readme file is rather opaque - try
this alternative set of installation instructions. here.
Freeware.
Download
here.
Midi-ox and Midi Yoke
Midi-ox is a
very comprehensive and versatile MIDI monitor and editor. Allows your
computer keyboard to be used to select patches, can carry out complex
MIDI-mapping and much more. Can 'split' a single keyboard so you can
play on more than one manual.
Midi Yoke, from the same site, is
an interconnection utility similar to Hubi's Midicable. For Windows
XP, you need Midiyoke NT which provides MIDI nodes but not MIDI
connector 'cables'. For Windows Vista disable User Account Control
(via Control Panel) to enable installation. For full functionality in
XP and Vista you can use with Midiox or, more conveniently, the
virtual 'cables' part of Hubi's Midicable (see above). Freeware.
Download here.
Viena
Viena
(one 'n') is a soundfont editor similar to Vienna (two n's) but does
not require a Creative soundcard to be installed. Freeware. Download
via Synthfont and Downloads pages
Download
here
Awave Studio.
A Rolls-Royce soundfont
and wav editor. Makes editing sound samples and creating soundfonts
from them easy. Can convert between different soundfont and other
sound collection formats and also between different sound (.wav, .mp3
etc) formats. Very comprehensive and very easy to use. There is a
free 30 day trial version. Not free, but highly recommended.
Details
and download here.
Klangsynth.
This
is an Additive Synthesis programme used to create the samples which
underlie the Soundfonts. Originally written in German by Andreas
Sims, he has given permission for the programme and helpfile to be
translated into English and made available for download here. The
amplitude and frequency envelopes of the individual harmonics up to
the 33rd, and the noise content, can be configured in detail to
produce 1 second .wav samples. These can then be edited, looped and
compiled into 'instruments' (organ stops or pipe ranks) and
incorporated into the soundfont using Awave Studio, Vienna or other
soundfont editor. A Klangsynth 'Preset' file containing several
example sounds is included in the download to help you get started.
Freeware.
Download
here
Acoustica
This is a gem of waveform
editor, very easy to use, comprehensive and inexpensive. Will not
loop waveforms or compile soundfonts - you will need Awave Studio or
Vien(n)a for this.
Download
here
Wavecraft
Mainly useful for
generating noise based signals (percussions and wind noise
components). A very interesting interface. Freeware. Download
here
SFZ
Sfz, a software Soundfont
synthesiser, may be used in place of a Creative soundcard. Almost any
soundcard will provide the required audio output. Requires ASIO
drivers - here. Sfz's built in
reverb is not very good and a plug-in of some kind is required.
Download Sfz here.
Freeware.
Note for users of Cakewalk.
Cakewalk may cause problems by disabling the Creative soundfont
management system. This behaviour can be supressed by connecting
Hubi's Midicable or Midiox between the sequencer output and the
synthesiser. Alternatively the Kx drivers may be used in place of the
native drivers.
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revised 21-Jan-2009