Introduction:

Finding the right SoundFont is often based upon the needs of each individual musician.  And obviously. it requires time of research over the internet to find the best one that fits your type of sounds or what we call, "sampled instrument rendered as SoundFont."  As we all know, SoundFont Technology was originally developed and introduced back in the late 90's by E-MU Systems and Creative Labs on the first Sound Blaster to hit the market, Sound Blaster AWE32.

When GM (General Midi) was introduced few years ago, it became the popular standard format to most commercial songs or midifiles followed by GS, which became the trademark and version of Roland.  At present, majority of the midi instruments, keyboard manufacturers bears the GM Logo which supports general midi playback under this format.  If you drop by to any of your favorite local music store, you'll easily spot on the GM sign on top of the board to assure consumers that this product can handle playback of GM Midifiles.

Yes, there are but few GM SoundFonts that are rated average in terms of quality.  At least  you'll be able to find such a good version that will probably suit your own taste of sounds for midi playback.  If you're looking for a sound replacement, SoundFont is a good alternative to your external gears and other hardware modules.  Just plug your laptop, hook to your amp, load the SoundFont and start your gig.  It's so simple, no complicated setup is necessary and could save much of your time.

Now there are six major areas outlined here related between SoundFont and Midi. This might be valuable and would benefit both beginners as well as amateur musicians who are at the learning stage and have never been a fan of SoundFont Technology.

My Laptop.  My Music.  My Band

   About JaZMan GM SoundFont™

   Editing Your Midifiles

   Midi Improvisation                                          

   Performing On Stage

   Useful Midi Tools
                                                                                                                  

   Additional Resources                         
     

I. About JaZMan GM SOUNDFONT ™

For years. I've kept searching for one great SoundFont, that will meet my current set up. I managed to find some lists and even purchased virtual instruments out of curiosity, but I need a sound that's exceptional.  My aim is to use something "Simple but with Quality."  Of course, as a performing musician, getting a live rhythm section is a lot better compared to a sequencer. But to minimize the costs, use of rhythm box or backing tracks nowadays can get you more gigs and sometimes in my experience, give you a better pay eventually. Most places, like hotels, small pubs save their budget when hiring a good live band, therefore you have to be versatile and flexible musician, using other means is just necessary to survive.  It's always part of the competition among musicians around.

"When there's opportunity for a live rhythm section, go for it, why not? If not, other people might grab it."

JaZMan GM SoundFont has a decent and balanced choice of instruments. It took me several months to sample these sounds and one of  my creations, fully optimized so it won't kill extra memory even you got a simple system. Choices are between GM Lite16-bit and GM Pro24-bit and my final project,  the GM Max32-bit version which I plan to release in the future dedicated to those sound enthusiasts out there.

I believe that even an amateur musician would enjoy the benefits of using SoundFont on their music once you've tried it. Definitely, every musician wants to get the right quality and expects to hear the right sound or instrument when playing midifiles.  Don't you?

If you wish your GM songs to sound a lot better, you have to listen carefully and test the entire quality during playback. JaZMan GM SoundFont is indeed a good value for money.  I've put so much effort to it because I understand what a musician needs based on my experiences.  
In short, SoundFont is one perfect companion for a working musician who doesn't require a complicated setup. Back in the days. I got racks of different gears, equipments to bring along with me whenever my band performs.  Starting from bulky ones to those portable modules, I just found out that SoundFont is so simple, handy and yet so much practical to use.

You don't need to invest an expensive soundcard to get the best sound out of your midifiles. We understand that audio quality from a real hardware is different, we can't compete that.  But to minimize use of external gears, you can make use of your laptop as it's more practical to carry around just one equipment when travelling from one place to another. 

Anyway, entertaining the audience is our main concern or top priority and of course to get a decent sound and good instruments as much as we can before the actual performance.

 JaZMan PRO GM 24-BIT SOUNDFONT™

JaZMan 24-bit GM SoundFont Demo Sounds

JaZMan 24-bit GM SoundFont Demo Sounds by digitalproaudiosamples

II. Editing your Midifiles

Moreover, there's plenty of great tools that you can use if you plan to improve your midifiles and get the best sound of it. Cubase and Cakewalk Sonar are one of the best commercial softwares widely used around by majority and also my favorites for midi-programming and audio recording.  Not to mention FL Studio and Ableton, especially if you're that type of guy who are fond of creating audio loops to blend well with your midi.  They're intuitive graphical interface will give you more freedom, room for creativity and improvement. Sooner or later it could help shape up your skill and becomes a professional midi-arranger once you've mastered every piece of it and dedicate so much of your time.

If you're a solo performer who does his or her own back up vocals, Cubase or Cakewalk Sonar should be on your lists together with your other favourite tools. Well okay, they are great programs but if you got tons of midis, you sure need an extra time to edit or modify them.  How?

The answer is, yes,there are power tools which are user-friendly and will do the job for you in just a couple of minutes.  As for my case, I apply both methods,  using professional and simple softwares, will definitely enhance your knowledge, improve your playing styles when you don't stick to only one application. "Simple programs do not mean they're not good."

I've no problems with midifiles I've created as I've programmed them for commercial use and for other purposes, hence creating the right beat and rhythm is always present during playback. Volume and note velocity of each track are well compensated, to give it a nice final mix.

But if your midifiles come from various sources, you need to adjust, or edit them in order to match your own standard of listening and playing. 

"If you play live with your backing tracks, make sure your midifiles stand out" play them with the same amount of volume as possible." This makes your audience enjoys listening to your songs and watch you rock the stage.  If your music isn't well-balanced enough, it can sometimes destroy the mood and tends to becomes lousy.  Moreover, you have to control the volume manually if your files are programmed with different velocities. It sounds irritating especially if the next song is either too loud or too soft and inconvenient during live performance. 

"You should hear your music and feel the music." As a general rule, always make sure you do not sound exactly like a karaoke version or an old am radio just to get something to listen to.  If you or your group is really good and outstanding, your music should project the right image for yourself and your band as an artist. "Solid music, great sounds produce a killer product" and makes it easier to market yourself and your group to any music companies out there.

In my experience, I do two versions of midi-arrangement and mixing, one for live playing and another version for studio use. Why? If you play live, your backing track should sound powerful and blend well with a live vocals.  Professional midifile that you can purchased in the internet can be easily lay or mixed down among other live tracks, this is typically done for studio or home recording.  And it's good if you're cutting your own album or doing a cover version. It would even save time for a sound engineer to finish the entire project during mixing because those midis are arranged professionally. 

"Don't expect that midifiles you download for free are perfectly done."  I do some stripping around, either edit the notes or tracks volume, adjust panning of each instrument  and minimize or reduce the effects, namely chorus or reverb applied to each midi track. Not too dry, just a small percentage to add some depth in your instrument.  Remember, too much effects tend to cover up the presence and integrity of the entire song.  It is true that effects are not only intended for vocals, it's also very useful to your midifile.

If you keep this method, your music will come out more lively. Imagine your yourself that you're performing with a live rhythm section, instruments playing in the background will have more life, giving a bit more character.  Always avoid your midifiles to sound exactly like a real minus-one. The better you edit them, the more you produce a great music.
 "Listen to commercial songs and review how they are mixed to give you better idea."

Of course, if midi tracks are well sequenced or programmed, you got a richer and cleaner sound compared to those unedited version. Take a look at these examples. (will add later on...)

Finally, you should "Pick up the right midi instrument assigned on each track." Well, the best is listen to the original source for you to review prior to editing. Let's say, if the selected drum kit or instrument doesn't sound right for that song, try other preset or sound bank until you are satisfied with the results.

Here's another example: (will add later on...)

Each band or solo artist has its own identity, so why not create one something for yourself or your group?  Our audience often remembers when you got something special to watch on and listen to.  Always remember "First impression is most important."