How to test SGM128, SGM180, SynergiGS, etc.

Anyone have any sugestions on how to test SGM128, SGm180 and SynergisGS, to find out which one is ideal for accompaniment? When I tested individual instruments SGM180 sounded very good, but SynergiGS sounded best in accompaniment mode. When I tested the drums, the drums sounded best in SynergiGS. Of course SGM180 might sound better with a different style? I haven't given SGM128 much testing yet.
I think I can load all three into Forte and switch from one to the other.
Also noticed that the volumes on differnet parts had to be adjusted when changing soundfonts. If the drums are better on one better then another, then I could swap them, with help from Rikki.
Starkeeper

[This message has been edited by Starkeeper (edited 07-24-2006).]

Starkeeper the SGM180, etc. are GM wavetables and as result your would need to place all the drums on track 10 and adjust the drum notes within the styles to fit the GM Standard. Some go about changing the wavetable but I think it is better to change your styles to fit the GM standard (drums, voices and effects).

Thanks Frank. that maybe why it didn't sound as good as SynergiGS. Will try to figure out how to do that.
Starkeeper

Hi Frank

You know you'd think Yamaha would correct their "little" midi problem with track 10 wouldn't you? You'd think they could at least have an optional setting on there products.

In the meantime, wouldn't it be just a lot easier if people that are making programs that deal with the possiblity of this situation would have a fix on their product, such as OMB or Live Styler.

Scott

Scott, I agree. Sequencers or style players should have the ability to convert GS or XG to GM1 or GM2. Alternatively, the style makers could use the GM standard to start with....they would gain market share not lose it.....its called customer service.

For now we can use M. Bedesem's MidiPlayer II. I find it works well for me and it is fast.

I actually think, since these styles are
Yamaha .sty, that we should stick to the
Yamaha format of drums on channels 9 and 10(where the main drum track on ch.10, and
secondary percussion usually on ch.9);
and also to use soundfonts/wavetables with XG drum mappings. This would eliminate converting to GM, and styles would need less tweaking.
The creation of such an all-emcompassing
XG drum soundfont/wavetable might initially be a lot of work, but it will save much time and aggravation in the long run.

Vquestor, if you did that you may not be able to use some wavetables, e.g., Bandstand until it gets updated. There are other wavetables and sample players that adher strickly to the GM Standard, e.g., rgcaudio sfz and others.

In addition, EMC conversion from other keyboards to Yamaha are in the GM format and require only the usual tweaking, e.g., volume, effects, etc.

Just thought I would point this out.

[This message has been edited by Frank L. Rosenthal (edited 07-26-2006).]

Frank, you can still have GM kits in a master
drum soundfont accessed by the appropriate
program change and bank select messages, for styles such as you mentioned(i.e., styles converted to Yamaha). For that matter, a
master drumfont could even have GS kits.
Sure, you can't use some currently available
wavetables, such as Bandstand for XG, but
since a drumfont uses mostly one shot
non-looped sounds, making one shouldn't be
brain surgery.
There are many Yamaha styles that use 2 different drumkits on channels 9 and 10, but I am not sure if other non-Yamaha brand styles also do this. But whether they
do or not, at least adhering to the XG drums on ch.9 & 10 protocol, would be beneficial in providing consistency.

Hi Starkeeper,
I've just started a topic on Soundfont Editors & Soundfont Librarian http://www.synthzone.com/ubbs/Forum43/HTML/000023.html
I use a couple of different ones , though I'm still learning.
Subject may be of interest to you if you want to mix n match your fonts.

best wishes
Rikki
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Starkeeper:
[B]Anyone have any sugestions on how to test SGM128, SGm180 and SynergisGS, to find out which one is ideal for accompaniment?