Yp, looking for “best” GM Soundfont for orchestral score playback.

A friend of mine composes for pro orchestras on a 15+ y old version of Finale. He uses hw SC-88 Pro (mainly for piano) via his keyboard. This ends up in a fully-fledged orchestra score/parts (prints).

For a while now, they’ve been asking me to convert Finale's MIDI files to audio for conductor’s reference. Initially I used SC-88, but now I’ve been importing the MIDI into Reaper, adding the BassMIDI VSTi with various Soundfonts to each channel (+some EQ, imaging, rev, etc.) with decent results.

I’ve been using Timbres of Heaven and Airfont, but that was a quick pick. I’m curious if anyone has recommendations for good Soundfonts (free or paid) suited for orchestral work.

Among others, I came across the GoldMidiSF2 site. Anyone have experience with those?

Tnx

*btw this has to be done super quickly (usually within half a day), so GM compatibility is a must.

 

HQ Orchestral Soundfont Collection

Scroll down a little with your mouse and you will find the latest version 3.0 available for download.

https://musescore.com/groups/young-composers-group/discuss/172224

 

Last edited: Nov 3, 2024 at 6:50 PM

Maybe not exactly what you're asking, and maybe you all ready know, but you can get SC88 as VST. Then you convert to sound files in seconds, and everything sound the same.
I have both the hw and sw.

Edit:
I see now that it's not for sale anymore, but I have a "free" version that I can send you, if interested.

 

Last edited: Nov 3, 2024 at 8:38 PM

I think the Crisis 3.0 soundfont had some pretty good orchestral sounds. I used that one including a bunch of others to make my own custom soundfont to use for old DOS games.

 

I'm not sure if it's the best for orchestral sounds as it's a general purpose one, but the 1.7GB Monalisa GM soundfont is the one I use to reference GM MIDI files with.

*edit:* oh yeah, it's a free one, so can't hurt to try I guess

 

Last edited: Nov 3, 2024 at 7:45 PM

They convert really easily from SFZ using Extreme Sample Converter, you can use Bjorens SFZ mapper to make an SFZ. Anything that's just .wav files can be mad into SFZ. Ronan Fed's Soundfont loader can then load them easily.

 

Thanks for the suggestion. I checked it out and it looks promising.

yp, I use SW ITB whenever possible especially w/ digital

Yes it does. Tnx. I also understand that most people use these for games, sound module emu etc. My use case is somehow particular

Unfortunately I can't find a working dl link. If you have one I'd love to check it out.

Thanks guys. Let me know if you have any other suggestions. Anyone tried GoldMidiSF2 (Score Orchestra, Symphony Orchestral sf2)? I wonder if they are any different from the free ones..

 

Huh, it has disappeared indeed. Check your PMs.