Sound Fonts
Hi. What's the complete story for adding sound fonts? Do I need to add any other software first? I have just installed Musescore 3.0. So, what's the next step for exploring fonts? Where can I get fonts? Are there some that are specifically for Musescore that would be easiest to install first? What kind of fonts will or won't work? I have downloaded some VST fonts, but don't know what is actually in the packages or what to do with them. So, for a novice, what do I need to know? Are there any important questions that I have neglected to ask?
Comments
See: https://musescore.org/en/handbook/soundfonts-and-sfz-files. MuseScore supports sf2-/sf3-soundfonts and sfz-instruments. In this handbook section you'll find also some links of soundfonts.
There's no direct support for vst instruments.
https://sites.google.com/site/soundfonts4u/
So, Musescore does not use VST? What's the difference between the different types? Sf2, sf3 and sfz are not VST plug ins?
In reply to So, Musescore does not use… by Rockhoven
I don't know much about soundfonts but maybe this will help. It is an overview with links to detailed wiki articles.
http://www.schristiancollins.com/soundfonts.php
In reply to So, Musescore does not use… by Rockhoven
MuseScore currently does not use VST or a plugin system of any kind for sound. Just normal soundfonts (SF2, SF3, and SFZ formats) that require no special software. So simply install the soundfont as described in the Handbook and you are good to go.
VST support is being discussed for MuseScore 4.
An excellent source for soundfonts:
https://www.hedsound.com/
I'm experimenting with loading more fonts, but I see that the font menu gets awful cluttered. Can I remove the default fonts, so I can more easily see a new font menu, without the clutter? I would like to have a select list only. What are my options?
In reply to I'm experimenting with… by Rockhoven
Yes, you can remove the default soundfont and add any number of other soundfonts.
See https://musescore.org/en/handbook/synthesizer for details.
However, reducing the list of presets in the mixer dropdown is not so easy. You need a soundfont editor. This would also enable you to build your own soundfont with only the presets that you need and with the presets listed in any order – at the expense of GM compatibility.
In reply to Yes, you can remove the… by yonah_ag
OK. So, I'll just keep to the basics for a while until I understand this better. Will removing the default fonts affect the drop down menu? It should, I think.
In reply to OK. So, I'll just keep to… by Rockhoven
Yes, it will. Add a new soundfont then remove the standard MS font and click the "Set as Default" button so that MS remembers this setup.
I no longer use the MS font. I have one font just for guitars, (top of the synthesizer list so that its presets are listed first in the mixer dropdown), and another font for GM compatibility.
Hey! Is there anyway to combine sound fonts to get a moog synth type sound?