Best soundcard for NWC/midi files...

2000-08-05 04:00 am

Currently I have a SB 64 and use NWC mainly for orchestral or chamber pieces. I am very keen to get a better soundcard. Which would be the best soundcard for playing NWC/midi files?

Thanking all!

Re: Best soundcard for NWC/midi files...

Reply #1 – 2000-08-06 04:00 am

I have the SBLive! card and love it. It uses SoundFonts. I'm not using any of the SoundFonts that came with the card; rather, I collect them off the net and customize the Soundbank to get the instruments I like.

It's a lot of fun and the sound is better than I would have thought possible coming from a computer.

I have 128Mb of RAM and have found that to be very helpful when loading the large soundbanks. One can load total soundfonts up to 1/2 the amount of their RAM (I can load fonts up to 64Mb). Some of the large General Midi banks run about 60Mb, so you see the need for lots of RAM.

I started with the 8Mb bank that came with SBLive! then took it to Vienna and swapped out the instruments I did not like for those I found on the net (primarily Hammer's site.) I now have what I think are the best of the piano, violin, trumpet, etc., instruments.

I bought the card from Amazon.com for $99US.

Regards,
Gordon