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Topic: Playing the piano with NWC (Read 2816 times) previous topic - next topic

Playing the piano with NWC

I have been using NWC for about ten years and have just (accidentally) discovered that I can actually play a MIDI electronic keyboard through it.
Is it possible to add sound fonts? I have an excellent grand piano sound font that I would like to use. If it is possible, can someone tell me how to go about it?
Regards,
Brian.

Re: Playing the piano with NWC

Reply #1 –
G'day Brian,
that all depends on your keyboard.  While I'm not aware of any keyboards that support sound fonts that doesn't mean there aren't any, it just means I'm not aware of them.

I am aware that there are some keyboard products that will allow instrument downloads, and, of course, there are stand alone MIDI synths designed for connection to keyboards - you could use one of these too...

But to go back to your original question, sound font support depends entirely on your keyboard...
I plays 'Bones, crumpets, coronets, floosgals, youfonymums 'n tubies.

Re: Playing the piano with NWC

Reply #2 –
Perhaps I should better explain what I mean.
I have my computer set up using the Miditzer 216 Virtual Organ (www.virtualorgan.com) with two upper manuals (M-Audio keyboards) and a set of footpedals which I made myself using an old Casio keyboard. It works fine.
Recently I started playing the "organ" and found that the software I had started up was not the Miditzer software but actually NWC13 and I was playing the piano!! That's what I call "accidentally" learning that I can play a keyboard through NWC.
I do not in any way wish to be critical of the piano sound of NWC, but thought it would be nice if I could get a big grand piano sound by installing a new sound font. If it is possible, I would like to know how to go about it.
I must admit that my earlier post is my first to your forum and I should probably take some time to scan throujgh various posts to see what I can learn.
Regards and thanks for your prompt reply.
Brian.

Re: Playing the piano with NWC

Reply #3 –
If I understand what you're asking it would all depend on your soundcard.

If you currently can play your virtual organ through NWC AND your PC supports soundfonts loaded into a soundcard, then I would expect that the answer is yes.

If you can load a soundfont into your soundcard, then you should be able to see the soundcard option in Tools/Options/Midi
In the available play devices, you should see under the available play devices, something that represents your soundcard (perhaps a Creative something or other if you use a Soundblaster or Audigy)

If you then go to Tools/Options Record and check the "Echo Input to play device" and select the sound card option. Then I think you would be nearly there - You may need to click "Echo midi input" but I think that if you have already got playback with your virtual organ, then you are most of the way there.

Perhaps if you repost back with what you find, someone else with more experience of this will kindly take you to the next step.
Rich.