Is there a way to create a General Midi Configuration using some combination of Emagic SoftSynths? Or is it true that they cannot even respond to program changes at all? If so, what are other great-sounding General Midi SoftSynths can be easily integrated with Logic 6.2.1, OSX, 1.6gz G5, 512 MB. I have lots of basic midi-files created on my old PC with Band-In-A- Box (which will need lots of tweeking) played through the Edirol soft synth, (which sounded ok, but not great), and my Yamaha QY70 portable sequencer/sound module (sounds are good, but the audio output is not professional). As a songwriter, my main goal is not to have the most original earth shaking sounds, but to easily and quickly put together an arrangement (which Band-In-Box sucks at, but Logic is the best at), with instrument sounds that are clean, full and don't detract from the vocal and guitar performances. Using SoftSynths, preferably from Emagic, should make my work-flow smoother, (since I won't have to record synth sounds from an external module to an audio track before mixing down). I would like to do everthing inside the computer; I'll add more RAM if needed. Thanks in advance, Doug Forman - Logic 6.2.1, OS 10.X, Mac G5, MOTU 828mkII, Alesis QS8.1

[previous comments trimmed by admin. please put replied to message at top of email message. Thanks.] If you're not into earth shattering then the cheapest best way is to look into PlugSounds. They've got a virtual instrument that's about $80 with a GM sound set. It's quite stable and it's been reviewed in the Music Mags. The only way to do a GM soundset with e-magic instruments (as of this e-mail) is to buy the EXS24 and find an Akai Sample CD with a GM soundset which would cost considerably more than just the PlugSound Global instrument. Try PlugSound Free to get a taste of how it integrates. It's in AU.

--- In logic-users@yahoogroups.com, "douglasforman" wrote: > Is there a way to create a General Midi Configuration using some > combination of Emagic SoftSynths? > Or is it true that they cannot even respond to program changes at all? > If so, what are other great-sounding General Midi SoftSynths can be > easily integrated with Logic 6.2.1, OSX, 1.6gz G5, 512 MB. > ... Hmmm... I /thought/ that OSX (and/or Quicktime) came bundled with a DLS-format synth thingy that does GM. "DLS" (DownLoadable Sounds) is a generic alternative to Creative's soundfont format(s), used by companies that don't want to be beholden to Creative (eg Microsoft and Apple!). The DLS spec is supposedly a superset of Creative's, but it doesn't seem to be as popular. If OSX's built-in DLS player can import SoundFonts, then there are some alternative downloadable GM SoundFont sets available on the net ... the Jan Hammer GM soundfont set at www.soundfont.com costs the princely sum of ten dollars! http://www.soundfont.com/generalmidi.html If the OSX player /can't/ import SoundFonts, and you don't like the onboard sounds, you might still be able to find DLS-format GM files on the net somewhere else.