Re: [fluid-dev] Preset Change via MIDI (QSynth/FluidSynth)

[Josh Green]

On Thu, 2006-07-06 at 08:40 +0200, Lutz MoreLater wrote:
> Hi,
> 
> I would like to use FluidSynth and QSynth to play SoundFont files. To do 
> that I have connected my MIDI organ to my computer and that connection works 
> just fine. I can also hear what I am playing so there are no hardware 
> problems and so my questions do not seem to be related to things like jackd 
> either.
> 
> Typically I am using collections of sounds, for example I would like to load 
> a GM table of sounds into FluidSynth/QSynth and do PresetChanges via my MIDI 
> organ, so that I would get Channel #1 Piano, Channel #2 Guitar and Channel 
> #3 Bass. FluidSynth/QSynth receives the PresetChange commands but there just 
> is no PresetChange taking place.
> 
> I have noticed that I can load SoundFonts into QSynth using its GUI, e.g. 
> "MIDIALL.SF2" @ Channel #1, but how do I change between them using only MIDI 
> Preset Change?
> 
> It seems that I have to preconfigure FluidSynth/QSynth via their GUIs so 
> that I can do PresetChanges ONLY by using the GUIs. It means that I have to 
> tell FluidSynth/QSynth via the GUIs which SoundFont to load (which is fine) 
> but also which sound to play on channel #1, which one on channel #2 and so 
> on. But I need to do this via my MIDI organ. Normally, my MIDI organ enables 
> me to send a Preset Change on any of the 16 MIDI channels.
> 
> I have loaded the SoundFont(s) that I want to play into FluidSynth/QSynth, 
> but FluidSynth/QSynth will not accept PresetChanges properly.
> 
> I think that a while ago this worked as I wanted it to, I just cannot 
> remember which versions those were.
> 
> What am I doing wrong? I am probably just misunderstanding something about 
> the concept of FluidSynth/QSynth and how they handle PresetChanges.
> 
> My system is a PC with Kanotix Linux installed.
> 
> Regards,
> Lutz.
> 

Sorry for the late reply.  I had meant to test this, but have not yet
gotten around to doing so.  I think one other user also mentioned there
was a problem with MIDI program change messages not working.  I'll test
this soon and get back to you.  Perhaps you need to also send a Bank
change?  I don't think that is a requirement though, so regardless, it
does sound like there might be something wrong with FluidSynth.  Best
regards,
        Josh Green