Yes, previous FluidSynth versions assigned incremental program numbers
to each channel. Starting with 1.1.0, the default bank/program
numbers are 1/1 to be compatible with the MIDI GM standard. This
probably isn't going to be changed back to the old way, since there
wasn't a strong justification for the previous functionality and it
would break MIDI GM files which expected Grand Piano to be already
selected.
please note that the issue does not affect GM soundfonts, which certainly
have way more instruments defined than synth number of channels. my
question is exactly about those non-GM/GM2/GS soundfonts that have only one
or a couple of instrument presets defined. as it happens, for instance, on
a soundfont with only one instrument preset, defined at bank=0 and
program=0 (which is most common, afaics) _all_ synth channels get initially
assigned to that very same preset. how come? old behavior (< 1.1.0) was
only the first would get it, leaving all the rest unassigned which i
believe is the right thing to do. what's the use of replicating the same
instrument all over the synth channel space ? my argument is leave them
unassigned as before.