I find hardware soundfont architecture very unwieldy - You have to bounce stuff to tracks before you can apply any FX, since the soundfont synthesis process is totally beyond the scope of the software.

In any case, I'd recommend you pick up a software soundfont plugin, like the bundled LiveSynth DXi or HALion (which also loads .gigs). True, you'd need a little more CPU power to cope, but being able to apply effects and such directly onto those tracks is a benefit that far outweighs the inconvenience. ;)

Sorry for not directly answering the question.

In any case, I'd recommend you pick up a software soundfont plugin, like the bundled LiveSynth DXi or HALion (which also loads .gigs).

This is definitely an option. I had a LiveSynth demo version, but the time expired long ago, I'm afraid. lol, just my luck. :D I've also heard of HALion, but I think I need to do some more research before buying anything.

The reason I'm interested in this is to, mainly, create rythm sections through midi banks vs. using a sequencer(i.e. programing entire songs instead of using loops). I might be going about this the wrong way. I've been using FruityLoops as my sequencer, but I can't seem to get "that" sound I want. Know what I mean? lol, forgive me if I seem ignorant about the subject, but, I am. LOL :D I understand with SoundFonts I have more control over the way each sound "sounds". Maybe through this avenue I'll find what I'm looking for.

As far as SoundFonts go, I was very impressed with Will Lee's bass library from Sampleheads. Their Drumworks stuff is also impressive. If anyone 'round here has experience with these or other recommendable SF's, I would really appreciate some feedback.

Oh, BTW, I figured out my problem. It was a soundcard issue(SoundBlabber flAudigy), hehe. Go figure. For posterity's sake, here's the fix.....

Bring up AudioHQ, double click SoundFont and, under the Options tab, you'll be able to adjust your SoundFont cache. Increasing this will allow for more SoundFont memory.

Personal note: I assume one can go overboard with this SF cache, so I only allocated slightly more than the total of my SF's. HTH anyone that needs help on down the road. And Falkon, thank you for your response and suggestions.
:c:
O

You can allocate a certain fraction of your PC's RAM for Soundfont cache (can't remember the exact ratio... 1/10 or 1/4 or 1/2, which isn't very helpful :D )

You COULD try using SONAR's DR008 for drum/percussion parts - It simply converts midi notes into triggers for user-defined .wavs. I use this all the time for retriggering drums with DrumAgog (can be demoed from www.directxfiles.com)

DrumAgog converts the original drum track into midi events, I quantize and shift some stuff to get more accurate timing for sloppy sections, then use midi velocity manipulation to compress everything and then plug it into DR008. Time consuming, but well worth it.

Oh, cymbals and such, I prefer to use the original tracks, of course. ;)

I haven't worked with the DR008 any, but I'll have to check it out. Like I said, I'm just getting my feet wet. LOL, feels similar to drowning though. LOL. I'm at the point right now where I make everything harder than what it really is. I'll get it eventually. Thanks for the replies Falkon.

You probably should be careful around the DR008 though. It *COULD* be just my old system (which finally caved in and died a week or two ago), but I managed to get SONAR to crash at least three different ways while using some of the advanced features.

AFAIK, no one else has had this problem on the Cakewalk newsgroups, so I guess it might just have been me.

Can't wait for this week's exams to be over so I can reinstall all my music-making stuff on this spankin' new laptop. :D

Thanks for the heads up. I'll try it out on some "not so important" stuff before I get too dependent on it.

New laptop, huh? Sounds sweet.

2.0GHz/512 RAM, with USB2.0s and a Firewire.

It's going to be fun working on this thing, with the added advantage of not having to deal with sibling's trash on the machine. ;)