Category:

Let's Play

Duration: 7:51

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This video's purpose is somewhat instructional, as well as for demonstrating the sound of some commercial General MIDI soundset VSTs.

You might notice slight audio crackling/clipping in this video...I had the volumes at max when I recorded it.

*Using VSTs with MIDI players and games*
Some may already know this, and some might find it helpful...
For this you basically need loopMIDI (free), probably BASSMIDI (for selecting the system's default synth), and VST Host by H. Seib (also free), and a GM-compatible VST (not free).

*Note that unlike with soundfonts, you will need to keep a VST application running in the background when using them to play MIDI from other programs.*
1. Install loopMIDI, run it, and check that a loopback virtual port is open and active. Also, run BASSMIDI and set the default system synth to the loopMIDI port.
2. If the VST has a standalone version, skip to step 6. Otherwise, you will need VST Host. Install VST Host and run it.
3. Select "Devices" menu option then "MIDI..." Make sure the loopMIDI port is selected as the MIDI input port.
4. Load a VST: Click "File" then "New PlugIn..." and select the DLL file of the VST. The VST should be loaded, and that's it. For OmniSynth, go to step 7.
5. Now simply minimize VST Host, and use MIDI applications normally. The VST will be used to play MIDI from Windows Media Player, games that use MIDI music, etc.
6. For a standalone (exe) version of a VST such as Purity, simply run the application, select loopMIDI as the MIDI input port, and that should work fine.
Extra steps for OmniSynth, to use the drumkit correctly:
7. Load SampleTank in VST Host. Set up SampleTank's instrument path to where OmniSynth 2 is stored.
8. From SampleTank, load OS 2's program change file.
9. Select channel 10 in SampleTank, then select a drumkit for it.
10. From VST Host, go to "Devices" then "MIDI..." then "Filter Settings" then "Special Filter".
11. Create a special filter with Type Program and Channel 9. (Here channel "9" is actually the tenth channel; i.e. the drum channel).

It might seem like a little work, but it's still rather simple. Some notes:
* You will need to keep the VST running for MIDI music to play through it. You can minimize the VST or application and it should run without eating up too much memory.
* Make sure that a sound card output (e.g. "Realtek") is selected for VST Host or the standalone application. For Purity, adjust the buffer options until the sound plays smoothly. Buffer Size 512 and Number of Buffers 4 works well for me.