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=--  MaliceX's Readme  --=YM/FM Soundfont (since September 2002)
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ATTENTION USERS WITH XP (Information modified since Nov 2003)
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I now use Windows XP Professional, and there are a few problems with this soundfont!
-1. MAX polyphony can no longer be configured, and is fixed at 512. Will have a drastic effect on playing synchro with some really sophisticated MIDI's.
-2. For some reason, I'm guessing newer sound cards have a change on the soundfont system, as according to the 2k/XP-compatible drivers of SBLive! Using a GM bank before the soundfont is still okay, only problem is you have to load them seperately on each Soundfont SW synth of the SBLive. (Damn you CREATIVE!!)
-3. You may notice that the same sounding drumset is set onto every patch number. Well FYI this wasn't intended to be multi-patch, but since of Creative's little tweak on the soundfont system, I had to put it on every patch number (well available in GM) to prevent any drum overtakes on a loaded GM bank before this soundfont...

Though one thing's for sure, these may not be of a problem to you if you use one of those 3rd party drivers. Does anyone know a GOOD one other than the kX project?

Thanks for reading...

Introduction
---------------
This soundfont is basically a soundfont, which uses sounds from synthesized sounds.
Such as MEGADRIVE Synth (YM2612), x68x (YM2608), FM/OPL (YM3152 i think) and many others.
ALMOST every sample has a C4 wave. (quality-and-limit-related) Should sound 60% realistically accurate.
Note: If you don't like a certain sound set for (instrument) go ahead and replace it yourself with the source! ;)

Requirments
---------------
SoundBlaster LIVE!/AWE64/Audigy or compatible. (PCI, NOT 512kb ISA cards!!!)
~32MB RAM (Not in soundfont cache, your actual RAM capacity)
Stereo audio speakers/headphones
Microsoft Windows 9x/ME/2K/XP (98SE recommended for playback)

Soundfont Progress
----------------
Version: v0.06 WIP
Patch fill progress: ~57%
Drum Notes: ~72% (Will use articulated simulations for sounds that aren't possible on FM)
Font Size: 2.15 MB (Mama! that's already bigger than the 2GmGsMt soundfont!)

What's New?
----------------
v0.06 WIP (Cleanup and revision...) Public Release
-Renamed drum folder from 808 to FM.
-(Those with AC) Folder paths changed. It is suggested to clear out the old version(s) and start from scratch, unless you have re-organized the folders manually...
-Changed Kick1 sound and swapped Kick1 with Kick2
-Added attention notice for XP users. (PLEASE CONTACT ME IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO ASK OR TELL ME RELATED TO THE SUBJECT ON THE TOP!!!!!)
-May drop on DLS compatibility until further notice...
-Slapped on drums on all patch numbers. (This is to be considered TEMPORARY until I feel like putting on PROPER drums, but using the same related soundset but with the correct sounding notes...)
-Added *S* to denote that a patch/layer is simulated or using a sound already used. (Eg: Drum sounds used on percussion patches)
-Added Seashore (Used FM wave creator on Sound Forge)
-Deemed Preset file useless. Please do it yourself. :P

v0.05--Long-time-no-release version
-Fixed piano sustain problem
-Re-added Distortion Guitar with a non-modulated one
-Added 'native' jingle bells on drums.
-'cross-added' Agogo from drums to normal instruments. (no C4)
-Jazz Guitar re-added
-Just to note, that DLS playback with this soundfont will NOT be as accurate as the SF2 version, noting the 'poly' limit, and the loudness bug with the soundfont' I will release the DLS version on the FINAL version.
-Fixed volumes to be compatible with DLS exportation, as well as unneccessary bytes
-Added a few native Drum sounds.
-Re-added Charang with a simpler one
-Added Goblin FX. (sketchy)
-Repaired various articulation errors. (To be realistic :P)
-Replaced E.Piano 2 with a much better one. (The one before sounds like a bell)
-Fixed volume of certain instruments (partial, may come to a stage of replacing sound)
-Replaced Overdriven guitar AGAIN.
-Added Preset file. (For those who DON'T use Enviro Audio thing for background effects, but want it generally for midi's that have reverb and chorus)
-Something new: synth claps for the drums added.

v0.04
-Added Electric G.Piano
-Re-added E.Piano2 (That completes the piano family)
-Re-added Vibraphone
-Added Kalimba
-Re-added Pan Flute
-Added Bottle Blow
-Added Clavinet
-Fixed G.Piano and Synth Brass's wrong 'note interchange.' (Don't worry..)
-Re-added Baritone Sax
-Re-added Music Box
-Re-added StringsE1
-Re-added Flute
-Added Trombone
-Re-added Trumpet
-Added Oboe
-Re-added Hammond Organ
-Added Acoustic Bass (That fills the bass family. :))
-Re-added Violin
-Added Viola

v0.03c (Revision release)
-Re-added Synth Bass 1 with an appropiate one with C4
-Re-added Electric Piano 1 with C4
-Added Church Organ with C4 (i'm just gonna say I've added an instrument without having to say C4 everytime from hereon...)
-Modified the readme a bit. (Now has Soundfont Progress section, for those 'tracking' nerds. ;))
-Added Guitar Harmonics
-Added Fretless Bass
-Re-added Brass Section with a real one
-Added Honkytonk (Chorused G.Piano)
-Release time of all piano instruments have been lowered. (too sustaining...)
-Re-added Bass+Lead
-Re-added Clarinet (sounded like a bad-quality bagpipe...ew)
-Added Ice FX
-Added Ocarina
-Shrunk size of current Pan Flute
-Lowered volume of 5th saw and Bright piano.

v0.03b
-Fixed the unity notes for Percussion Organ
-Changed the release-note length for Brass Section to 200ms
-Added 5th Saw Wave with C4.
-Changed Overdriven Guitar AGAIN.. (Other one didn't sound right...this is close enough)
-Re-added Fingered Bass with C4
-Replaced 2 drum notes with an agogo-type sound.
-Added Picked Bass with C4

v0.03
-Re-added Synth Brass 2 with C4
-FIXED Overdrive guitar sample set, since it was supposedly a duplicate of the Distorted Guitar... With C4
-Added Choir (Space) Pads WITH C4
-Re-added Charang WITH C4
-Re-added Bright Piano WITH C4
-Added 3 extra samples for the Drumset. (I need to rename the folder and its 'spec' sometime... 808 doesn't sound good for it anymore.. :\) Snare2, Kick2 (B1) and Cymbal Taps. :)
-Re-added Slap Bass and Slap Bass 2 sets WITH C4.
-Added Sitar WITH C4
-Added Tubular bells with C4 and crossfaded loop
-Added Celesta with C4
-Added Harpsichord with C4

v0.02 (REAL release)
-Added new Squares with C4
-Added Saw Wave WITH C4
-Added 1-second-plus Slow strings with C4
-Added Steel Drums
-Added new Distorted Guitars with 1-sec+ C4
-Added new Nylon Guitar with C4
-Re-added the Synth Bass 2 with C4
-Added Synth String 1 (no C4)
-Added Choir Aahs with C4 (Amazing :P)
-Replaced the toms with new ones
-Altered the readme a bit, due to the changes on the Soundfont.

v0.02 (Compatibility release) --v0.02 ALPHA (It's not done yet all the listed WIP features)
-Now DLS-2 Export-compatible
-Similar to above, but still in the process of adding the C4 note Sounds, as they are needed for getting past a note limit.
-Re-sampled some more instruments.
-Changes increased very much the size of the soundfont. I may have to release the source seperately

v0.01 (Year 2003 New-year Special Release--BETA Advancement)
-Repaired and replaced ALOT of sounds (They sound MUCH better than before! :D)
-Some replaced samples are 'Phased-enhanced' :)  *eg: Square Wave, French Horn* (Much better than standard waveforms)
-Added heaps of new patches (Strings, Fing-bass, Bs&Ld and more)
-Drums now include more percussion sound.
-Deleted standard kit. (Well, it may be a drumkit, but is it FM? AND is it copyrighted? ;))
-Some samples may use Articulation due to lack of 'life' on some sounds. :( *Bad thing-More polyphony use*
-Soundfont has 'gained weight...' 500kb it is.. @_@;

v0.008
-I'm changing my mind about keeping the soundfonts SMALL AS POSSIBLE. The font will be large from now on, though it will still be able to be as small as possible, but with much higher quality patches. In the process of re-sampling GOOD VERSIONS of waveforms. (Though I will still try to keep them less than 50kb)
-Added a few new patches

v0.007 (Preliminary Advancement Release)
-Added generic Synth Drum
-Added Squares
-Fixed unity note 'INCORRECTIONS'
-Fixed global volume level
-Re-sampled some samples
-Fixed incorrect pitch on Organ patches
-In the process of setting maximum note to C#7 on every patch. (ex. drums :P)
-Need feedback if wanting 'mixed' synth instruments

v0.006
-Changed the 808 drum samples
-Added 808 rim (may be used for general rims)
-Fixed volume on bass-based patches
-Added more patches

v0.005 (Day of Open-source proposal)
-Added Drum patches (patch 25= TR808 (YM) and patch 0= Standard (PDX) -incomplete-)
-Changed Charang patch
-Loudened Drums
-Source included

v0.003
-Changed a few bass patches
-Added new bass patches (Generic Electric bass still isn't implemented yet)
-Repaired articulation
-Added new FM patches. (Started on FM waveforms, YM is becoming too easy)

v0.002
-Resampled 2-4 patches with different effects
-Dramatically decreased size of soundfont (may vary on quality on about, 98/100)
-Fixed bending pitches (error on loops)
-Lowered Polyphony use (articulation)

v0.001 (Alpha Advancement)
-Added 2 more patches
-Removed Finger bass (replacing this one later)
-De-articulated certain instruments (Truly not much Polyphony :D)
-Fixed bass bugs

v0.0002
-Added 4-6 more patches
-Fixed Articulation bugs
-Set the volume of all waveforms to be FIXED at -10.0 dB
-CC9x support WILL NOT be used. (Means not much polyphony taken up)

v0.0001 (First Release Alpha)
-Start of project
-Consists of 3 patches
-Again, made through Audio Compositor

Other Projects
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Gameboy 'synth' Soundfont
-A 'synthesized' soundfont using GB samples. However, they may sound odd, due to the mixing of this and that. Generic sounds are however, kept original. (Square, Saw...)

Links
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http://sonikteam.dyndns.org/malicex/Soundfont%20Projects (Internet folder hosted by Beta. :) Only place you'll find it unless Hammersound FTP is working again... -_-; Or if i get my own site...which is a high doubt! Not online 24/7, can go offilne at ANY TIME...)

Disclaimer
----------------
MaliceX does not take responsibility on any damage whatsoever to your computer, when using this soundfont.
Use at your own risk, as this is only a beta soundfont. :P
This project is open-source, so please give me credit at least. :)
Thank you. :D

CRITICAL NOTES (Known Bugs)
----------------------
-The quality of (instrument) is bad. Too bad, I'm not done with Fresh C4 Notes, as I have a damn note-limit with
both DLS exportation and SF2 note 'jams'

-Some sounds don't sound right. Don't worry, I'm always switching sounds.

-Drumset is incomplete. You will have to wait until I'm finished finding the right sounds.
Credits
------------
Audio Compositor, for being a very versatile sound module editor.
Creative Labs/E-mu, for creating the Soundfont 2.01 alogrithm.
Roland, for their very odd DLS sound module
Yamaha, for creating their XG soundset, and creating synth chipsets. (They kinda inspired me of synthesized sounds)
Beta, for the free hosting he provided. (And other things he's done. I owe him big time!)
And my computer, for being with me since I was 6 years old. :P

IMPORTANT REQUESTS
---------------------
-PLEASE, email me if you have any problems with this soundfont, or any gripes on quality, size etc. My email is myscreenjr@yahoo.com.au

-I can no longer work alone on this project, free time is sinking away from my own hands, so if you are modifying this soundfont with the sources included, please email me your modification of the soundfont in acp/sf2 format. I'll see whether it CAN be added or not, and also EXPLAIN what you've added, or I'll be angry. ;D

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