Sound...Plugins..Soundfonts..Nothing working. Help!

[Tookie]

Hi all,
For many years I worked with Sibelius, Cakewalk and Sonar le, on a windows platform. I have been on Linux mint for just over 2 years, and have just gotten back into recording and producing. However, I cannot find any way forward to getting my computer to make a sound when using a few Linux based programs. I have spent days using Google, and Ubuntu forums and am at a complete loss.
After downloading most of the available programs, and getting fed up and un-installing, I am at a total loss. I think where I am going wrong is I cannot seem to download the Soundfonts, or even just a basic GM sound engine. I have Sound Blaster Pro soundcard installed, but Linux just does not see it.

Is anyone able to either suggest a program that will play back MIDI files with the minimal installation effort? I think I have tried them all, but maybe I missed a few? My first project is to edit MIDI files. Later I will need to edit MIDI Files, convert the instruments to Audio, add FX, with a couple of vocal tracks and some live guitar work.

I hope someone is able to assist.
Thanks

[folderol]

First of all, can you get any sound at all, if you just try to play an mp3, ogg or wav file?
If not, have you used one of the many mixer programs (I don't know what the default one is for Mint) to make sure the output levels are up, and are not muted?

[Tookie]

Hi,

Mint comes with Vlc, and Banshee, and yes, I have sound for these, as well as general sound for the closing windows, minimize maximize etc. I also have Audacity, and can play back/record Audio.
I have QjackCtl, and ALSA installed, and have sound for Hydrogen and Muse Score. Mint also comes with Ardour, and again, no sound. My biggest concern at this time is to be able to edit and playback Midi Files, and hopefully convert them to Mp3. Have tried several programs for this but cannot get the sound.

Thanks

[Pablo]

A basic gm soundfont you can easily install is FluidR3_GM.sf2 . It belongs to a package called fluid-soundfont-fm. Search for it in the software centre or, simpler, paste the following command to a terminal window

sudo apt-get install fluid-soundfont-gm

This will install FluidR3_GM.sf2 in /usr/share/sounds/sf2

For just playing back midi files I use audacious. Audacious doesn't need jack (but it has jack audio output as an option) so I think it is good choice to start with. In audacious settings, plugins, input, tick AMIDI-Plug and push the "settings" button on the bottom of the window. A new dialog will open where you must load the soundfont ( + green button). FluidR3_GM.sf2 is in File System, usr, share, sounds, sf2.

Hopefully, audacious will now play your midi files.

Now, to edit midi files, you need a midi sequencer or a DAW with midi sequencing capabilities. I use rosegarden but there are a lot of choices. As Rosegarden uses jack for audio, you need to first set up and start jack. Don't think you can select the card once jack is started as you would do in windows or in the default Mint sound system. Jack is different, you have to configure jack to use your card of choice before starting jack. An excellent guide for setting up jack is at libremusic production.

To use soundfonts in rosegarden, the most convenient way is a synth plugin, then fluidsynth dssi plugin, in which, of course, you also have to load the soundfont.

I hope this helps

[Lyberta]

Can you use different channels of the same DSSI plugin in Rosegarden?

[Tookie]

Now, to edit midi files, you need a midi sequencer or a DAW with midi sequencing capabilities. I use rosegarden but there are a lot of choices. As Rosegarden uses jack for audio, you need to first set up and start jack. Don't think you can select the card once jack is started as you would do in windows or in the default Mint sound system. Jack is different, you have to configure jack to use your card of choice before starting jack. An excellent guide for setting up jack is at libremusic production.

To use soundfonts in rosegarden, the most convenient way is a synth plugin, then fluidsynth dssi plugin, in which, of course, you also have to load the soundfont.

I hope this helps

Hi Pablo, thanks for the info. I have played with a few options but liked what i saw with rosegarden. I think to maybe assist you, I will paste in the eror reports from rosegarden. sequencer status.

Rosegarden 13.06 - AlsaDriver [ALSA library version 1.0.27.2, module version 3.16.0-38-generic, kernel version 3.16.0-38-generic]

JackDriver::initialiseAudio - JACK sample rate = 48000Hz, buffer size = 1024
JackDriver::initialiseAudio - creating disk thread
JackDriver::initialiseAudio - found 2 JACK physical outputs
JackDriver::initialiseAudio - connecting from "rosegarden:master out L" to "system:playback_1"
JackDriver::initialiseAudio - connecting from "rosegarden:master out R" to "system:playback_2"
JackDriver::initialiseAudio - found 2 JACK physical inputs
JackDriver::initialiseAudio - connecting from "system:capture_1" to "rosegarden:record in 1 L"
JackDriver::initialiseAudio - connecting from "system:capture_2" to "rosegarden:record in 1 R"
JackDriver::initialiseAudio - initialised JACK audio subsystem

ALSA Client information:

14,0 - (Midi Through, Midi Through Port-0) (DUPLEX) [ctype 2, ptype 655362, cap 99]

Using low-resolution system timer, sending a warning
Current timer set to "system timer" with timer checks
WARNING: using system timer with only 250Hz resolution!
AlsaDriver::initialiseMidi - initialised MIDI subsystem

Using low-resolution system timer, sending a warning
Current timer set to "system timer" with timer checks
WARNING: using system timer with only 250Hz resolution!
AlsaDriver::setPlausibleConnection: connection like "" requested for device 0
AlsaDriver::setPlausibleConnection: nothing suitable available
AlsaDriver::setPlausibleConnection: connection like "" requested for device 1
AlsaDriver::setPlausibleConnection: nothing suitable available

ALSA Client information:

14,0 - (Midi Through, Midi Through Port-0) (DUPLEX) [ctype 2, ptype 655362, cap 99]

I backed off from upgrading/changing kernels when i tried to get the system timer up. I have also previously used Ardour and audacity to record/edit audio with no problem so i am presuming i have all the necessary jack stuff required. However, I have downloaded a couple of VST(?) soft synths, but they do not come with sound-fonts, which i only get broken links when trying to download, and I cannot get rosegarden to even find the plugins. I hope this all gives you a clearer picture.

many thanks for your time and assistance.

[Pablo]

Hi,
There are no error messages in these logs, just some info messages and a warning that I will ignore by the time being, as it is unimportant for the main question.

1) Rosegarden doesn't use VST audio effects plugins nor VST instrument plugins. For audio, it uses LADSPA and for instruments it uses the so-called DSSI plugins. Rosegarden refers to them as just "synth plugins".

2) There are some DSSI plugins that you can find in the official ubuntu repositories. One of them is called fluidsynth-dssi. I didn't mention in my last post but maybe you don't have it yet. Install it:
sudo apt-get install fluidsynth-dssi

3) Right-click on a track and select "synth plugin #1".
4) With this track selected, you will see "Instrument parameters" on the left panel and a push button with the message "No synth" on it. Push that.
5) Select the fluidsyth dssi plugin. You will see a push button with "Editor" on it. Push it. (don't get confused by the message "This plugin hasn't any controls and can't be edited here")
6) In this dialog there is a button on the bottom "Load soundfont". Note that you gm soundfont is not in your home so you have to search for it from the very root of your system: / . As I already told you, it is in /usr/share/sounds/sf2/ (assuming you installed it as I told you in my previous post).
7) Select and instrument from the Program drop-down menu.
8 ) Now draw a segment in this track and play some notes in the virtual keyboard. You should hear sound.

If you still don't hear sound there are a couple of things you must check:
1) That rosegarden master output is connected to the system playbacks (I use qjackctl or patchage for this check or to actually make the connection)
2) Of course, that jack is started on the right audio card. I think you already know this as you have used jack audio without problems although you also mentioned problems with an audio card so I am not sure.

Can you use different channels of the same DSSI plugin in Rosegarden?

I don't know.

Cheers! Pablo

[folderol]

You mentioned you had a soundblaster card. Did you disable the motherboard sound system in the BIOS? If it is active, it can cause 'interesting' problems sometimes.

[Tookie]

Hi Pablo,

Thanks for the input. I did as you suggested and installed the fluidsynth. Followed all instructions (which now make a whole world of sense, thank you), but I still have no sound

I checked with jack and my master is connected to the correct system out. I have a strong suspicion that it has to be a Jack orientated problem now. Have played around with a few settings with no luck, however I still have normal operating system sounds. Go figure!

I think I will do some further research with the jack settings, but hope that you may be able to come up with something to further assist. And my computer has been on for a solid 17 weeks, so I cannot remember if I ever disabled my motherboard sound chip!! I feel that if I actually turn my computer off my world will come to an end. Talk about addiction.

Again, many thanks for your assistance. Much appreciated.

[rghvdberg]

Couple of things in no particular order

• For plainly playing midi files; have you tried timidity ?
• What Mint version are you on ?
• Do you use the kxstudio repositories ? If not, I strongly advise you to do so. It makes setting up jackd so much easier. Nice apps as cadence and catia will help you
  http://kxstudio.linuxaudio.org/Repositories
• Be advise that Mint does not install recommended packages by default so sometimes you are missing some functionality because of a missing package.
  For example cadence (http://kxstudio.linuxaudio.org/Applications:Cadence) needs the pulse-jack bridge but you'll need to install that manually.
• kxstudio install an audio loop device. I don't use it. Makes things confusing. I somehow disabled it.
• Install the low-latency kernel. Not at my linux mint box atm so can't check the specific package name. You don't need it to just play midi files but if you want to overdub with voice and guitar you'll definitely need that. Just set it up correct, once and for good.
• Sometimes when I have my usb midi keyboard attached this takes over as the main soundcard (hw:0) so ... no sound. Doesn't happen a lot though
• I can't advice you with rosegarden, haven't used it in a long time.
• If you've used Sibelius, have a look at MuseScore ... you'll love it!
• Don't give up, setting things up might be a little though. We'll make it work
• I like bullet lists

[Tookie]

Hi rghvdberg
Thanks for the input. Apologies, I haven't figured out how to do this in bullet form

Here goes....

1 I do not want to just playback, so have ignored all software for this purpose.
2 I am using Linux Mint 17.3
3 I loaded AVLinux onto my laptop, to give it a try, and was impressed, but had major sound issues, which were eventually fixed. However, my main computer is a desktop, and I do not want to have different operating systems, so decided to load programs for specific jobs onto Mint. Also, my computer has no problem playing op.sys sounds, movies etc, and has jack, ALSA, and LAPSDA(?) installed and working. I know this mainly because I have sound coming from LMMS, Audacity, Hydrogen and Muse Score. A BIG thanks to Paulo for helping me understand my sound font issue!! Tremendous assist!!!
4 My requirements are as follows (a) import MIDI file
(b) edit (Transpose, speed up/slow down, beef up drums/perc, remove specific instruments.)
(c) Then ideally, as I used to do on Sonar, Bounce individual instruments to audio track, and add fx.
(d) Master down to stereo Mp3.
5 Absolutely, Muse score Rocks!!
6 I like the look of MusE Music editor and think it may do most of what I need. However, although I have now managed to load a soft synth with sounds (Paulo Rocks!!), I am just not winning on getting any sound. Jack says that my playback is connected to the correct output. I think that my problem is I just do not understand the "Midi ports and Soft synth" Configuration screen. It looks like I can only connect one track to the synth, and have no idea what all the channels and tracks are there for, and why they have so many ins and outs???
Would really help if some one who is using this prog can step up, and hold my hand through all stages to hear music again

Again, thanks for your input.

[rghvdberg]

But do any other sound coming from jack?
Can you play audio tracks in Muse, rosegarden or whatever DAW you are using.

[Tookie]

Hi,

I have sound when using the following:
Muse Score, LMMS, and Hydrogen.

I cannot get sound from the following:
Rosegarden, and Muse editor.

Muse Score uses preset samples i think. LMMS uses the soft synth i loaded. Hydrogen uses the audio samples in package and downloaded from rep. These all work.

Same soft synth as above but no sound when loaded into Rosegarden, and Muse Editor.

Thanks
PS, typo in last post...Paulo should read Pablo

[rghvdberg]

btw found a neat trick

• open Qtractor
• view - windows - mixer (or press F9)
• locate the midi "Master Out" bus
• right click in the box below Master Out
• add plugin -> Calf Fluidsynth
• from Calf Fluidsynth load the soundfont, mine is /usr/share/sounds/sf2/FluidR3_GM.sf2
• close the plugin (better check if it is activated, green led next to plugin)
• close mixer
• From main Qtractor window Track - > Import Tracks -> Midi

tadaah 16 channel midiplayer at your disposal
but if you have no audio from jackd ... then it still won't work

[rghvdberg]

I bet it's a jackd thing
Muse Score, LMMS, and Hydrogen all run without using jack
LMMS can't use jackd.
Hydrogen and Muse Score can use jack but don't have to.
I think by default they don't use it.