General MIDI

Using Zynthian
1

Hello everyone,

I am looking at the Zynthian but before buying I would like to know if it is the right tool for me.

I would like to emulate different General MIDI sound modules (SC-55, SC-88, etc) using SF2 SoundFont to use with retro games and easily switch between them.

The connectivity would be something like that:

PC -> Roland UM-ONE mk2 or Sound Card MIDI interface -> Zynthian V4.1

When looking at the Zynthian user guide / youtube video it seems that for using SF2 I need to use FluidSynth synthesizer. But it seems that I need to manually choose the instrument for each MIDI channel.

Is it possible to use the Zynthian as a General MIDI sound modules?

Regards

2

Hi, welcome.

That’s correct.

Yes ! You will be able to feed zynthian with midi data comming from your PC using your Roland um-one midi interface or with any kind of midi hardware (keyboard, midi sequencer, drum pad …) though USB or the classical midi connector.

3

I haven’t used my SoundCavas since building a Zynthian. You need to add an instant of Fluidsynth for each MIDI channel loading a GM soundfont (provided) and select multitimbral mode then you can play it just like a GM device. Instruments can be selected by Program Change. Fluidsynth built-in reverb and chorus can be used and you can add extra effects from the large selection of LV2 plugins.

4

Thank you, will most probably go ahead and order one soon.

5

Hi @MSamurai!

Zynthian can be configured for working perfectly as a GM device with FluidSynth:

  • You have to create a layer setup with as many fluidsynth layers as you will use.
  • If you want to use channel 10 as percussion, you have to explicitly load a percussion “preset” on channel 10.
  • You have to disable these options from admin:
    • Single Channel Mode
    • Program Change ZS3

With these 3 little tricks, your zynthian will be working like a GM Device.

I’ve prepared this snapshot that will do everything i’ve described:

002-FluidR3 GM.zss (41.5 KB)

Regards,

1 Like
6

Makes me wonder if it’d be worth including a pre-configured “General MIDI” snapshot configuration in the images.

2 Likes
7

I just added the snapshot to the data repo and it would be available on future builds.

Regards,

4 Likes