[Tutorial] How to get Timidity++ working in Zandronum

[Tosen]

Timidity++ Tutorial

Hello there everybody! My name is Dr.Prof.Tosen. Today I will be teaching you how to make Doom midis sound 100x more amazing.

What is Timidity++ you ask? Why it is a software synthesizer compatible with ZDoom/ Zandronum. It can read soundfonts, which in turn, can be played in doom.

Step 1: Downloading Timidity++
The first thing you must do is download the specialized Timidity version for ZDoom. You can download that here: http://www.zdoom.org/files/timidity4zdoom2.zip

Once downloaded, extract ALL the files into your Zandronum folder.

Step 2: Changing Configurations
Next, open up timidity.cfg with notepad or an equivalent word editor.

On the line that says dir, delete it (the entire line).

Then, on a new line right below it, type soundfont SGM-V2.01.sf2

(By the way, the sound font we just entered on the new line is the one I am recommending to anyone who doesn't know much about soundfonts. If you have a soundfont you prefer, simply change SGM-V2.01.sf2 to whatever the soundfont name you want is.)

Step 3: Getting the soundfonts
As just stated, you can use any soundfont you would like, but the one I am currently using as of this tutorial is http://205.196.122.154/8qs2mlmaemog/zo8 ... M-V2.01.7z (175 mb). You will need the 7zip extractor to use it.

Once downloaded, extract it to the Zandronum folder.

Step 4: Changing things in Zandronum
Now it is time to configure everything in Zandronum.

Go to Options> Sound Options> and then change MIDI Device to Timidity++.

Select the "Restart Sound" option which is also located in the Sound Options, and the change should immediately take place.

Additional Help
There are now several things you may do to improve the overall experience of using Timidity++.

Adding More than One Sound Font to the Config File
You can have multiple Sound Fonts listed in the timidity.cfg file. This is done by adding # symbols infront of lines you wish to comment out.
For Example:

Code: Select all

#soundfont "Chorium.sf2"
#soundfont "gxscc.sf2"
soundfont "SGM-V2.01.sf2"
#soundfont "The Ultimate Megadrive Soundfont.sf2"

You can only have one sound font play so, you are basically commenting out all the other ones that you are currently not using by putting a # in front of them.

Making Timidity++ Sound Better
Some people may run into odd sounds in Timidity, and these are some ways to clear them up (credited to Dark-Assassin)

If you have a reverb or an echo effect that you wish to change, simply type this in the console:

Code: Select all

timidity_chorus 0
timidity_reverb 0

If you have a soundfont that plays from only one speaker, (Ex: The_Nes_Soundfont.sf2), type:

Code: Select all

timidity_stereo 0

How to use SKArk files and SFPack files.
To use SKARK and SFPACK files, you must simply decompress them. Decompressors are found here:
SKARK DECOMPRESSOR: http://www.melodymachine.com/sfark.htm
SFAPCK DECOMPRESSOR: http://www.personalcopy.com/sfpack.htm

Additional Soundfonts Uploaded by Dark-Assassin

They can all be accessed here: http://www.mediafire.com/?ree11ayzj1td2
Link is permanent.
Gravis_Ultrasound_Classic_PachSet_v1.6.sf2 is a DOS based soundfont.
gxscc.sf2 is a NES based soundfont.
OPL-3_FM_128M.sf2 is an OPL Synth based soundfont.
The Ultimate Megadrive Soundfont.SF2 is a Sega Megadrive based soundfont.
Utopia Live! 2.0 WDM S.sf2 is a clearer Windows based soundfont.

Edit: Thanks to Dark-Assassin for helping me refine the tutorial.

[Tosen]

-The link from earlier was messed up, and has been fixed to http://205.196.122.154/8qs2mlmaemog/zo8 ... M-V2.01.7z
-Be sure you are running Zandronum as an adminastrator
-I never said anything about fluidsynth.dll
-Be sure SGM-V2.01.sf2 is in the C:\musical folder.

Hope that helps

[nightshade94]

I followed all the instructions, and got it working perfectly!
The only problem was the soundfont file you posted. For some reason, it wouldn't unzip and stayed at 0kb. So I just went searching for other soundfonts and found chrorium.sf2
I'm loving these new sounds and I'm gonna experiment with different soundfonts. Thanks!

[Dark-Assassin]

I myself find this way much easier. And also you don't need to worry about any Administrator/User Permissions.

---

1. You don't need to create a new folder. Works best by putting timidity.exe in to the Zandronum folder.
    
2. Not needed.
    
3. Create timidity.cfg in the Zandronum Folder.
   Add this to the cfg:

   Code: Select all

   soundfont "Path To SGM-V2.01.sf2"

   Code: Select all

   soundfont "D:\SoundFonts\SGM-V2.01.sf2"

   If the soundfont is in the same folder as Zandronum, you don't need to add the path.
   You can have multiple listed. Just have the others commented out with a # on the same line. Otherwise the one listed lower will override the others.

   Code: Select all

   #soundfont "D:\SoundFonts\Chorium.sf2"
   #soundfont "D:\SoundFonts\gxscc.sf2"
   soundfont "D:\SoundFonts\SGM-V2.01.sf2"
   #soundfont "D:\SoundFonts\The Ultimate Megadrive Soundfont.sf2"

    
4. In Zandronum, follow:
   Menu (ESC) > Options > Sound Options > MIDI Device
   Change the device to Timidity using your left/right arrow keys.
   Restart the sound.
   If you change the soundfont by either adding a new or uncommenting one from the cfg, just restart the sound for it to take effect.
    
5. If you'd like, disable timidity's reverb and chorus for a clearer and less echoey effect, open the console and type:

   Code: Select all

   timidity_chorus 0
   timidity_reverb 0

   If you have a soundfont that is only playing from 1 speaker (Ex: The_Nes_Soundfont.sf2), type:

   Code: Select all

   timidity_stereo 0

---

I have 9 soundfonts uploaded.
They can all be accessed here: http://www.mediafire.com/?ree11ayzj1td2
Link is permanent.

• Gravis_Ultrasound_Classic_PachSet_v1.6.sf2 is a DOS based soundfont.
• gxscc.sf2 is a NES based soundfont.
• OPL-3_FM_128M.sf2 is an OPL Synth based soundfont.
• The Ultimate Megadrive Soundfont.SF2 is a Sega Megadrive based soundfont.
• Utopia Live! 2.0 WDM S.sf2 is a clearer Windows based soundfont.

The rest are different on their own. I reccommend either SGM-V2.01.sf2 or chorium.sf2 myself.

[someoneelse]

I seriously feel like I am playing for the first time again. This mood... it's all so damn awesome you you deserve a beer for this post. Thanks!

[Zalewa]

Timidity is shit and you'll realize its shit as soon as you start getting delays in your music. I recommend VirtualMIDISynth

http://coolsoft.altervista.org/en/virtu ... h#download

This program:

1. Gets regular updates.
2. Works with anything that allows to specify the MIDI device - ZDoom, Zandronum, DOSBox, some audio players.
3. Allows to specify the default MIDI device that will be used in the operating system so it should also work with programs that do not allow to specify MIDI device.
4. Doesn't have any delays in playback.
5. Works with the same sf2 files as timidity (I recommend a340.sf2 if you can get it somewhere).
6. Allows to specify a OS global panic key combination. When this key combination is pressed the MIDI playback is reset so even if you start getting audio artifacts fixing them is as simple as pressing a key combination on your keyboard.

[Konar6]

Thanks for the tip Zalewa! I tried it with a sound font from http://www.schristiancollins.com/generaluser.php and I'm impressed.

[Tosen]

I updated the thread with Dark-Assassins tips and what not. Kudos to him for helping me refine this thing.

Also Zalewa, I just tried out VirtualMIDISynth and I must say, this does kick Timidity to the curb!

Personally I think I am now going to use VirtualMIDISynth, but I suppose people with poor processing power should stick to Timidity, just because it doesn't take much resources (I'm not sure how resource demanding VirtualMIDISynth is).

[Zalewa]

Glad I could help. I once found Timidity that you could install in the operating system as a standalone program (instead of a library prepared specifically for ZDoom). I once even wrote a tutorial on Skulltag forums on how to set it up. But when I discovered that this version of Timidity causes ever increasing delays after running for 30 minutes I decided to go back to Microsoft MIDI. It didn't even have to play the music in this time, all that was necessary to create the delay was to start the program and leave it minimized in tray. VirtualMIDISynth is a discovery I've made only recently.

[SassPD22]

[*]Doesn't have any delays in playback.
[/list]

Well it gives me a big delay. or am i doing it wrong?

[Zalewa]

[*]Doesn't have any delays in playback.
[/list]

Well it gives me a big delay. or am i doing it wrong?

Computer specs?

[DevilHunter]

I myself have tried out many Timidity.. Doubles I should call em? And well, I found one that works just fine. Its called BassMidi. Basicly all it does, is install a Midi Driver named BassMidi, and gives you a config window, where you can select the default Midi device, and the soundfont. Then while in Zdoom or Zan, whateva you perfer, go into sound options, select BassMidi, and your off.

Though, for an old and outdated, low spec PC of mine, it does delay sometimes. But it does Justice. There is also a SoundFont Manager that came with my Soundblaster Live! 24-Bit soundcard, that allows you to use different soundfonts. However, its very limited.

Anyhow, I'll give that VirtualMidiSyth a whirl, though I think I tried it once before....

[ibm5155]

Crisis soundfond rocks, but you really need a really good spec computer (my i7 delay 3 seconds to play a mid D:, at least it doesn´t delay the ingame gameplay)

[Dark-Assassin]

I still use VirtualMIDISynth myself. Also gotten used to using AirFont 380 (newer one).

[BryceI]

Do I put the timidity in the .zandronum folder with the ini file, or the program files folder

[enderkevin13]

Glad I could help. I once found Timidity that you could install in the operating system as a standalone program (instead of a library prepared specifically for ZDoom). I once even wrote a tutorial on Skulltag forums on how to set it up. But when I discovered that this version of Timidity causes ever increasing delays after running for 30 minutes I decided to go back to Microsoft MIDI. It didn't even have to play the music in this time, all that was necessary to create the delay was to start the program and leave it minimized in tray. VirtualMIDISynth is a discovery I've made only recently.

How do I get it to work? I added a SF2 file to it, chose Coolsoft as a MIDI device, and restarted the sound, but no music plays at all.

[Cruduxy]

I did the same as you and it worked for me. I also disabled the "set priority to REALTIME" because I'll never trust any program to use that and not cause some problems to other programs.

I use http://www.mediafire.com/download/djj8f ... ndfont.rar it sounds pretty good with doom. Bassmidi does some weird stuff when using this font for me but virtual doesn't so might stick with it.