FluidSynth
Encyclopedia
FluidSynth, formerly known as iiwusynth, is a free open source software synthesizer
which converts MIDI note data into an audio signal
using SoundFont
technology without need for a SoundFont-compatible soundcard. FluidSynth can act as a virtual MIDI device, capable of receiving MIDI data from any program and transforming it into audio on-the-fly. It can also read in SMF (.mid) files directly. On the output side, it can send audio data directly to an audio device for playback, or to a Raw
or Wave
file. It can also convert a SMF file directly to an audio file in faster-than-real-time. The combination of these features gives FluidSynth the following major use cases:
The size of loaded SoundFont banks is limited by the amount of RAM available. There is a GUI
for FluidSynth called Qsynth, which is also open source. Both are available in most Linux
distributions, and can also be compiled
for Windows
.
It features microtonal support and was used in the MicrotonalISM project of the Network for Interdisciplinary Studies in Science, Technology, and Music. A Max/MSP plugin is available from IRCAM
.
The core synthesizer is written as a C library with a large API. Partial bindings for Python, Ruby, and .NET are available.
Software synthesizer
A software synthesizer, also known as a softsynth is a computer program or plug-in for digital audio generation. Computer software which can create sounds or music is not new, but advances in processing speed are allowing softsynths to accomplish the same tasks that previously required dedicated...
which converts MIDI note data into an audio signal
Audio signal
An audio signal is an analog representation of sound, typically as an electrical voltage. Audio signals may be synthesized directly, or may originate at a transducer such as a microphone, musical instrument pickup, phonograph cartridge, or tape head. Loudspeakers or headphones convert an electrical...
using SoundFont
SoundFont
SoundFont is a brand name that collectively refers to a file format and associated technology designed to bridge the gap between recorded and synthesized audio, especially for the purposes of computer music composition...
technology without need for a SoundFont-compatible soundcard. FluidSynth can act as a virtual MIDI device, capable of receiving MIDI data from any program and transforming it into audio on-the-fly. It can also read in SMF (.mid) files directly. On the output side, it can send audio data directly to an audio device for playback, or to a Raw
Raw audio format
RAW Audio format or just RAW Audio is a computer format for storing uncompressed audio in raw form. Comparable to WAV or AIFF in size, RAW Audio file does not include any header information . Data can be written in PCM, IEEE 754 or ASCII.-Extensions:The most typical extension is .raw or .pcm...
or Wave
WAV
Waveform Audio File Format , is a Microsoft and IBM audio file format standard for storing an audio bitstream on PCs...
file. It can also convert a SMF file directly to an audio file in faster-than-real-time. The combination of these features gives FluidSynth the following major use cases:
- Synthesizing MIDI data from another application directly to the speakers,
- Synthesizing MIDI data from another application, recording the output to an audio file,
- Playing a MIDI file to the speakers,
- Converting a MIDI file to a digital audio file.
The size of loaded SoundFont banks is limited by the amount of RAM available. There is a GUI
Graphical user interface
In computing, a graphical user interface is a type of user interface that allows users to interact with electronic devices with images rather than text commands. GUIs can be used in computers, hand-held devices such as MP3 players, portable media players or gaming devices, household appliances and...
for FluidSynth called Qsynth, which is also open source. Both are available in most Linux
Linux
Linux is a Unix-like computer operating system assembled under the model of free and open source software development and distribution. The defining component of any Linux system is the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released October 5, 1991 by Linus Torvalds...
distributions, and can also be compiled
Compiler
A compiler is a computer program that transforms source code written in a programming language into another computer language...
for Windows
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
.
It features microtonal support and was used in the MicrotonalISM project of the Network for Interdisciplinary Studies in Science, Technology, and Music. A Max/MSP plugin is available from IRCAM
IRCAM
IRCAM is a European institute for science about music and sound and avant garde electro-acoustical art music. It is situated next to, and is organizationally linked with, the Centre Pompidou in Paris...
.
The core synthesizer is written as a C library with a large API. Partial bindings for Python, Ruby, and .NET are available.
External links
- FluidSynth home page
- FluidSynth on SourceForge
- Qsynth home page
- Christopher Antila, Musicians' Guide. A guide to Fedora Linux's audio creation and music capabilities. Chapter 10. FluidSynth. Fedora Documentation Project