Harps as Software Instruments

Question

Harps as Software Instruments

I'd like to be able to add a track with a harp as a software instrument, and then type in my own notes. But this doesn't seem possible. Are there any plug-ins for GarageBand that will let one add a software instrument that isn't listed?

iMacG5, Mac OS X (10.4.4)

Posted on Jan 23, 2006 1:35 PM

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Answer 1

HangTime

Level 9

53,853 points

Jan 23, 2006 2:41 PM in response to Stephen Souza1

There are thousands of SF2 instruments available online, just do a search for "SoundFont" and or "sf2"

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Answer 2

Jan 24, 2006 8:46 AM in response to HangTime

Garageband doesn't sem to support the Soundfont format. Is there a conversion utility of some sort? Or special technique for getting GB to recognize them?

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Answer 3

HangTime

Level 9

53,853 points

Jan 24, 2006 9:09 AM in response to William Robinson

GB versions 1 and 2 supported SoundFonts, I'd be surprised if version 3 didn't, though not having GB3 here, I can't test that.

What have you done that makes you think GB3 does not support SF2s?

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Answer 4

Jan 24, 2006 10:43 AM in response to HangTime

Well, perhaps not enough.

How does one add them to GB? They don't frag and drop the way loops do, and there doesn't seem to be an import instrument item.

The extension (SF2 or SfArk)doesn't match the format GB uses(.exs), so simply adding them to the instrument folder doesn't do the trick.

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Answer 5

HangTime

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Jan 24, 2006 10:55 AM in response to William Robinson

http://www.thehangtime.com/gb/gbfaq2.html#installsoundfonts

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Answer 6

Jan 26, 2006 12:59 PM in response to William Robinson

Well, I'm reading this and I'm trying to understand it. Could someone direct me to an URL with a harp Soundfont that he or she thinks is good to download, and then tell me how to add it to GarageBand 3? Sorry, but I don't get it from what I've read so far.

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Answer 7

Jan 27, 2006 5:06 PM in response to HangTime

Well, thanks, hangtime. Now I think I know how to add Soundfont or sf2 files to GarageBand 3.

Now, some of the SF2 harp files I've found are critiqued something like this: "This sounds like a bunch of broken glass sloshing around in a tin bucket. You sure didn't do a good job of creating a harp sound."

So, what I'm asking is, does anyone know of good SF2 files that sound like real harps? Can you supply an URL or two?

Has anyone added SF2 files to GarageBand 3? Any cautions or advice?

To delete an SF2 file, I assume you just remove it from the "Banks" folder indicated above. Is there anything else to be done?

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Answer 8

HangTime

Level 9

53,853 points

Jan 27, 2006 5:15 PM in response to Stephen Souza1

To delete an SF2 file, I assume you just remove it
from the "Banks" folder indicated above.

Correct

Is there anything else to be done?

No.

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Answer 9

Jan 27, 2006 5:58 PM in response to Stephen Souza1

Look at Gary Garritan's gigaharp. That's how the whole GPO concept got started--he was a harpist who wanted better harp playback in Finale.

http://www.garritan.com/

Having said that, as a harpist I am pleased to report that we are still working in studios today because the complexity of a good harp sound still can't be totally realistically sampled. I have friends in NY who still make a living laying down tracks, although they're usually the only instrument that isn't just a sample anymore.

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Answer 10

Jan 28, 2006 12:16 PM in response to Barbara Brundage

Well, thank you for this information, Barbara. I will check it out in a moment. I didn't know all these things about the harp, and I do find this very interesting. But, even though this is slightly off-topic, because you are a harpist, I just want to tell you that I think the harp is a wonderul instrument. If I had to pick one instrument to listen to, and let all the others go, it would be a harp. Well, I hope I can find something at Gary Garritan's site.

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Answer 11

WarriorAnt

Level 4

2,752 points

Jan 28, 2006 12:31 PM in response to Stephen Souza1

Aren't there Harp Software instruments in Jam Pack 4? I have them in my browser but I can't remember which pack they came in.

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Answer 12

Jan 28, 2006 12:35 PM in response to WarriorAnt

There are a few samples, but I don't think there is anything you can use as a fullscale software instrument. If you just need a few notes, though, you might be able to manipulate them enough to get what you want.

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Answer 13

HangTime

Level 9

53,853 points

Jan 28, 2006 12:34 PM in response to WarriorAnt

If you want to figure it out, Ant, use the filter at the top of the loop browser and see which pack lets them show up.

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Answer 14

Jan 28, 2006 10:15 PM in response to Stephen Souza1

Probably the most affordable way to add a pro-quality set of harp samples to GarageBand would be to purchase the Garritan Personal Orchestra ($200) which includes two different concert harps--plus all the major instruments of the symphony orchestra, and a really great Steinway piano.

http://garritan.com

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Answer 15

HangTime

Level 9

53,853 points

Jan 28, 2006 11:04 PM in response to Wheat Williams

purchase the Garritan Personal Orchestra ($200)

With one caveat. I think Schneb said it does not work ion the intel based Macs.

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