It would seem that there's need for comprehensive guide to soundfont usage with FF7, especially with Windows XP, and with newer cards, like Live!, Audigy and Audigy 2.
It's not the most complicated thing in the world, but people seem to ask about it very often. It would be easier if there was a FAQ, with all the little details (like; do not pust test button).
Perhaps even with screenshots, that way it would be really hard to misunderstand.
Anyone willing to write such a thing?
Although the document was written for my new soundfont work. It should be useful
Usage:
Ex1: Win98se, Audigy2 (WDM driver, must be updated to driverpack3)
1. Go to C:\Program Files\Square Soft, Inc\Final Fantasy VII\data\midi, and replace original awe.lgp with new awe.lgp from the patch.
2. Use ff7config.exe to select MIDI device. If you use Audigy2, you can choose SB Audigy Synth A or SB Audigy Synth B.
3. Use ff7config.exe to select music file, and choose “soundfont midi (AWE64/32)â€. If you click the test button but fail the test, don’t worry about that. Because it always happens when you use WDM driver and installed Soundfont Manager.
4. Use Audigy2’s Soundfont Manager to choose your favorite device (SB Audigy Synth A or B) and load FF7.sf2 from the patch. Before you load FF7.sf2, you need to remove other soundfont loaded in that device. Then choose bank [000] and load FF7.sf2.
5. Now enjoy the music:)
※ If you use Audigy2’s WDM driver under Win98se, you need to:
1. Update your soundcard driver to driverpack3. It will help solve unexpected system down when you use ff7config.exe to set the game. (The problem happens if you selected soundfont device as your music device)
2. Install WDM driver compatibility patch for Win98se. Take Audigy2 for example, you can find the patch in Audigy2’s installation CD. If your CD-ROM’s drive letter is D, just go to D:\Audio\Setup\MSPatch and unzip the *(language).cab you need. You should find out 269601xxx8.exe (AC-3 & WDM driver compatibility patch) and 242975xxx8.exe (IEEE1394 patch) in it. Then install the patches. If you use other soundcards, you should find Q242937.exe (WDM driver compatibility patch) or Q269601.exe to solve the problem.
Ex2: Win98se, Audigy2 (VXD driver)
1. Find out and install “soundfont midi router†from ff7pc install disc. If your CD-ROM’s drive letter is D, you can find out the program in D:\sfman\setup.exe.
2. Go to C:\Program Files\Square Soft, Inc\Final Fantasy VII\data\midi, and replace original awe.lgp with new awe.lgp from the patch.
3. Use ff7config.exe to select MIDI device. Please choose â€soundfont midi routerâ€.
4. Use ff7config.exe to select music file, and choose “soundfont midi (AWE64/32)â€. Remember never click the test button. You may be able to hear the test music, but the soundfont will be affected. That means “The way it’s meant to be played†will become impossible. : P (my new awe.lgp contains different versions of songs, which may be one reason) If you clicked the test button and encountered the problem, just remove FF7.sf2 then reload it.
5. Go to Control Panel | Multimedia | Devices, and find out “soundfont midi routerâ€. Click “Property†and set MIDI device (like SB Audigy Synth A or B). Because soundfont midi router doesn’t memorize your setting, you must set it again if you reboot. : P
6. Use Audigy2’s Soundfont Manager to choose your favorite device (SB Audigy Synth A or B) and load FF7.sf2 from the patch. Before you load FF7.sf2, you need to remove all other soundfonts in that device. Then choose bank [000] and load FF7.sf2.
7. Enjoy the music.
※Because VXD driver of Audigy2 causes music volume problem when you play ff7pc. So we need soundfont midi router to solve the problem. Besides, Live!5.1's VXD driver also has same volume problem.
