FluidSynth (Linux/Mac)

​FluidSynth is a free and efficient SoundFont player for many platforms. We recommend it for Linux and MacOS.
FluidSynth can redirect its output as a .wav file. This can be used to get a JJazzLab backing track as an audio file. See the FAQ for more info.
Initial setup
1.Download JJazzLab-SoundFont.sf2 from the Musical Artefacts web site 

2.Install a virtual midi port
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$ sudo modprobe snd-virmidi midi_devs=1
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 Previous command will work for the current session only. If you want to permanently add the virtual midi device (jack users on Debian/Ubuntu/Mint), edit the /etc/modules file to add snd-virmidi, and create a file /etc/modprobe.d/snd-virmidi_options.conf with the content options snd-virmidi midi_devs=1.

If you list the connected ports, you should see a new Virtual Raw Midi entry like below:
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$ aconnect -lo  
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client 14: 'Midi Through' [type=kernel]  
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    0 'Midi Through Port-0'  
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client 20: 'Virtual Raw MIDI 1-0' [type=kernel,card=1]  
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    0 'VirMIDI 1-0'
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3.Install FluidSynth and QSynth, its graphical user interface
(tested OK on Linux Mint, if problem please consult the FluidSynth documentation)
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$ sudo apt-get update -y            # Get latest packages info
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$ sudo apt-get install fluidsynth
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$ sudo apt-get install qsynth
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4.Start QSynth
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qsynth &
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5.Load the JJazzLab SoundFont and adjust FluidSynth settings



 



6.Connect the virtual port to FluidSynth

You should see a new port, like in the example below:
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$ aconnect -lo
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client 14: 'Midi Through' [type=kernel]
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    0 'Midi Through Port-0'
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client 20: 'Virtual Raw MIDI 1-0' [type=kernel,card=1]
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    0 'VirMIDI 1-0     '
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client 128: 'FLUID Synth (Qsynth1)' [type=user,pid=3099]
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    0 'Synth input port (Qsynth1:0)'
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Connect the Virtual Port to the entry of the FluidSynth:
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$ aconnect 20:0 128:0      # Values might be different on your system
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 This connection needs to be restored each time the FluidSynth engine is restarted.

7.In JJazzLab go to Options/Midi and select the first virMIDI out device



8.Go to the output synth editor and apply the preset FluidSynth

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The start of FluidSynth with the virtual Midi port can be automated via a shell script.
On Linux the Midi configuration wizard will automatically perform step 8 if you choose to use the JJazzLab SoundFont.

VirtualMIDISynth (Win)

Java internal synth

Last modified 1yr ago

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Initial setup