FAQ

What is "Sonic Boom"?
What is a soundfont?
Why should many people work on something so complex?
Who do we need?
Who don't we need?
What will be the size of the bank?
On what standards will the soundfont be based?
What formats does the bank come in?
Can I share the project around?
Can I modify the instruments and sound samples to use in my own bank?
What will be done first?
What do I need to know before I contribute?
What needs to be done?

What is "Sonic Boom"?

"Sonic Boom" will be the first 24-bit soundfont to be created by multiple people around the world who are willing to contribute to the project.

What is a soundfont?

A soundfont is a computer synthesizer file that contains sounds of instruments for computer music creation and defines their properties. It has become a standard and well-recognised format with a large variety of tools and players in all languages.

Why should many people work on something so complex?

Creating a high quality sound bank takes months or even years when an individual is making it. The individual also has to rely on their own (usually poorly recorded) sounds or sounds they find lurking around the internet or in other soundfonts.

Unfortunately, most individuals will not have the facilities, tools and time to create a high quality bank from scratch. That's why we need multiple people with special skills in all areas.

Who do we need?

To create this bank, there are a lot of people that are going to be needed. These include:

• People with a recording studio/sound booth (or another appropriate quality recording environment) and recording equipment who can record a wide range of very high-quality instrument sounds. The recording studio must be sound-proof and sound absorbent to prevent natural effects such as reverb. Reverb can be added as a post-effect and can be defined in the soundfont.
• Anyone who knows about soundfonts and what samples are needed to be recorded, how many, etc to work with the people recording the samples.
• Sound engineers and editors to create sounds that can't be created with instruments and to edit the recorded sounds.
• Soundfont designers with skills for using Creative Vienna Soundfont Studio.
• People who know about sound dynamics of the instruments such as attack, sustain, release, modulation,etc.
• Web designers and moderators to help create the system that will be needed to organize and optimize the project.
• Anyone with programming skills who would be willing to design custom software to support the sound bank in any way.
• People who can work as a team on one instrument. Remember, others may have better quality samples or tuned instruments or a larger range of sounds! It is recommend that contributors record all the data they need such as recording instruments - this will help to choose samples that may have been from higher-quality instruments.
• People to spread the word! Tell everyone you know about the project! The more people we have, the better the result will be!
• Anybody who can contribute in absolutely any way such as donations, moral support, feedback, etc.

We are looking for highly skilled people to do these jobs. Quality is extremely important, and we don't need a novice to degrade the quality of the project. If you think you have what it takes, then fill out an application form (well...not yet, so you will have to email me below)

Who don't we need?

People who submit sounds and instruments from other banks - We want to create a new, free bank. We don't want samples from other banks. Having samples from other banks could risk quality control and copyright law and it ruins the goal of the project.

What will be the size of the bank?

In this project, size isn't important - it's the quality that matters.

Other sized-down versions may be created later for practical use, but the full-quality version is the priority

On what standards will the soundfont be based?

The sound bank will need to resemble the standard for GM2/GS/XG.

The bank needs to sound like a professional sound bank or module specially designed for GM2/GS/XG.

The sound banks that came with sound blaster live (check the downloads section) should also be a good reference. Other good references include Fluid 3 and Airfont 380 (final). Getting hold of a module or keyboard such as the Yamaha Tyros or the Roland Sound Canvas should be an excellent reference too.

Please note the word REFERENCE. We do not want any samples recorded off any other sound bank or synth.

What formats does the bank come in?

Right now, plans are for soundfont format, but other formats may be created after, including Gigastudio. Unfortunately, Gigastudio isn't free.

Can I share the project around?

One may NOT to share ANY samples or instruments with others in any form. This is to ensure quality and to stop others from stealing hard work from its contributors. Not sharing will also encourage people to join and contribute to get a taste of the font before it's released. Once the project is underway, this rule may change, but not until we have made significant progress.

As instruments are created, MP3 demos will be posted here to show off the amazing work of the contributors and people may submit midi files which can be rendered and posted here.

Anyone who wants to show others the bank or download the bank will need to do so from the official website or an official mirror. Under no circumstance may the sound bank be distributed on a P2P network or similar. This is not like an 'open-source' project where anybody can just download samples. Samples and instruments may not be shared, modified and distributed. This is to protect the bank's reputation and name and the names and work of all contributors. Once the project has made significant progress, instrument banks will be made available to download and will be updated on a regular basis.

Can I modify the instruments and sound samples to use in my own bank?

Absolutely not! People will have worked very hard to get their instruments perfect and it will be an insult to take our work and claim it as your own. If you want to be proud of what you have done and you are dissatisfied with something, you can join the team and contribute on making the sound bank even better to your satisfaction! I repeat that you may not share any part of the project or modify any of the files. Downloads must be done over an official mirror ONLY.

What will be done first?

In the order of most common usage:

First, all the GM instruments will be created.
Then, the rest of the instruments in the GM2 standard
After, GS will be made. Most or even all of the GS instruments are part of the GM2 standard, but are given different bank numbers (Someone please verify this)
Finally, the XG Instruments will be created.

What do I need to know before I contribute?

Please read the Guides and the Rules (to be created)

What needs to be done?

Everything! This project has barely even started yet!

I need someone to contact me so that we can start!

contact me at markdavidoff@hotmail.com

(I need a web designer/programmer to help make these applications such as the email form)