I hope I am the only one having the problems I will discuss below that appear to be caused or linked to the popular new virtual synths - and perhaps to the Windows 7 64-bit processor. I have a new laptop with 64-bit Windows 7. It will be dedicated to music production and performance. All my 500+ peformance files are now MIDI. Following the ideas on PG forums I bought both Forte 1.6 and got TTS-1 in Music Creator 5. I have had nothing but trouble with both Forte and TTS playing the midi files. I have become so frustrated that I have, at least temporarily, switched back to the Midi Mapper. All the problems I relate below were found on files that I also have in two other computers (where they play correctly) on a Windows 98 system with VSC and an XP Pro system with VSC/DXi sound. The problems listed below have been discussed with a PG tech who is trying to find explainations.

As near as I can tell in some instances both virtual synths created terrible problems: an instrument on one track was changed and could not be changed back (a TTS situation - different instruments, tracks, and channels effected on different files), files with busy pitch bend sections became distorted - permanently - making the file unusable, files with pitch bend controller strings that did not end in a "0" created a whine at the beginning of the subsequent file on some occasions, some chords in a few instruments sound like electronic effects (again in files with other tracks containing substantial pitch bending), one file crashed RB immediately upon opening, one file changed three different instruments on three adjacent tracks creating, for example, a guitar that sounds like a drum when you play the file but sounds like a piano when you go into the event list and hit "transmit" for individual notes.

The Forte does not have a complete upper bank patch capability and I believe they are working to correct that. Forte seems to create an irritating and continuing ringing when cymbals or crash cymbals are played in the Standard Drum set - which can be reduced by changing to the #41 drum set or reducing the note volume.

If anyone else is having similar problems or has found solutions I would love to hear about them - and I may not be alone!