Hello:

I thought I remember reading somewhere that in the Windows XP "Sounds and Audio Devices" control panel, if you designate the system to use the built-in sound card's GM synth, that it always kind of has a lock on it and that if you then assign a midi program, like BIAB or Sonar etc., to also use that same built-in sound card GM synth, that it won't do it because windows won't allow two programs to both be assigned to that built-in GM synth-- kind of like you can't have two programs open using ASIO at the same time.

-- The only difference I thought I remembered was that Windows media player didn't have to running at the same time -- just the fact that you had designated the built-in GM synth for System midi would prevent you from assigning that same built-in GM synth for other midi programs.

I could be completely wrong about this recollection and I've never tried to run a system this way, but I was wondering if anyone happens to know if this is true.

If it is true in XP, I'm wondering if it's also true in Windows 7.

And, yes, I'm very much aware that selecting the built-in GM synth is probably the worst alternative for a sound source, but I'm just trying to find out if anyone remembers that the above scenario is true.

Thanks for any input.

John