I would like to find a reference to learn about the different ways to make sounds with midi. For example, I know BB comes with General Midi, Coyote and Sample Tank 2. Those can play midi parts that we program or that BB generates.

On the other hand, I see programs that seem playable only with a keyboard. I read posts about sound fonts and Sforzando, and I realize I have no clue about these.

Is there a reference to learn more about this?

Thanks.

2b

For starters most any VSTi (synth) can be triggered by either a keyboard or a computer.
They are just 2 different ways of getting the MIDI signal to the synth.

The trickier side is understanding MIDI is just messages (no sound).
So on one synth patch 4 could be a bass guitar sample, on another it could be a string section .. often it depends on how you assign each MIDI channel to a sound inside the synth, manually.

The big feature of GM (General MIDI) synths is that GM specifies a set of sounds for each patch number (the synth sound). So patch 1 is always Piano, though it could be played on any MIDI channel that sends a message to use that sound. In GM it is also unique that drums are always on MIDI channel 10, though you can assign any drums sound to that channel. If you dig in you can often assign other sounds too, but it is meant for drums in the GM spec.

https://www.midi.org/specifications-old/item/gm-level-1-sound-set

Soundfonts are different. They are a set of samples made up by someone somewhere. Again it is a recognized format, but is not regulated to be GM. A font player like sForzando can play any font, but in the case of the sForzando the number of patches (sounds) you can play at once is limited since it is not really mutitimbral (able to play multiple patches at once).
You can do it with workarounds, but it's not meant for it.

There are GM compliant soundfonts out there that have all the GM patches, but the synth being used needs to be able to handle multiple MIDI channels at once in order to make it work.
For instance I have Chaos 12 meg GM soundfont installed in a VSTi that handles the multiple sounds and MIDI channels just fine, but not all of font players do.
The universal patch nature of GM is what makes it easy to use and a fit for BiaB, etc.

Thay also have tutorials and such -
https://www.midi.org/categories-new/midi-tutorials?start=45

Midi is actually pretty simple once you understand it. But yep... it seems colossal when you are starting with it.

Essentially, you have a synth that plays either patches or samples. Patches are oscillators that are tuned to sound like a specific instrument and samples are actually audio notes recorded and triggered by the midi data.... or notes played.

The lower quality synths use patches and sound ok but not really great or convincing generally. General Midi falls into this category as well as Coyote and TTS....and a few others too. But a lot of the end result quality is based on the skill of the composer.

Better quality synths use samples and samples vary in quality from the SFZ (Sforzando) fonts on the low end to libraries that cost thousands of dollars. I personally consider SFZ to be an intermediate step between the patches and dedicated samples. Reason being is that the SFZ synth is free or inexpensive and there are tons of fonts to be found online for free. I believe you generally get what you pay for and this is very true in regards to samples. Was it recorded in some guy's bedroom with a cheap condenser mic as single layer sample, or in Carnegie Hall by an experienced engineer in multi-layer samples with $3000 mics and a nice budget?

All the synths are capable ( to my knowledge ) of working in a DAW and playing live. iN other words you hear as you play. Some will work as a stand alone outside of a DAW host as well.

As far as there being a reference.... probably yes. DO a search with your favorite search engine and be sure to look it up on YouTube. Everything is on YouTube.

There are some excellent books about how VSTi works for example on Kindle https://www.amazon.com.au/How-Make-Noise-Analog-Synthesis-ebook/dp/B005SGCD6A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1543096082&sr=8-1&keywords=How+to+make+a+noise

There are three books in the series
How to make a Noise: Analog Synthesis.
How to Make a Noise: Frequency Modulation Synthesis.
How to Make a Noise: Sample Based Synthesis.

All by Simon Cann. They cost about $3 each and about 130 pages in each. By the time you get through these books you’ll have a good working knowledge of how the various forms of synthesis are created and applied. This will in turn give you a good knowledge on VTSi stuff.

MIDI is a different story

They are worth a read IMHO

Tony

Thanks to all of you. This helps.

2b