How to find the right patch?

[cappy2112]

This may seem like an easy question to answer, but it still eludes me.

When I find a well-sequenced midi file, I like to replace the ryhtmn or synth lead sounds of the computer's built -in sound card, by re-directing that channel through the midi port, to my outboard synths.

I typically do this one track at a time.

However, whenever I play that track through a patch in my outboard synths, it typically sounds like crap.

I have several good-sounding synths, with loads of patches for each, but never can find a patch which "sounds good" with any midi files I've tried.

WHat am I doing wrong ?

thanks

[jkn]

Wow - that's a wide open question. In what way does it sound like crap?

Does the patch sound good normally - and sounds bad when mixed in with the midi sequence? There's a bit of a fine art to sound selection - many sounds that sound great by themselves fall flat when mixed with other sounds. A great example is that killer fat analogy bass line that just shakes the house when playing it solo - and becomes a big muddy mess as soon as it's in the track...

Sometimes a sound can stick out like a sore thumb if it's not in the same context as the track (for instance if your sound card is adding a bit of reverb and your outboard synth is dry dry dry... it's going to sound off...)

Or is the outboard synth lagging behind slightly from the sequence? Sometimes this can happen (although I doubt it).

[cappy2112]