Practice keyboard bell samples

One way to get bell sounds for a MIDI carillon practice keyboard is to install a sample player on a Mac or PC and add a USB MIDI adapter to connect the keyboard.

Hardware requirements

• Keyboard, mouse, display if computer is not a laptop
• USB Midi interface cable or a USB audio interface with MIDI
  • Roland UM-ONE is recommended - from Sweetwater - from Amazon
    • Be sure to download and install the latest drivers from the Roland Site
  • Focusrite Scarlett 2i4 Audio and MIDI interface
• Headphones or amplified monitor speaker

Sample player software

Plogue Sforzando for Windows and MacOS

Download Sforzando for OS X or Windows from Plogue's download page

Sforzando requires either a

• Mac with OSX/MacOS (10.6.8 & up). A used Mac Mini will run it very well
• or Windows PC (Windows 7 and up)

Setup Sforzando

Once Sforzando is installed, you will need to adjust your preferences so it will use the correct audio and midi devices.

Open Sforzando, and go to Preferences. [Windows: Found under Tools in the top menu, Mac: Found by clicking on the program name in the top menu.] Make sure your MIDI adapter is checked under Input MIDI Devices, and click OK.

Mac Troubleshooting

After you have setup the MIDI adapter and configured your preferences in Sforzando, if the program doesn't see any incoming MIDI data, you may need to review your Mac's Audio MIDI Setup. Once that is completed, verify that Sforzando has the correct MIDI IN device selected in it's preferences. Changes to the MIDI devices may affect Sforzando's settings.

Sample players for Linux

LinuxSampler supports the SFZ file format used below. Usage is beyond the scope of this article, but we have loaded the samples into it to check compatibility. The easiest way to make it work is using a graphical plug-in host such as Carla. If you have audio experience in Linux, you should be able to get it to work. If you are a beginner wanting to experiment with Linux audio, we suggest you start with a distribution called KXStudio. It works well on old PCs with good sound cards.

Bell samples

University of Michigan

The University of Michigan Bicentennial has sponsored recordings of the 60-bell Ann & Robert H. Lurie Carillon at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Anyone can download and use these recordings for free under the Creative Commons license.

Download Lurie samples

Download the Lurie tower samples from the GoBlueBells blog

1. go to Lurie audio samples web page
2. right click the link labeled zip file and save it, or just click the download icon at the top right of the page
3. open the Lurie_Carillon_samples_CC.zip file and copy the wav files from it to a new folder named lurie.

Create lurie.sfz sample map file

Open a text editor, then copy the code below and paste it into the editor. Make sure the editor preferences are set to Plain Text not Rich Text.

//----------------------------------------------------------
// Programmed by Rick White, www.chimemaster.com May 23 2017
// Updated Jun 21 2018 to improve voice management for fast
//    playing using polyphonic grouping
//
// CREATIVE COMMONS LICENSE
// Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)
//
// For use with MIDI practice keyboards
//
// Works with Garratin Sample programs using ARIA engine or
// Plogue Sforzando - freeware can be found at
//        http://www.plogue.com/products/sforzando/
//----------------------------------------------------------
 <global>
 loop_mode=one_shot  // force sample to play in entirety
 ampeg_attack=0.005  // 5 ms de-click may be excessive
 ampeg_hold=1        // 1 sec hold
 ampeg_decay=1       // 1 sec decay
 ampeg_sustain=100   // to 100% - play same staccato or legato
 ampeg_release=100   // 100 sec release long
 polyphony=4 // each group max voices
// Grouped each sample for independent polyphony
<group> group=01
<region> sample=LT_10_10_0.wav  lokey=036 key=043 // keyboard G0 First AnnArbor bell
// <region> sample=      key=044 // missing Ab0 semitone
<group> group=02
<region> sample=LT_10_10_01.wav key=045 lokey=044  // fill missing Ab0
<group> group=03
<region> sample=LT_10_10_02.wav key=046 // Bb0
<group> group=04
<region> sample=LT_10_10_03.wav key=047
<group> group=05
<region> sample=LT_10_10_04.wav key=048 // key C1
<group> group=06
<region> sample=LT_10_10_05.wav key=049
<group> group=07
<region> sample=LT_10_10_06.wav key=050
<group> group=08
<region> sample=LT_10_10_07.wav key=051
<group> group=09
<region> sample=LT_10_10_08.wav key=052
<group> group=10
<region> sample=LT_10_10_09.wav key=053
<group> group=11
<region> sample=LT_10_10_10.wav key=054
<group> group=12
// <region> sample=LT_10_10_11.wav key=055  // late
<region> sample=LT_10_10_12.wav key=056 lokey=055
<group> group=13
<region> sample=LT_10_10_13.wav key=057
<group> group=14
<region> sample=LT_10_10_14.wav key=058
<group> group=15
<region> sample=LT_10_10_15.wav key=059
<group> group=16
<region> sample=LT_10_10_16.wav key=060 // key C2
<group> group=17
<region> sample=LT_10_10_17.wav key=061
<group> group=18
<region> sample=LT_10_10_18.wav key=062
<group> group=19
<region> sample=LT_10_10_19.wav key=063
<group> group=20
<region> sample=LT_10_10_20.wav key=064
<group> group=21
// <region> sample=LT_10_10_21.wav key=065  // distortion
<region> sample=LT_10_10_22.wav key=066 lokey=065
<group> group=22
<region> sample=LT_10_10_23.wav key=067
 group> group=23
<region> sample=LT_10_10_24.wav key=068
<group> group=24
<region> sample=LT_10_10_25.wav key=069
<group> group=25
<region> sample=LT_10_10_26.wav key=070
<group> group=26
<region> sample=LT_10_10_27.wav key=071
<group> group=27
<region> sample=LT_10_10_28.wav key=072 // key C3
<group> group=28
<region> sample=LT_10_10_29.wav key=073
<group> group=29
<region> sample=LT_10_10_30.wav key=074
<group> group=30
<region> sample=LT_10_10_31.wav key=075
<group> group=31
<region> sample=LT_10_10_32.wav key=076
<group> group=32
<region> sample=LT_10_10_33.wav key=077
<group> group=33
<region> sample=LT_10_10_34.wav key=078
<group> group=34
<region> sample=LT_10_10_35.wav key=079
<group> group=35
<region> sample=LT_10_10_36.wav key=080
<group> group=36
<region> sample=LT_10_10_37.wav key=081
<group> group=37
<region> sample=LT_10_10_38.wav key=082
<group> group=38
<region> sample=LT_10_10_39.wav key=083
<group> group=39
<region> sample=LT_10_10_40.wav key=084 // key C4
<group> group=41
<region> sample=LT_10_10_41.wav key=085
<group> group=42
<region> sample=LT_10_10_42.wav key=086
<group> group=43
<region> sample=LT_10_10_43.wav key=087
<group> group=44
<region> sample=LT_10_10_44.wav key=088
<group> group=45
<region> sample=LT_10_10_45.wav key=089
<group> group=46
<region> sample=LT_10_10_46.wav key=090
<group> group=47
<region> sample=LT_10_10_47.wav key=091
<group> group=48
<region> sample=LT_10_10_48.wav key=092
<group> group=49
<region> sample=LT_10_10_49.wav key=093
<group> group=50
<region> sample=LT_10_10_50.wav key=094
<group> group=51
<region> sample=LT_10_10_51.wav key=095
<group> group=52
<region> sample=LT_10_10_52.wav key=096 // key C5
<group> group=53
<region> sample=LT_10_10_53.wav key=097
<group> group=54
<region> sample=LT_10_10_54.wav key=098
<group> group=55
<region> sample=LT_10_10_55.wav key=099
<group> group=56
<region> sample=LT_10_10_56.wav key=100
<group> group=57
<region> sample=LT_10_10_57.wav key=101
<group> group=58
<region> sample=LT_10_10_58.wav key=102
<group> group=59
<region> sample=LT_10_10_59.wav key=103 hikey=127 // key G5

Save the file as lurie.sfz in the lurie folder to which the samples were unzipped. You should check to see if the editor added .txt to the end, and delete it if the file name does not end with only .sfz

Load the file into Sforzando

1. Start Sforzando
2. Drag the lurie.sfz file onto the Sforzando window.
3. The bells should play when you click on the keys of the on screen keyboard
4. If you have connected and configured your MIDI interface, Open sforzando preferences from the menu, select your MIDI input and audio output
5. In Sforzando's File menu, select save as and enter Practice Lurie

GCNA Members Only Samples

2012 Ronald Barnes Memorial Scholarship winner Ed Herrmann created high-quality recordings of the carillon bells at the University of Chicago's Rockefeller Memorial Chapel. These recordings are available to all GCNA members, and are useful to provide bell sounds for the carillon practice keyboard.

Requires a GCNA Membership to access the download pages below.

Download Chicago samples

Download the Chicago samples from the GCNA members web page

1. go to the Members area of the GCNA website
2. enter your user name and password for access
3. right click each bell note link to save link as
4. copy the downloaded .wav files from your downloads folder to a new folder named samples

Create chicago.sfz sample map file

Open a text editor, then copy the code below and paste it into the editor. If, while playing fast, you have issues with a buildup of roaring hum tones or early dying notes, try editing in the <group> group=nn and polyphony=4 lines from the Larie program above.

//----------------------------------------------------------
// Programmed by Rick White, http://www.chimemaster.com
// For GCNA membership use with MIDI practice keyboards
// January, March 2016, May 2017
// Works with Garratin Sample programs using ARIA engine or
// Plogue Sforzando - freeware can be found at
//        http://www.plogue.com/products/sforzando/ 
//----------------------------------------------------------

<global>
  polyphony=64        // reduce for slow cpu/low memory
  loop_mode=one_shot  // force sample to play in entirety
  ampeg_attack=0.005  // 5 ms de-click may be excessive
  ampeg_hold=1        // 1 sec hold
  ampeg_decay=1       // 1 sec decay
  ampeg_sustain=100   // to 100% - play same staccato or legato
  ampeg_release=100   // 100 sec release long 

// no keyboard transposition - full 6 octaves
<region> sample=1-Csharp2.wav key=037 lokey=036 hikey=038
<region> sample=2-Eb2.wav      key=039
<region> sample=3-E2.wav       key=040
<region> sample=4-F2.wav       key=041
<region> sample=5-Fsharp2.wav  key=042
<region> sample=6-G2.wav       key=043
<region> sample=7-Ab2.wav      key=044
<region> sample=8-A2.wav       key=045
<region> sample=9-Bb2.wav      key=046
<region> sample=10-B2.wav      key=047
<region> sample=11-C3.wav      key=048
<region> sample=12-Csharp3.wav key=049
<region> sample=13-D3.wav      key=050
<region> sample=14-Eb3.wav     key=051
<region> sample=15-E3.8.wav    key=052
<region> sample=16-F3.wav      key=053
<region> sample=17-Fsharp3.wav key=054
<region> sample=18-G3.wav      key=055
<region> sample=19-Ab3.wav     key=056
<region> sample=20-A3.wav      key=057
<region> sample=21-Bb3.wav     key=058
<region> sample=22-B3.wav      key=059 
<region> sample=23-C4.wav      key=060
<region> sample=24-Csharp4.wav key=061
<region> sample=25-D4.wav      key=062
<region> sample=26-Eb4.wav     key=063
<region> sample=27-E4.wav      key=064
<region> sample=28-F4.wav      key=065
<region> sample=29-Fsharp4.wav key=066
<region> sample=30-G4.wav      key=067
<region> sample=31-Ab4.wav     key=068
<region> sample=32-A4.wav      key=069
<region> sample=33-Bb4.wav     key=070
<region> sample=34-B4.wav      key=071
<region> sample=35-C5.wav      key=072
<region> sample=36-Csharp5.wav key=073
<region> sample=37-D5.wav      key=074
<region> sample=38-Eb5.wav     key=075
<region> sample=39-E5.wav      key=076
<region> sample=40-F5.wav      key=077
<region> sample=41-Fsharp5.wav key=078
<region> sample=42-G5.wav      key=079
<region> sample=43-Ab5.wav     key=080
<region> sample=44-A5.wav      key=081
<region> sample=45-Bb5.wav     key=082
<region> sample=46-B5.wav      key=083
<region> sample=47-C6.wav      key=084
<region> sample=48-Csharp6.wav key=085
<region> sample=49-D6.wav      key=086
<region> sample=50-Eb6.wav     key=087
<region> sample=51-E6.wav      key=088
<region> sample=52-F6.wav      key=089
<region> sample=53-Fsharp6.wav key=090
<region> sample=54-G6.wav      key=091
<region> sample=55-Ab6.wav     key=092
<region> sample=56-A6.wav      key=093
<region> sample=57-Bb6.wav     key=094
<region> sample=58-B6.wav      key=095
<region> sample=59-C7.wav      key=096
<region> sample=60-Csharp7.wav key=097
<region> sample=61-D7.wav      key=098
<region> sample=62-Eb7.wav     key=099
<region> sample=63-E7.wav      key=100
<region> sample=64-F7.wav      key=101
<region> sample=65-Fsharp7.wav key=102
<region> sample=66-G7.wav      key=103
<region> sample=67-Ab7.3.wav   key=104
<region> sample=68-A7.4.wav    key=105
<region> sample=69-Bb7.wav     key=106
<region> sample=70-B7.wav      key=107
<region> sample=71-C8.wav      key=108
<region> sample=72-Csharp8.wav key=109 hikey=127

Save the file as chicago.sfz in the samples folder

Load the file into sforzando

1. Start sforzando
2. At the top left of the app, click INSTRUMENT and then Import, navigate to chicago.sfz and open it
3. The bells should play when you click on the keys of the on screen keyboard
4. If you have connected and configured your MIDI interface, Open sforzando preferences from the menu, select your MIDI input and audio output
5. In sforzando's File menu, select save as and enter Practice Chicago

Advanced

Reducing latency in Windows

Windows 10 should be optimized for audio. Out of the box, it will have an annoying delay after playing a key. Focusrite has an excellent guide to Optimizing Your PC for Audio on Windows 10.

Focusrite's Scarlett 2i4 is an excellent Audio/MIDI USB interface. Now that you have Windows 10 set up for audio, you might as well enjoy higher quality sound than standard motherboard audio provides, for a very reasonable price.

sfz file format references

• Archived Cakewalk sfz File Reference
• Plogue wiki is incomplete, but useful and does include Plogue extensions to the format
• LinuxSampler Complete listing of opcodes supported by LinuxSampler

Auto-boot headless operation

It would be nice to power on the computer, then power on the keyboard and in a few seconds be able to practice without fooling around on a screen with a mouse and keyboard. Using one of these methods, you should be able to set up your computer to make it so.

For this to be possible, you should dedicate the computer for this purpose and not connect it to the internet after setup. Do not follow these procedures if you use the computer for other purposes.

Sforzando should be set up the way you want it, then from the Sforzando File menu, select Save as default. Every time Sforzando is started it will use this configuration.

Mac

Setup

From the Apple menu choose System Preferences and make the following changes

• Desktop and Screen Saver: Screen saver set to Start after Never.
• Disable software updates.
• Privacy and security: uncheck Disable automatic login.
• Notifications: Set alert style to None for all notifications
• Energy Saver: Computer sleep set to Never. Check Start up automatically after a power failure (on newer versions, we'll have to press the button)
• App Store: Uncheck all checking, download and install options
• Users & Groups:
  • Select Login Options then Set Automatic login ON for the user account and enter the password
  • Select the user account and Login Items. Click the Plus Sign (add) button at the bottom of the window
    • Navigate to the Applications folder and select Sforzando

Usage

Press the button on the Mac to power it on. The software should load and be ready to play in under a minute.

Press the button again to safely shut down the Mac.

PC

(under construction)