Soundfonts Explained
Soundfonts are a great source of free samples on the web. Their file extension is .sf2 (ex. RhodesEP.sf2). And, though this format started out on the Windows PC platform, Macs have been able to read these files in certain programs.
Apple's Logic Pro 8 and Logic Express music programs can quickly convert these files into usable samples for the EXS-24 sampler, which is included in both applications. It's possible that other samplers can read these files, too.
Though soundfonts started out on the hobbyist side of music (think GM sounds and instruments), some innovative folks also have added some outstanding sounds to this format. Some of these sounds are quite professional and useful for making music.
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When searching the web, if you happen to find files with extensions like .sfpack or .sfArk, be aware that you may have to convert these on a PC before your Mac can read the individual .sf2 soundfont files.
I ran some tests and this worked just fine. I was able to unstuff these archive files on a PC after downloading the correct (and free) software (see link below). Then it's a matter of simply copying the unstuffed files to a CD or thumb drive and moving them into your Mac (if that's what you're using).
Check the links to the left & below for some helpful info regarding the various compression formats into which soundfonts tend to get stuffed.
Get Mac help software for sfArk here.
Get PC help software for sfpack here.
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