How To: Good MIDI

This is a how-to guide for getting good quality MIDI in Dark Forces.

Step 1

Download and install VirtualMidiSynth.

Link: https://coolsoft.altervista.org/en/virtualmidisynth

Step 2

Download and install CoolSoft

Link: https://coolsoft.altervista.org/en/midimapper Link

Step 3

Download a good soundfont. I recommend Arachno SoundFont which sounds great with Dark Forces and TIE Fighter music.

Link: https://www.arachnosoft.com/main/soundfont.php

Step 4

Open VirtualMidiSynth. Click on (+) to add a soundfont, then navigate to the folder with your soundfont and open it. Make sure the soundfont you have selected is enabled (green light).

Step 5

Click on the “MIDI Mapper” tab in VirtualMidiSynth. Ensure “Default MIDI Out device” is set to VirtualMIDISynth. Click “Apply” and “Ok”. You can now close VirtualMidiSynth.

Step 6

If you are playing the DOSBox version of Dark Forces, navigate in Windows Explorer to your Dark Forces directory. There should be a shortcut in this folder called “Launch Settings” (if you have the GOG version of the game). Run this shortcut to open the settings application.