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Settings

The software preferences are accessible either from the home screen or from the menu. They are divided into five sections:

General
Interface
Sound
Virtual keyboard
Online repository

General

The General section allows the modification of the following parameters:

Audio backend: Specifies the audio backend used to play samples. JACK and ASIO drivers (the latter for Windows only) may be chosen.
Buffer size: Specifies the buffer size used for JACK and ASIO drivers. A small buffer results in a small latency, but the sound may become scratchy.
MIDI input: Specifies the MIDI input controlling the virtual keyboard.

Moreover, it is possible to check the following options:

Stereo editing: change linked sample: When editing one side of a stereo sample, the other side is automatically edited the same. The same applies when editing a stereo instrument division: the division corresponding to the other channel (with the same note and velocity ranges) is edited the same.
Sample import: trim to loop: When importing a sample, data located after the end of loop are automatically removed (same effect as the tool “Trim to end of loop”).
Sample import: remove blank at start: When importing a sample, any blank area located before the beginning of the attack is automatically removed (same effect as the tool “Remove blank at start”).

Interface

This section shows options related to the interface of the software:

Language: The language may be changed here (a restart of the software is required).
Key names: Keys may be named depending on their number (according to MIDI specification), or depending on the name of middle C (C3, C4 or C5). Key names may comprise sharps or flats.
Sort divisions: The division order within an instrument or a preset can be changed here.
Unique instance: Open all files in a single window.
Theme: Different styles and predefined color sets are available for customizing the appearance of Polyphone. A manual selection of colors is also possible.
Window borders: Display or hide the window borders, for saving space on the screen.
Decorations: Background decorations in some lists can be deactivated for readability.

Sound

The Sound section makes it possible to modify the chorus and reverb of the synth, along with its global volume. The global volume may be changed with the volume MIDI controller if an external keyboard is connected.

Since the default modulator modifying the filter frequency has been changed between versions 2.01 and 2.04 of the sf2 specifications, it is possible to define here which version to take:

2.01: use the rule "lower the filter frequency taking into account the velocity IF the velocity is less than 64" (we can hear a clear and problematic gap between velocities 63 and 64);
2.04: use the rule "lower the filter frequency taking into account the velocity" (no more gap);
disabled: this default modulator is not set.

Virtual keyboard

The keys of the computer keyboard used to control the virtual keyboard are defined in the Virtual keyboard section. The pitch may be increased or decreased octave by octave.

For more advanced musicians, the tuning and temperament can be changed here.