Hi Adrian,

I think you're right. The best I can get with my Audigy 2 ZS is the Merlin soundfonts created especially for Soundblaster. The card has never worked right, anyhow. It's supposed to have two synths, but A and B, if I want to go beyond 16 channels, will lock up the computer. I think it has something to do with the 4GB of memory. At least, the old card worked well with a computer with less than 1MB of memory.

I wish I had the time to investigate VSTs, but I don't really have near the time I'd like to write music. I figure I'd better concentrate on that, and the sound can be taken care of when that later full of leisure arrives.

Your symphony sits on my desk top (the mp3) and I find it quite remarkable--one of those things worth listening to numerous times.

all best,
mgj