Re: [fluid-dev] Some Questions About FluidSynth MIDI Player

[Josh Green]

Hello Peter,

I just wanted to make sure you are aware of some of the implications of
using software under the LGPL, like FluidSynth, in a commercial
application.  Since some of these things are overlooked at times.  The
LGPL allows commercial applications to link to it as a shared library.
However, including code directly from FluidSynth in a commercial
application which is distributed, is not permitted (unless the program
itself is made LGPL).  You could modify FluidSynth and link it with your
program, but any changes you make to FluidSynth would need to be
released back to the community, if you distribute it.  One of the things
that is often overlooked by companies (I myself have done a lot of
commercial projects utilizing open source software), is that even if no
modifications are made to an LGPL or GPL program, the source code for
those programs must still be made available to anyone who may ask for
it.  All these clauses are active only upon distribution of the
software.  If it is never distributed (used internally only) then none
of those clauses apply.

At any rate, perhaps you are already aware of those, just wanted to make
sure.  The LGPL may still work for you in your case.

Best regards,
        Josh

On Tue, 2008-09-30 at 23:29 +1000, Zegelin Peter wrote:
> Thanks for your reply Julien,
> 
>       I've had a bit of a look at Timidity but unfortunately it is GPL and  
> can't be used in a commercial app. I've had a bit of a closer look at  
> the fluidsynth midi player and it looks like it will require quite a  
> bit of modification to work how I need it. I may end up just using the  
> timer part (which is probably the hardest part to get right) and synth  
> pieces and building my own player.
> 
> 
> On 30/09/2008, at 7:30 PM, Julien Claassen wrote:
> 
> > Hi!
> >  I don't know too much about fluidsynth's inner workings. But this:  
> > fluidsynth is mainly intended for live playing or simple midifile  
> > playback. Surely you could fool around, if you know bit about  
> > programming and MIDI, but I'm not sure, if that's what you want.
> >  I have - on more than one occasion - noticed, that fluidsynth's  
> > MIDI-file-player is very CPU-hungry. The crackle and stutter.
> >  If you need a good midifile-player, take a look at timidity. It can  
> > also play soundfonts, but in addition GUS-patches (its original  
> > format), it can pass midi thourhg to another MIDI output, it sets  
> > controllers correctly, you can start/stop rewind/forward. It also  
> > supports JACK, ALSA and a few other audio outputs. I think that  
> > timidity should work with OSX, I've definitely heard of Linux, other  
> > Unices and windows. Well OSX is a kind of Unix today.
> >  Drawback is: I think timidity's builtin reverb is not as nice as  
> > fluidstynth's. But you can turn it off.
> >  I hope it helps, although it answers in a completely different  
> > direction.
> >  Kindest regards
> >           Julien
> >
> > --------
> > Music was my first love and it will be my last (John Miles)
> >
> > ======== FIND MY WEB-PROJECT AT: ========
> > http://ltsb.sourceforge.net
> > the Linux TextBased Studio guide
> > ======= AND MY PERSONAL PAGES AT: =======
> > http://www.juliencoder.de
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> fluid-dev mailing list
> address@hidden
> http://lists.nongnu.org/mailman/listinfo/fluid-dev
>