Hello, I've got a simple MIDI question.

My motherboard doesn't have MIDI support, and because of this, system doesn't play *.mid files (it looks like it sends commands to nowhere).
Is there a good software synthyzer (or driver) for Linux that can allow me to hear MIDI?

timidity is one lots of people use.
fluidsynth is another good one.

Well, I've found both of them, and they works, but...
Now I'm not sure about which soundfont I should use. Looks like there are too many of them, and most of the soundfonts doesn't implement all General Midi instruments. Timidity doesn't have any soundfont in it's distribution, fluidsynth has one sound font, but it can't be used with anything other than testing. And, by the way, most of available fonts are too big for downloading...

Is there a small sound font that implements all standart General Midi instruments? (I don't need anything else) I've seen mentions about some GPLed fonts, but didn't find any of them yet...

there is an 8mb gm bank here
http://members.lycos.co.uk/darrellnet/samples.htm
that is free and very good
it might be wrapped up in one of those windows soundfont compression things but if i remember comes with the extractor. i think those tools work under wine.

Thanks. I've downloaded Synergi font (looks like other links are broken).
-----added later-----
Well, that's "kind of" funny, but I've found a freepats package on my DVD with another Linux distribution. Now problem is solved - I'll use Timidity. SynerGi soundfont is nicer than what timidity produce, but it provide less instruments, and sometims it play with wrong balance/volume. For example - one instrument is too loud (louder than it was in original), the other is too quiet, etc. And IT isn't well suited for non-classic music (IMHO).

Thanks for the help!