No SBLive so how do I use "Soundfont" .SF2 files without Creative?

[TriforceofEternity]

Well how?   I got a new PC and dad tried to install a Creative XFI sound borad from Frys but Windows Vista won't allow it to run.      I realllllllllllllllllly want to make my midis sound better as I don't like the in-board thingy.     

A soundfont is like changing the format of Microsoft Word but for midi only.     They have 128 instruments in each bank.

[Vehek]

There are programs that can use Soundfonts.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SoundFont#Tools

There's also a variant of TiMidIty that can be installed as a MIDI driver.


Edit - In Vista, they removed the ability to change which MIDI driver to use by default. So you also need something to re-enable that.

[TriforceofEternity]

For some reason my PC cannot take sound drivers other then the store-bought one.            I tried to install Alive but it's missing required .DLL files so it won't work.      I am using Xmplay which has a midi plugin and it allows soundfont banks to be installed.