Is there any way to restore the Microsoft GS Wavetable Synth back to before Windows 7 when using Windows 10 / 11?

Question

Some MIDI music may not play perfectly on the current Windows 10 system when using only the Microsoft GS Wavetable Synth. There may be missing tones and drum beats during playback. According to Microsoft staff, this is because the sound source used by Microsoft GS Wavetable Synth is compressed, resulting in a reduced sampling rate of 22050 Hz or even less. Is there any way to restore Microsoft GS Wavetable Synth to its uncompressed state, as in Windows XP and earlier versions? This excludes the use of other software and sound fonts. At the same time, I would like to understand the specific reason for the compression of the Microsoft GS Wavetable Synth sound source. Is it because the gm.dls file in the C:\Windows\System32\drivers path has been compressed? Or is it due to the reduced compatibility of the Microsoft GS Wavetable Synth by the iterative updates of the Windows system itself? If possible, could you find the Microsoft GS Wavetable Synth or related files from Windows XP for comparison?

Answer 1

Hello The Microsoft GS Wavetable Synth is a software synthesizer included in Windows that uses a sound set to play MIDI files. The sound set, which is stored in the gm.dls file, has been compressed in more recent versions of Windows, resulting in a reduced sampling rate. This compression can lead to issues such as missing tones and drum beats during MIDI playback.   Restoring the Microsoft GS Wavetable Synth to its uncompressed state, as in Windows XP and earlier versions, is not straightforward. The compression of the gm.dls file is a design decision made by Microsoft and is not something that can be easily reversed by users. Furthermore, the gm.dls file is typically located in the C:\Windows\System32\drivers directory, and modifying system files can lead to instability and is generally not recommended.   As for the specific reason for the compression of the Microsoft GS Wavetable Synth sound source, it’s likely due to a combination of factors, including the need to reduce the size of the Windows operating system and improve performance. However, the exact reasons are not publicly documented by Microsoft.   Comparing the Microsoft GS Wavetable Synth or related files from Windows XP with those from more recent versions of Windows could potentially provide some insights. However, please note that such a comparison would require access to a system running Windows XP, and the results may not be conclusive due to the many changes that have occurred in Windows over the years.   If you’re experiencing issues with MIDI playback on Windows 10, there are several potential solutions you could try:   Disable Exclusive Mode: This can help if the Microsoft GS Wavetable Synth is not able to use the same drivers simultaneously. To do this, open the Control Panel, select Sound, double-click on Speakers, click on the Advanced tab, and disable Exclusive mode.   Check Compatibility Mode: If you’re using a particular program for MIDI playback, you could try running it in compatibility mode. To do this, right-click on the program’s setup file, click on ‘properties’, click on the ‘compatibility’ tab, check the box ‘Run this program in compatibility mode for’, and select an earlier version of Windows from the drop-down menu.   Use a Different MIDI Synth: While you mentioned that you would like to avoid using other software and sound fonts, using a different MIDI synth could potentially resolve the issues you’re experiencing. There are many free and commercial MIDI synths available that offer a wide range of features and capabilities.