Not really sure what sound fonts are hesperis but I'd guess these are samples of real insturments and that we are taliking what I beleive is termed wave table synthesis in both configurations. Im assuming they both belong to this sound card as they only became availible to me on its installation. My guess would be one uses some internal chip and the other uses software to try to make the sounds from the samples.

There was BTW and probably still is in use something called FM synthesis. I don't believe any of the samples I have posted use this - the ones I have heard really sound like computer generated noises.

Look forward to hearing your clip.

Jeri, another thing to my ears is that the Yamaha banjo (main melody instrument) is the only one that sounds banjo like - perhaps a consideration if trying to arrange. The "reality" does vary from instrument to instrument but overall, I find the Yamaha sounds reasonably close with the other options going out further by varying degrees.

Jon