Synthesizer	ARPTON SF™ includes a Java built-in Synthesizer, called GERVILL. Synthesizer itself does not contain any sounds. It is just a controller which receives and executes MIDI commands (MIDI Messages) to play sounds stored in a SoundBank. ARPTON SF™ contains, at least, one default SoundBank ("Microsoft GS Wavetable Synth" on 'Windows'). Since a GERVILL synthesizer is SoundFont-compatible, you can download from Internet and add up to 10 additional SF SoundBanks.
SoundBanks	A Soundbank contains a set of Instruments that can be loaded into a Synthesizer. Instruments are usually designed to emulate a specific real-world musical instrument or some sound effect. In General MIDI specification a bank contains 128 programs that correspond to specific instrument sounds. Different sondbanks can sound quite different, even when playing what's supposed to be the same instrument. Using different soundbanks its like listening to the same song, performed by different orchestras. Modern versions of Windows have General MIDI capability in the form of the Microsoft GS Wavetable Synth. This is the default General MIDI device. While it works well, the sound quality is quite average and can easily be improved by loading what are called SoundFonts. Soundbanks may have a different sound quality, so you can test all of them and choose soundbanks that satisfy your musical taste.
SoundFonts	'ARPTON SF™' uses SoundBanks in a form of 'SoundFonts' (files with extension '.sf2'). SoundFont 'bank', instead of sound emulation, contains sampled audio waveforms (or 'samples') recorded using real instruments. The quality of a SoundFont bank depends on a quality of the digital samples for all pitch ranges. Files with SoundFonts (Instruments) have extension .sf2 There are tons of FREE .sf2 files available on Internet. Many .sf2 files are distributed as GeneralMidi sets of SoundFonts (GM SoundFonts). Each GM set contains 128 Instruments with the same standard numbers (0-127). There are also .sf2 files with subsets of Instruments (only pianos, strings, ets.). Such non-GM soundbanks are not suitable for a Player, but can be used for playing Keyboard. Before the Instrument can be used to play notes, it must first be loaded onto a Synthesizer. While Synthesizer can load an entire SoundBank into memory, some SoundBanks are very large and can take all available RAM. 'ARPTON SF™' dynamically loads only instruments that are currently used. All unused instruments are periodically unloaded. It optimizes a memory usage and allows to use ARPTON SF™ even on a computer with a limited RAM. Analogy: If you type a text, you select a Font, and type all letters with that Font. If you play music, you select a SoundFont(Instrument) and play all notes, using that SoundFont.
Arpeggiator	ARPTON SF™ includes  the  very sophisticated full-featured professional grade arpeggiator, which allows you to color your performance in a wide variety of ways. Your imagination is the only limit. Arpeggiator uses Instruments from the same SoundBank as the Keyboard. Last played arpeggio is automatically saved as a MIDI file, so you can use it later for any purpose. Arpeggiator can be used as a powerful tool for creating amazing arpeggios and loops for your compositions and arrangements.
MIDI Recorder	ARPTON SF™ automatically records the last arpeggio variation and saves it to a standard MIDI file "midi\arpeggio.mid" that can be played back or used later in your compositions.
MIDI and Karaoke Player	ARPTON SF™ includes a Player for MIDI (.mid) and MIDI-Karaoke (.kar) files. MIDI files do not contain any sounds, only instructions to play them. ARPTON SF™ uses SF Soundbanks to play MIDI files. If a song file contains lyrics (English or Russian), they are shown on a screen and can be saved to a 'songname.TXT' file. Player and Keyboard work independently and can use different instruments from different SoundBanks at the same time. Player can play .mid and .kar files using a full GM standard set of Instruments only. SoundFonts for all Instruments, used in .mid and .kar files, should be available in a selected SoundBank. Player determines what Instruments are used in a selected song file and loads from a SoundBank only needed instruments. You can adjust the tempo of the song and set the volume balance between the MIDI Player and the Keyboard. You can connect the microphone to your computer, and: play a MIDI compositions using instruments from one soundbank, play on ARPTON SF™ keyboard at the same time, using instruments from another SoundBank, sing the song using lyrics on a screen. All at the same time.
Java Runtime Environment(JRE) for 'Windows'	ARPTON SF™ is written in JAVA programming language and includes a 'JAVA SE Runtime Environment 8 (JRE 8)'. Works on any 'Windows' computer and doesn't requires JAVA to be installed.
Installer	Installs ARPTON SF™ in a folder 'C:\ARPTON_SF'. Creates a Desktop Shortcut with an icon 'ARPTON'. Creates a Desktop Shortcut with a link to 'arpton.com'. Updates ARPTON SF™ to the latest version. Launches the latest version. NOTE: No changes are made to your computer during Installation. Folder 'ARPTON_SF' can be moved to any location on your computer. To update a Desktop Shortcut after moving, delete it, and launch ARPTON SF™ by clicking on 'ARPTON_SF\run.bat' file. Shortcut will be recreated.
Updater (INTERNET Connection required)	Checks for Updates every time when ARPTON SF™ starts. If a new version is available, performs update and restarts ARPTON SF™ with the new version.

STARTERS:

• ARPTON SF™ allows kids and adults to play live music on a computer without buying a separate electronic musical instrument.
• Provides an opportunity to perform using just a PC keyboard before spending money on the "real thing".
• Discovers your hidden talents.
• Provides countless hours of entertainment.
• Delights every member of your family.

PROFESSIONALS: MUSICIANS, COMPOSERS, ARRANGERS

• Install ARPTON SF™ on your notebook and always have a portable musical instrument with you when you travel.
• Create amazing arpeggios and loops that can be included in music compositions. ARPTON SF™ is capable to generate melodic sequences in real time with endless variations.
• Test any SF SoundBank downloaded from Internet.
• Compare how the same Instrument sounds in different SF SoundBanks.
• Listen MIDI files using different SF SoundBanks.
• View and print lyrics from MIDI and MIDI-Karaoke files.
• Use it as a tuner or a metronome.

• Tutorial 'What Is' - you are reading now.
• Tutorial 'Help' - gives you the detailed description of all controls and their functions.
• Tutorial 'How To' - explains what you should do to achieve the desired results.

• ARPTON SF™: Full-featured MIDI Synthesizer, Arpeggiator, MIDI Player.
• JRE: Java Runtime Environment.
• Documentation in html format.
• Collection of soundbanks (SoundFonts)
• Collection of .mid and .kar files.