DLS - What is?

DLS (Down Loadable Sounds), is a file format and synthesizer device
architecture that provides a common platform for downloading wavetable 
instrument patches to a sound card's built in Wavetable synthesizer.  

DLS was established by the MMA (MIDI Manufacturers Association) in 1997 to 
provide a common playback experience when playing MIDI files on different 
synthesizer hardware.  By including the instruments along with the MIDI 
file, the composer can be guaranteed that the music will sound the same on 
different sound cards.  It also provides for an unlimited palette of 
instruments and sound effects. PC game manufacturers use DLS for embedding 
customized synthesizer 'patches' in the game's soundtrack. 

The Santa Cruz DLS Synthesizer conforms to the DLS Level 1 specification. 
You can download DLS Level 1 banks (*.DLS) or Aureal Native Format banks 
(*.ARL) to its synthesizer. 

The DLS Level 1 standard does not put a limit on the overall size of the sound
bank you want to download. Since the Santa Cruz Wavetable engine uses system 
RAM for storing samples, you will be limited to the amount of memory you have
in your system. Keep in mind that other applications will need system memory
as well. A good rule of thumb is to never load a sample bank that is larger 
than half of your total system RAM. 

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