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# Java Sound Enhancements in JDK 7

The following enhancement took effect in JDK 7:

## New Software Synthesizer Implementation

Gervill, a software synthesizer implementation, has replaced the Java Sound software synthesizer implementation. Gervill has the following advantages over the old software synthesizer implementation:

- Open source: The old software synthesizer implementation is part of a licensed library, which cannot be released as open source
- Supports DLS and SF2: Gervill supports the standards DLS (Downloadable Sounds) Level 2.2 and SF2 (SoundFont) 2.04, both of which are widely used and whose file formats are publicly available; the old software synthesizer uses a proprietary soundbank file format (GM), which is not widely used
- Supports extended General MIDI standards: Gervill supports General MIDI Level 2 (GM2) and MIDI Tuning; the old software synthesizer supports only GM1
- Support for resampling (sample rate conversion): A new audio format conversion provider (which supports resampling) was developed as part of the Gervill project

Because Java SE 7 uses Gervill, the following features are not available:

- GM soundbank support
- RMF file playback support
- OSS (Open Sound System) support on Linux

See RFE 6702956.

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