Trouble with sound fonts

[Philomena Poirier]

I'm completely new to this software but managed to successfully set up one VST plugin within it. I am trying to set up others in the same way and using the same process but I am having a hard time with it. The ones I am trying to set up are SF2 files, which I think is a part of the issue, since the one that did work was a VST3 file. The program does not seem to recognize SF2 files despite me keeping them in the folder I used for the VST3 file. How can I get them to work, or is it just incompatible with the software?

[msmcleod]

VST3's should only ever live in C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST3 , and there should only be VST3 files in that directory.

SF2 files are not virtual instruments, they are multi-samples in SoundFont format.  You need an SF2 player to use them (such as Sforzando, TX816W etc)

 

[RobertWS]

4 hours ago, msmcleod said:

  You need an SF2 player to use them (such as Sforzando, TX816W etc)

...or VirtualMIDISynth

Edited July 27, 2021 by RobertWS

[John Vere]

Cakewalk comes with enough VST instruments and plug ins to keep you busy for a long time. Make sure to install the Studio instrument collection. 
You should spend some time watching the tutorials as Cakewalk is not something you can use by fumbling around blind