Moderators: MattKingUSA, khz
I've found some commercial SFZ files (50-100 USD) that sound really nice but I don't want to emulate Sforzando (otherwise I'd just emulate Kontakt).
Does anyone know if Linux SFZ players (Linuxsampler or Sfizz) can play all SFX files reliably like Sforzando? Or are all SFZ files not the same and there's more to them than just a list of WAV/FLAC files and script files (like extra embedded/included executables)?
SFZs can define how the audio is played and filtered with "opcodes". Player to player varies on how many of of the SFZ opcodes are supported, with SFIZZ being the best available in that regard for Linux users. Sforzando also has it's own GUI codes that are only supported by it, so a file made especially for Sforzando may have some gui controls set just for that. It depends on the file itself.
You could ask the SFZ seller which opcodes they have used and then see whether they are supported in sfizz here: https://sfz.tools/sfizz/development/status/opcodes/
and linux sampler here: https://linuxsampler.org/sfz/
Practically, It's unlikely you will have any problems but as you will be paying a good sum of money, good to check 
Largos wrote: ↑Sun Jan 21, 2024 11:51 amSFZs can define how the audio is played and filtered with "opcodes". Player to player varies on how many of of the SFZ opcodes are supported, with SFIZZ being the best available in that regard for Linux users. Sforzando also has it's own GUI codes that are only supported by it, so a file made especially for Sforzando may have some gui controls set just for that. It depends on the file itself
Is this similar to VSTS that don't have GUI and rely on the DAW drawing some generic sliders and knobs, or is it the case that if opcodes are not supported, they don't even show up in any way?
The latter. As an example, you can set an opcode to change the attack on a sample being played. You can also write another opcode which you let you change the attack with a midi cc and another opcode which will tell the sfz player to show a control on it's gui for changing a particular cc. That last opcode is the rarest supporting, Sfizz will show the control, linux sampler (or rather a frontend like Qsampler) will not.
Are new users allowed to post multiple links or will I get in trouble?
@pigeonw There are no limits for posting links so go ahead.
autostatic wrote: ↑Mon Jan 22, 2024 2:43 pm@pigeonw There are no limits for posting links so go ahead.
Okay,
1) "DSK HQ Instruments". https://www.dskmusic.com/hq-instruments/
Price is very low. Bought it years ago. Quality is hit or miss. For some instruments the free "General User GS" SF2 soundfont still sounds better ( https://schristiancollins.com/generaluser.php ). "General User GS" also generally sounds better than the other GM/GS free soundfonts out there, the "Airfont", "SGM" and "Arachno Soundfont", which in turn sometimes sound more synthesized/video game-y.
2) Pulse Audio (offer pianos, basses, strings, some world instruments): https://pulse.audio/product-category/format/sforzando/
3) Sound Iron: https://soundiron.com/collections/iron-packs/sfz
Always interested in more options if you're aware of any.
Do a search in the linux forums here. I created a pretty exhaustive list a few months ago. There is a lot more available, and most of it is free. In fact, save your money until after you’ve had a chance to explore what is available for free
Audiojunkie wrote: ↑Tue Jan 23, 2024 3:42 amDo a search in the linux forums here. I created a pretty exhaustive list a few months ago. There is a lot more available, and most of it is free. In fact, save your money until after you’ve had a chance to explore what is available for free
I went 10 pages deep into your posts history and only found two drum kits you commented about. If the forum allowed to view user's topic list instead of post list, that would probably help.
I then went to "Samplers & samples" forum section for few pages: there isn't anything stickied and I found one piano and some free SF2 files so far.
I'm sorry and I don't want to come off as douchy, but I just don't have time to dig through stuff and try free samples anymore: I've done that for years and I have many decent soundfonts for just about any instrument already, but that's the thing: they are only decent, there's none that get the quality of Kontakt stuff, especially when it comes to woodwinds and string instruments. I'm at a point in my life where I can afford pro stuff that sound a bit better: I just hate Windows and don't want a duct-taped Kontakt emulation solution, that's all.
Maybe you can suggest something specific?
OK, use Sfizz and start here:
http://virtualplaying.com/virtual-playing-orchestra/
Next, go here:
https://sfzinstruments.github.io/
Finally, go here:
After you have found all the SFZ files you want, also consider:
https://www.decentsamples.com/product/d ... er-plugin/
Along with:
https://www.pianobook.co.uk/sampler/decent-sampler/
Your two best bets for near-Kontakt quality will be with Sfizz, Decent Sampler, and Sforzando (with WINE). Start with the first two, and move to WINE only if you can't find what you need. If you end up deciding to use Sforzando as well, then be sure to check out the high quality offerings available here:
https://shop.karoryfer.com/collections/all
Good luck
@Audiojunkie
Your two best bets for near-Kontakt quality will be with Sfizz, Decent Sampler, and Sforzando (with WINE). Start with the first two, and move to WINE only if you can't find what you need. If you end up deciding to use Sforzando as well, then be sure to check out the high quality offerings available here:
FWIW, I've been using many of the free Karoryfer SFZ sample libraries flawlessly under SFizz. Also, note that the bulk of SFZ libraries on the PulseAudio site are actually made by Karoryfer.
