Qtractor plugin for using sfz

[AndrewD]

Hello and thanks in advance for any assistance.

After spending far too much time trying to get LinuxSampler, Qsampler, QjackCtl and Qtractor to work together, someone told me I could just use a plugin, I believe they said a fluidsynth plugin, in Qtractor, in order to have an sfz instrument for my tracks. Whatever the plugin is, I have the sfz file library saved on my computer, my JACK is properly set up and Qtractor is installed. What sort of plugin do I need and how do I get it? I've also read conflicting reports as to the type of plugin: am I looking for an input plugin or just a plugin without any input/output designation? (A Youtube tutorial showed the latter, but I don't see how it's possible, though their Qtractor's layout was different than mine.)

Thanks a lot for any help, I've spent over 16 hours just setting up this infernal software and I don't have too much time in the first place.

[AndrewD]

I managed to install the Calf Fluidsynth plugin as described here:

http://libremusicproduction.com/tutoria ... quickstart

However when I try to load my sfz it says:

fluidsynth: error: Not a RIFF file
fluidsynth: error: Couldn't load soundfont file

Google describes a RIFF file thusly:

The Resource Interchange File Format (RIFF) is a generic file container format for storing data in tagged chunks. It is primarily used to store multimedia such as sound and video, though it may also be used to store any arbitrary data.

It would appear that my sfz, which is a folder containing the sfz document in question as well as the associated WAVs, is basically a RIFF, but something seems to be missing. Any ideas?

[AndrewD]

Hmmmm, that's too bad.

I'm trying to install LinuxSampler LV2 plugin but I get the following error message:

Code: Select all

sudo apt-get install linuxsampler-lv2
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree       
Reading state information... Done
You might want to run 'apt-get -f install' to correct these:
The following packages have unmet dependencies:
 linuxsampler-all : Depends: linuxsampler-dssi but it is not going to be installed
E: Unmet dependencies. Try 'apt-get -f install' with no packages (or specify a solution).

sudo apt-get -f install
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree       
Reading state information... Done
Correcting dependencies... Done
The following packages were automatically installed and are no longer required:
  libllvm3.8 libmircommon5 libsnapd-glib1 linux-headers-4.4.0-31
  linux-headers-4.4.0-31-generic linux-headers-4.4.0-87
  linux-headers-4.4.0-87-generic linux-headers-4.4.0-89
  linux-headers-4.4.0-89-generic linux-headers-4.4.0-91
  linux-headers-4.4.0-91-generic linux-image-4.4.0-31-generic
  linux-image-4.4.0-87-generic linux-image-4.4.0-89-generic
  linux-image-4.4.0-91-generic linux-image-extra-4.4.0-31-generic
  linux-image-extra-4.4.0-87-generic linux-image-extra-4.4.0-89-generic
  linux-image-extra-4.4.0-91-generic python3-pexpect python3-pil
  python3-ptyprocess python3-renderpm python3-reportlab
  python3-reportlab-accel snapd-login-service ubuntu-core-launcher
Use 'sudo apt autoremove' to remove them.
The following additional packages will be installed:
  linuxsampler-dssi linuxsampler-lv2
The following NEW packages will be installed:
  linuxsampler-dssi linuxsampler-lv2
0 upgraded, 2 newly installed, 0 to remove and 87 not upgraded.
2 not fully installed or removed.
Need to get 0 B/3,357 kB of archives.
After this operation, 10.6 MB of additional disk space will be used.
Do you want to continue? [Y/n] y
(Reading database ... 364941 files and directories currently installed.)
Preparing to unpack .../linuxsampler-dssi_1.0.0+svn2593-1kxstudio3_amd64.deb ...
Unpacking linuxsampler-dssi (1.0.0+svn2593-1kxstudio3) ...
dpkg: error processing archive /var/cache/apt/archives/linuxsampler-dssi_1.0.0+svn2593-1kxstudio3_amd64.deb (--unpack):
 trying to overwrite '/usr/lib/dssi/linuxsampler.so', which is also in package liblinuxsampler 2.0.0-1+svn1
dpkg-deb: error: subprocess paste was killed by signal (Broken pipe)
Preparing to unpack .../linuxsampler-lv2_2%3a2.0.0-2kxstudio1_amd64.deb ...
Unpacking linuxsampler-lv2 (2:2.0.0-2kxstudio1) ...
dpkg: error processing archive /var/cache/apt/archives/linuxsampler-lv2_2%3a2.0.0-2kxstudio1_amd64.deb (--unpack):
 trying to overwrite '/usr/lib/lv2/linuxsampler.lv2/manifest.ttl', which is also in package liblinuxsampler 2.0.0-1+svn1
dpkg-deb: error: subprocess paste was killed by signal (Broken pipe)
Errors were encountered while processing:
 /var/cache/apt/archives/linuxsampler-dssi_1.0.0+svn2593-1kxstudio3_amd64.deb
 /var/cache/apt/archives/linuxsampler-lv2_2%3a2.0.0-2kxstudio1_amd64.deb
E: Sub-process /usr/bin/dpkg returned an error code (1)

[AndrewD]

I did this:

Code: Select all

~$ sudo apt-get remove --purge liblinuxsampler 2.0.0-1+svn1
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree       
Reading state information... Done
E: Unable to locate package 2.0.0-1+svn1
E: Couldn't find any package by glob '2.0.0-1+svn1'
E: Couldn't find any package by regex '2.0.0-1+svn1'

Then I tried this again:

Code: Select all

~$ sudo apt-get install linuxsampler-lv2
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree       
Reading state information... Done
You might want to run 'apt-get -f install' to correct these:
The following packages have unmet dependencies:
 linuxsampler-all : Depends: linuxsampler-dssi but it is not going to be installed
E: Unmet dependencies. Try 'apt-get -f install' with no packages (or specify a solution).

-$ sudo apt-get -f install
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree       
Reading state information... Done
Correcting dependencies... Done
The following packages were automatically installed and are no longer required:
  libllvm3.8 libmircommon5 libsnapd-glib1 linux-headers-4.4.0-31
  linux-headers-4.4.0-31-generic linux-headers-4.4.0-87
  linux-headers-4.4.0-87-generic linux-headers-4.4.0-89
  linux-headers-4.4.0-89-generic linux-headers-4.4.0-91
  linux-headers-4.4.0-91-generic linux-image-4.4.0-31-generic
  linux-image-4.4.0-87-generic linux-image-4.4.0-89-generic
  linux-image-4.4.0-91-generic linux-image-extra-4.4.0-31-generic
  linux-image-extra-4.4.0-87-generic linux-image-extra-4.4.0-89-generic
  linux-image-extra-4.4.0-91-generic python3-pexpect python3-pil
  python3-ptyprocess python3-renderpm python3-reportlab
  python3-reportlab-accel snapd-login-service ubuntu-core-launcher
Use 'sudo apt autoremove' to remove them.
The following additional packages will be installed:
  linuxsampler-dssi linuxsampler-lv2
The following NEW packages will be installed:
  linuxsampler-dssi linuxsampler-lv2
0 upgraded, 2 newly installed, 0 to remove and 87 not upgraded.
2 not fully installed or removed.
Need to get 0 B/3,357 kB of archives.
After this operation, 10.6 MB of additional disk space will be used.
Do you want to continue? [Y/n] y
(Reading database ... 364941 files and directories currently installed.)
Preparing to unpack .../linuxsampler-dssi_1.0.0+svn2593-1kxstudio3_amd64.deb ...
Unpacking linuxsampler-dssi (1.0.0+svn2593-1kxstudio3) ...
dpkg: error processing archive /var/cache/apt/archives/linuxsampler-dssi_1.0.0+svn2593-1kxstudio3_amd64.deb (--unpack):
 trying to overwrite '/usr/lib/dssi/linuxsampler.so', which is also in package liblinuxsampler 2.0.0-1+svn1
dpkg-deb: error: subprocess paste was killed by signal (Broken pipe)
Preparing to unpack .../linuxsampler-lv2_2%3a2.0.0-2kxstudio1_amd64.deb ...
Unpacking linuxsampler-lv2 (2:2.0.0-2kxstudio1) ...
dpkg: error processing archive /var/cache/apt/archives/linuxsampler-lv2_2%3a2.0.0-2kxstudio1_amd64.deb (--unpack):
 trying to overwrite '/usr/lib/lv2/linuxsampler.lv2/manifest.ttl', which is also in package liblinuxsampler 2.0.0-1+svn1
dpkg-deb: error: subprocess paste was killed by signal (Broken pipe)
Errors were encountered while processing:
 /var/cache/apt/archives/linuxsampler-dssi_1.0.0+svn2593-1kxstudio3_amd64.deb
 /var/cache/apt/archives/linuxsampler-lv2_2%3a2.0.0-2kxstudio1_amd64.deb
E: Sub-process /usr/bin/dpkg returned an error code (1)

It appears I couldn't fully remove the original liblinuxsuampler 2.0.0-1+svn1 and the problem remains.

[noedig]

The easiest way I found was to install carla-lv2 and/or carla-vst packages. These allow Carla to run as a plugin within a plugin host.

Then, in QTractor, create a new track; Type: MIDI. On the Plugins tab, Add a new plugin, then search for Carla-Rack, (either VST or LV2).
This should open a Carla-Rack window. On the toolbar you'll see Add Plugin.

Now, to get an SFZ into the Carla-Rack, you have a few options:
1. Tell Carla where to scan for it: in Settings-->Configure Carla, Paths tab, select SFZ and add the root path of your SFZ files. Now, Add Plugin, click Refresh, select SFZ and click Start. After the scan, your SFZ files should be searchable if "Sound Kits" is selected under Special Filters.
--or--
2. The Normal Carla applicatoin (not the LV2/VST plugin) supports drag and drop of SFZ files into the Carla window. To make use of this, open the Carla application (separate from QTractor). Drag and drop an SFZ file into Carla. Now, File-->Save, and save the session somewhere. Then, in the LV2/VST Carla-Rack plugin in QTractor, Open that saved session.

Finally, in QTractor, don't forget to tick the small little LED next to Carla-Rack in the plugins list to enable the plugin.

[nils]

It is sad that we don't have a working lv2 plugin or standalone host for sfz that does not depend on Linuxsampler

[Luc]

It is sad that we don't have a working lv2 plugin or standalone host for sfz that does not depend on Linuxsampler

Carla fits that description very well. Why exclude it?

[AndrewD]

Thanks so much for all the help!

I'm going to try using the sfz with Carla plugin, I'll post back with the (hopefully successful) results.

By the way, the problem with LinuxSampler persists, I can't seem to remove liblinuxsampler:

Code: Select all

$ sudo apt-get remove --purge liblinuxsampler
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree       
Reading state information... Done
You might want to run 'apt-get -f install' to correct these:
The following packages have unmet dependencies:
 liblinuxsampler-dev : Depends: liblinuxsampler (= 2.0.0-1+svn1) but it is not going to be installed
 linuxsampler : Depends: liblinuxsampler but it is not going to be installed
 linuxsampler-all : Depends: linuxsampler-dssi but it is not going to be installed
                    Depends: linuxsampler-lv2 but it is not going to be installed or
                             linuxsampler-lv2-32chan but it is not going to be installed
E: Unmet dependencies. Try 'apt-get -f install' with no packages (or specify a solution).

~$ sudo apt-get -f install
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree       
Reading state information... Done
Correcting dependencies... Done
The following packages were automatically installed and are no longer required:
  libllvm3.8 libmircommon5 libsnapd-glib1 linux-headers-4.4.0-31
  linux-headers-4.4.0-31-generic linux-headers-4.4.0-87
  linux-headers-4.4.0-87-generic linux-headers-4.4.0-89
  linux-headers-4.4.0-89-generic linux-headers-4.4.0-91
  linux-headers-4.4.0-91-generic linux-image-4.4.0-31-generic
  linux-image-4.4.0-87-generic linux-image-4.4.0-89-generic
  linux-image-4.4.0-91-generic linux-image-extra-4.4.0-31-generic
  linux-image-extra-4.4.0-87-generic linux-image-extra-4.4.0-89-generic
  linux-image-extra-4.4.0-91-generic python3-pexpect python3-pil
  python3-ptyprocess python3-renderpm python3-reportlab
  python3-reportlab-accel snapd-login-service ubuntu-core-launcher
Use 'sudo apt autoremove' to remove them.
The following additional packages will be installed:
  linuxsampler-dssi linuxsampler-lv2
The following NEW packages will be installed:
  linuxsampler-dssi linuxsampler-lv2
0 upgraded, 2 newly installed, 0 to remove and 87 not upgraded.
2 not fully installed or removed.
Need to get 0 B/3,357 kB of archives.
After this operation, 10.6 MB of additional disk space will be used.
Do you want to continue? [Y/n] y
(Reading database ... 364941 files and directories currently installed.)
Preparing to unpack .../linuxsampler-dssi_1.0.0+svn2593-1kxstudio3_amd64.deb ...
Unpacking linuxsampler-dssi (1.0.0+svn2593-1kxstudio3) ...
dpkg: error processing archive /var/cache/apt/archives/linuxsampler-dssi_1.0.0+svn2593-1kxstudio3_amd64.deb (--unpack):
 trying to overwrite '/usr/lib/dssi/linuxsampler.so', which is also in package liblinuxsampler 2.0.0-1+svn1
dpkg-deb: error: subprocess paste was killed by signal (Broken pipe)
Preparing to unpack .../linuxsampler-lv2_2%3a2.0.0-2kxstudio1_amd64.deb ...
Unpacking linuxsampler-lv2 (2:2.0.0-2kxstudio1) ...
dpkg: error processing archive /var/cache/apt/archives/linuxsampler-lv2_2%3a2.0.0-2kxstudio1_amd64.deb (--unpack):
 trying to overwrite '/usr/lib/lv2/linuxsampler.lv2/manifest.ttl', which is also in package liblinuxsampler 2.0.0-1+svn1
dpkg-deb: error: subprocess paste was killed by signal (Broken pipe)
Errors were encountered while processing:
 /var/cache/apt/archives/linuxsampler-dssi_1.0.0+svn2593-1kxstudio3_amd64.deb
 /var/cache/apt/archives/linuxsampler-lv2_2%3a2.0.0-2kxstudio1_amd64.deb
E: Sub-process /usr/bin/dpkg returned an error code (1)

If it helps, initially I installed LinuxSampler not through kxstudios but from here:

http://davidbolton.info/articles/build_ ... mpler.html

(I only installed kxstudios because someone suggested it for cadence, but in retrospect they didn't understand what I wanted.)

[AndrewD]

This is NOT good. Ubuntu software center gives me the following message when I open it:

New software can't be installed, because there is a problem with the software currently installed. Do you want to repair this problem now?

Then it says the package operation failed, the installation or removal of a software package failed, with the following familiar details:

Code: Select all

installArchives() failed: (Reading database ... 
(Reading database ... 5%
(Reading database ... 10%
(Reading database ... 15%
(Reading database ... 20%
(Reading database ... 25%
(Reading database ... 30%
(Reading database ... 35%
(Reading database ... 40%
(Reading database ... 45%
(Reading database ... 50%
(Reading database ... 55%
(Reading database ... 60%
(Reading database ... 65%
(Reading database ... 70%
(Reading database ... 75%
(Reading database ... 80%
(Reading database ... 85%
(Reading database ... 90%
(Reading database ... 95%
(Reading database ... 100%
(Reading database ... 364941 files and directories currently installed.)
Preparing to unpack .../linuxsampler-dssi_1.0.0+svn2593-1kxstudio3_amd64.deb ...
Unpacking linuxsampler-dssi (1.0.0+svn2593-1kxstudio3) ...
dpkg: error processing archive /var/cache/apt/archives/linuxsampler-dssi_1.0.0+svn2593-1kxstudio3_amd64.deb (--unpack):
 trying to overwrite '/usr/lib/dssi/linuxsampler.so', which is also in package liblinuxsampler 2.0.0-1+svn1
dpkg-deb: error: subprocess paste was killed by signal (Broken pipe)
Preparing to unpack .../linuxsampler-lv2_2%3a2.0.0-2kxstudio1_amd64.deb ...
Unpacking linuxsampler-lv2 (2:2.0.0-2kxstudio1) ...
dpkg: error processing archive /var/cache/apt/archives/linuxsampler-lv2_2%3a2.0.0-2kxstudio1_amd64.deb (--unpack):
 trying to overwrite '/usr/lib/lv2/linuxsampler.lv2/manifest.ttl', which is also in package liblinuxsampler 2.0.0-1+svn1
dpkg-deb: error: subprocess paste was killed by signal (Broken pipe)
Errors were encountered while processing:
 /var/cache/apt/archives/linuxsampler-dssi_1.0.0+svn2593-1kxstudio3_amd64.deb
 /var/cache/apt/archives/linuxsampler-lv2_2%3a2.0.0-2kxstudio1_amd64.deb
dpkg: dependency problems prevent configuration of linuxsampler-all:
 linuxsampler-all depends on linuxsampler-dssi; however:
  Package linuxsampler-dssi is not installed.
 linuxsampler-all depends on linuxsampler-lv2 | linuxsampler-lv2-32chan; however:
  Package linuxsampler-lv2 is not installed.
  Package linuxsampler-lv2-32chan is not installed.

dpkg: error processing package linuxsampler-all (--configure):
 dependency problems - leaving unconfigured

[AndrewD]

Sudo apt-get remove --purge linuxsampler-all fixed this problem.

[tramp]

It is sad that we don't have a working lv2 plugin or standalone host for sfz that does not depend on Linuxsampler

Carla fits that description very well. Why exclude it?

Carla use Linuxsampler as back-end.

[Luc]

Carla use Linuxsampler as back-end.

Oh. I had no idea.
Then I think it's by far the best GUI Linuxsampler has ever had.

[AndrewD]

1. Tell Carla where to scan for it: in Settings-->Configure Carla, Paths tab, select SFZ and add the root path of your SFZ files. Now, Add Plugin, click Refresh, select SFZ and click Start. After the scan, your SFZ files should be searchable if "Sound Kits" is selected under Special Filters.

I tried this but no sfz file was found. When looking for the root path I was only able to select the folder in which the sfz is found, not the sfz file itself, in case this is the cause of the problem. Otherwise I was sure to follow everything else such as selecting sound kits. Just to let you know.

2. The Normal Carla applicatoin (not the LV2/VST plugin) supports drag and drop of SFZ files into the Carla window. To make use of this, open the Carla application (separate from QTractor). Drag and drop an SFZ file into Carla. Now, File-->Save, and save the session somewhere. Then, in the LV2/VST Carla-Rack plugin in QTractor, Open that saved session.

I think this is working, but it's not making sound yet. The sound bars go up as if sound is being made, but none comes out of the actual speakers. I have no connections in the patchbay and some research suggests I have to do something there, but I experimented with different permutations to no effect. I'm experimenting here still, but I fear I've tried every single possible permutation.

[Luc]

Would you like to install Simple Screen Recorder and make a video of your attempts?

You can read this walkthrough I wrote yesterday...
viewtopic.php?f=24&t=17492&start=15#p85246

...but I suspect it won't help because you've done it all already. If you post a video, maybe we can troubleshoot it.

[Luc]

Oh, I see you have deleted your last comment. Solved it yet?