Is there a soundfont editor for SFZ?
So, I have decided to attempt to use Sonatina Symphonic in SFZ since the sf2 versions sucked. However, when I downloaded it, it gave everything seperately. I need a way to combine them. Vienna soundfont editor only uses SF2. I need an editor that is easy to use and that can combine all samples. I also need it to be free.
Comments
That is how SFZ works - it is totally open.
You have a folder with the samples in and a configuration file or files which tells the player how to play them.
No need to combine them - just load the SFZ file into Zerberus and it will do the rest.
If you want to make changes you edit the SFZ config file in a text editor.
In reply to That is how SFZ works - it is by ChurchOrganist
Basically, I make sure the Sonatina SFZ is in the soundfonts folder, then I load everything into zebrus and then let zebrus do the rest. Right?
In reply to That is how SFZ works - it is by ChurchOrganist
Um, I'm actually a little confused. I loaded everything into the synthesizer. However, it still sounds like the sf2 is playing instead of Zebrus. How do I make it permanently play from Zebrus?
In reply to Um, I'm actually a little by Elwin
You have to select the instrument in the mixer.
Look right at the bottom of the list.
In reply to You have to select the by ChurchOrganist
Do I have to do this all the time I load it?
Polyphone http://www.polyphone.fr/ will edit .sf2, sf3 and .sfz files. I use it quite a bit on converting between formats and testing out new parameters. You can also create new soundfonts by importing .wav files for custom solutions. It's quite powerful and it's free.
In reply to Polyphone by jhouck
Polyphone is not an SFZ editor.
It's only useful function for SFZ editing is to extract samples from an SF2 soundfont.
In reply to Polyphone is not an SFZ by ChurchOrganist
I guess it depends on how you want to define "editor". It's certainly a lot more useful than for just extracting or exporting .sf2 samples.
I'm using it currently to both edit and create .sfz compliant sound fonts. I'm able to edit and tweak the parameters for both samples, instruments and presets. At the current time, I'm working on the Sonatina Symphonic Orchestra by Matthias Westlund to bring it up to current .sfz specs and fix a few problems in it's sound. Polyphone is making this whole process much smoother. Of course, there is nothing to prevent one from using a text editor either ... Cheers.
Here is a snippet of the original Brass - Bass Trombone Solo.sfz file from Sonatina:
ampeg_release=0.600
fil_veltrack=11000
fil_type=lpf_2p
cutoff=120
sample=samples\bass trombone\bass_trombone-e1.wav
lokey=e1
hikey=f1
pitch_keycenter=e1
And here is the same snippet after being edited in Polyphone:
lokey=28 hikey=67
ampeg_release=0.600124
fil_type=lpf_2p
cutoff=120
volume=-3.0172
loop_mode=no_loop
ampeg_attack=0.001
amplfo_freq=8.176
fillfo_freq=8.176
pitchlfo_freq=8.176
sample=samples\bass trombone\bass_trombone-e1.wav
lokey=28 hikey=29
pitch_keycenter=28
pan=100
fil_type=lpf_2p
cutoff=100
resonance=90
ampeg_delay=17.9594
offset=0
end=137253
volume=-3.0172
In reply to I guess it depends on how you by jhouck
Well OK, but you only have access to a subset of the available SFZ parameters in PolyPhone.
It is, after all, designed as an SF2 editor, and a pretty good one at that.
I suspect most of those opcodes which export from PolyPhone are based on the default values for the SF2 equivalents, and as such are not really necessary.
In reply to Well OK, but you only have by ChurchOrganist
True, but I hope we'll see more of the sfz op-codes supported in MuseScore through the GSOC efforts. It seems a pity to have the power and flexibility of the sfz format available and not utilize it in Zerberus if technically possible. Otherwise, at least in my opinion, there is little to commend sfz over sf2 for playback and/or recording.
Cheers.
In reply to "Well OK, but you only have by jhouck
But I hope we'll see more of the sfz op-codes supported in MuseScore through the GSOC efforts.
Me too :)
In reply to Polyphone by jhouck
I just installed polyphone...when I go File->Save, the only extension is .sf2, while the zerberus (.sfz) along with .sf3 are only available in File->Export, so that leads me to believe it is not really a zerberus editor. Anyway, I'm looking to make my own zerberus soundfont, but I can't seem to find info online. Could someone point me to a guide or some software. Appaently you can make zerberus without any editing software just by putting files in a folder with appropriate metadata. But I would want some software to help set the loop range easily by hearing the loop in realtime as it is being modified. I suppose I could just use a .sf2 editor and then copy those loop settings for zerberus. Anyway, any advice is welcome.
I apparently found out that Sonatina has a little flaw in the flute instrument. Everything plays one octave higher. Also, for bass and snare drums don't work on a drumset.
In reply to I apparently found out that by Elwin
The bass and snare in Sonatina are intended to be separate instruments so they won't function in a drum set such as those drum sets in the GM sound fonts. As for the flute, I'll note your observation and check it out as I work through SSO.
Cheers
Not sure why you would expect an SFZ version of Sonatina to be noticeably better than the SF2 version, though. Sure there might be subtle differenfes here and there in how certain aspects of the sounds are rendered, but we're talking about the same basic samples and the dsame basic player. I think your expectations might just be unrealistic.