Troubles with SFZ

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AlChuck
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November 23, 13 7:11 PM (permalink)

Troubles with SFZ

When I attempt to load a soundfont file into SFZ running in SONAR X3, nothing happens. The arrow row the right of the label File does not display a pull-down. If I click in the grey box to the right, I get a file browser opening, but no matter which of my sf2 files I navigate to and choose, the box remains blank and there are no sounds audible.
 
Does anyone have any ideas?
Thanks in advance, 
#1

21 Replies Related Threads

    dubdisciple
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    Re: Troubles with SFZ November 24, 13 0:23 PM (permalink)
    sfz can be odd.  Try changing the mode settings on the left.  If that does not work (and even if it does work), another option is :
     
    http://www.plogue.com/products/sforzando/
     
    I prefer it to sfz.  No disrespect intended to Cakewalk, but it's not like this plugin was not developed by Cakewalk but acquired and included ever since.
    #2
    Splat
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    Re: Troubles with SFZ November 24, 13 0:47 PM (permalink)
    Rockin' - installing that tomorrow, I've been looking for a decent replacement. Thanks...

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    @48/24 & 128 buffers latency is 367 with offset of 38.

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    #3
    Glyn Barnes
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    Re: Troubles with SFZ November 24, 13 4:59 AM (permalink)
    IIRC SFZ does not play SF2 file, only SFZ.  The SFZ+ that is free from Sonar will play SF2, but not SFZ.
     
    TX16Wx would be my choice of free Sampler with SFZ/SF2 capabilities http://www.tx16wx.com/

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    #4
    scook
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    Re: Troubles with SFZ November 24, 13 9:16 AM (permalink)
    Yea, I gave up on sfz. For sfz files, DimPro, sforzando or TX16wx. For sf2 TX16Wx. If you have trouble with the current release of TX16Wx some report good results with the beta release.
    #5
    Splat
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    Re: Troubles with SFZ November 24, 13 3:47 PM (permalink)
    dubdisciple
    sfz can be odd.  Try changing the mode settings on the left.  If that does not work (and even if it does work), another option is :
     
    http://www.plogue.com/products/sforzando/
     
    I prefer it to sfz.  No disrespect intended to Cakewalk, but it's not like this plugin was not developed by Cakewalk but acquired and included ever since.




    With Dimension Pro it's always confusing. I look at my Dimension Pro SFZ folder and it it seems not all the samples are listed (even after pressing F5 in the program browser). No such confusion with sforzanda, the samples actually map to the folders. So it looks like I'm waving goodbye to Dimension Pro and using sforzanda. Of course Dimension Pro will always have it's uses if I need to manipulate the sample (I never seem to do that, so I'm just archiving until I have a need)... Oh and SFZ plugin is now history as well, no point in that at all.
    post edited by CakeAlexS - November 24, 13 3:55 PM

    Sell by date at 9000 posts. Do not feed.
    @48/24 & 128 buffers latency is 367 with offset of 38.

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    #6
    Splat
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    Re: Troubles with SFZ November 24, 13 6:25 PM (permalink)
    OK you we need Dimension Pro for REX (REX player is 32 bit so goodbye). Still interested to see what people use for REX, will start a separate thread.

    Sell by date at 9000 posts. Do not feed.
    @48/24 & 128 buffers latency is 367 with offset of 38.

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    #7
    musichoo
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    Re: Troubles with SFZ November 24, 13 7:34 PM (permalink)
    http://www.camelaudio.com/AlchemyPlayer.php
    The alchemy player is free and comes with 1 gig of free samples. It will play sfz files. It has ADSR build in, filter control, delay and reverb. Not bad for free.

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    #8
    dubdisciple
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    Re: Troubles with SFZ November 24, 13 8:14 PM (permalink)
    One thing cool about sforzando is the presets for dim pro and alchemy will be listed and open up and in a simpler manner than the actual plugins
    #9
    Splat
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    Re: Troubles with SFZ November 24, 13 9:18 PM (permalink)
    Installed the alchemy player as well. Nice... thanks for the recommendation..

    Sell by date at 9000 posts. Do not feed.
    @48/24 & 128 buffers latency is 367 with offset of 38.

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    #10
    swamptooth
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    Re: Troubles with SFZ November 24, 13 10:26 PM (permalink)
    CakeAlexS
     
    With Dimension Pro it's always confusing. I look at my Dimension Pro SFZ folder and it it seems not all the samples are listed (even after pressing F5 in the program browser). 



    Dimension pro's browser shows dimension pro programs (.prog files), not sfz files.  
    to load a sfz file into dimesion pro, use the element loader and browse to C:\Program Files\Cakewalk\Dimension Pro\multisamples (that should be the default).  
    a handful of the sfz files aren't loaded into any dp programs.  
    be warned, using a sfz file made for dimension in sforzando or alchemy will not load of the additional elements like dp's lfos or filters and neither sforzando nor alchemy implement the full sfz specification, so you will probably eventually get a crash or freeze. 
     
    for example, waveguide and oscillator functions that are part of many dp sfz files...
    http://ariaengine.com/forums/index.php?p=/discussion/5806/questions-about-wavetable-oscillator-in-sforzandoaria/p1
    post edited by swamptooth - November 24, 13 10:34 PM

     
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    #11
    Splat
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    Re: Troubles with SFZ November 24, 13 10:36 PM (permalink)
    Thanks Arvid...
     
    Sounds about right...
    You just reminded me about the Dimension Pro reset by renaming programs.lst and restarting Sonar.... Thanks...

    Sell by date at 9000 posts. Do not feed.
    @48/24 & 128 buffers latency is 367 with offset of 38.

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    #12
    dubdisciple
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    Re: Troubles with SFZ November 24, 13 10:55 PM (permalink)
    Thanks swamp. I kinda figured it might bite me at some point
    #13
    arachnaut
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    Re: Troubles with SFZ November 25, 13 1:29 AM (permalink)
    CakeAlexS
    Thanks Arvid...
     
    Sounds about right...
    You just reminded me about the Dimension Pro reset by renaming programs.lst and restarting Sonar.... Thanks...




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    #14
    AlChuck
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    Re: Troubles with SFZ November 25, 13 12:57 AM (permalink)
    Thanks for all the replies! 
    I guess I missed something over the last decade or so. I've got a bunch of Sound Font files (sf2) but don't really know what sfz is. I'll have to do a bit of Googling and reading.
    I'm not on front of my DAW at the moment, so I can't check, but I think my sfz says just sfz, not sfz+. I tried fiddling with the mode setting but it didn't help.
    I'll check out alchemy and sforzando. 
    #15
    Anderton
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    Re: Troubles with SFZ November 25, 13 1:15 PM (permalink)
    Great tips!! This thread is more like "Solutions for SFZ"

    The first 3 books in "The Musician's Guide to Home Recording" series are available from Hal Leonard and http://www.reverb.com. Listen to my music on http://www.YouTube.com/thecraiganderton, and visit http://www.craiganderton.com. Thanks!
    #16
    AlChuck
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    Re: Troubles with SFZ December 04, 13 1:37 PM (permalink)
    Just to follow up and "close" this thread, an update:
     
    I looked and saw I had only sfz on my system. So I downloaded and installed sfz+ from the Cakewalk store. It has no trouble loading up Sound Fonts as long as you set the mode to PR32 (the default mode gives you a "not enough memory to load Sound Font" message).
     
    (What are these modes in sfz and sfz+, anyway? I found this information in a preview chapter of a book,
    Cakewalk Synthesizers: From Presets to Power User by Simon Cann, which I found on the Delmar Cengage Learning website. I can't post links until I've posted two more times so I'll come back and add it later. If you google "sfz modes" it comes up at the top of the list. Looks like it might be a good book to have; it's available on Amazon.)
     
    In my googling about the sfz format, I found an free editor that can be used to convert Sound Fonts into sfz files called sfZed. Again, can't post a URL  but if you google for "sfz editor" it'll come up.
     
    So I'm a happy camper -- if I want to use any of my old Sound Fonts, now I can again.
     
    #17
    dubdisciple
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    Re: Troubles with SFZ December 04, 13 2:31 PM (permalink)
    be careful with sf2 to sfz conversions.  Remember, sf2 was originally designed for Emu/creative cards and sometimes there are glitches when converted to sfz. FYI I believe several of the SFZ players convert as well.
     
    I have the book you speak of .  It is a great reference to have the author is extremely helpful.  Several chapters of the book can be had for free on his site.  He is open about the fact  that these supplemental chapters are available.  Very comprehensive chapters on sfz  in general. http://noisesculpture.com/cakewalk-synthesizers
    #18
    AlChuck
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    Re: Troubles with SFZ December 04, 13 4:33 PM (permalink)
    I think I'm blessed now, so here's the link to the sfZed site:
     
    http://audio.clockbeat.com/sfZed.html
    #19
    dubdisciple
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    Re: Troubles with SFZ December 04, 13 5:13 PM (permalink)
    I'll check it oit. Thanks!
    #20
    AlChuck
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    Re: Troubles with SFZ December 04, 13 7:29 PM (permalink)
    Oh, and here's a link to the preview chapter of Simon Cann's book: 
     
    http://www.delmarlearning...3-314-7_CH04_FINAL.pdf
    #21
    dubdisciple
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    Re: Troubles with SFZ December 05, 13 2:02 AM (permalink)
    I already have the book but hopefully it will help someone else
    #22
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