sfz note numbers / names

You might want to check out this post here for some further observations, solutions and explanations…

Basically, the sfz format uses the International Pitch Notation (IPN) convention which may or may not equate with the MIDI names that your host paints on the piano roll. Use something like this to compensate:

<control>
octave_offset=1

That will shift everything proceeding pitch definition in your sfz file up an ocatve. You'll have to work out the right offset for the particular host your're using so that, say, key=C4 in sfz works when you hit C4 in your host. Don't forget you can use positive and negative values to achieve that.

It's all just semantics in the end — as long as it sounds right it is right! But, I agree that while your programming your patch it's nice to have a correlation on screen.

I always confuse myself anyway with note names as the wrap around to the next octave happens at C rather than A.

Heh, heh. One of the many conundrums that face the music teacher everyday… That and how to avoid sounding crude when you explain what the letter name of the 3rd string is to a group of 13 yo student guitarists!