does anyone know either a step by step way to change the SFZ file to support cymbal chokes?
I don't have Studio Instruments, so I can't provide the exact specifics. The majority of .sfz opcodes work across the entire family of synths, though. What you're looking for are 'exclusive groups'. You might see some lines in the .sfz file similar to this:
<region> sample=closed hat 01.wav key=c7 group=1
<region> sample=open hat 01.wav key=d7 off_by=1
The closed hi-hat is a 'member' of group 1. The open hi-hat sample will be choked
off by anything in group 1. In this case, that would be the the closed hi-hat. If you wanted to choke a cymbal sample, add an opcode that points to another sample in an exclusive group. In this example, it's still the closed hi-hat, but it could be any other sample, an unassigned note value, or a 'silent' sample.
<region> sample=closed hat 01.wav key=c7 group=1
<region> sample=crash.wav key=f7 off_by=1
The choke
trigger sample needs to be part of a numbered group (any number; any group).
The choked
target sample needs to be turned off by any sample found in that same numbered group.
anywhere I can go to learn what all the SFZ parameters are?
Cakewalk Synthesizers: From Presets to Power User The .sfz reference section alone is well worth the price of admission.
It doesn't contain
all of the possible opcodes and scenarios, but it does come pretty damn close.