Guys,
Apologize for trying to direct Sehrguey off the Linus track...
Vegetable level opinion on sf2 or sfz players. Most of you are way passed beyond even dealing with this medium.
Technology is so far outdated compared to something like Kontakt libraries. Main reason for the downfall is the lack of dynamics other than velocity sensitivity, and maybe frequency response if you have the ears of a bat. SF2 even more dead and decaying than sfz.
However, there are some great sf2/sfz banks out there, some free and some for sale. If you don't mind the fact that light pressure sounds the same as banging with a hammer, some good stuff to be had.
Not for emotive solo passages, but if sf2 is filling in an ear splitting tirade, dynamics are a lost cause and still has very useful place. Across the spectrum, some of the Rhodes EP's are incredible. Remarkable GM sets are out there for the taking, and in my opinion, relevant in the here and now.
Tx16 is cool, but still haven't figured it out yet. Main problem is how to load multitimbral fonts, as in a violin on channel one, a brass section on channel 2. Maybe can't do. Cool feature otherwise is the “border” function that allows fixed width samples, like the Mellotron, to be extended beyond the original design up or down.
Loaded Jeskola free and it works well in win 7 at least. Only does sf2 and wav below 24 bit.
My ancient under the radar player is SampleLord, which loads more formats and has the same simplicity and power of Jeskola, and intent of the flawed Cake sfz+. Fire it up and get 'er done. End result is the rapid and efficient loading of samples across midi channels. Getting the required end point without requiring an engineering degree to figure out how to do it.
www.samplelord.com Forgive my simple mind, but this is a monster application. Downside is it probably still costs something. IMHO you cannot do much better.
SF2 and Szf are still cool in the right hands, and understanding how to apply.
John
couple notes…
Rev Terry West did a cloak of Cake's sfz player that added some enhanced features and controls. Not listed on the download page anymore, but might be available if you email him. Check out the other plugs, mostly compressors, eq,free stuff he has done.
www.terrywest.nl Best,
John
crap... edited because 60 years counting and I still can't spell