SoundFont 2

.sf2

One self-contained file, with the audio embedded, that loads almost anywhere.

Type
Self-contained binary file
Plays in
many software samplers and some hardware
Runs on
Software, open format
Best for
A single portable file you can move without loose samples.

What SampleStack preserves

How much of your instrument the SoundFont 2 export keeps.

Key zones
Supported
Velocity layers
Supported
Root note
Supported
Fine tune (cents)

Ableton is limited to ±50 cents; the Disting auto-maps tuning.

Supported
Amp envelope (ADSR)

The Disting uses its own envelopes.

Supported
Envelope curve shapes

SF2 and Decent Sampler use a single curve only.

Partial
Loop points
Supported
Stereo samples

SF2 stores stereo as linked, hard-panned left and right samples.

Supported
Output gain
Supported
Artwork / UI

Decent Sampler supports a background image (812×375) plus optional ADSR and volume knobs.

Not supported
Self-contained (embeds audio)

The other formats reference the WAV files instead of embedding them.

Supported
See the full comparison →

Full guide

How to create and export SoundFont 2 instruments →

Build and export SoundFont 2 instruments in SampleStack, on the Mac App Store.

All formats