SFZ
.sfzThe open, text-based standard that plays almost everywhere.
- Type
- Open text format
- Plays in
- Serum 2, Falcon, Bitwig, TX16Wx, sforzando and many more
- Runs on
- Software, open format
- Best for
- Maximum compatibility and no lock-in.
What SampleStack preserves
How much of your instrument the SFZ export keeps.
- Key zones
- Supported
- Velocity layers
- Supported
- Root note
- Supported
- Fine tune (cents)
- Supported
- Amp envelope (ADSR)
- Supported
- Envelope curve shapes
- Supported
- Loop points
- Supported
- Stereo samples
- Supported
- Output gain
- Supported
- Artwork / UI
- Not supported
- Round-robin alternates
- Supported
- Self-contained (embeds audio)
- Not supported
The Deluge sets its own key ranges from each sample's pitch.
The Deluge gets one sample per pitch (the loudest layer).
The Deluge reads the root note from a tag in each WAV file.
Ableton is limited to ±50 cents; the Disting and Deluge detect pitch themselves.
The .multisample format, the Disting and the Deluge all use the instrument's own envelope.
SF2 and Decent Sampler use a single curve only. TX16Wx keeps its own default curves.
SF2 stores stereo as linked, hard-panned left and right samples.
Decent Sampler supports a background image (812×375) plus optional ADSR and volume knobs.
The other formats keep one sample per key and velocity slot.
SF2 embeds the audio and .multisample zips it in; the others reference the WAV files.
Full guide
How to create and export SFZ instruments →Build and export SFZ instruments in SampleStack, on the Mac App Store.
All formats