SFZ

.sfz

The open, text-based standard that plays almost everywhere.

Type
Open text format
Plays in
sforzando and many other samplers
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)

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.

Supported
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.

Not supported
See the full comparison →

Full guide

How to create and export SFZ instruments →

Links

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

All formats