Q: Soundfont RAM usage - Whole Bank vs Single Patches

[audiojunkie]

OK everyone, this is probably a stupid question, but I don't know the answer, so it will be useful for me. Here goes:

When loading a soundfont (a *.SF2 file), does it load the whole bank into memory, or does it only load the patch?

For example, I use SFZ. If I load the Fluid3.SF2, is it going to load the entire gigantic soundfont into RAM, including all of its patches, or will it only load a single patch from the bank at a time?

I have limited system resources, and I'm willing to, if need be, pull out the single patches I use from some of my huge SF2 banks, if it will save me a lot of RAM.

Could anyone who knows the answer to this question help me out and shed some light on this subject?

Thanks in advance,

--Sean

[audiojunkie]

Does anyone know the answer?

--Sean

[Jeremy_NSL]

Yes. If you use sfz, there are different modes. If you turn it to pr32 or pr16, only the loaded patch is put in memory. If its set to sf32 or sf16, the entire sf2 is loaded into memory.

Also you can experiment with DFD mode, where sfz streams the samples off your harddrive. That will save RAM, but it increases CPU and can cause glitches in the audio stream. Hope that helps!

[audiojunkie]

Jeremy,

Thanks for the answer! So is it basically a function of the plugin, in deciding how it is loaded? In other words, What you described is how it works with SFZ, but how do other plugins do it?

SFZ is my main SF2 plug, but I'm just curious. Thanks again! You've always been really kind (and generous) to the KVR community. I really appreciate that. Thanks.

--Sean

[Jeremy_NSL]

Jeremy,

Thanks for the answer! So is it basically a function of the plugin, in deciding how it is loaded? In other words, What you described is how it works with SFZ, but how do other plugins do it?

I would think that many plugins handle this differently, but my guess is that the vast majority will load the entire soundfont into memory.

If you use a variety of samplers, it might be worth your time to extract your favorite sounds from larger soundfonts... Personally though, with RAM costing so little I wouldn't take that option.

SFZ is my main SF2 plug, but I'm just curious. Thanks again! You've always been really kind (and generous) to the KVR community. I really appreciate that. Thanks.

--Sean

Hey, you're welcome Sean! Glad to help

[audiojunkie]

Thanks again for your help! I like SFZ and will probably continue to use it until I decide on a better (inexpensive) sampler. I'm glad to know the answers to my questions. Thanks!

--Sean

[bro. miles]

There isn't a better one. Just ones that look prettier.