Added SFZ support: Apricot — Free Hybrid Synthesizer

[nakst]

Wow, that's pretty cool! Can the SFZ be layered with the oscillators?

Yes! And this beta is preparation for adding the feature to my other synthesizer, Altitude, where you'll be able to layer four multisamples together, as well as the four virtual analog oscillators.

[Teksonik]

This includes basic beta support for importing and playing SFZ multisamples.

Awesome! Downloading now....testing in a few minutes.

EDIT: Alrighty then....I'm using some of the free Zampler content for testing and so far it seems to be working really well.

I've only got a 25 key midi controller on this system so I'll install the Apricot beta on my studio system tomorrow and give it a much better test. I've got some of the old Alchemy .sfz content on it to use for testing so that should be interesting. Really excited to hear what .sfz import for Altitude will allow us to create.

[audiojunkie]

A new beta version v1.1.4 is available (Windows and Linux only, at the moment) from https://nakst.itch.io/apricot.

This includes basic beta support for importing and playing SFZ multisamples.

Due to the wide range of programs that generate SFZ files, it's quite likely that many files will either fail to import, or will not play correctly once imported. If this happens, please let me know so that I can fix whatever problem is preventing the SFZ from working! And send me the SFZ file, if possible.

Also, it bears mentioning that a lot of SFZ features aren't supported, since they would be redundant with regards to existing features of Apricot. So filters, effects, LFOs and envelopes within the SFZ file are not supported -- you'll need to recreate these using Apricot's own units. But things like pitch and velocity zones are supported.

Enjoy!

Very cool! You are fast!!! What opcodes did you end up supporting? Or did you utilize one of the available open source engines?

[nakst]

A new beta version v1.1.4 is available (Windows and Linux only, at the moment) from https://nakst.itch.io/apricot.

This includes basic beta support for importing and playing SFZ multisamples.

Due to the wide range of programs that generate SFZ files, it's quite likely that many files will either fail to import, or will not play correctly once imported. If this happens, please let me know so that I can fix whatever problem is preventing the SFZ from working! And send me the SFZ file, if possible.

Also, it bears mentioning that a lot of SFZ features aren't supported, since they would be redundant with regards to existing features of Apricot. So filters, effects, LFOs and envelopes within the SFZ file are not supported -- you'll need to recreate these using Apricot's own units. But things like pitch and velocity zones are supported.

Enjoy!

Very cool! You are fast!!! What opcodes did you end up supporting? Or did you utilize one of the available open source engines?

The importer supports the following opcodes:

• default_path
• sample
• lovel
• hivel
• key
• lokey
• hikey
• pitch_keycenter
• volume
• offset
• end
• loop_start
• loop_end
• pitch_keytrack (partial support)

[audiojunkie]

That should work well for most basic SFZ instruments that an average user that doesn’t code would make.

[Teksonik]

So far fantastic! I've been able to load all the .sfz content I've tried so far from the Zampler content and the old Alchemy content. I've done some patches but of course you'll need the sample content for them to work.

You can find a lot of free .sfz content here:

https://www.zampler.de/

So many times when you say "samples" people automatically assume pianos or strings and think "why would you need those in a VA synth" but it's also possible to have samples of hardware instruments. Layering them with the VA osc creates some great sounds and of course it's possible to get D-50 and M1 sounds as well. Choirs and Bells layer especially well with Unison Saw Oscs and so on.

The only issue I have so far is there is a lack of persistence when browsing .sfz files. Say I load an .sfz file from a folder then save that patch. When I go to load another .sfz file the browser stays at the patch folder. I don't know if this is a Windows (10) issue or not but having to constantly navigate back to the .sfz folder does slow things down a bit.

I'm really looking forward to .sfz import in Altitude since being able to load 4 .sfz files and then layer them with 4 VA oscs really opens up a world of sound design.

[nakst]

The only issue I have so far is there is a lack of persistence when browsing .sfz files. Say I load an .sfz file from a folder then save that patch. When I go to load another .sfz file the browser stays at the patch folder. I don't know if this is a Windows (10) issue or not but having to constantly navigate back to the .sfz folder does slow things down a bit.

I do believe there is a way to fix this. I'll try to get this sorted before SFZ importing is added to Altitude.

I'm really looking forward to .sfz import in Altitude since being able to load 4 .sfz files and then layer them with 4 VA oscs really opens up a world of sound design.

Yes, I'm excited to see what people will create!

[Teksonik]

I do believe there is a way to fix this. I'll try to get this sorted before SFZ importing is added to Altitude.

That would be fantastic!

I found some .sfz files that don't appear to work in the FL Studio version of Apricot. They also do not work in Zampler but they do load and play in FL Studio's DirectWave plugin.

I tried putting the .sfz files inside the .wav files folders but with no luck. I think it's probably due to wonky .sfz files but I don't see any obvious reason inside of them that would cause them not to load in certain plugins but then I'm no expert in .sfz files.

The samples and .sfz files are free from here:

https://samplesfrommars.com/collections ... -from-mars

You will have to give up an email address. The file you want is called MPC 2000 Snacks.

Also you can create .sfz files of drum kits in FL 's FPC plugin. However, while they will load I can't get them to make a sound in Apricot. Perhaps it's user error on my part. Those .sfz files will work in Zampler.

[audiojunkie]

Upload the text part (not the sample) of what is coded for the patch you want--we don't need the actual samples, just the text part. We can then compare it against the available input opcodes to see what opcode may likely be the problem.

Edit: I may already know what the problem may be. This is the SFZ pack you are using, right?

MPC2000 SNACKS FROM MARS

I don't think any "drum" based opcodes are imported--just basic pitched instrument opcodes. That's my suspicion, anyway. Upload the text part of a patch that doesn't work, and we can check.

[Echoes in the Attic]

This might be a good time to mention that freestyle allows capturing audio from vst instrument stacks and converting to nuance instruments and then saving as sfz . I bliss sampler does too. Useful with something like this.

[Teksonik]

Upload the text part (not the sample) of what is coded for the patch you want--we don't need the actual samples, just the text part. We can then compare it against the available input opcodes to see what opcode may likely be the problem.

Edit: I may already know what the problem may be. This is the SFZ pack you are using, right?

MPC2000 SNACKS FROM MARS

I don't think any "drum" based opcodes are imported--just basic pitched instrument opcodes. That's my suspicion, anyway. Upload the text part of a patch that doesn't work, and we can check.

We?

Anyway I gave the download link. Feel free to test for yourself since that's the purpose of beta testing.

Due to the wide range of programs that generate SFZ files, it's quite likely that many files will either fail to import, or will not play correctly once imported. If this happens, please let me know so that I can fix whatever problem is preventing the SFZ from working! And send me the SFZ file, if possible.

I gave the download link because I'm not going to assume I have the right to redistribute the files.

https://samplesfrommars.com/collections ... -from-mars

[nakst]

Upload the text part (not the sample) of what is coded for the patch you want--we don't need the actual samples, just the text part. We can then compare it against the available input opcodes to see what opcode may likely be the problem.

Edit: I may already know what the problem may be. This is the SFZ pack you are using, right?

MPC2000 SNACKS FROM MARS

I don't think any "drum" based opcodes are imported--just basic pitched instrument opcodes. That's my suspicion, anyway. Upload the text part of a patch that doesn't work, and we can check.

We?

Anyway I gave the download link. Feel free to test for yourself since that's the purpose of beta testing.

Due to the wide range of programs that generate SFZ files, it's quite likely that many files will either fail to import, or will not play correctly once imported. If this happens, please let me know so that I can fix whatever problem is preventing the SFZ from working! And send me the SFZ file, if possible.

I gave the download link because I'm not going to assume I have the right to redistribute the files.

https://samplesfrommars.com/collections ... -from-mars

Thanks, I've found and fixed the issue that prevented these samples from loading! The fix will be available the next time I update Apricot.

[audiojunkie]

Upload the text part (not the sample) of what is coded for the patch you want--we don't need the actual samples, just the text part. We can then compare it against the available input opcodes to see what opcode may likely be the problem.

Edit: I may already know what the problem may be. This is the SFZ pack you are using, right?

MPC2000 SNACKS FROM MARS

I don't think any "drum" based opcodes are imported--just basic pitched instrument opcodes. That's my suspicion, anyway. Upload the text part of a patch that doesn't work, and we can check.

We?

Anyway I gave the download link. Feel free to test for yourself since that's the purpose of beta testing.

Due to the wide range of programs that generate SFZ files, it's quite likely that many files will either fail to import, or will not play correctly once imported. If this happens, please let me know so that I can fix whatever problem is preventing the SFZ from working! And send me the SFZ file, if possible.

I gave the download link because I'm not going to assume I have the right to redistribute the files.

https://samplesfrommars.com/collections ... -from-mars

Don’t misunderstand. I believed it was likely just an unsupported opcode, and it would be easy for we (those of us in the forum) to see which opcode it was. I was only thinking it would lessen the developer’s load by helping for something likely easy. I’m just enthusiastic and wanted to help.

[GaryG]

must be having a dull day but... how do you load an sfz file...?

[Teksonik]

Thanks, I've found and fixed the issue that prevented these samples from loading! The fix will be available the next time I update Apricot.

Fantastic!

I'm just searching google for .sfz files to test. I found this one, the "Motif ES6 Concert Piano"

https://musical-artifacts.com/artifacts?formats=sfz

I get the following message when trying to import it:

Apricot 041823-1.png

I think this one may just be a wonky .sfz file. I'll keep looking and testing.