Your preferred format for sample-instruments?

[audiojunkie]

I think people are missing the point of the poll. The focus, at least it seems this way to me, is more on the sampler, not the format. Of course, the sampler carries with it a format, but my guess is that he is trying to find out what samplers to focus time on.

sFz doesn't really "belong" to a particular sampler, and it's implementation is different in every single case that it's used in. I think the OP knows that sFz is a viable format, but it's not a poll to see just what format people prefer, but "sampler/format".

I could be wrong.

Brent

Additional thoughts...

What better format to spend time on than the format that is supported by the most plugins? Also, as far as implementation goes, we're just talking about the number of opcodes supported (as possibly v1 vs v2 changes). Either way, most everyone supports the basics, and if a change or a fix was ever to be needed, it's nice to know that a text editor or SFZed or Wusikstation can be close by. If I were to choose a non-Kontakt format that would give me the most exposure and maximize my profits, it would have to be SFZ. Nearly everyone can use it in whatever application they want to.

--Sean

[audiojunkie]

By the way, to make sure I stay on topic, I am voting for Kontakt, because SFZ is not listed in your poll list, and it is the only other format that I think is important.

In short: There are two major formats out there--Kontakt for commercial purchasing and locked format, and SFZ for everything else (including commercial purchasing) and a completely open format. Two useful but different philosophies.

--Sean

[audiojunkie]

I'm sure there will be many others that disagree with me--especially those who have an interest in formats other than the ones I mentioned.

--Sean

[audiojunkie]

Well I voted for Kontakt from the options available, but, like those who have replied above, I'd be far, far likelier to buy some samples in SFZ format.

FTFY.

--Sean

[koolkeys]

I think people are missing the point of the poll. The focus, at least it seems this way to me, is more on the sampler, not the format. Of course, the sampler carries with it a format, but my guess is that he is trying to find out what samplers to focus time on.

sFz doesn't really "belong" to a particular sampler, and it's implementation is different in every single case that it's used in. I think the OP knows that sFz is a viable format, but it's not a poll to see just what format people prefer, but "sampler/format".

I could be wrong.

Brent

You're probably right--it's just that Wusikstation 'IS' a sampler that uses SFZ format....PLUS the added benefit that just about everybody will be able to use patches saved to the SFZ format by Wusikstation. In this case, it 'IS' a "Sampler/Format" that needs to be considered. There is no other plugin that maps in the SFZ format--I know, I've looked.

TBH, more likely, the OP is looking to buy one of the plugs he mentioned above, and wants to know what everyone else prefers and considers the best. If this is the case, the OP probably has already narrowed down his choices to just the listed few. That's understandable. However, it still stands that only Kontakt beats SFZ as the most-supported popular format. And now that I've found a plugin that allows GUI editing of SFZ files, it fits the "Sampler/Format" bill possibly better than any of the others, other than Kontakt. I can't speak for the others, but that is my reason for mentioning it.



--Sean

Yes, but that is not Wusik's format. Wusik has it's own format. sFz is just a format(yes, there is a plugin, but it's not made to create sFz files) that can be loaded by any sampler that chooses to code support for it. But it's a format without a real sampler.

I'm not slouching the sFz format itself. It's a fantastic format. Just trying to state what I THINK the OP was trying to get at. And you may be right about him trying to choose a sampler and having it narrowed down. I didn't think of it that way since he was a developer.

Brent

[koolkeys]

I think people are missing the point of the poll. The focus, at least it seems this way to me, is more on the sampler, not the format. Of course, the sampler carries with it a format, but my guess is that he is trying to find out what samplers to focus time on.

sFz doesn't really "belong" to a particular sampler, and it's implementation is different in every single case that it's used in. I think the OP knows that sFz is a viable format, but it's not a poll to see just what format people prefer, but "sampler/format".

I could be wrong.

Brent

Additional thoughts...

What better format to spend time on than the format that is supported by the most plugins? Also, as far as implementation goes, we're just talking about the number of opcodes supported (as possibly v1 vs v2 changes). Either way, most everyone supports the basics, and if a change or a fix was ever to be needed, it's nice to know that a text editor or SFZed or Wusikstation can be close by. If I were to choose a non-Kontakt format that would give me the most exposure and maximize my profits, it would have to be SFZ. Nearly everyone can use it in whatever application they want to.

--Sean

Because a LOT of people have invested in samplers and they want to utilize the features of that sampler, and the benefits it provides through it's format. Such as Kontakt scripting, or it's specific effects. None of which can be offered through a purely third party sFz library.

So yes, while it may seem that an open third party format is beneficial more than any other format, I disagree because of that. People like to see libraries in a format they can fully use without conversion, without fuss, and without having to substitute built-in features for those built into a random format.

Brent

[pljones]

Given the option, anything that has decent SFZ support.

Without that option, Kontakt (but I won't vote for it -- creating patches for Kontakt is too painful to dignify it with a vote).

So "Fish!"

[audiothing]

Kontakt, of course

[synthmagic]

Kontakt!
So can Wusik Station be used as a GUI SFZ file creator that can be loaded into other samplers?

[JJBiener]

I voted for Kontakt solely for the fact that it has the greatest penetration in the market and therefore the most support. It doesn't necessarily make it the best sampler or product or instrument. What it means is that if you are looking for a sampler strictly for playing music, Kontakt has the most and widest variety of sample libraries available. If you are looking to create sample libraries for sale, I believe Kontakt has the largest installed base and therefore the largest market. On the other hand, there is also the most competition when it comes to selling to that market.

Now, if you purpose is to buy a sampler to create your own sounds for your own music, Kontakt might not be the best choice. I don't own it, but from what I have heard, it is difficult to learn and use.

[stanlea]

LinuxSampler (sfz)

[audiojunkie]

Kontakt!
So can Wusik Station be used as a GUI SFZ file creator that can be loaded into other samplers?

I'm not sure if you are asking me if Wusikstation can be loaded into other plugins, or if the SFZ file patches can be loaded into other samplers that import SFZ... I'm guessing you are wanting to know if Wusikstation creates true SFZ file patches that can be loaded into other samplers. The answer to this is YES!

--Sean

[koolkeys]

I voted for Kontakt solely for the fact that it has the greatest penetration in the market and therefore the most support. It doesn't necessarily make it the best sampler or product or instrument. What it means is that if you are looking for a sampler strictly for playing music, Kontakt has the most and widest variety of sample libraries available. If you are looking to create sample libraries for sale, I believe Kontakt has the largest installed base and therefore the largest market. On the other hand, there is also the most competition when it comes to selling to that market.

Now, if you purpose is to buy a sampler to create your own sounds for your own music, Kontakt might not be the best choice. I don't own it, but from what I have heard, it is difficult to learn and use.

I guess it depends on what kinds of things you want to do with your samples. It's great in some areas, head scratching in others.

I'm a Kontakt guy, largely because of the scripting and third party support. However, I think Kontakt has been surpassed in some key areas by other sampler versions now on the market. It's the company support(IMO, they have the best overall support among the major samplers, including frequency of updates) and third party support that keep it number 1. But I think they need to address some areas in usability and performance options so they can stay ahead of the pack.

Overall, I did vote Kontakt.

Brent

[Cyforce]

I think people are missing the point of the poll. The focus, at least it seems this way to me, is more on the sampler, not the format. Of course, the sampler carries with it a format, but my guess is that he is trying to find out what samplers to focus time on.

sFz doesn't really "belong" to a particular sampler, and it's implementation is different in every single case that it's used in. I think the OP knows that sFz is a viable format, but it's not a poll to see just what format people prefer, but "sampler/format".

I could be wrong.

Brent

No you are absolutely right!
That was my point, that the focus of the question is more the sampler itself instead the format.
Without a doubt, SFZ is a great format, maybe the best basic format, can be loaded by the most samplers, aswell hybrid/sample-supporting synths like Alchemy etc.

But how said, the sampler itself is the main question. If you want to build several sample-based products, it's good to know, which sampler would be the best choice as format/platform. Where surely Kontakt is the best choice based on the votes and on the script option, since Kontakt 4 with the nice gui script possibilites even more.

[WilliamK]

SFZ But really, I got tons of NFR plugins and SFZ is still the best option for most musicians. Plus, its not encrypted/locked, which I think its a shame for some other formats.