The Ultimate Free Sfz Instruments List

[LaptopMusicianBlog]

A couple of months ago, I compiled a list of all the free Sfz instruments available. Since then, I'm pretty sure there are new ones. I recently discovered Unreal Instruments, which I'll add to the list soon. Aside from them, if you know of any free Sfz instruments I can add to the list, let me know!

Here's the list: https://www.laptopmusician.net/2019/06/ ... -list.html

[DSmolken]

Thanks! One small correction: not all the Karoryfer stuff has GUIs, only some.

There's also the TK Drums G1 Basic drum kit by another Japanese developer, and Rudi Fiasco's K18 piano. Those are the only other two I can think of.

[PTV]

Nice list, thanks!

Some more free sfz instruments:

The Open Source Drumkit
http://download.linuxaudio.org/musical- ... kit.tar.7z
(plus other stuff at: http://download.linuxaudio.org/musical- ... raries/sfz)

Soundbytes - tiny Carillon
http://soundbytes.de/Carillon/en/downloads.html

Soundbytes - Banchetto Musicale freebies
http://www.banchetto-musicale.com/en/downloads.htm

Samplephonics - The Wizard of Mbira (needs free registration)
https://www.samplephonics.com/products/ ... d-of-mbira

Samplephonics - Bowed Cumbus (needs free registration)
https://www.samplephonics.com/products/ ... wed-cumbus

Samplephonics/Noiiz - Shakuhachi (needs free registration)
https://www.noiiz.com/sounds/free_packs/969

Samplephonics/Noiiz - Smashed Analogue Kit (needs free registration)
https://www.noiiz.com/sounds/free_packs/734

Rozzer - ATC-1 Analog Bass
https://www.rozzer.net/2006/02/10/to-ce ... s-samples/

BPB Commodore 64 Synthesizer Sessions DELUXE
https://bedroomproducersblog.com/2012/1 ... mple-pack/

Ensoniq ESQ-1 Sample Library (needs free registration)
http://www.howtoprogramdrums.com/ensoni ... available/

Ensoniq Fizmo sample library
https://www.samplescience.ca/2018/08/sy ... tices.html

Fairlight Sound Library Database
http://www.nattvard.com/iix/database.php

Synth Magic StrettEVS
viewtopic.php?f=42&t=480028

Wave Alchemy MS-20 mini Drums
https://www.wavealchemy.co.uk/ms-20-mini-drums/pid154/

Fugue State Audio/Synthgeek - SFZ-format multisamples (mostly synths)
https://www.fstateaudio.com/?page_id=54

Sound Dust - Mouse or Mice Organ
http://dulcitone1884.virb.com/freeness

SzcZ's The Wrench
http://waveforms.fairlyconfusing.net/20 ... rench.html
http://waveforms.fairlyconfusing.net/20 ... ammer.html

SzcZ's Technics M33G feedback loop tone generator
http://waveforms.fairlyconfusing.net/20 ... -tone.html

SzcZ's Terrible piano
http://waveforms.fairlyconfusing.net/20 ... piano.html

Pianobook - Spring Piano
https://www.pianobook.co.uk/library/spring-piano

Pianobook - Koenig Electric Fork
https://www.pianobook.co.uk/library/koe ... ork?rq=sfz

Plogue Sforzatron (Mellotron with GUI for Sforzando)
https://bedroomproducersblog.com/2017/0 ... forzatron/

[LaptopMusicianBlog]

Wow, amazing! Thanks guys for the suggestions. I'm going to update the list with them.

[audiojunkie]

A couple of months ago, I compiled a list of all the free Sfz instruments available. Since then, I'm pretty sure there are new ones. I recently discovered Unreal Instruments, which I'll add to the list soon. Aside from them, if you know of any free Sfz instruments I can add to the list, let me know!

Here's the list: https://www.laptopmusician.net/2019/06/ ... -list.html

This is a great idea!!!

Some thoughts:

If it's not too much work, a simple legend would be really helpful next to the listed SFZs. Possibly a "$" for items that cost, and maybe the supported sfz version number (like listed below).

It would be really useful to make a note next to each sample set stating whether it is using v1, v2, or v2+ of the SFZ standard. This would be very helpful for users. For example: SFZ Instruments designed specifically for Sforzando are v2/v2+ type instruments and most of the SFZ players can't play them properly (or at all).

Another useful idea would be to have a list of all known SFZ samplers/players, and not which version of the SFZ standard they currently support. (ie Bliss sampler currently supports v1, LinuxSampler supports v1, Sforzando supports v2, etc.)

There is also a great web site that has a lot of information about the standards. It might be good to list a link to it as well. I believe DSMolken runs it. I can't remember the URL, but he just posted, so maybe he could list it.

[audiojunkie]

As mentioned above, I'm really interested in ANY SFZ files, even the ones that cost money, because if they are good enough, I can buy once and use them forever.

Here are some EXCELLENT ones that cost money:

Impact Soundworks' SHREDDAGE X (SFZ format)
Impact Soundworks' SHREDDAGE BASS (Picked Edition) (SFZ Format)

[LaptopMusicianBlog]

Nice list, thanks!
Some more free sfz instruments: [...]

I've just updated the list with your suggestions. The Fairlight Database is particularly cool, especially for musicians who produce synthwave and other 80s inspired genres quite popular nowadays.

[LaptopMusicianBlog]

If it's not too much work, a simple legend would be really helpful next to the listed SFZs. Possibly a "$" for items that cost, and maybe the supported sfz version number (like listed below).

The list is for free instruments only, that's the main focus of my website (at least, for the moment). As for the Sfz version number, is there an easy way to find which version a Sfz patche is?

Another useful idea would be to have a list of all known SFZ samplers/players, and not which version of the SFZ standard they currently support. (ie Bliss sampler currently supports v1, LinuxSampler supports v1, Sforzando supports v2, etc.)

This is a good idea! I note it as I think it'll make a great future article!

There is also a great web site that has a lot of information about the standards. It might be good to list a link to it as well. I believe DSMolken runs it. I can't remember the URL, but he just posted, so maybe he could list it.

I think I know what it is. It's in my bookmark somewhere. But I want to make the list as easy as possible, I would prefer not to turn it into something that is too technical for the average user.

[PTV]

Nice list, thanks!
Some more free sfz instruments: [...]

I've just updated the list with your suggestions. The Fairlight Database is particularly cool, especially for musicians who produce synthwave and other 80s inspired genres quite popular nowadays.

Great! Glad I could help. The list looks very good! Just a small correction: The Sforzando Mellotron was made by Plogue, Bedroom Producers Blog only announced it

[LaptopMusicianBlog]

Nice list, thanks!
Some more free sfz instruments: [...]

I've just updated the list with your suggestions. The Fairlight Database is particularly cool, especially for musicians who produce synthwave and other 80s inspired genres quite popular nowadays.

Great! Glad I could help. The list looks very good! Just a small correction: The Sforzando Mellotron was made by Plogue, Bedroom Producers Blog only announced it

I got confused by the link, it's now fixed.

I really think the list is useful for anyone who wants to start making music without having to spend hundreds of $ on software and libraries. There's some gems there.

[Echoes in the Attic]

So how do sfz instruments have GUIs? Are they their own vsts? Or do they work with some other platform?

Anyone have any experience with using sfz in the equator synth? Might be a good way to use them with mpe controllers.

[PTV]

So how do sfz instruments have GUIs? Are they their own vsts? Or do they work with some other platform?

The GUIs of some of the instruments are only for Plogue Sforzando and need Plogue's approval, they won't work in any other SFZ player

[Examigan]

For this one:

Fairlight Sound Library Database
http://www.nattvard.com/iix/database.php

I was looking for some of those types of sounds on some famous 80s records, but this list is so long. If anyone knows some of the more famous sounds please let me know which files they are. It would take forever to go through all of them to figure out what's what.

[Obsolete236871]

Patcharena.com used to be a great source for free .sfz format instruments. The site seems to be down, Wayback Machine has a capture of it here fortunately.

Also, check Bass City by 99 Sounds / Bedroomproducerblog / Patcharena

[wikter]

Hi, I've been searching for some hours and I've been unable to find a GM, GS or XG compatible bank for Zampler.
I've tried to convert it with Sforzando but the patches are not readable by Zampler.
The idea is to use Zampler to play common midifiles, I'm using TTS-1 or Yamaha S-YXG50 at the moment, but sometimes, a patch is useful as it is, trying to replicate cheesy 90's sounds with Kontakt banks is useless, but it could be easier to tweak some dynamics, articulations & synthesis parameters using a sampler.
While Zampler support midi program change, loading a 128 GM compatible sounds bank would make it easier... but I can't find one.
I've tryed to use Logic EXS24 converted soundfont samples with Sforzando's SFZ files, but that means a lot of work and sometimes the files not working properly, and a crazy amount of job.
Any known Zampler SFZ compatible with GM available???