The sfz file format is non-monolithic in that it does not attempt to put the sample files and sample processing information into one file. Instead it uses a text file (the actual *.sfz file) and one or more separate *.wav or *.ogg audio sample files. The sfz files tells the soft synth which keys and midi events trigger the play back of the sample files. It is a brilliant idea that makes creation of amazing sampled sounds possible.

This small application allows you to use a synth-like interface to set up some of the more synth-related "opcodes" which are the parameter names used in the file format. These are the opcodes you can set up with this app.

opcode	Function	Units
sample	Sample file name	filename
lokey	Low key of sample activation range	MIDI note number
hikey	High key of sample activation range	MIDI note number
pitch_keycenter	Key at which sample plays back at recorded pitch	MIDI note number
offset	Offset into sample to start playing sample from.	Integer 0 to max sample
transpose	Pitch transposition of sample	Integer (-127 to 127)
tune	Tuning of sample	Cents (-100 to 100)
fil_type	Filter type	See spec.
cutoff	Filter initial cut off frequency	Floating point 0 to SampleRate/2
resonance	Filter resonance	Decibels (0 to 40 dB)
fil_keytrack	Filter key track amount	Cents (0 to 1200)
fileg_attack	Filter envelope generator attack	Seconds
fileg_decay	Filter envelope generator decay	Seconds
fileg_sustain	Filter envelope generator sustain	Percent
fileg_release	Filter envelope generator release	Seconds
fileg_depth	Filter envelope generator depth	Cents (-12000 to 12000)
ampeg_attack	Amplifier envelope generator attack	Seconds
ampeg_decay	Amplifierr envelope generator attack	Seconds
ampeg_sustain	Amplifier envelope generator attack	Percent
ampeg_release	Amplifier envelope generator attack	Seconds
effect1	Effect 1 (Reverb)	Percent wet
effect2	Effect 2 (Chorus)	Percent wet
pitchlfo_fade	Pitch modulation LFO fade in time	Seconds
pitchlfo_freq	Pitch modulation LFO frequency	Hertz (0 to 20)
pitchlfo_depth	Pitch modulation LFO depth	Cents (-1200 to 1200)
fillfo_fade	Filter COF modulation LFO fade in time	Seconds
fillfo_freq	Filter COF modulation LFO frequency	Hertz (0 to 20)
fillfo_depth	Filter COF modulation LFO depth	Cents (-1200 to 1200)
amplfo_fade	Amplifier modulation LFO fade in time	Seconds
amplfo_freq	Amplifier modulation LFO frequency	Hertz (0 to 20)
amplfo_depth	Amplifier modulation LFO depth	Decibels -10 to 10 dB

You must enter the name of at least one sample file. If you don't change the key range settings the sample will play for all keys. You can add more regions and set the key ranges so that certain samples play for certain ranges. You can layer regions by assigning more than one sample to the same keys. Note that some of the sliders are log taper so you have more control over the lower adjustment range.

Here is a list of the tabs along with the purpose of each:

Tab	Function
Regions	This is where you set up the regions for your sfz file. Click "Add Another Region" to add as many sets of region controls as you need. You must enter a filename but the remaining parameters are optional.
Filter	Set the type and response of the filter to the Filter EG and the Key tracking
Amp & Effects	Set the response of the amplifier to the Amplifier EG and the Reverb and Chorus levels.
LFOs	Set the parameters for the Pitch, Filter, and Amplifier LFOs
Output.sfz	This is where you generate the sfz output. When you click "create or update sfz output" your most recent control settings are converted to the sfz format so you can include them in your sfz file.
sfz to controls	Use this tab to set the controls to the content of the sfz you created with this application. No guarantee on what happens if you just put any old sfz content in here. Click "sfz to controls" to parse the file content and set the controls. You can of course edit from there if you like and re-save.
Downloads	I put some sample files here that you can preview, download and experiment with.
Help	This page.

There are several ways to organize the content of an sfz file. This application only includes a few of the many sfz parameters. Read the spec to get a better understanding and see the plethora of options available.

The output of this application is organized using the <region> tag and the <group> tag. The <group> tag contains all of the performance parameters and applies to all of the regions (again this is how I organized the file but there is more than one way to do it).

In the output of this application the <region> tags only contain sample and pitch parameters (they can also contain performance parameters... read the spec).

You can cut and paste from the "Output.sfz" tab to build up some very interesting sfz files. I hope you have fun with this and if you have suggestions don't hesitate to share them. My email address is in the footer of every page on the site.

If you have never heard of *.sfz files and you play soft synthesizers while using your computer recording setup you will be glad you discovered them. It is the new standard for soft-synth sample file format that allows you to take any wave (*.wav) files or any Ogg Vorbis (*.ogg) files and play them with your soft synthesizer. There are a ton more opcodes to use but the ones supported by this interface will definitely get you started.

This application helps you experiment with *.sfz files. The interface helps you set some common settings for the pitch, filter, and amplifier using slider controls. I have provided some sample wav files below but you can use your MFOS synth equipment to make all the unique samples you want and then play them on your soft synth. The *.sfz file format makes it really easy and this little interface makes it even easier!

There is no way I could explain the whole concept of *.sfz files here but I found some good artiicles that can help you get going quickly as well as a spec outlining the available opcodes and file format. Here are links to both:

The sfz Format: Basics

Customising Sonar's SFZ Files by Craig Anderton

Sample WAV Files To Download and Experiment With
Until you get your synth up and running to make your own samples here are a few you can play with.
All of these samples were made with my SDIY Experimenter Board project.
Right click and choose "Save Link As" for the WAV files or your default player will just play them.

mp3 samples to audition Sample 1 Sample 2 Sample 3 Sample 4 Sample 5 Sample 6 Sample 7 Sample 8 Sample 9 Sample 10 Sample 11 Sample 12 Sample 13 Sample 14 Sample 15 Sample 16

WAV samples to download and make sfz files with. Sample 1 Sample 2 Sample 3 Sample 4 Sample 5 Sample 6 Sample 7 Sample 8 Sample 9 Sample 10 Sample 11 Sample 12 Sample 13 Sample 14 Sample 15 Sample 16