Free samples, sample-players, and where to find them

[metamorphosis]

Somebody seems to need this information every five minutes so a very kind moderator made it a sticky.

Free VSTi sfz player (Multiplatform):
[UPDATE:] I now recommend using sforzando as your default sf2 player and using the internal engine to convert your sf2's to sfz's. Unlike the two alternatives listed below, it is well-supported and not terribly buggy.


Free VSTi SoundFont(sf2)/sfz player (Windows):
I recommend using sforzando, as above. However for legacy purposes the following is provided. In my experience SFZ, even in it's multi-core version, tends to cause horrific static, so be forewarned:

• sfz - Dual-core/Multi-core/hyperthreading version (somewhat buggy)

sfz is one of the only free SoundFont player (other than the one below) which accurately plays SoundFonts and uses the internal loop/ADSR characteristics. Its CPU usage in draft mode (still very good quality) is quite low. Turn 'effects' off for even better CPU usage. May crash your host in DFD mode (use SF or PR modes instead).


VSTSynthFont (Windows):

• VSTSynthfont
  
  Synthfont is more advanced than sfz and can handle one soundbank to every MIDI channel, but has almost double the CPU usage. It also plays GigaStudio files. I have found it to crash Tracktion, but YMMV.

A variety of other sample players are available here, - some wav, some soundfont - be aware that the other soundfont players are either incompatible with a wide variety of sf2's, buggy, or do not implement internal ADSR or looping (tested). This includes Kontakt - which does not play back stereo samples in soundfonts, rendering them in mono instead.


Free soundbank convertor:

• Chicken System's Translator Free
  
  Has some limitations, but can convert soundbanks from one format to another seamlessly.
  Often a good way to utilise free Gigastudio/Kontakt files is to translate them to rgc:audio's sfz format, then use the sfz VSTi above to play them. Low CPU usage, and free.

Free SoundFonts(sf2):

• sf2midi
  
  Sf2midi is often the fastest way to find the kind of SoundFont you're looking for, requires free, painless registration.

There are, of course, an absolute ton of other sample sites out there on the net, as detailed in many, many other threads, for example here (SoundFonts only), and here (samples in general).


Realtime Midi manipulation VST's
I have personally found Tobybear's Midibag VST plugins to be absolutely life-saving for MIDI-manipulation. The humanisator, in particular, comes in handy.
Another one is NiallM's ndcMIDI Pack.

Cheers,
M@

[JamieSkeen]

thanks for the links.........never tried synthfont.
Bump

[thagoocher]

So what do Mac users use for sample playback?

[rbet]

So what do Mac users use for sample playback?

PCs.

[tERMoBLUe]

a other free soundfontplayer vst bye sonic-AT-work ...cya

<2°TRo²³

[metamorphosis]

a other free soundfontplayer vst bye sonic-AT-work ...cya

<2°TRo²³

Doesn't use internal ADSR/looping characteristics properly,
doesn't load some soundfonts,
makes all instruments come through one speaker only,
no support for stereo samples-
not recommended, sorry...
Other folks, please check out plugins before posting in future.
Cheers-
m

[raweber]

[*]Dual-core/Multi-core/hyperthreading version (no longer accessible now that RGCaudio's gone over to cakewalk)

Is there a dual-core version floating about the Internet anywhere?

[sonicfire]

a other free soundfontplayer vst bye sonic-AT-work ...cya

<2°TRo²³

...termo: your sig's link doesn't work properly

[manytone]

One thing to note here too guys about any of the soundfont sites listed above or any other free site you may find:
(Especially as I just now noticed that this is a sticky on KVR... and I am a Moderator here)

Although there are popular websites on the internet for soundfonts.... and many of them do contain legal and freely distributed files, I have discovered that there are a few files I have seen in at least one of these "free" popular soundfont places, in the past that were questionable as to the legality of redistribution. I would suggest ones takes the sounds from any free site (or anywhere for that matter) with a bit of knowledge about this. Not everything you may find for free on the net ....is truly meant to be a free product.
Paul

[Musical Gym]

That's one reason why I have hesitated using a lot of the sf2 files I used to collect. No immediate documentation on source, legality, etc.
It would be nice to have a definitive list with authors attributed and terms of use.

[metamorphosis]

The only one I've heard of which was questionable legally was SJ Orchestral, and that was found to be legit (S J stands for 'Saint James') - other than that, I haven't seen any indications of illegality.
Given the bulk of soundfonts are user-generated, it would be much more useful to assume that all soundfonts are legit unless stated otherwise.
If anyone wants to build a list of known illegal ones, that would be a good and worthwhile cause. Until then, I don't think it's particularly helpful to make people nervous with unfounded conjectures.
My 2c.
M@

[metamorphosis]

[*]Dual-core/Multi-core/hyperthreading version (no longer accessible now that RGCaudio's gone over to cakewalk)

Is there a dual-core version floating about the Internet anywhere?

Have mirrored my copy on my website now, check the above original post.
Please be aware that the multithread version is temperamental from my experience. Also, RGC might ask us to take it off at some point, so grab it while you can.
Cheers,
m@

[manytone]

The only one I've heard of which was questionable legally was SJ Orchestral, and that was found to be legit (S J stands for 'Saint James') - other than that, I haven't seen any indications of illegality.
Given the bulk of soundfonts are user-generated, it would be much more useful to assume that all soundfonts are legit unless stated otherwise.
If anyone wants to build a list of known illegal ones, that would be a good and worthwhile cause. Until then, I don't think it's particularly helpful to make people nervous with unfounded conjectures.
My 2c.
M@

Not trying to make people nervous with unfounded gestures. Just making a point and not implicating anyone or any sf2 in the process.

I've passed on a bit of background info to Ben though that I won't disclose here.

All I'll say at this point is that I have found questionable samples in free SF2 files at some sites.

A list of illegal ones ...may just cause some folks to search them though, so may not be good either.

Anyways guys...I love free stuff ...and not trying to knock it. Just trying to make sure folks are aware.
Paul

[metamorphosis]

I appreciate your ideas, but don't see why people would search for samples specifically because they're illegitimate, or how that knowledge is a bad thing-
If people really want to pirate stuff they will - and they certainly won't care about the authenticity or otherwise, of their material- this is mainly about users who give a crap, so just give them the info they need to make correct decisions, rather than taring every file in a given format with the same brush, which is counterproductive and ridiculous.
Cheers,
M@

[eduardo_b]

I appreciate your ideas, but don't see why people would search for samples specifically because they're illegitimate, or how that knowledge is a bad thing-
If people really want to pirate stuff they will - and they certainly won't care about the authenticity or otherwise, of their material- this is mainly about users who give a crap, so just give them the info they need to make correct decisions, rather than taring every file in a given format with the same brush, which is counterproductive and ridiculous.
Cheers,
M@

I have to agree. It's simply not practical to know what is what on these sites, and given that the vast majority are "legal," I would opt for having a list of links rather than not because of an unknown possibility.