# 2109 Sfizz vs LinuxSampler Audio

**URL:** <https://discourse.zynthian.org/t/2109-sfizz-vs-linuxsampler-audio/6286>\
**Category:** Using Zynthian\
**Created:** [September 23, 2021, 1:51am UTC](https://discourse.zynthian.org/t/2109-sfizz-vs-linuxsampler-audio/6286 "2021-09-23T01:51:00Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 17\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![samriccijr](https://discourse.zynthian.org/user_avatar/discourse.zynthian.org/samriccijr/32/6019_2.png) [@samriccijr](https://discourse.zynthian.org/u/samriccijr)\
**Post date:** [September 23, 2021, 1:51am UTC](https://discourse.zynthian.org/t/2109-sfizz-vs-linuxsampler-audio/6286/1 "2021-09-23T01:51:00Z")

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@jofemodo Thank you for the 2109 0921 update! Here is my first comparison of Sfizz and Linuxsampler.

I used the Pi 4 headphone out into a Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 2nd generation into Quicktime m4a into Logic exported to mp3 (that was a mouthful…)

My test is a Brass sfz file that has CC1 applied to pitch LFO, CC2 applied to Filter and Amp LFO, and CC74 tied to filter cutoff.

I used a 2 pole filter, 1200 hz cutoff, cc74 depth of 9600 and filter/amp lfo depth on cc2 of 200.

Using the 2109 release I had to increase the alsamixer gain to 0db to get a good sound level. In the stable version (d852c8f) the mixer output level is -4.5 db. Both synth volumes were 96.

Like Linuxsampler, Sfizz also recognizes coded controllers - you can hard code ccs into your sfz file.

Here is the audio using 2109 Linuxsampler:

[/uploads/default/original/2X/7/7d0d1ff8641a9b4b7c38635f786ced95065f5054.mp3](https://discourse.zynthian.org/uploads/default/original/2X/7/7d0d1ff8641a9b4b7c38635f786ced95065f5054.mp3)

Here is similar audio using 2109 Sfizz:

[/uploads/default/original/2X/0/028bc4426916aa1fce209abc2f4bf96c77e1896a.mp3](https://discourse.zynthian.org/uploads/default/original/2X/0/028bc4426916aa1fce209abc2f4bf96c77e1896a.mp3)

Here is the audio from the Linuxsampler stable:

[/uploads/default/original/2X/e/e8dcb0a06ff7e49f1a17ede6c3810bde3417aed0.mp3](https://discourse.zynthian.org/uploads/default/original/2X/e/e8dcb0a06ff7e49f1a17ede6c3810bde3417aed0.mp3)

The big differences are the filter cutoff depth and the Amp LFO depth.

We still need to gain stage the two synths as well.

My next test will load about 750 meg of sfzs across 9 Midi Channels.

Sam in NJ USA

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**Author:** ![piattica](https://discourse.zynthian.org/user_avatar/discourse.zynthian.org/piattica/32/16278_2.png) [@piattica](https://discourse.zynthian.org/u/piattica)\
**Post date:** [July 24, 2025, 2:06pm UTC](https://discourse.zynthian.org/t/2109-sfizz-vs-linuxsampler-audio/6286/2 "2025-07-24T14:06:19Z")

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I re-up this discussion because I would like to know **plus** and **minus** of each engine when you use SFZ samples.

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**Author:** ![riban](https://discourse.zynthian.org/user_avatar/discourse.zynthian.org/riban/32/2331_2.png) [@riban](https://discourse.zynthian.org/u/riban)\
**Post date:** [July 24, 2025, 2:34pm UTC](https://discourse.zynthian.org/t/2109-sfizz-vs-linuxsampler-audio/6286/3 "2025-07-24T14:34:18Z")

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Each sfz player supports a subset of the protocol’s opcodes. If you have a sample set that uses an opcode that you need but is only supported by one of the engines, then you must use that engine. You can look at their respective websites to find out more and there have been some comparison tables drawn.

I am using Linuxsampler for our new clip launcher (in dev) because it is the only one that will continue to play if you change its config file which I need for this purpose. If not, I might have used a simpler engine. I only need a few opcodes.

So, the _better_ solution is the one that works.

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**Author:** ![HansR](https://discourse.zynthian.org/user_avatar/discourse.zynthian.org/hansr/32/15102_2.png) [@HansR](https://discourse.zynthian.org/u/HansR)\
**Post date:** [July 24, 2025, 5:00pm UTC](https://discourse.zynthian.org/t/2109-sfizz-vs-linuxsampler-audio/6286/4 "2025-07-24T17:00:25Z")

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Hi @riban ,

Is is somehow possible to get some output (errorlogging would be fine) from Linuxsampler? It sometimes does not play a very simple sfz without even the slightest indication why. It would be very handy if there was some kind of (even minimal) feedback. Sfizz isn’t too picky, but the number of concurrent engines is limited, so sometimes I like to split the sfz’s between the two.

Kind regards,  
Hans

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**Author:** ![Baggypants](https://discourse.zynthian.org/user_avatar/discourse.zynthian.org/baggypants/32/1911_2.png) [@Baggypants](https://discourse.zynthian.org/u/Baggypants)\
**Post date:** [July 24, 2025, 5:40pm UTC](https://discourse.zynthian.org/t/2109-sfizz-vs-linuxsampler-audio/6286/5 "2025-07-24T17:40:28Z")

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You might find it easier to run linuxsampler on a desktop or laptop to debug this sort of thing.

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**Author:** ![piattica](https://discourse.zynthian.org/user_avatar/discourse.zynthian.org/piattica/32/16278_2.png) [@piattica](https://discourse.zynthian.org/u/piattica)\
**Post date:** [July 24, 2025, 6:27pm UTC](https://discourse.zynthian.org/t/2109-sfizz-vs-linuxsampler-audio/6286/6 "2025-07-24T18:27:20Z")

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To do some test I tried to load in Linuxsampler a SFZ user sample (Matt’s Fender Rhodes): after clicking on the sample name nothing happens.  
If others have same behavior I’ll open a ticket

Raspberry Pi 4 Model B Rev 1.4  
Audio: [HifiBerry DAC+ ADC PRO](http://192.168.32.23/hw-audio)  
Display: [ZynScreen 3.5 (v1)](http://192.168.32.23/hw-display)  
Wiring: [MCP23017\_ZynScreen](http://192.168.32.23/hw-wiring)  
I2C: [MCP23017@0x20](http://192.168.32.23/hw-wiring)  
Profile: [v4\_stage](http://192.168.32.23/hw-wiring)

zyncoder: [vangelis (f4fed76)](https://github.com/zynthian/zyncoder/commit/f4fed76966ce50d3b49b35e27128d6aa6e0b5507)  
zynthian-ui: [vangelis (5a90283)](https://github.com/zynthian/zynthian-ui/commit/5a902835bb1b23cfa76344d1145cf36d524dcb2e)  
zynthian-sys: [vangelis (eac724c)](https://github.com/zynthian/zynthian-sys/commit/eac724c35bb5dedefa72e4b766a0e848caefe5a3)  
zynthian-data: [vangelis (ca1c0d3)](https://github.com/zynthian/zynthian-data/commit/ca1c0d334764f5ceba7fe9fbd600d97291b0efe5)  
zynthian-webconf: [vangelis (fc5c12b)](https://github.com/zynthian/zynthian-webconf/commit/fc5c12b7fcbd567e94338c7d4ee30eb0e9bdc331)

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**Author:** ![hannesmenzel](https://discourse.zynthian.org/user_avatar/discourse.zynthian.org/hannesmenzel/32/13014_2.png) [@hannesmenzel](https://discourse.zynthian.org/u/hannesmenzel)\
**Post date:** [July 24, 2025, 7:59pm UTC](https://discourse.zynthian.org/t/2109-sfizz-vs-linuxsampler-audio/6286/7 "2025-07-24T19:59:16Z")

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> [@HansR](#):
>
> It sometimes does not play a very simple sfz without even the slightest indication why.

I don’t have the machine to test, but I recall from half a year ago that linuxsampler was sometimes picky with sfz that had the samples in subfolders (don’t recall if the default\_path opcode was the problem or the solution) but it worked after copying the samples to the sfz root folder and edit the sfz accordingly.

That’s why I only use sfizz in the end.

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**Author:** ![samriccijr](https://discourse.zynthian.org/user_avatar/discourse.zynthian.org/samriccijr/32/6019_2.png) [@samriccijr](https://discourse.zynthian.org/u/samriccijr)\
**Post date:** [July 24, 2025, 11:26pm UTC](https://discourse.zynthian.org/t/2109-sfizz-vs-linuxsampler-audio/6286/8 "2025-07-24T23:26:29Z")

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> [@SFZ - requisites](https://discourse.zynthian.org/t/sfz-requisites/8429/7):
>
> Hi All! Here are some SFZ tips. Rule 1: Download a fresh Zynthian image. This usually fixes crashes. Rule 2: Start simple. Download to your desktop a few sfz files from /zynthian/zynthian-data/soundfonts/sfz/ You can also download a zip file from zynthian.local Library Presets and Soundfonts. Start with /Brass/SynthBrass. Open the sfz in a text editor and study the arrangement of the opcodes. You will see master, global, group, region and sample. At the master, global or group level: …

Board members, Try this link for some sfz and sample placement tips. Feel free to PM me if you get stuck!

Sam in NJ USA

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**Author:** ![samriccijr](https://discourse.zynthian.org/user_avatar/discourse.zynthian.org/samriccijr/32/6019_2.png) [@samriccijr](https://discourse.zynthian.org/u/samriccijr)\
**Post date:** [July 25, 2025, 9:38am UTC](https://discourse.zynthian.org/t/2109-sfizz-vs-linuxsampler-audio/6286/9 "2025-07-25T09:38:47Z")

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> [@Why doesn't Linux sampler install some SFZ files?](https://discourse.zynthian.org/t/why-doesnt-linux-sampler-install-some-sfz-files/6974/4):
>
> Thanks Sam, you were very kind and exhaustive in the answer … even beyond my expectations. I’ll try and let you know. Hi, Stefano from Italy.

And this one. Sam

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**Author:** ![HansR](https://discourse.zynthian.org/user_avatar/discourse.zynthian.org/hansr/32/15102_2.png) [@HansR](https://discourse.zynthian.org/u/HansR)\
**Post date:** [July 25, 2025, 11:23am UTC](https://discourse.zynthian.org/t/2109-sfizz-vs-linuxsampler-audio/6286/10 "2025-07-25T11:23:58Z")

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Hi @baggypants,

> [@Baggypants](#):
>
> You might find it easier to run linuxsampler on a desktop or laptop to debug this sort of thing.

That is a good suggestion, but it is not as easy as it sounds.

There is no decent Debian package and the most recent (and stable) Windows package does not work ( “procedure entry point could not be located” for all items ).

It seems there is a robot that faithfully produces a broken version every month.

The forum is closed and points to a mailinglist where you can subscribe. The subscription process is broken so you can’t subscribe…

All in all it looks like Linuxsampler is abandonware.

So instead of complaining that it doesn’t work as we want, we should be thankful that the Zynthian devs managed to get it working at all 🙂

kind regards,

Hans.

ps.  
Found a working version (`linuxsampler_20240124_setup.exe`) and will try to use it for debugging.

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**Author:** ![wyleu](https://discourse.zynthian.org/user_avatar/discourse.zynthian.org/wyleu/32/514_2.png) [@wyleu](https://discourse.zynthian.org/u/wyleu)\
**Post date:** [July 25, 2025, 5:42pm UTC](https://discourse.zynthian.org/t/2109-sfizz-vs-linuxsampler-audio/6286/11 "2025-07-25T17:42:04Z")

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> [@HansR](#):
>
> Found a working version (`linuxsampler_20240124_setup.exe`) and will try to use it for debugging.

Please tell us how you get on.

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**Author:** ![pau](https://discourse.zynthian.org/user_avatar/discourse.zynthian.org/pau/32/7869_2.png) [@pau](https://discourse.zynthian.org/u/pau)\
**Post date:** [July 25, 2025, 5:44pm UTC](https://discourse.zynthian.org/t/2109-sfizz-vs-linuxsampler-audio/6286/12 "2025-07-25T17:44:36Z")

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From long time ago I only use sfizz, linuxsampler had problems with hanging notes that I could not/didn’t know hotw to solve.

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**Author:** ![HansR](https://discourse.zynthian.org/user_avatar/discourse.zynthian.org/hansr/32/15102_2.png) [@HansR](https://discourse.zynthian.org/u/HansR)\
**Post date:** [July 25, 2025, 6:11pm UTC](https://discourse.zynthian.org/t/2109-sfizz-vs-linuxsampler-audio/6286/13 "2025-07-25T18:11:03Z")

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> [@wyleu](#):
>
> Please tell us how you get on.

Will do, but can take a while. I’m now trying to make a ribbon controller. Not a ‘touch keyboard’ with fixed notes, but one that generates a sliding pitch relative to the last played note. Like on a CS80 🙂

I know, that is a bit (or a lot) overconfident, but without challenge it’s no fun.

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**Author:** ![Baggypants](https://discourse.zynthian.org/user_avatar/discourse.zynthian.org/baggypants/32/1911_2.png) [@Baggypants](https://discourse.zynthian.org/u/Baggypants)\
**Post date:** [July 26, 2025, 11:25am UTC](https://discourse.zynthian.org/t/2109-sfizz-vs-linuxsampler-audio/6286/14 "2025-07-26T11:25:35Z")

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Linuxsampler is a pain point because of it’s license. [It says it is GPL but then adds a clause saying it isn’t for commercial use.](https://linuxsampler.org/downloads.html) This means it isn’t GPL. The clause is also vague, does it mean I can’t charge for music made with Linuxsampler? Does it mean if you buy a Zynthian kit it shouldn’t be provided but if you build your own you can install it? We don’t know, but the liability is that the code owner could appear and start sueing.

All of this, and the lack of upstream development, means that no-one wants to touch Linusampler with a barge pole. It’s one of the reasons we have Sfizz at all.

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**Author:** ![HansR](https://discourse.zynthian.org/user_avatar/discourse.zynthian.org/hansr/32/15102_2.png) [@HansR](https://discourse.zynthian.org/u/HansR)\
**Post date:** [July 26, 2025, 1:01pm UTC](https://discourse.zynthian.org/t/2109-sfizz-vs-linuxsampler-audio/6286/15 "2025-07-26T13:01:33Z")

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Hi @Baggypants

Thanks for your clear and colourful explanation!

Kind regards,

Hans.

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**Author:** ![oscaracena](https://discourse.zynthian.org/user_avatar/discourse.zynthian.org/oscaracena/32/10846_2.png) [@oscaracena](https://discourse.zynthian.org/u/oscaracena)\
**Post date:** [July 26, 2025, 1:36pm UTC](https://discourse.zynthian.org/t/2109-sfizz-vs-linuxsampler-audio/6286/16 "2025-07-26T13:36:32Z")

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> [@Baggypants](#):
>
> It says it is GPL but then adds a clause saying it isn’t for commercial use.

Curiously, this is explicitly forbidden by the GNU:

- [I’d like to license my code under the GPL, but I’d also like to make it clear that it can’t be used for military and/or commercial uses. Can I do this?](https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-faq.en.html#NoMilitary)

_The GNU GPL is designed specifically to prevent the addition of further restrictions._

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Baggypants](https://discourse.zynthian.org/user_avatar/discourse.zynthian.org/baggypants/32/1911_2.png) [@Baggypants](https://discourse.zynthian.org/u/Baggypants)\
**Post date:** [July 26, 2025, 4:31pm UTC](https://discourse.zynthian.org/t/2109-sfizz-vs-linuxsampler-audio/6286/17 "2025-07-26T16:31:25Z")

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Exactly, so what licence _is_ it published under? There’s the rub. It’s proprietary. This is why distros like Debian and Fedora don’t want to package it in their main repos.