Regarding Sfizz, there is a standalone jack client that could be integrated as a zynthian engine. I didn’t test it yet, but it seems promising. Development is very dynamic. Take a look to the commit list:
Regarding LinuxSampler and the reasons to look for something better, you should read this thread from the Debian mail archives about the Linuxsampler license:
https://lists.debian.org/debian-legal/2005/09/msg00268.html
Resuming: Some people from Debian (and also from other well known distributions) think that Linuxsampler license is “inconsistent”, and because of this reason you can’t find Linuxsampler in any mainstream Linux distribution or repository.
Regarding development workflow itself, they use Subversion (a prehistoric tool from my POW) and mail-lists:
(observe the sloooow development)
They also have a closed/private bugzilla:
IMHO, they are blocked in the past and LS development is constrained by this state of things:
- Linuxsampler’s code can’t be “mixed” or “derived” because of the inconsistent license
- New developers can’t contribute to the project because development is not really open. I mean, you can’t fork the repo fix a bug and make a pull request. You can’t open an issue in tracker system because it’s closed, etc.
- New users can’t start using LS easily because it’s not available in main distro repos.
Less freedom, less developers, less users, less feedback, less project, … it’s a vicious circle.
I’m afraid they are killing/limiting the project, but of course, they can do what they want. It’s their right.
So … yes … i think we have very good reasons to look for alternatives to LinuxSampler.
And we really would like to have a better SFZ support
Regards!