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Section 4: Terminology

4.1 Data structure terminology

The data structure terminology used in SFe 4.0 is broadly the same as legacy SF2.04, with these additions:

  • Branch - A subdivision of a tree structure containing either sub-branches or leaves that include values.
  • Cognitone SF4 - An incompatible modification to Werner SF3 to allow support for FLAC audio compression. Because it is considered an incompatible compression format, usage is not allowed in SFe. (Updated in 4.0b)
  • FLAC - A lossless audio compression format commonly used in open-source software. Supported by Werner SF3, but not commonly used for that purpose.
  • Leaf - A value found in a tree structure at the end of a branch.
  • Lossless compression - Said of a compression format that retains all of its data when compressed. In terms of audio, there is no loss in quality in losslessly compressed audio.
  • Lossy compression - Said of a compression format that does not retain all of its data when compressed. In terms of audio, there is a loss in quality in lossily compressed audio.
  • OGG - See “Vorbis”.
  • Opus - A lossy audio compression format, slightly newer than OGG but with less wide adoption.
  • Quirk - Any player-specific function that is automatically enabled and modifies the behaviour of any numeric parameters used by legacy SF2.0x, including preset locations, parameters, units, modulators or NRPNs.
  • Quirks mode - A mode in an SFe-compatible player that enables the implementation quirks.
  • RIFF-type format - Formats similar to RIFF (Resource Interchange File Format), see “RIFF” in SFSPEC24.PDF for more information.
  • RIFS - “RIFF-like static 64-bit”, a simple 64-bit RIFF-like format that uses the exact same syntax as RIFF but with 8-byte chunk size instead of 4-byte. (Update 17)
  • SFe - A family of enhancements to the SoundFont® 2.04 formats, unofficially created after E-mu/Creative abandoned the original format. May not be structurally compatible with legacy SF2.04.
  • SFe 4 - This new specification, based on SoundFont® 2.04 and Werner SF3, with a set of new features making it more realistic. Not to be confused with the incompatible Cognitone SF4 file format.
  • SFe-compatible - Indicates files, data, synthesisers, hardware or software that conform to the SFe specification.
  • SFe Compression - The compression system based on Werner SF3 that SFe programs should be compliant with.
  • Static RIFF - Any RIFF-type format with a fixed chunk size field width, including RIFF or RIFS. See “RIFF-type format”, “RIFF” and “RIFS”. (Update 17)
  • Tree structure - A structure consisting of branches and leaves.
  • Vorbis - A lossy audio compression format commonly used in open-source software. The basic compression format that most Werner SF3 and SFe-compatible software should be expected to implement.
  • Werner SF3 - A small upgrade to SoundFont® 2.04 created by Werner Schweer to allow an open source compression solution for SoundFont® programs. Standardised as SFe Compression.

And these changes:

  • RIFF - The 32-bit static RIFF format used by SoundFont® 2.04 and the unmodified version of the format described by Microsoft in 1991.

4.2 Synthesis terminology

The synth terminology used in SFe 4.0 is broadly the same as legacy SF2.04, with these additions:

  • AWE64 - The successor to the famous AWE32, adding features such as waveguide synthesis. Used the EMU8000 synthesizer chip, like the preceding AWE32. Available in “Value” or “Gold” versions.
  • DAHDSR - Stands for Delay, attack, hold, decay, sustain, release. The six-step envelope system used in SF and SFe.
  • EMU10K1 - The successor to the EMU8000, designed by E-mu® for the Creative Labs SB Live!.
  • EMU10K2 - An update to the EMU10K1, designed by E-mu® for the Creative Labs SB Audigy.
  • EMU20K1 - The successor to the EMU10K2, designed by E-mu® for the Creative Labs SB X-Fi.
  • EMU20K2 - An update to the EMU20K1, please refer here for information on SB X-Fi cards that include it.
  • Hold - The portion of the DAHDSR envelope after the attack portion, but before the decay portion starts.
  • Legacy sound card - A Sound Blaster® (or other sound card) that uses a hardware MIDI synthesiser capable of using banks in the SoundFont® format.
  • ROM samples - Obsolete feature used in legacy sound cards, most modern SF2 files do not use this feature.
  • Sharp - Said of a tone that is higher in pitch than another reference tone.
  • SB - Abbreviation of “Sound Blaster®”. For example, “SB X-Fi”.
  • Sound Blaster® Live! - The successor to the AWE64, which improved the synthesizer chip to the EMU10K1, supporting modulators.
  • Sound Blaster® Audigy - The successor to the SB Live!, containing the EMU10K2 chip.
  • Sound Blaster® X-Fi - The successor to the SB Audigy, containing the EMU20K1 or EMU20K2 chip. Supports 24-Bit SoundFont® 2 files (2.04).
  • Synth - Abbreviation of “Synthesiser,” see “Synthesiser” in SFSPEC24.PDF for more information.

These changes:

  • Articulation - Modulation of available parameters and usage of extra samples to produce expressive musical notes.
  • Case-insensitive - Indicates that a UTF-8 character or string treats alphabetic characters of upper or lower case as identical.
  • Case-sensitive - Indicates that a UTF-8 character or string treats alphabetic characters of upper or lower case as distinct.
  • Downloadable - legacy SF2.0x, Werner SF3 or SFe file obtained from the internet. (Old meaning referred to the obsolete ROM system)
  • MIDI Bank - Groups of up to 128 presets, which can be selected by the two MIDI “Bank Select” control changes (CC00 and CC32).

And these removals:

  • Preditor (refers to an old legacy SF2.0x editor made by E-mu)

4.3 Parameter terminology

The parameter terminology used in SFe 4.0 is broadly the same as legacy SF2.04, with these additions:

  • Amplification - An increase in volume or amplitude of a signal.
  • Flat - Said of a tone that is lower in pitch than another reference tone.