4Pockets FontStack is a new AUv3 multi-layer SoundFont SF2 player plugin for iOS and macOS with vector sound mixing and more.
SoundFont is a file format designed to manage multiple samples simultaneously. The format has existed since the early 1990s and became popular with the Creative SoundBlaster sound cards (AWE32) for its General MIDI support.
More than thirty years later, music software and creators still widely use the file format, especially for creating multi-sample-based virtual instruments. 4Pockets, developer of the excellent Stringlab physical modeling and WaveCloud granular synths, has today released FontStack, a new AUv3 plugin that can be the ultimate SoundFont player.
4Pockets FontStack
FontStack is a new SoundFont player instrument for iOS and macOS (native Apple Silicon only). 4Pockets Fontstack aims to breathe new life into the many free SoundFont files circulating online. As a reminder, an SF2 file contains a set of samples, instruments, and presets.
The AUv3 plugin allows you to load up to four SoundFont files and stack and layer them in one patch. Yes, you can also distribute them on a keyboard.
Alternatively, you can split them and playback them on different channels. For proper OMNI mode, each layer can also be assigned its own MIDI channel.
Another powerful feature is the option to create up to 6 scenes per layer containing different SoundFont instruments and settings. This makes the unique caching feature possible.
In FontStack, you cache all your SoundFonts (SF2) and the instruments they contain, allowing you to search quickly for specific instruments without reloading from scratch. Disk streaming from external media is also available for those with systems with little storage.
You can also link to a remote folder containing a global set of SoundFonts to be shared between apps. Both internal and external SoundFonts and their instruments will be cached, and searching is just as easy as using internal SoundFonts.
Vector Mixing
Another highlight of the 4Pockets FontStack is the possibility of applying vector synthesis-style mixing. With the Vector Pad, you can seamlessly mix the four available layers.
There are also mangling options for each layer. You have direct control of the SoundFonts amp envelope and filter settings on one side. On the other, you have a full set of effects that can be applied to each instrument layer: chorus, delay, reverb.
Plus, you have Haas and stereo width effects that simulate virtual stereo on SoundFonts with mono samples.
First Impression
This looks like a very useful, powerful virtual instrument to me. People with tons of SoundFonts on their hard drives will get their money’s worth from it, allowing them to combine them in different ways to create new instruments.
4Pockets FontStack is available now for $14,99/17,99€ and runs standalone and as an AUv3 plugin on iPads/iPhones and macOS (native Apple Silicon only)
More information here: AppStore
