sfArkXT decompressor for sfArk files on MacOS
Program and documentation copyright
1998-2003, melodymachine.com
Maybe be freely used and distributed for non-commercial applications
(but please read this)
For commercial applications see below.
This document last updated 07-October-2003.
Contact email: sfArkForMac
at melodymachine.com
What is it?
"sfArk XTract" is a small Carbon application that will
decompress sfArk files. sfArkXT cannot be used with sfArk files created with sfArk versions earlier than 2.0.
If you find such files, please contact the originator to ask him/her to convert
them to sfArk V2 format.
What
is a sfArk file?
Files created using our sfArk application, which was first
released in October 1998, and the much improved version 2 was initially released
early in 2001, the current 2.15 release in November 2001. sfArk
files contain a SoundFont file in a special compressed format, and optionally
"Notes" and "License" text files. The vast majority of
SoundFonts available on the net are compressed with sfArk. There is one
other relatively widely used compressed format: sfPack from Megota Software, but
it has rapidly lost popularity as it seems to be no longer supported by the
authors (their website disappeared about a year ago). Note that currently
sfArk only compresses SoundFont files, but a forthcoming release will handle
other formats including DLS and GigaSampler. For further information on
sfArk visit the main sfArk page at http://melodymachine.com/sfark.htm
How can I create
a sfArk file on the Mac
Right now, you can't - sfArkXT is just for decompressing existing
sfArk files. But a full version of sfArk for MacOS is a possibility - read
this for more information.
What
is a SoundFont?
SoundFonts are a widely used format
containing digital audio samples for use in music production and
reproduction. The format originated with Creative Labs AWE32 series of
sound cards on the PC, and is now supported by a wide range of hardware and
software including Apple's QuickTime.
Why
is sfArk used?
Because SoundFont files to not compress well using general
purpose compression tools (Zip, StuffIt, etc). Such utilities typically
compress a SoundFont by only around 10% or less. sfArk typically achieves
50% (sometimes better) compression. SoundFont files tend to be big, often
10 MB or more (there are some around on the net as large as 128MB) so in order
to minimise disk space usage, transfer times and bandwidth sfArk is generally
used to compress them.
Installing and removing
Simply copy the contents of the distribution archive to the
folder of your choice (typically the "applications" folder). In
addition you may want set sfArkXT to be the "Open with application"
used by Finder to open sfArk files. There are some minor complications
here.. see "sfArk File Extensions" below. To remove the program,
simply delete it.
License and Notes Files
If the sfArk file contains License and/or Notes
text files, they are extracted to the same directory as the
source sfArk file. These are text files typically created with some
Windows based editor, so may not display correctly on the Mac. In
the case of a License file, a dialogue box will ask the user if he agrees to the
terms of the license before decompression of the SoundFont will continue, so you
should read the license file before clicking "yes".
Filename extensions
Files created by the Windows sfArk application get a .sfArk extension
(with a capital A and the rest in lower case). However, inevitably these
sometimes get renamed to .sfark when uploaded and downloaded etc. This
doesn't matter under Windows, because it treats them equally. But MacOS,
(or at least Finder) seems to regard an extension of .sfArk as distinct from .sfark,
so you may need to configure "Open with application" in Finder for
both file types. As a further complication, there are also "self-extracting" sfArk files
around. These maybe decompressed by sfArkXT just as for standard sfArk
files. They get created with the extension .sfArk.exe but again may get
renamed to .sfark.exe or simply .exe and so on. Finder only seems to care
about the final extension (.exe in this case), so it is impossible to
define "Open with application" in Finder for .sfArk.exe files.
Unless you want to define sfArkXT as the application to open all .exe
files, which may be inconvenient, we suggest the best work-around is to rename
any .sfArk.exe files that you have to .sfArk_exe, and define sfArkXT as the
"Open with application" for .sfArk_exe files.
Need more SoundFonts?
You can buy SoundFonts at http://melodymachine.com and we also have free demo
versions of our SoundFonts.
One specific exclusion to the above:- The program may be distributed on magazine "Cover CDs" provided that you inform us via email and on request supply to us a free copy of that issue of the magazine and CD. Please ensure you use the latest copy of the distribution (see "Obtaining Upgrades" section above).
For further information on obtaining permission for commercial use and/or distribution email sales at melodymachine.com
MelodyMachine HomesfArk, the sfArk logo and the MelodyMachine
logo are trademarks of melodymachine.com.
Sound Blaster, the Sound Blaster logo, Creative, the Creative logo are
registered trademarks. The Sound Blaster Live! logo are trademarks of Creative Technology
Ltd. in the United States and/or other countries. E-mu Systems and SoundFont
are registered trademarks of E-mu Systems, Inc. Cambridge
All other trademarks acknowledged.