Demonstration of using the “UltraBox Sample Extractor” and “Custom Instrument Builder” utilities to create custom instruments from .sf2 soundfont files for use in “Celtic Sounds” and the “ABC Transcription Tools”.
Musical Artifacts (Massive collection of .sf2 soundfont files)
UltraBox Sample Extractor
ABC Transcription Tools - Custom Instrument Builder
Celtic Sounds
ABC Transcription Tools
Demo Video
I’ve updated the UltraBox Sample Extractor with automatic pitch detection and intelligent file renaming.
Previously, extracted samples had to be manually renamed to match the naming conventions required by the Custom Instrument Builder for the ABC Transcription Tools and Celtic Sounds (e.g., C4.wav, Db4.wav, etc.).
This process was time-consuming and error-prone, especially when working with large sample sets.
The new version adds:
*** Automatic pitch detection ***
Each sample is analyzed to determine its fundamental pitch. The detector prioritizes stable regions of the audio:
– Uses loop regions when present
– Repeats short loops to create sufficient analysis data
– Falls back to post-attack sample data when no loop is available
This significantly improves accuracy for sustained instruments such as flute, whistle, choir, and pipes.
*** Standardized note-based file naming ***
When enabled, exported samples are automatically named using flat-based pitch notation consistent with the Custom Instrument Builder for the ABC Transcription Tools and Celtic Sounds:
C3.wav G3.wav D4.wav Eb5.wav …
Duplicate notes are handled automatically with numeric suffixes and can easily be identified before import into the Custom Instrument Builder.
*** Optional instrument name prefixing ***
Exported files can optionally include the instrument name for easier organization while still preserving compatibility with existing workflows.
*** Integrated preview and validation ***
Detected pitch is displayed in the UI prior to export, allowing verification before generating files.
The result is a streamlined workflow:
– No manual pitch identification
– No manual file renaming
– Immediate compatibility with custom instrument tools
This reduces preparation time and eliminates a major source of user error when building custom instruments.
*** Link to the tools ***
UltraBox Sample Extractor
ABC Transcription Tools Custom Instrument Builder
Demo video