SF2 is detailed specification how the sound should be produced from SF2 file. Including characteristics for all components and correct interpretation for all parameters. There are just two problems:
* it is "gray". It was never declared as an open format.
* it is old and originally (old) hardware oriented. Some features are not there.
SFZ provides more features and it is license clean. So that can be the format for "bundled" plug-in. It also has some limitations:
* no "single file" preset+waveforms
* not bank oriented (not possible replace GM/GS to play "standard" MIDI files)
* while it defines many extras, it still does not support "scripts".
But many sound libraries exist, commercial and free.
NI/IK multimedia/etc. do own things. They will never be open. Even Steinberg, which has moved the world with semi-open VST, at the end has killed own baby.
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