Hi

I was thinking something. Wouldn't it be cool if I could convert my layer of synths to a soundfont. Let me explain. Let's say I made a lead with two different synths (let's say Zebra and Z3TA). When the project starts getting bigger, my PC starts to sweat and it gets more and more difficult to do something on it, unless I start bouncing out and remove effects (that I add at the end).

So quick question: is there anyway to convert quickly to soundfonts (or any other sample-formats really)? Or I need to sample each note?

Anyway I know bouncing the whole thing out is an option, I was just wondering if this was possible

 

It is possible, the only question is if it pays off in the end.
If you frequently use the same layered presets, then certainly yes!
I would do this either in Ableton Sampler or with Extreme Sample Converter.

How many keys you have to sample totally depends on the sound.
Some sounds can be re-pitched very well and you'll get away with only 1 or 2 samples, others have more complex harmonics over the key range and have to be sampled every other key. A simple way to test it is to sample two notes 1 octave apart, play the lower note on the keyboard and move the pitch bender (set to 1 octave range, for example) up, then release it and play the octave above. How similar do the two sound? The more different they sound, the more intermediate samples you will need over the key range in order to keep the sound real over the key range.
Also make sure you don't use effects in the synths (like chorus, flanger, delay) that will sound worse (out of sync) when played as re-pitched samples polyphonically. Better add FX after the sampler.

 

@ Backtired,

The following Tutorials can be of great interest for you...

http://tweakheadz.com/soundfont-secrets/

Polyphone SoundFont Editor :
http://polyphone-soundfonts.com/en/