Guide

How to use SF2 SoundFonts in Reaper

Reaper doesn't play SF2 files on its own. Its sampler, ReaSamplOmatic5000, loads audio files one sample at a time and can't read a SoundFont. A SoundFont plugin fills the gap, and it works the same way in Reaper on Windows, macOS and Linux.

By Aiden Shihadeh, developer of simpleSF2 · Updated 7 October 2026

Quick answer

Can Reaper open SF2 files?	Not with its built-in plugins. ReaSamplOmatic5000 plays single audio files, not SoundFonts.
Easiest way to play one	Insert simpleSF2 as a virtual instrument on a track.
Windows	VST3
macOS	VST3 or Audio Unit
Linux	VST3, from the `.deb` installer or the VST3-only zip

Load a SoundFont in Reaper with simpleSF2

simpleSF2 is a SoundFont player plugin for SF2 and SFZ files. It runs in Reaper as a VST3 instrument on all three systems, and as an Audio Unit on Mac. The free version plays one imported library per instance.

Download simpleSF2 and run the installer for your system. Reaper picks up new plugins in the standard folders when it starts.
Open Reaper and choose Track → Insert virtual instrument on new track.
Type simpleSF2 in the FX browser's search box and pick VST3i: simpleSF2 (simpleSoundbank). On a Mac, the AUi version works too.
Click Import SF2/SFZ in the plugin and pick your file, or drag the file onto the plugin window.
Pick a bank and a preset, arm the track and play. Reaper saves the library, preset and settings with your project.

simpleSF2 in Reaper: library and bank pickers, the preset list and playing controls — simpleSF2's Main tab: pick a library and bank, then a preset from the list.

To reuse a setup, right-click the track and save it as a track template. Each template keeps the plugin with its SoundFont and preset loaded.

On Linux

Reaper's Linux build runs simpleSF2's Linux VST3.

The .deb installer puts the plugin in /usr/lib/vst3.
The VST3-only zip is for other distributions: unzip it into ~/.vst3.
If Reaper doesn't list it, add that folder under Options → Preferences → Plug-ins → VST and click Re-scan.

If the plugin doesn't show up in Reaper

Open Options → Preferences → Plug-ins → VST (Settings on a Mac) and make sure the VST3 folder is in the plugin paths: C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST3 on Windows, or /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3 on a Mac.
Click Re-scan, or use its menu to clear the cache and re-scan every plugin.
Cockos's REAPER User Guide covers plugin paths and re-scanning in detail.
Still stuck? Email support@simplesoundbank.com.

Common questions

Can Reaper open SF2 files?

Not with its built-in plugins. ReaSamplOmatic5000 plays single audio files, so you need a SoundFont plugin to play SF2 banks.

Does it work with Reaper on Linux?

Yes. simpleSF2 has a native Linux VST3, with a .deb installer and a plain zip for other distributions.

Is there a free SoundFont player for Reaper?

Yes. simpleSF2 is free to download and use with one library per instance. A one-time £9.99 unlock lets you import and switch between multiple libraries.