Bliss ZBP / ZBB Format Specification

Developer resources for reading and writing Bliss ZBP (preset) and ZBB (bank) files.

Bliss is a sampler/synthesizer plugin by discoDSP.

Files

File	Description
Bliss_ZBP_ZBB_Format_Specification.md	Full format specification: ZIP container layout, XML schema, enumerations, value mappings, and ConvertWithMoss integration notes
bliss_zbp_parser.cpp	Self-contained C++17 reference parser -- reads and dumps ZBP/ZBB files

Quick Start

Build the reference parser

g++ -std=c++17 -O2 -o bliss_zbp_parser bliss_zbp_parser.cpp

Requires a C++17 compiler and unzip on PATH (macOS/Linux). No other dependencies.

Parse a preset

./bliss_zbp_parser MyPreset.zbp

Parse a bank

./bliss_zbp_parser MyBank.zbb

Example output (ZBP)

Bliss ZBP/ZBB Parser -- Reference Implementation
File: Piano.zbp

-- Program ---------------------------------------------
  Name:     "Grand Piano"
  Version:  3.7.4 (0x030704)
  Play mode: Poly
  Zones:    4
  Zone 0: "Piano Soft"
    Key range:  C2 (36) - C6 (84)   Root: C4 (60)
    Vel range:  0 - 64
    Tune:       coarse=0 st  fine=0 ct
    Audio:      2 ch, 132300 frames, 44100 Hz
    Loop:       Forward  start=44100  end=132299  xfade=0.20
    Gain:       0 dB   Pan: 0
    Filter 1:   Lowpass  cutoff=1000 Hz  reso=25.0%
    Amp Env:    A=0.010s D=0.500s S=80% R=0.300s
    Env shapes: A=0.50 D=0.50 R=0.50  (0=concave 0.5=linear 1=convex)
    Velocity:   amp=1.00  mod=1.00
  ...

-- Embedded samples ------------------------------------
  program_000/zone_000.flac
  program_000/zone_001.flac
  program_000/zone_002.flac
  program_000/zone_003.flac

Done.

Example output (ZBB)

Bliss ZBP/ZBB Parser -- Reference Implementation
File: MyBank.zbb
Interpolation: Normal
Current program: 0

-- Program 0 -------------------------------------------
  Name:     "Grand Piano"
  Version:  3.7.4 (0x030704)
  Play mode: Poly
  Zones:    4
  Zone 0: "Piano Soft"
    Key range:  C2 (36) - C6 (84)   Root: C4 (60)
    ...

-- Program 1 -------------------------------------------
  Name:     "Pad Strings"
  Version:  3.7.4 (0x030704)
  Play mode: Poly
  Zones:    2
  ...

Programs found: 128

Done.

Format Overview

Both .zbp and .zbb files are ZIP archives containing:

• XML metadata -- program parameters, zone mappings, effects, macros
• FLAC audio -- 16-bit (demo) or 24-bit (licensed) samples at compression level 5

ZBP layout (single preset)

program.xml
program_000/zone_000.flac
program_000/zone_001.flac
...

ZBB layout (bank with multiple programs)

bank.xml
program_000/program.xml
program_000/zone_000.flac
program_001/program.xml
program_001/zone_000.flac
...
program_127/program.xml

Key Value Mappings

The reference parser includes conversion helpers for all non-linear mappings:

Parameter	Formula	Range
Filter cutoff	hz = 20 + x^2 * (22050 - 20)	20 Hz - 22050 Hz
Envelope time	sec = 0.001 + x^4 * 15.999	1 ms - 16 seconds
Mod destination	integer index (3.13+); legacy index = floor(value * 14)	0-13 (append-only)
Version	decimal int, value encodes 0xAABBCC -> A.B.C	e.g. 201728 = 0x31400 -> 3.20.0

See the full specification for complete details.

Integration

The parser and specification are designed as a reference for building format support in tools like ConvertWithMoss. Key integration points:

• Detection: open as ZIP, check for program.xml (ZBP) or bank.xml (ZBB)
• Zones: each <zone> maps to a sample layer with key/velocity ranges
• Samples: FLAC files at program_NNN/zone_MMM.flac
• Envelopes: ADSR with quartic time mapping and configurable shape curves

License

Bliss is a commercial product by discoDSP. This documentation and reference parser are provided for interoperability purposes.