What is it?

The JSynthLib Patch Repository is a searchable index of synthesizer patches contributed by its users. The Repository will allow you to find the patches you need for your compositions without randomly searching website after website for poorly documented banks of patches hoping in vain to find something usable. The Repository stives to be a comprehensive patch resource for synthesists. Of course, in order to reach that point we will need the help of every contributor in uploaded and documenting patches.

How is the Repository related to JSynthLib?

The JSynthLib Patch Repository was developed and is run by the original author and project lead of the JSynthLib project and was invisioned as a resource for JSynthLib users. It is also hosted on the same server as the JSynthLib project, and uses the project's bandwidth and resources. However, its use is not limited only to JSynhLib users, and we welcome everyone who wants to use the repository. Please use the Reporitory whether you use JSynthLib, some other Librarian/Editor, or if you just want patches to download to your synthesizer without using any librarian software. The Repository is in no way tied to a particular software product, though a future version of JSynthLib may allow users to access the repository's resources directly, without the need to use a web browser.

Although JSynthLib is by no means required to utilize the patch repository, we welcome anyone who might find it of use to try it out. JSynthLib is a completely free Universal Synthesizer / Librarian that already supports over forty synthesizer models. It is a collaborative project run by volunteers over the internet. Anyone who knows how to program in Java can add support for an unsupported synth to JSynthLib, making it a better program for all.

If you would like to learn more about JSynthLib or download it and try it out, please see The JSynthLib Homepage. for more information, screenshots, and downloads.

Synths Supported

The JSynthLib Patch Repository currently supports all synthesizer modles currently supported by JSynthLib. As JSynthLib's support for additional models expands, they will be added to the repository as well. If you would like to see support for a synthesizer in the repository, one way to get it would be to write and contribute a module to JSynthLib that supports the module.

However, there is another way to get a synthesizer supported in the repository. If you own an unsupported synthesizer that you would like to see added to the repository, email The JSynthLib Project with your request. If the model is to be added however, originally there will be no patches for that synth in the repository. If you request a new synth be added, you must be willing to contribute whatever patches you may have in your possession for that synth to the repository, along with whatever descriptions or comments would be useful to users of the repository. In this way, the repository will be seeded with patches so that it can begin to attract other users of that synth and they can begin contributing patches as well. In addition, as a requester of a new synthesizer, you should try to make it known on whatever web communitys, mailing lists, or message boards exist for the synthesizer in question, that the patch repository exists and that you have begun a section for the synth.

If you are willing to do the work to help get support for your synth going on the Repository, please email the full name of the synth model, as well as other models that share the same sysex form (eg. DX7 and TX7 are internally identical) Along with how many patched you have to contribute if the section is added.

Downloading Patches

The main search interface for downloading patches from the repository is the repository's main page. Here you can check all of the models you are interested in seeing patches for. You can select all of the models you own, if you are attempting to find, for example, a good'cello' patch for your equipment, but don't care which synth it is for. Alternatively, you can select only one synthesizer if you wish to see patches for that one only, even if you own others.

Entering a keyword into the find: field is optional. If no keyword is entered, the Repository will display all available patches for the synthesizers you have selected. If a keyword is entered, only patches that contain that keyword either as part of the patch name, or in the comment/description will be displayed. Note that as the repository grows larger, it may be necessary to limit the maximum number of results that can be returned per search, so doing searches with no keywords and lits of synths selected may not return everything in the repository.

Once you perform a search, you will see a result page containing results. Each result shows the name of the patch, along with information about what user contributed the patch, when it was contributed, what synthesizer it is for, and a description or comment. If you are interested in a patch, simply click the name of the patch to download it to your computer's hard drive. Once there, you will need to send it to your synthesizer in the normal way. If you are using JSynthLib, you can use the import patch menu option to load the patch from disk into a JSynthLib Library and then edit it or send it to your synth.

If your search found more than ten matching results, you will see a link at the bottom of the page which you can click to retrieve the next page of results.

Uploading Patches

All patches in the Respository are contributed by its users. If no one uploads patches into the repository, there will be no patches to be searched for and downloaded. The hope is that users will contribute patches that they have written, as well as freely available patches already on the internet, to help make the repository better. The more patches we have, the more users we can attract who can then contribute more patches. If you aren't finding many patches for your synthesizer in the repository, contribute the ones you have, this will help to attract other people with your synth to come use the repository and hopefully contribute their own patches. In addition, please spread the word about the repository to others who use your synthesizer. That is the only way The Respository can grow into a great resource for all users of your synth.

To upload a patch, you must first have an account with the respository. Creating an account is very quick and easy, please see the section below for more information.

To upload a patch, follow the Upload Patches link from any page in the repository. Once at this page, you can fill in the information for a patch. In addition to your account user name and password, you should supply the other requested information. The Patch Name should be the actual name of the patch that appears on the synthesizer's display if the synth supports patch names, if not, just make it a descriptive name. Next, select the synthesizer that this patch is for. You will then have to provide the file name and path to tell the Repository where the patch is on your hard drive. You can use the browse button to navigate to the correct folder and find the patch. You will need to have the patch saved to a file individually.

Please do not upload entire 'banks's into the respository, but contribute each patch individually so it can be properly descibed and commented. This makes the repository more useful for everyone. The comment field is where you tell the world what this patch is. Please be as precise and descriptive as possible and use whatever keywords you think someone might want to see this patch for. If You think someone searching for 'violin' would want to find this patch, include it, also perhaps 'string' 'acoustic' 'analog' and whatever other descriptive keywords are good for the patch. Try to write a good description that contains good keywords so the patch will be found by those who would need it, but also try to 'sell' the patch a little in the description, whats so special about this particular patch to seperate it from other patches that may be returned. Generally you have about four lines worth of space for your comments. Once everything is filled in, hit the upload button to contribute the patch.

Please contribute as many patches to the repository as you can. Howerver there are a few rules and policies about what should and should not be contributed. Please contribute only Single Patches. The repository is not currently set up to accept or work properly with Multi or Combi patches. In addition, please do not submit sysex files representing entire banks of patches in one patch. Instead submit each Single in the banks as a seperate patch and provide a description/comment for each one. You may contribute patches which you have created yourself, or that are made freely available on the internet by the author. Please do not contribute a patch found on a website which asks you not to redistribute the patch, and please do not contribute any patches from commercial patch bank collections without explicit permission from the creators.

User Accounts

You do not currently need a user account to download patches from the repository, but one is necessary if you wish to upload (contribute) patches. Making an account is very easy. Simply select the Create Account link from any Repository page, and enter the username and password you would like. Click the Create button, and as long as that user name is not already in use, the account will be created for you. You can now upload patches using the account. In the future, having an account may grant you additional privledges that anonymous non-account users do not have.

Problems

If you find any bugs or problems with the Repository please email