PolyPhontics 2.0 — User Guide

What Is PolyPhontics?

PolyPhontics is a sound bank editor for macOS. It lets you combine audio samples into musical instruments and export them as industry-standard file formats — SoundFont (SF2), DLS, EXS24, SFZ, and DecentSampler. You can also import existing sound banks, edit them, and re-export.

Quick Start

1. Create a New Document

When PolyPhontics launches, it creates a new empty document. The document window has three panes: Instruments (left), Samples (center), and Library (right).

2. Import Audio Samples

Use File → Import Samples (⇧⌘I) to bring audio files into your document. PolyPhontics supports WAV, AIFF, CAF, and other common formats.

For faster setup, use Auto Import to batch-import files with automatic key mapping — chromatic, drum kit, or auto-detect modes.

3. Create an Instrument

Use Instruments → New Instrument (⇧⌘N). Three options:

• Simple — Create a single instrument with a name.
• GM Instrument — Pick from the 128 General MIDI instrument names.
• GM Set — Create a complete set of 128 GM instruments plus drum kits.

4. Assign Samples to Instruments

Drag samples from the Samples pane or Library onto an instrument. Each sample becomes a zone within the instrument.

5. Edit and Preview

Double-click a zone to open the Sample Editor, where you can adjust key range, loop points, envelope, filter, and other parameters. Use the on-screen keyboard or a MIDI controller to preview.

6. Export

Use File → Export to save as SF2, DLS, EXS24, SFZ, or DecentSampler.

The Document Window

Instruments Pane (Left)

An outline view showing all instruments. Each instrument expands to reveal its zones. Instruments with no zones appear in orange. Zones with no sample appear in red. Zone count badges appear next to each instrument name.

Samples Pane (Center)

All audio samples in the document. Unused samples appear in red.

Library Pane (Right)

A persistent collection of audio samples shared across all documents. Press Space to preview. Drag from the Library to an instrument to add a sample.

Sample Editor

Double-click a zone to open the Sample Editor.

Waveform Display

Shows the audio data with loop point markers. Drag markers to adjust loop start and end.

Keyboard

• Drag on the keyboard to set the key range.
• ⌥-click (Option-click) to set the root key.
• Click a key to play a preview.

Parameters

File Formats

Using Sound Banks in GarageBand & Logic Pro

1. Export your sound bank as SF2 or DLS.
2. Place the file in ~/Library/Audio/Sounds/Banks/.
3. Create a Software Instrument track.
4. Select DLSMusicDevice as the instrument plugin.
5. Choose your sound bank from the Sound Bank popup.

Auto Import

Batch-import audio files with automatic key mapping:

• Chromatic — Maps samples chromatically starting from a key you choose.
• Drum Kit — Maps each sample to a single key (GM drum assignments).
• Auto-detect — Reads note names from filenames (e.g., "Piano-C4.wav").

Preferences

• Preview Engine — MIDISynth (default) or AVAudioUnitSampler.
• Middle-C Label — C3, C4, or C5. Affects all note name displays.
• On Startup — Create a new document or do nothing.
• Warn When Removing Items — Confirmation dialogs before deleting.

Keyboard Shortcuts

System Requirements

• macOS 10.14 (Mojave) or later
• Apple Silicon or Intel Mac
• No internet connection required

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