What importing Autochroma banks means and why you'd do it

Autochroma banks are preset collections for music production software—usually synthesizers, samplers, or effects plugins. Importing them means loading those presets into your digital audio workstation (DAW) so you can use them in your tracks. Most producers import banks to expand their sound library without building presets from scratch, or to use presets designed by other producers whose work they respect.

The import process itself is straightforward, but the exact steps depend on which plugin you're loading banks into and which DAW you're using. A bank designed for Serum won't work in Sylenth1, and the folder structure matters—put files in the wrong directory and your plugin won't see them.

Key Takeaways

  • Autochroma banks are preset collections that load into synthesizers, samplers, or effects plugins inside your DAW.
  • The import process requires moving bank files into the correct folder for your specific plugin, which varies by plugin name and DAW.
  • Most plugins store presets in a user folder on your computer (Documents, AppData on Windows; Library on Mac), not in the program installation folder.
  • After moving files to the correct location, you usually need to restart your DAW or refresh the plugin's preset browser before new banks appear.
  • Bank file formats (.fxp, .nmsv, .h2p, etc.) are plugin-specific, so confirm your bank matches your plugin before importing.

Locating the correct preset folder for your plugin

Each plugin stores presets in a specific folder on your computer. Finding that folder is the first step. On Windows, most plugins use a path like C:\Users\[YourUsername]\Documents\[PluginName]\Presets or C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Roaming\[PluginName]. The AppData folder is hidden by default—you'll need to show hidden files in File Explorer (View menu, then check "Hidden items").

On Mac, presets typically live in ~/Library/Audio/Presets/[PluginName] or ~/Library/Application Support/[PluginName]. The Library folder is also hidden; press Command+Shift+Period in Finder to reveal it.

If you're unsure where your plugin stores presets, check the plugin's manual or settings menu. Many plugins have a "Show Presets Folder" or "Open Presets Location" button built into their interface—look in preferences or the main menu. This is faster and more reliable than guessing folder paths.

Downloading and preparing Autochroma bank files

Autochroma banks come as compressed files (usually .zip) from the creator's website, a sample library, or a third-party preset site. Download the file to your computer and extract it—right-click and choose "Extract All" on Windows, or double-click on Mac.

Inside the extracted folder, you'll find the actual bank files. These have extensions like .fxp, .nmsv, .h2p, .pst, or .syx depending on the plugin. Do not rename these files or change their extensions. If the download includes a readme or installation guide, read it first—some banks require specific folder structures or have compatibility notes.

Before moving files anywhere, confirm the bank format matches your plugin. A Serum bank (.fxp) won't load into Sylenth1, and a Native Instruments bank won't work in a third-party synth. The creator's description or filename usually tells you which plugin the bank is for.

Moving bank files to the preset folder

Once you've located your plugin's preset folder and confirmed the bank format is correct, move or copy the bank files into that folder. You can drag and drop them, or cut and paste. If the folder doesn't already have a subfolder for banks, you can create one—many producers organize presets into folders by category or creator name.

Some plugins expect banks in the root presets folder; others look for them in a specific subfolder. Check your plugin's documentation if you're unsure. When in doubt, start with the root presets folder—if the plugin doesn't find them there, you can move them to a subfolder.

Do not move files to the plugin's installation folder (Program Files on Windows, Applications on Mac). Presets belong in the user folder, which persists even if you update or reinstall the plugin.

Restarting your DAW and refreshing the preset browser

After moving files into the correct folder, close your DAW completely and reopen it. This forces the DAW to rescan preset folders and register the new banks. Simply closing and reopening the plugin window usually isn't enough—you need to close the entire DAW.

Once the DAW is open again, load an instance of the plugin and look at its preset browser. The new banks should appear in the list. If they don't, check that the files are in the correct folder and that the file format matches the plugin. Some plugins also have a "Refresh" or "Rescan" button in the preset browser—click it if you see one.

If banks still don't appear after restarting, verify the folder path one more time using the plugin's "Show Presets Folder" button. It's easy to put files in a similar-looking folder by mistake.

Troubleshooting banks that don't appear

If you've moved files to the correct folder and restarted your DAW but the banks still don't show up, check these common issues:

  • Wrong file format: The bank file extension doesn't match your plugin. Confirm the creator specified which plugin the bank is for.
  • Corrupted download: The .zip file didn't extract properly, or the bank file is incomplete. Re-download and extract.
  • Wrong folder: Files are in a plugin folder, but not the one your DAW is reading. Use the plugin's "Show Presets Folder" button to confirm the exact path.
  • Plugin version mismatch: The bank was made for an older or newer version of the plugin than you have installed. Check the creator's website for version compatibility.
  • File permissions: On Mac or Linux, the files may lack read permissions. Right-click the bank file, choose "Get Info" (Mac) or "Properties" (Linux), and ensure your user account can read it.

If none of these steps work, contact the bank creator or check their website for installation instructions specific to that bank.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the same Autochroma bank in multiple plugins?

No. Bank files are plugin-specific—a Serum bank won't load into Sylenth1, and vice versa. Each plugin has its own preset format and file structure. If you want similar sounds across multiple plugins, you'll need to find or create banks for each one separately.

Do I need to move banks every time I update my plugin?

No. As long as you put banks in the user presets folder (not the installation folder), they'll remain there after updates. The plugin will continue to read from the same location.

What if the bank file is a .zip but doesn't extract?

The file may be corrupted. Try downloading it again from the source. If it still won't extract, try a different extraction tool—Windows built-in extraction, 7-Zip, or WinRAR on Windows; Archive Utility or The Unarchiver on Mac.

Can I organize banks into subfolders inside the presets folder?

Usually yes, but check your plugin's manual first. Most plugins scan subfolders automatically, but some expect all banks in the root presets folder. Creating subfolders by category (drums, leads, pads) is common practice and rarely causes problems.

Why does my DAW still show old presets after I deleted bank files?

Your DAW may have cached the preset list. Close the DAW completely, wait a few seconds, and reopen it. If that doesn't work, look for a "Clear Cache" or "Rescan Presets" option in your plugin's settings menu.