Soundbank (Java Platform SE 8 )
Keywords: javax.sound.midi.Soundbank interface
Date: 2026-04-17

javax.sound.midi

## Interface Soundbank

-     public interface Soundbank

  A `Soundbank` contains a set of `Instruments` that can be loaded into a `Synthesizer`. Note that a Java Sound `Soundbank` is different from a MIDI bank. MIDI permits up to 16383 banks, each containing up to 128 instruments (also sometimes called programs, patches, or timbres). However, a `Soundbank` can contain 16383 times 128 instruments, because the instruments within a `Soundbank` are indexed by both a MIDI program number and a MIDI bank number (via a `Patch` object). Thus, a `Soundbank` can be thought of as a collection of MIDI banks.

  `Soundbank` includes methods that return `String` objects containing the sound bank's name, manufacturer, version number, and description. The precise content and format of these strings is left to the implementor.

  Different synthesizers use a variety of synthesis techniques. A common one is wavetable synthesis, in which a segment of recorded sound is played back, often with looping and pitch change. The Downloadable Sound (DLS) format uses segments of recorded sound, as does the Headspace Engine. `Soundbanks` and `Instruments` that are based on wavetable synthesis (or other uses of stored sound recordings) should typically implement the `getResources()` method to provide access to these recorded segments. This is optional, however; the method can return an zero-length array if the synthesis technique doesn't use sampled sound (FM synthesis and physical modeling are examples of such techniques), or if it does but the implementor chooses not to make the samples accessible.

  See Also:
    `Synthesizer.getDefaultSoundbank()`, `Synthesizer.isSoundbankSupported(javax.sound.midi.Soundbank)`, `Synthesizer.loadInstruments(Soundbank, Patch[])`, `Patch`, `Instrument`, `SoundbankResource`

- - ### Method Summary

    All Methods Instance Methods Abstract Methods
    Modifier and Type | Method and Description
    --- | ---
    `String` | `getDescription()` Obtains a textual description of the sound bank, suitable for display.
    `Instrument` | `getInstrument(Patch patch)` Obtains an `Instrument` from the given `Patch`.
    `Instrument[]` | `getInstruments()` Obtains a list of instruments contained in this sound bank.
    `String` | `getName()` Obtains the name of the sound bank.
    `SoundbankResource[]` | `getResources()` Extracts a list of non-Instrument resources contained in the sound bank.
    `String` | `getVendor()` Obtains a `string` naming the company that provides the sound bank
    `String` | `getVersion()` Obtains the version string for the sound bank.

- - ### Method Detail

    - #### getName

          String getName()

      Obtains the name of the sound bank.
      Returns:
        a `String` naming the sound bank

    - #### getVersion

          String getVersion()

      Obtains the version string for the sound bank.
      Returns:
        a `String` that indicates the sound bank's version

    - #### getVendor

          String getVendor()

      Obtains a `string` naming the company that provides the sound bank
      Returns:
        the vendor string

    - #### getDescription

          String getDescription()

      Obtains a textual description of the sound bank, suitable for display.
      Returns:
        a `String` that describes the sound bank

    - #### getResources

          SoundbankResource[] getResources()

      Extracts a list of non-Instrument resources contained in the sound bank.
      Returns:
        an array of resources, excluding instruments. If the sound bank contains no resources (other than instruments), returns an array of length 0.

    - #### getInstruments

          Instrument[] getInstruments()

      Obtains a list of instruments contained in this sound bank.
      Returns:
        an array of the `Instruments` in this `SoundBank` If the sound bank contains no instruments, returns an array of length 0.
      See Also:
        `Synthesizer.getLoadedInstruments()`, `getInstrument(Patch)`

    - #### getInstrument

          Instrument getInstrument(Patch patch)

      Obtains an `Instrument` from the given `Patch`.
      Parameters:
        `patch` - a `Patch` object specifying the bank index and program change number
      Returns:
        the requested instrument, or `null` if the sound bank doesn't contain that instrument
      See Also:
        `getInstruments()`, `Synthesizer.loadInstruments(Soundbank, Patch[])`

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