.uhe-soundset format: how to create?

[binaryoblivion]

I cannot find any documentation about how to create soundsets in the .uhe-soundset format, which u-he says is the current preferred format for third party sound designers to distribute soundsets. These files can be drag-and-dropped directly onto a u-he plugin, making installation simpler for the customer.

The only documentation I can find is in the user guides for u-he synths, where it is mentioned that the format is essentially a zip file renamed with the .uhe-soundset extension.

However there is more to it than that. By unzipping the NKS previews that can be downloaded from the Diva product page, I discovered that the zipped .uhe-soundset folder also needs to include a JSON configuration file e.g.

{
"manufacturer":"u-he",
"main_product":"Diva",
"sub_product":"Diva",
"min_product_version":"1.4.5",
"title":"Diva Factory NKS Previews",
"author":"u-he",
"description":"Previews for the Factory NKS Presets",
"copyright":"©2021 u-he",
"type":"uhe-soundset",
"factory_content":"yes",
"install_nks_content":"true",
"revision":1
}

I am trying to make a .uhe-soundset bundle for Repro-1. Here's what I have tried:

{
"manufacturer":"u-he",
"main_product":"Repro",
"sub_product":"Repro-1",
"min_product_version":"1.1.2",
"title":"Robotica",
"author":"Oblivion Sound Lab",
"description":"An '80s electro soundset for Repro",
"copyright":"©2025 Oblivion Sound Lab",
"type":"uhe-soundset",
"factory_content":"no",
"install_nks_content":"false",
"revision":1
}

I placed my .h2p patches alongside that file, inside a folder named Presets. That folder name, as well as the contents of my JSON file are just guesses. Currently, Repro says my .uhe-soundset is "not compatible".

Can anyone help?

[Fannon]

Maybe try "main_product": "Repro-1"

Repro is a bit weird that way, because it used to be Repro-1 only and then they added Repro-5 on top. But to not break compatibility they couldn't rename the "main" VST.

[binaryoblivion]

Maybe try "main_product": "Repro-1"

Excellent suggestion, and it partially solved my problem!

My other problem was that I was compressing a parent folder. The zip archive needed to have my config.json and Presets folder at its top level.

I also discovered that it is possible for my installer to include both a Repro-1 and Repro-5 soundset, which is what was required in this instance. Both can be installed by drag-and-drop onto either synth.

Here is my final config.json:

{
"manufacturer":"u-he",
"main_product":"Repro-1",
"sub_product":["Repro-1","Repro-5"],
"min_product_version":"1.1.2",
"title":"Robotica",
"author":"Oblivion Sound Lab",
"description":"An '80s electro soundset for Repro",
"copyright":"©2025 Oblivion Sound Lab",
"type":"uhe-soundset",
"factory_content":"no",
"install_nks_content":"false",
"revision":1
}

And the structure of my .zip/.uhe-soundset:

config.json
Presets
- Repro-1
-- Robotica
--- .h2p files go here
- Repro-5
-- Robotica
--- .h2p files go here

[Viktor [TUC]]

I was going to suggest to reach out to Support where we can explain these things - and I just saw that you did, good!
We'll take it from there.

Viktor

[binaryoblivion]

I was going to suggest to reach out to Support where we can explain these things - and I just saw that you did, good!

Thanks Viktor! I think I muddled my way through, but I'm sure that u-he support will let me know if I overlooked anything

Is the .uhe-soundset format documented anywhere? Or do you prefer to explain the format to third party sound designers on a case-by-case basis?

[Viktor [TUC]]

Let's continue via Support emails until we've assembled something to publish i.e. a link on our website to an instructions PDF or so.

Viktor