Zip Creator Guide  V20.12.7

How to make Paks for use in Wotja

Guide V20.12.7|

Wotja supports use of add-on content that has been zipped - we generically refer to these zip files as "Paks". Paks can include any kind of supported add-on content. They can also use folder / sub-folder structures for content organisation, too, but see notes below.

We user the zip format for add-on content because it's open (there are many tools that can create zips), it allows content compression, it supports folders for organisation, it's a great format for archives (as files in a zip are not overwritten) and it's perfect for distribution!

There are two special kinds of Pak we refer to:

  • "Template Paks": These are Paks that appear in the left column of the Template List. They can include any kind of supported add-on content.
  • "Loop Paks": AKA "Audio Loop Paks", these are specialist Paks that contain special information lets Wotja pitch shift and time stretch audio loops to suit a mix's root and tempo. They can be a bit more complicated to make, but if you want to do that you will need to instead check out the Loop Pak Creator Guide.

Making Paks is easy and you can put all your zips in a /zips subfolder in the Wotja Folder, keeping them out of the way of mixes, boxes and playlists.

What can I put in a Pak?

Excepting .wotja, .wotjabox, .wotjalist files, any content you can select to use in a Wotja mix and that would otherwise get saved to and/or picked up in the top level Wotja folder, i.e. content with file types:

  • Wotja Template (.noatikl)
  • Wotja Randomization Scheme (.wotjarp)
  • ISE Sound Network (.tg)
  • ISE FX Network (.fxm)
  • Soundfont (.sf2)
  • Audio Loop (.wav, .ogg)
  • MIDI (.midi)

Pak Folder Structure

Paks require a certain folder structure for all content except SF2, as noted below.

As a general note, Wotja does not support use of zipped Paks (i.e. a zipped collection of Paks).

Pak folder structure for content organisation:

  • Paks to appear in the Template List ("Template Paks"):
    • Content included in Template Paks is displayed in the Template List, this being accessed via a Music Mode Cell.
    • Template Paks most often include only "generative" Wotja Templates (.noatikl files and any custom .sf2 file they refer to).
    • Paks can however include any kind of supported add-on content (e.g. .wotjarp, .tg, .fxm, .wav, .ogg, .midi as well).
    • If you want to use the Pak name to organize your content you will need to put it in separate Paks, e.g. My Pak 1.zip and My Pak 2.zip.
    • The name that will show up in the left hand Pak list ("Paks") in the Template List (e.g. My Pak 1) is name of the zip file, i.e. My Pak 1.zip.
    • All content items included in each Template Pak will show alphabetically in the right hand Template list ("Templates").
    • The right side list is alphabetically ordered and no file extensions are shown so if your Template Pak includes multiple content types be careful to name your content accordingly.
    • Your Template Paks will show in alphabetical order below any included Template Paks, or other IM Paks.
    • The folder structure you use in the Template Pak for content organisation is not important.
  • Paks of Sound (Synth) Presets (.tg):
    • Require the following folder structure: /sounds/GroupName/PresetName
    • "sounds" must be lower case e.g. /sounds/Bells/Bells1.
    • The Sound Preset list is sorted alphabetically so the GroupName you choose determines where in the list you will see it.
    • The Pak file name is not important, i.e. Any name.zip.
  • Paks of FX Presets (.fxm):
    • Require the following folder structure: /fx/GroupName/PresetName
    • "fx" must be lower case e.g. /fx/Reverb/Reverb1.
    • The FX Preset list is sorted alphabetically so the GroupName you choose determines where in the list you will see it.
    • The Pak file name is not important, i.e. Any name.zip.
  • Paks of Randomization Schemes:
    • Require the following folder structure:/AnyCaseName/GroupName/SchemeName
    • "AnyCaseName" can use any case e.g. /anyOldname/My Selection/My Scheme 1.
    • The Randomization list is sorted alphabetically, but it first displays any custom Schemes so the GroupName you choose determines where at the top of the list you will see it.
    • The Pak file name is not important, i.e. Any name.zip.
  • Paks of SF2 (for Wavetable Unit):
    • Note: SF2 Paks do not require a special folder structure but you might still wish to use one if you want to retain the structure of the content grouping on your Mac/PC (perhaps you have licenced a loop or SF2 collection from a 3rd party and you don't want to change the organisation of it).
    • SF2 display in the left side of the Wavetable Unit and are sorted alphabetically (but note below).
    • They will be displayed below the last of the included SF2 (i.e. IM NT3-MT7) and below MDB if installed.
    • The folder structure you use in the Pak for content organisation is not important, e.g.:
      • Say you have the following collection of SF2 files on your PC/Mac:
        • mySF2Collection1/drones/drone1.sf2
          mySF2Collection1/pads/ambient.sf2
          mySF2Collection1/synths/buzzer.sf2
      • You can create a Pak using that folder structure BUT, as noted above, be aware that the SF2 will display in the left side list in alphabetical order irrespective of folder/subfolder structure or naming, e.g. in the order of "ambient.sf2, buzzer.sf2, drone1.sf2"
    • The Pak file name is not important, i.e. Any name.zip.
    • Tip: If you want to create your own SF2 files then you may wish to check out Polyphontics, Polyphone or even Awave Studio

Creating your Pak

macOS and Windows 10 have in-built zipping capability:

  • macOS: Right click on the folder (e.g. "fred") and select "Compress 'fred'".
  • Windows: Right click on the folder (e.g. "fred") and select "Send to" then "Compressed (zipped) folder".

If you prefer you can use your preferred Zip file utility to create your Zip.

Installing your Zip

Once you have created your Pak then:

  • Copy or move it to the Wotja Folder; if you wish you can put all your Pak zips in a /zips subfolder under that.
  • Restart Wotja and your Paks should be ready and available for use!

Note: If you create, save and share mixes that reference the content in your Paks then, provided the recipient also has your Pak installed in the Wotja Folder, they should play exactly as intended!


© 2004-2020 Intermorphic Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Subject to change. E&OE.