For this article, we'll discuss the differences between PRESET PATCHES and USER PATCHES in a BOSS device. This will apply to most BOSS devices old, and new that have PRESET PATCH and USER PATCH slots available. For examples: GX-100, GT-1, GT-1B, GT-100, GT-1000/CORE, ME-80, SY-200, SY-300, SY-1000, etc.
What is a PATCH?
A "PATCH”, or "MEMORY PATCH", is a unit of sound on the BOSS device; in addition to settings
determining the type of sound, the patch also includes effect settings.
In most basic terms, a Memory/patch are the settings that make the sound, and are saved to the device.
The patches can be switched in real time, or between songs for performance using alternate sounds.
Patches are sometimes organized into BANKS, and you'll see BANKS and PATCHES for identification: PRESET/USER/INIT 01-1 for example, which indicates BANK 01-PATCH 1.
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PRESET PATCHES: Are BOSS created patch content for users within the firmware of the device. These PRESET PATCHES are hard coded, and can't be erased or altered. You may use a PRESET PATCH, and adjust the parameters, if you decide to WRITE/save your changes, then the system will force you to save into the USER PATCH range, thus saving the customized preset as a USER PATCH.
The PRESET PATCHES of a unit, can be thought of as a starting point for users to customize, or adjust to their own liking, and showcase the unit's capability.
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USER PATCHES: Are USER created patch content. Any user altered patch that has been WRITE/saved, will typically become a USER PATCH also called a MEMORY/MEMORY PATCH.
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INITIALIZED PATCHES: Are blank patches with some unity default settings. So an INITIALIZED PATCH isn't technically blank, because it will still output sound with default generic unity settings.
So often these will be named as "INIT"/"INITIALIZED" PATCHES. These are starting from the most basic patch, and intended for users to customize and create their own USER PATCH.
TIP: Often times in the WRITE menu of the BOSS device, there are options for WRITE, EXCHANGE, and INITIALIZE.
WRITE: is for WRITE/saving your user customized changes to a patch.
EXCHANGE: is for exchanging two patches in different locations, this will swap the position of the two patches. This is a great non-destructive edit that allows the user to reorganize their USER PATCH order for performance, placing their favorite patches as close to one another as possible for quick access.
INITIALIZE: will initialize any user selected patch, and erase any customization and return it to its generic default unity INITIALIZED PATCH settings, and name, thus receiving INIT 01-1 for example.