# Presets

Factory, User, and Imported songs — load, save, star, sort, and import.

RUB songs live as `.rub` JSON files. The header **PRESET** well is how you browse them, save your own, and keep favorites.

![Preset picker](figure:preset)

![Preset menu open](figure:menu-preset)

## Categories

| Kind | Where it lives | Notes |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Init** | Built-in | Empty-ish starting point (one C3 on step 0). Always first in the list. |
| **Factory** | App bundle / `presets/` | Shipped 303-style songs. Read-only. |
| **User** | `~/Library/Application Support/RUB/Presets/` (macOS) | Anything you **Save**. |
| **Imported** | `…/Presets/Imported/` | Files or zips you bring in via **IMPORT**. |

Older User/Imported files with `"format": "rdsong"` still load; the library rewrites them to `"format": "rub"` when it scans.

## Load

1. Click the **PRESET** well (name + chevron).
2. Pick a row — the song replaces the current patch, patterns, chain, and lanes.
3. Or use the **<** / **>** buttons beside the well to step through the list (wraps).

The well shows the current song name. Factory and User names are the `.rub` stem; Init is always `Init`.

## Save

**SAVE** writes the current song into **User** (licensed builds only). Demo standalone can play and edit but cannot save `.rub` files.

## Star and delete

On **User** and **Imported** rows, hover to reveal:

- **Star** — mark a favorite (persists in app settings)
- **Trash** — delete the file from disk (with confirm)

Factory and Init cannot be deleted. Stars work on every category if you want a shortlist.

## Sort

At the bottom of the preset menu:

| Control | Effect |
| --- | --- |
| **A–Z** | Alphabetical within each category (Init → Factory → User → Imported) |
| **STARRED** | Starred rows float to the top of each category, then A–Z |

Sort choice is remembered between sessions.

## Import

**IMPORT** (menu footer) — or **OPTS → Import Presets**, in plugins and standalone alike — opens a file picker for:

- One or more `.rub` files
- A `.zip` of `.rub` files

Imports land in **Imported**. Name collisions are skipped or reported; check the status if something doesn’t appear.

## Tips

- Star a few Factory songs you use as templates, then switch to **STARRED** sort for a short menu.
- After importing a pack, save a tweaked copy with **SAVE** so it lives under **User** with your name.
- Dump or paste songs with [Song JSON](/docs/song-json) when you want AI-assisted edits without the file dialog.

## Related

- [Getting started](/docs/getting-started) — first load and Play
- [Song JSON](/docs/song-json) — full document shape
- [Sequencer](/docs/sequencer) / [Param sequencer](/docs/param-sequencer) — what a preset actually stores