Quick Answer
Free Omnisphere soundbanks are third-party patch libraries distributed as .omnisphere or .prt_omn files that load directly into Spectrasonics Omnisphere 2. Place patch files in the User Patches folder inside your STEAM directory, then rescan the library in the plugin to access new sounds instantly.
What is Omnisphere?
Omnisphere is the flagship synthesiser from Spectrasonics, first released in 2008 and updated to version 2 in 2015. It ships with over 14,000 factory patches spanning orchestral textures, analogue synth emulations, atmospheric pads, and hybrid sound design. Omnisphere 2.8 introduced Hardware Synth Integration, allowing it to mirror the physical controls of more than 65 hardware synthesisers including the Minimoog, Prophet-6, and Jupiter-8.
Because Omnisphere's STEAM engine supports user-importable soundsources and patches, a large ecosystem of free and commercial soundbanks has developed around it. Free soundbanks typically contain between 50 and 300 patches targeting specific genres or production styles, distributed by sound designers and music production communities.
How to Install Omnisphere Soundbanks
C:\ProgramData\Spectrasonics\STEAM\Omnisphere\Settings Library\Patches\User\ /Library/Application Support/Spectrasonics/STEAM/Omnisphere/Settings Library/Patches/User/ - Locate your STEAM folder. On Windows:
C:\ProgramData\Spectrasonics\STEAM\. On macOS:/Library/Application Support/Spectrasonics/STEAM/. This folder is the root of all Omnisphere data. - Navigate to the Patches/User subfolder. The full path ends in
Omnisphere/Settings Library/Patches/User/. Create this folder if it does not exist. - Copy patch files. Move
.prt_omn(single patch) or.omnisphere(soundbank archive) files into the User folder. You can create sub-folders to organise by genre or artist. - Install soundsources if included. Some banks ship with custom audio samples (
.zmapfiles). Copy these toSTEAM/Omnisphere/Soundsources/User/. - Open Omnisphere in your DAW and click the Utility menu (the gear icon). Select Update STEAM Library to trigger a rescan.
- Find your patches by filtering the browser to the User category. Patches appear under the folder name you chose.
Best Free Soundbanks by Genre
Cinematic / Film Score
Dark orchestral pads, swelling textures, tension risers, and hybrid trailer impacts.
Typical sounds: evolving strings, granular atmospheres, processed brass stabs
Hip-Hop / Trap
808-adjacent keys, dark bell plucks, chromatic bass tones, and lo-fi piano patches.
Typical sounds: detuned keys, trap bells, soft sub stabs
EDM / Electronic
Supersaw leads, gated synth stabs, sidechain-ready pads, and modulated wobble basses.
Typical sounds: trance plucks, progressive pads, electro bass sweeps
Ambient / Atmospheric
Slowly evolving drones, granular clouds, spatial reverb textures, and generative pads.
Typical sounds: frozen chords, tape-stretched pads, filtered noise scapes
R&B / Neo-Soul
Warm electric pianos, smooth chord pads, Rhodes-style keys, and velvet bass tones.
Typical sounds: Wurlitzer emulations, mellow leads, soft brass pads
Lo-Fi
Vintage-degraded piano textures, tape-saturated pads, and dusty organ tones.
Typical sounds: bit-crushed keys, vinyl-filtered chords, warm tape bass
Omnisphere 2 vs. Omnisphere 3 Compatibility
As of 2026, Omnisphere 2 remains the current shipping version for the majority of users. Spectrasonics has not released a numbered version 3. All free soundbanks distributed as .prt_omn or .omnisphere files are authored for Omnisphere 2 and load without modification. If a future major version ships, Spectrasonics has historically maintained full backward compatibility with the STEAM library format across major revisions.
Soundbanks that include custom soundsources (.zmap files) require both the patch files and the soundsource files to be installed. Patch-only banks that reference factory soundsources from the Omnisphere 2 library will load on any licensed Omnisphere 2 installation without additional dependencies.
Patch Types Explained
| Type | Extension | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Patch | .prt_omn | A single Omnisphere preset — one complete synth patch including all layer, filter, envelope, arp, and effects settings. The most common format for free soundbanks. |
| Multi | .mlt_omn | A Multi combines up to eight individual patches into a single instrument stack. Used for layered instruments, splits, and live performance setups. |
| Soundsource | .zmap | A compressed audio sample container that Omnisphere's oscillators stream directly. Required when a patch uses custom audio material not included in the factory STEAM library. |
Free Resources on Plugg Supply
![The Very Loud Indeed Co Omnisphere Niebla [Synth Presets]](https://api.plugg-supply.net/images/posts/the-very-loud-indeed-co-omnisphere-niebla-82653-326w.avif)
![The Very Loud Indeed Co Omnisphere Mirai [Synth Presets]](https://api.plugg-supply.net/images/posts/the-very-loud-indeed-co-omnisphere-mirai-82652-326w.avif)
![The Very Loud Indeed Co Omnisphere Cobalt [Synth Presets]](https://api.plugg-supply.net/images/posts/the-very-loud-indeed-co-omnisphere-cobalt-82650-326w.avif)
![Studio Trap Versace Omnisphere Bank [Synth Presets]](https://api.plugg-supply.net/images/posts/studio-trap-versace-omnisphere-bank-80685-326w.avif)
![WavSupply trav Galaxy Vol.2 (Omnisphere Bank) [Synth Presets]](https://api.plugg-supply.net/images/posts/wavsupply-trav-galaxy-vol2-omnisphere-bank-30095-326w.avif)
![Touch The Universe Trance Celestial for Omnisphere [Synth Presets]](https://api.plugg-supply.net/images/posts/touch-the-universe-trance-celestial-for-omnisphere-78613-326w.avif)
Browse free Omnisphere soundbanks on Plugg Supply — cinematic, trap, ambient, and EDM patches updated regularly.
Browse Free DownloadsFrequently Asked Questions
- Where do I put Omnisphere presets?
- Place .prt_omn patch files in the User Patches folder inside your STEAM directory. Windows path: C:\ProgramData\Spectrasonics\STEAM\Omnisphere\Settings Library\Patches\User\. macOS path: /Library/Application Support/Spectrasonics/STEAM/Omnisphere/Settings Library/Patches/User\. After copying, open Omnisphere and run Update STEAM Library from the Utility menu.
- Do free soundbanks work with Omnisphere 2?
- Yes. All publicly distributed free soundbanks use the Omnisphere 2 .prt_omn and .omnisphere formats. There is no separate compatibility layer required — files copied to the User Patches folder are available immediately after a STEAM rescan.
- How many patches come with Omnisphere?
- Omnisphere 2 ships with over 14,000 factory patches across synthesis categories, orchestral instruments, analogue synth models, and sound design textures. This count does not include user soundbanks or third-party libraries installed separately.
- What is the difference between a soundbank and a patch in Omnisphere?
- A patch (.prt_omn) is a single preset — one sound. A soundbank is a collection of patches, sometimes bundled in a single .omnisphere archive file that installs multiple patches at once. Some soundbanks also include custom soundsource (.zmap) files for unique audio material.
- Can I use Omnisphere soundbanks without registering the plugin?
- No. Omnisphere requires a valid Spectrasonics license and an active STEAM installation to load any patches, including free third-party soundbanks. The plugin performs license validation at startup regardless of which patches you load.
- Are free Omnisphere soundbanks safe to use on commercial releases?
- Patch files are compositional tools, not licensable audio content. The sounds you render using any Omnisphere patch — free or paid — belong to you and can be used in commercial releases, streaming, sync licensing, and sales without royalty obligations to the patch creator.