Import a SoundFont

A SoundFont (.sf2) file contains a collection of recorded instrument samples mapped across the keyboard. Thousands of free and commercial SoundFonts exist online covering pianos, guitars, orchestral instruments, and more. Any .sf2 file you import is stored privately on your device and never leaves the app.

Tip Good free sources include Polyphone's soundfont repository (polyphone-soundfonts.com) and the Soundpacks section on Musical Artifacts (musical-artifacts.com). Look for files under 100 MB to keep performance smooth.

On iPhone or iPad, save the .sf2 file to the Files app — iCloud Drive, On My iPhone, or any connected cloud storage works. You can also receive a file via AirDrop directly from another device; it will open in the Files app automatically. On Mac, simply download the .sf2 file anywhere in Finder.

On iPhone or iPad, find the .sf2 file in the Files app, long-press it, and choose Share, then select Tiny Instrument from the share sheet. On Mac, open the Instrument Library in settings and drag the .sf2 file from Finder straight onto the library window. Tiny Instrument copies the file into its private storage so you can move or delete the original.

After importing, your file appears under the Imported by You section at the bottom of the Instrument Library. Each imported instrument shows its name (taken from the SoundFont metadata), category, and file size. You can tap the instrument row to rename it or reassign its category.

Tap the instrument row to select it. The checkmark moves to your new SoundFont and it becomes the sound used across Play, Practice, and Compose modes immediately. Head back to the keyboard and play a few notes to hear it in action.

To free up storage, swipe left on any imported instrument in the Instrument Library and tap Delete. If the deleted instrument was your active selection, Tiny Instrument falls back to the default starter sound automatically. First-party starter sounds and downloadable sounds from the catalog are managed separately and are not affected.