# Tim Henson Presets

> Generate Archetype Tim Henson X preset files from AI-supplied parameter overrides using a template copy workflow.

- Skill: `arjunmahishi/tim-henson-presets` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 3 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add arjunmahishi/tim-henson-presets`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/arjunmahishi/tim-henson-presets/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: AI & ML
- Author: arjunmahishi (https://skillmd.com/u/arjunmahishi)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/arjunmahishi/tim-henson-presets

---


# Tim Henson Preset Generator

Generate Archetype Tim Henson X presets by researching a tone online, building the parameter set, and writing the binary preset file in one shot.

## Workflow

1. **Research** — Search the web for the tone (song, artist, genre, producer, gear, live rig, etc.). Gather concrete info.
2. **Design** — Pick the amp, gain level, and effects that match the tone. Do NOT ask the user for confirmation unless the request is completely ambiguous.
3. **Generate** — Pipe a JSON object to `stdin` and run `generate`. Use `--name` for the human-readable display name (spaces allowed). Always set `"name"` inside the JSON to the same human-readable string so the preset shows correctly in the plugin.
4. **Verify** — Confirm the file was written to `AI generated/`. No Q&A loops.

## Rules

1. Never edit existing source presets.
2. Always create a new file in `/Library/Audio/Presets/Neural DSP/Archetype Tim Henson X/AI generated/`.
3. Use `Default.xml` as fallback template when no template path is provided.
4. JSON overrides are read from `stdin`. Set `"name"` explicitly in the JSON to control the display name with spaces.
5. Unknown parameter keys are rejected.

## Commands

Generate from stdin JSON and optional template:

```bash
python3 "/Users/arjunmahishi/.config/opencode/skills/tim-henson-presets/tim_henson_skill.py" generate --name "my_preset" --template "/Library/Audio/Presets/Neural DSP/Archetype Tim Henson X/User/clean_fingerstyle.xml"
```

Generate from fallback `Default.xml`:

```bash
python3 "/Users/arjunmahishi/.config/opencode/skills/tim-henson-presets/tim_henson_skill.py" generate --name "my_preset"
```

Build index cache:

```bash
python3 "/Users/arjunmahishi/.config/opencode/skills/tim-henson-presets/tim_henson_skill.py" index
```

Print authoritative parameter names from a template:

```bash
python3 "/Users/arjunmahishi/.config/opencode/skills/tim-henson-presets/tim_henson_skill.py" params
```

## JSON Input Shape

The script reads a JSON object from stdin where keys are parameter names and values are booleans, numbers, or strings.

```json
{
  "reverbActive": true,
  "reverbMix": 0.42,
  "delayTime": 500,
  "leadGain": 0.73
}
```

## Parameter Names (Reference)

Use only real plugin parameter names. Common groups:

- Global: `inputGain`, `outputGain`, `transpose`, `gateActive`, `gateThreshold`, `doublerActive`, `doublerSpread`
- Pre FX: `boostActive`, `boostGain`, `boostBass`, `boostTreble`, `boostLevel`, `compActive`, `compCompression`, `compAttack`, `compLevel`, `overdriveActive`, `overdriveDrive`, `overdriveTone`, `overdriveLevel`
- Amp: `selectedAmp`, `leadGain`, `leadBass`, `leadMiddle`, `leadTreble`, `leadPresence`, `leadMaster`, `leadOutput`, `rhythmGain`, `rhythmBass`, `rhythmMiddle`, `rhythmTreble`, `rhythmPresence`, `rhythmOutput`, `rhythmChannel`, `acousticGain`, `acousticBlend`, `acousticBass`, `acousticMiddle`, `acousticTreble`, `acousticPresence`, `acousticOutput`
- EQ: `leadEQActive`, `leadEQBand1`..`leadEQBand9`, `leadEQHpf`, `leadEQLpf`, `rhythmEQActive`, `rhythmEQBand1`..`rhythmEQBand9`, `rhythmEQHpf`, `rhythmEQLpf`, `acousticEQActive`, `acousticEQBand1`..`acousticEQBand9`, `acousticEQHpf`, `acousticEQLpf`
- Cab: `cabStereo`, `leftCabActive`, `leftCab0MicType`, `leftCab1MicType`, `leftCabDistance`, `leftCabPosition`, `leftCabPhase`, `leftCabPan`, `leftCabMicLevel`, `leftRoomActive`, `leftRoomMicLevel`, `rightCabActive`, `rightCab0MicType`, `rightCab1MicType`, `rightCabDistance`, `rightCabPosition`, `rightCabPhase`, `rightCabPan`, `rightCabMicLevel`, `rightRoomActive`, `rightRoomMicLevel`, `leftCab0ChosenIRFilePath`, `leftCab1ChosenIRFilePath`, `rightCab0ChosenIRFilePath`, `rightCab1ChosenIRFilePath`
- Delay: `delayActive`, `delayTime`, `delayTempo`, `delaySync`, `delayNote`, `delayMode`, `delayType`, `delayFeedback`, `delayMix`, `delayAmount`, `delayHighCut`, `delayLowCut`
- Reverb: `reverbActive`, `reverbMix`, `reverbDecay`, `reverbHighCut`, `reverbLowCut`, `reverbShimmer`
- Chorus: `chorusActive`, `chorusMix`
- Multivoicer: `multivoicerMode`, `multivoicerRoot`, `multivoicerQuantize`, `multivoicerTuning`, `multivoicerTone`, `multivoicerWidth`, `multivoicerOutput`, `multivoicerMidiEnabled`, `multivoicerUnison`, `multivoicerVoice1Active`, `multivoicerVoice1Level`, `multivoicerVoice1Pan`, `multivoicerVoice1Delay`, `multivoicerVoice1Detune`, `multivoicerVoice1Interval`, `multivoicerVoice1Semitones`, `multivoicerVoice2Active`, `multivoicerVoice2Level`, `multivoicerVoice2Pan`, `multivoicerVoice2Delay`, `multivoicerVoice2Detune`, `multivoicerVoice2Interval`, `multivoicerVoice2Semitones`, `multivoicerVoice3Active`, `multivoicerVoice3Level`, `multivoicerVoice3Pan`, `multivoicerVoice3Delay`, `multivoicerVoice3Detune`, `multivoicerVoice3Interval`, `multivoicerVoice3Semitones`, `multivoicerVoice4Active`, `multivoicerVoice4Level`, `multivoicerVoice4Pan`, `multivoicerVoice4Delay`, `multivoicerVoice4Detune`, `multivoicerVoice4Interval`, `multivoicerVoice4Semitones`

For full authoritative keys from your installed version, run the `params` command.

## Technical Details

### Amp Selector (`selectedAmp`)
- `0` → Acoustic amp (piezo/blend)
- `1` → Rhythm amp (mid-gain, 2 channels)
- `2` → Lead amp (high-gain)

The only parameters that matter for a given preset are the ones for the selected amp; the others are ignored by the plugin.

### Preset Name
The `name` parameter inside the JSON controls the display name in the plugin GUI. Use spaces for readability (e.g. `"name": "Joe Satriani Surfing"`). The script will write the file with spaces in the filename too.

### Genre Quick-Starts

These are generic starting points — tweak to taste.

**Clean / Ambient / Post-Rock**
- `selectedAmp: 1` (Rhythm)
- `rhythmGain: 0.25–0.40`
- `compActive: true`, `compCompression: 0.35`, `compLevel: 0.7`
- `chorusActive: true`, `chorusMix: 0.25–0.45`
- `reverbActive: true`, `reverbMix: 0.30–0.50`, `reverbDecay: 0.6–0.9`, `reverbShimmer: 0.15–0.35`
- `delayActive: true`, `delayTime: 350–550`, `delayMix: 0.20–0.35`, `delayFeedback: 0.25–0.40`
- `gateActive: false` (let tails breathe)

**Doom / Stoner / Psych Lead**
- `selectedAmp: 2` (Lead)
- `leadGain: 0.70–0.85`
- `leadBass: 0.50–0.65`, `leadMiddle: 0.45`, `leadTreble: 0.35–0.50`
- `boostActive: true`, `boostGain: 0.4–0.6`
- `overdriveActive: true`, `overdriveDrive: 0.3–0.5`, `overdriveLevel: 0.6–0.8`
- `delayActive: true`, `delayTime: 450–700`, `delayMix: 0.20–0.35`
- `reverbActive: true`, `reverbMix: 0.25–0.40`, `reverbDecay: 0.5–0.7`
- `gateActive: false`

**Shred / High-Gain Lead**
- `selectedAmp: 2`
- `leadGain: 0.75–0.90`
- `leadBass: 0.45`, `leadMiddle: 0.50`, `leadTreble: 0.55–0.65`
- `leadPresence: 0.55–0.70`
- `reverbActive: true`, `reverbMix: 0.15–0.25`, `reverbDecay: 0.4–0.6`
- `delayActive: true`, `delayTime: 350–450`, `delayMix: 0.15–0.25`
- `compActive: true`, `compCompression: 0.2–0.3`

### Complete Example

```bash
# Progressive stoner lead — Gaupa solo

echo '{
  "name": "Gaupa Fabersvan Solo",
  "selectedAmp": 2,
  "leadGain": 0.75,
  "leadBass": 0.55,
  "leadMiddle": 0.5,
  "leadTreble": 0.45,
  "leadPresence": 0.5,
  "leadOutput": 0.8,
  "compActive": true,
  "compCompression": 0.3,
  "compLevel": 0.75,
  "boostActive": true,
  "boostGain": 0.5,
  "overdriveActive": true,
  "overdriveDrive": 0.4,
  "overdriveLevel": 0.7,
  "delayActive": true,
  "delayTime": 550,
  "delayMix": 0.3,
  "delayFeedback": 0.35,
  "reverbActive": true,
  "reverbMix": 0.3,
  "reverbDecay": 0.6,
  "chorusActive": true,
  "chorusMix": 0.2,
  "inputGain": 0.8,
  "gateActive": false
}' | python3 "/Users/arjunmahishi/.config/opencode/skills/tim-henson-presets/tim_henson_skill.py" generate --name "Gaupa Fabersvan Solo"
```