# Compiling and playing a patch

This document steps you through compiling and playing a patch. Before you can play a patch, you must compile it. The procedure outlined in this section works for simple or for more complex patches.

## How to compile a patch

To compile a patch, follow these steps:

1. From the File menu, choose Save and select a folder of your choice.

   It's a good idea to save the patch before you compile it.

2. From the Patch menu, choose Compile Patch.

3. Supply a name when prompted.

### What ARIA does when you compile a patch

ARIA creates dsp code that results in the sound specified by the blocks and saves it in a file.

The compiled file will have a name ending with.ins and will be in the Instruments folder you created during the installation process. This compiled file can be used in a PIMap, or in the audio folio C calls `LoadInstrument()` and `LoadInsTemplate()`.

## How to play a patch

To play a patch, follow these steps:

1. Check the volume on the TV set (don't start too loud).

2. Make sure that the frequency is an audible value (for example 440) by editing the knob.

3. From the Patch menu, choose Start Patch or press the Space bar.

   You can hear the patch from the TV and also view it on the TV screen. Interacting with the patch is discussed in the next section.

4. Press the Space bar twice more to release and stop the patch, or choose Stop Patch from the Patch menu.