Overwhelmingly, the most requested feature across our product line is an improved preset browser and preset storage system. And we've listened:



The new preset system will debut in Aspect 1.6, anticipated for release within a couple of weeks. The rest of the product line will follow shortly thereafter. In the meantime, here's a brief overview of some of the improvements:

Preset meta data
Presets can now have an author name, notes, and tags attached to them. There is no limit to the format or number of tags which can be attached to a preset. Once an author name is entered, it will by default automatically be applied to all further presets you create.

Searching
Quickly search through massive presets libraries with the integrated search function.

Hot Swap previewing
Use the Hot Swap previewing to quickly step though different presets and hear them in context.

Supported formats
As well as support for native .xml presets, the browser also works with FXP preset and FXB bank files. No conversion or upgrade necessary: just put them in your user presets folder.

MIDI Program Change Lists
Presets added to the MIDI Program Change List will be cached in memory for super-quick loading, or for changing presets from your host or MIDI controller.

Context sensitive navigation
The Next and Previous navigation buttons are now based upon how you last selected a preset. For example, if you search for 'digital, pad' and then close the browser, the navigation controls will take you between all presets with that match the 'digital, pad' criteria.

Partsets
Partsets, (a contraction of partial presets) allow partial, component-level presets to be created. In Sequent 1.1, which will be the first product to support this feature, you can load and save individual settings for each Effect block.

Wow! Colin this is really gonna open these instruments up, can't wait. Partsets are gonna be awesome.

Are tags gonna be user variable or are they gonna be set by the plug in, ie divided into genre, preset type, feel...?

Also a small request:

User is able set default (start bank) bank - Plugin opens on the bank that the user specifies as their favourite bank. Be it a bank, sub bank or sub-sub bank, whichever.

There is no fixed format for tags, so users are free to use them in whichever way they choose. Or indeed, to ignore them altogether if they just want to use folders to organize their presets, although that's not really recommended because tag based searching is the best way to manage large preset libraries!

Regarding default banks: banks, as they used to be, are gone because they imposed a lot of artificial restrictions. Instead, you now use folders to group presets. This means you aren't restricted by bank size.

So whilst you can't specify a default bank, you can specify a default preset. This means any new instances of the plugin will start with that preset loaded. Additionally, the previous and next navigation buttons in the header will allow you to quickly move between presets in the same folder as the default preset. And when you open the browser, the folder tree will be open to the default preset location.

That's pretty much the same thing then, excellent.

How about drag 'n drop ability for presets, between banks & sub-banks? Even copy & paste.
Also an option to change the default presets folder, to any drive and folder?

Yes, you have drag & drop from the presets list to other folders, including multi-select. This can be used to either copy or to move presets.



You also have a few basic file system folder operations, such as New Folder, Delete Folder, Rename Folder, etc. It's no replacement for Explorer or Finder, but the advantage of this file-based system is that you can always use Explorer or Finder to organize the Library.

The Preset Library location can be changed, but only by editing the path in the preferences file. There are a few issues about the Preset Library that need to be taken into account (such as write permissions) but, yes it can be changed.

Perfect, this is gonna be a dream to work with.

Great!