Q: Easy mode - padlocks?

[DarkStar]

Several of the newer plug-ins have Active Presets and parameter locks in Easy mode. For example: MTurboEQ, MTurboComp and MMultiBandConvolution.

The Lock switch makes the parameter locked or unlocked, so that it isn't changed when browsing active presets or using randomization.

Given that the Active Presets have been designed to be good, I do not understand why I would wish to bring over some values from another Active Preset (by locking them). Can someone explain when they would use that function?

Also, I could not see the [Randomize] button so I cannot see how randomization can be done - perhaps it's not appropriate for these plug-ins?

Confused (and it's only the 2nd January).

[vectorwarrior]

While I agree for the most part and will not use it myself, I think locking wet/dry controls would be useful, for insert vs send effect.

[Chandlerhimself]

I think it will depend on the plugin how much you use it, but IMO it is very useful. On a reverb you for use on a send you want to lock the wet/dry so you don't have to change the wet to 100% everytime you change presets. The same can be said for the other reverb parameters. For an EQ it seems less useful, but even then it could be used for something like a high pass filter. It is much easier to audition different presets when you have this function.

Besides that whenever there is a reverb without this function people loudly complain about it.

[DarkStar]

Not convinced yet.

I can see the value of locking some Easy mode settings when randomizing the rest, to produce a new preset. But, as I mentioned, I cannot see how that randomization is done. No [Randomize] button.

As for locking the Dry/Wet setting to use MMultibandConvolution as a Send effect, this was my (over-)thinking:
-- the Active Presets (APs) each have a separate Dry/Wet value
-- I presume that the values were chosen to get the responses close to the modelled gear,
-- following on from that, that suggests that the APS are for use when the plug-in is an Insert effect,
-- and the output is a mix of the dry and reverbed audio.

If the Dry/Wet value were locked at 100% and the plug-in used as a Send effect, then the corresponding Dry signal would need to be reduced in order to get the same output (as intended for that AP). Or, if I just want to hear the reverbed audio then I would need to mute the post-Send dry audio in my host.

.. I'm still missing something.

[Chandlerhimself]

Not convinced yet.

I can see the value of locking some Easy mode settings when randomizing the rest, to produce a new preset. But, as I mentioned, I cannot see how that randomization is done. No [Randomize] button.

As for locking the Dry/Wet setting to use MMultibandConvolution as a Send effect, this was my (over-)thinking:
-- the Active Presets (APs) each have a separate Dry/Wet value
-- I presume that the values were chosen to get the responses close to the modelled gear,
-- following on from that, that suggests that the APS are for use when the plug-in is an Insert effect,
-- and the output is a mix of the dry and reverbed audio.

If the Dry/Wet value were locked at 100% and the plug-in used as a Send effect, then the corresponding Dry signal would need to be reduced in order to get the same output (as intended for that AP). Or, if I just want to hear the reverbed audio then I would need to mute the post-Send dry audio in my host.

.. I'm still missing something.

The wet dry values aren't based on hardware as hardware doesn't have fixed wet/dry values. Well maybe some are 100% wet. The values are just what the designer thinks sounds best with whatever they tested it with. Anyone who uses it will change the value because the amount of reverb is a personal decision based on taste and the source material. The lock lets the user set the amount they like and then flip through presets without wasting extra clicks. The same with other parameters