MCompare: Save audio reference files with preset?

[Annabanna]

It it's in the manual or tut, I must've missed it, but some other similar plugs have separate or extended saving functions to differentiate whether the audio reference files are being saved in a folder with the preset, and I don't see mention of anything like that with MCompare.

If I have audio files I'm using as reference mixes, are they saved with the preset in the same folder location? Trying to make sure I don't have broken file paths down the road.

Thx.

[MeldaProduction]

You cannot save them with the plugin (that wouldn't make much sense), the plugin references the existing files on your HDD.

[Annabanna]

You cannot save them with the plugin (that wouldn't make much sense), the plugin references the existing files on your HDD.

OK. Thx for responding, but as for it "not making much sense," a couple things may be worth pointing out.

First, that is (as I mentioned) how some other similar plugs work. Metric AB, for instance has the option to either save the preset by itself... or to save the "archive" which does just exactly what I said (saves the audio files with the preset to avoid broken file paths).

Second, IME, this is actually the standard way most apps or plugins that deal with user supplied samples work. I can't off the top of my head think of a video or audio editing app, drum module, etc that I've used that doesn't have some built function for this as broken file paths are a ubiquitous issue for users.

In fact, of all the TYPES of such plugs, this would seem to be a prime example of a case where users would not be used to needing to manage such issues, and would be especially likely to create broken file paths because it's in a context they're not used to having to think about.

I've got decades dealing with filepath issues for various softwares, so I'll manage just fine, but this would seem to me to be an obvious issue for the bulk of users who are operating within a DAW that DOES have such a feature, and thus they're used to the issue simply being handled for them... except that they'll find later that while their takes folders, downloaded clips, drum samples, and so on were automatically saved with the project (by default in many softwares), this plug stops working after they switch systems, change system configs, empty their downloads folder, etc.

Having taught the use of various such softwares, I'd venture a fairly well educated guess that for most users that the moment they get the error message will be the first time they gave it any thought. Of course, at that moment, the paths are already broken... and if they've gone through and manually adjusted each clip, each loop point, etc. and don't have access to the original files, it could be a pain to fix.

Food for thought. Filepath issues were one of the most common tripping points for my students. I typically spent a day or two just going through having them actually experience all the things that could go wrong if they don't manage the issue properly... yet many still don't pay attention as soon as they see a new software package, app, plugin, etc... unless that plugin makes it painfully clear to them BEFORE that point that there is something to manage.

Thx again for the quick response.

[Annabanna]

Forgot to add:

I love the randomization tab. SUPER useful.

I don't recall seeing anywhere a discussion of resource usage. If I have 16 full tracks loaded into the file tabs, but am only using a 5-10 second loop of each, is it eating up 16 full songs worth of system ram? I don't see any sort of purge function (like Kontakt, for instance) to release resources for unused portions. Is it doing something else like disk streaming? Is there any tip for managing resource consumption for this particular plug?

[MeldaProduction]

First, thank you!
Now, I'm afraid I don't consider "people being messy" a good enough reason to actually copy stuff! IN fact just yesterday a friend of mine (a messy one )got really surprised when I told him that copying a project file should NOT copy the resources too. All the time he thought that it would copy all the recordings too... Oh well...

As for the 5-10 seconds, it needs to load all of it I'm afraid.

[bradp015]

So melda you're saying that if i take the time to export my presets to another computer mcompare wont export all of what i need to ''use'' the plug on the other system without first going thru and finding all the audio sources and manually copying them separately? No need for reply, I just dont think that makes sense....