Controls, Presets & Automation
Rack and Controls layouts
Rack is the default layout, with rotary controls and processor faceplates. Select Controls beside the preset selector for the slider layout. Switching layouts preserves parameters, presets and processor order. The preference is saved locally; hosted extensions keep their own editor preference.
On a narrow window or phone, control groups wrap to the available width. The host decides how much space the plug-in receives.
Adjust and reset controls
- Drag a knob vertically, or use its slider in Controls layout.
- Click or tap a numeric value to enter an exact amount in its displayed unit. Frequency entry uses Hz.
- On Mac, knobs support arrow keys; hold Shift for fine adjustments.
- Double-click or double-tap a dial, slider, switch or selector to reset it.
- VoiceOver exposes adjustable names and values, plus a Reset to default action.
A parameter reset preserves processor order and can clear the selected preset name. FET knob reset detents can differ from a fresh instance's shared compressor settings. To restore the entire starting strip, choose Default.
Inactive controls are dimmed. For example, Tape Depth needs Wow & Flutter enabled, Preamp Tilt needs positive Drive, and manual Bus-circuit makeup is inactive while Linked Makeup is on. Knob arcs that include zero illuminate from zero; no colored arc at zero is normal.
Change processor order and bypass
Use the arrows beside a movable processor to move it earlier or later. The numbered order represents the audible signal path. Channel's Warm tone travels with Preamp. Bus coloration remains fixed before Output, and Master's limiter remains final. Output is not a movable stage.
Each processor has an enable control. Whole-strip bypass lets you compare the complete effect; Master keeps its reported latency in bypass. Save the host project to recall custom order. Order is saved as plug-in state, rather than being a continuous automation parameter.
Factory presets
The library offers 35 recipes plus Default for each strip: 21 Channel, 11 Bus/Aux and 3 Master presets. Choose a source or destination, then read the short tuning note shown after recall. Hosts receive the same factory presets, although their browsers may present a flat list instead of categories.
| Strip | Preset groups and examples |
|---|---|
| Channel | Vocals, Vocal Effects, Guitar, Direct Input, Bass, Drums and Keys; examples include Vocal Smooth, DI Console Fuzz, Sub / 808 and Piano Natural |
| Bus | Bus groups, Aux Dynamics, Aux Reverb and Aux Delay; examples include Drum Bus Natural, Aux Parallel Crush, Aux Plate and Aux Echo |
| Master | Clean Master, Punch Master and Warm Master |
Recall resets supported parameters and stage order before applying the recipe. Aux presets also select Aux role. An edit displays Custom while retaining the last factory tuning note. Presets are starting points: tune detector thresholds, EQ frequencies and output for your recording.
For compression, adjust Input on FET, Peak Reduction on Opto, or Threshold on Tube/VCA/Bus. Match perceived output level before judging a change. If a gate removes quiet hits or note tails, lower its threshold, lengthen its release or bypass it.
Save and delete user presets
Open the preset selector, choose Save New Preset…, and give it a name. To remove a saved user preset, recall it and choose Delete Current User Preset. Factory presets cannot be deleted this way.
User presets live in the local preferences store of the containing app or the particular hosted extension. Those libraries do not synchronize with one another. Host session recall is separate: save the host project to carry that instance's parameters and order with the project.
The current development version uses state schema 6. Earlier unreleased development states and presets are not migrated. Recreate those settings in the current build before relying on recall.
Host automation
Automate supported parameters using your host's automation controls. The custom editor adapts to the selected compressor circuit; a generic host editor may list parameters that do not affect that circuit. Record the controls that apply to the model you are using.
Your host owns automation recording modes, sidechain connections, aux sends and delay compensation. Project portability also depends on that host saving the plug-in's full state and having Strips available on the destination device.
Return to the guide overview, or see Support & Known Limitations.