Macro modulator improvements

The Macro modulator is a very simple yet useful tool that can be used in many creative ways. However, currently it’s limited to 0/1 or -1/1 range with decimals. It could provide visible break points that may occur on parameters it controls, or it could represent different modes it may be intended to switch between.

Therefore here’s a list of new types that could be added:

  • Configurable value increment in a standard macro.
    It would be really useful for both creative use and to control enum-based VST parameters. Simply put, it is sometimes useful to have visible breakpoints and integrated quantization of the parameter control.
    macro enum mockup2

  • Ability to set default/reset position for macro modulators
    The title says it all, currently when you double-click on macro it’ll always reset to 0 position, but it would be better if we could define custom reset points for them

  • Shift-click to bypass modulation from context menu of parameter
    As the title says. Currently we can temporarily disable/bypass parameter modulation via inspector panel by Shift-clicking at modulation mapping. It would be also useful to be able to do that from context menu of parameter itself.

  • Ability to type exact value when applying modulation

That are the most important things that I extracted from our brainstorm. However, there may be still some good ideas leaved here, I encourage developers to take a look at Relevant links section below for more details.

What problem(s) would this feature resolve?

Inability to visibly change between states with smooth macro, without having to inspect targeted parameters.

How does this feature fit in Bitwig as a product?

It fits more than perfectly, really

Is there already an alternative way to achieve this on Bitwig?

Not in intended way. We can quantize output of a Macro via Quantize modulator, but it doesn’t solve the fact that we still can only move macro smoothly without visible break points where change occurs.

Could it be implemented using Bitwig components or APIs, without Bitwig team’s support?

No

Could it be provided by a VST or something else reasonably integrated with Bitwig?

No

Are there other products that offer this feature?

here’s a knob in Usine and it’s basic settings ~ @x.iso

image :heart:

Relevant links (optional)

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12 posts were split to a new topic: [Draft discussion Macro modulator improvements