T
Toby
Description:
Add an Action that selects a random preset for a chosen AUv3 plugin instance. The random selection should be usable from Actions, MIDI bindings, and Follow Actions, enabling controlled “happy accidents” and rapid sound exploration during performance and sound design.
Problem:
Preset browsing can be slow and distracting in live and creative workflows:
  • Users often want fast inspiration (“give me a new sound now”) without scrolling long preset lists.
  • Sound-design exploration benefits from quick randomization, but doing it manually breaks flow.
  • Performance setups may want controlled variability (e.g., new texture each section) without touching the plugin UI.
  • Without a built-in random preset action, users rely on external workarounds or abandon the idea.
Proposed Solution:
1) New Action: "Select Random Preset"
  • Target: a specific AUv3 plugin instance.
  • Behavior: pick one preset at random and load it.
2) Define the preset pool (crucial)
Provide options to constrain what “random” means:
  • Source: Factory / User / Both
  • Scope: Current bank/folder only (if applicable) or entire preset list
  • Favorites only (optional)
  • Exclude favorites (optional)
  • Exclude current preset (default on)
  • Optional “avoid repeats” window (e.g., do not repeat any of the last N presets)
3) Performance-safe switching (optional but valuable)
  • Optional quantization: apply the new preset on next beat/bar to avoid abrupt mid-phrase changes.
  • Optional short fade or “safe switch” mode (where feasible) to reduce pops/clicks.
4) Follow Actions + automation integration
  • Allow Follow Actions to call "Select Random Preset" (e.g., at clip end, every N bars, on section change).
  • Make the action bindable via MIDI so a footswitch can trigger “random next sound”.
5) UI/feedback
  • Show the newly selected preset name immediately (in the AUv3 preset area and/or a small toast).
  • If no presets exist in the selected pool, show a clear message and do nothing.
Benefits:
  • Faster sound exploration and inspiration without breaking creative flow.
  • Enables controlled variability in live sets (new preset per section/loop/run).
  • Reduces reliance on manual preset browsing and plugin UI navigation.
  • Makes AUv3 preset workflows more performable and “instrument-like”.
Examples:
  • Sound design discovery:
- A single button triggers "Select Random Preset" on a synth instance, excluding the current preset and avoiding the last 10 repeats.
  • Live variation:
- At the end of a clip, a Follow Action selects a random preset from Favorites only, quantized to the next bar.
  • Foot-controlled exploration:
- A footswitch triggers “random preset” on a texture plugin while playing, keeping hands on the instrument.
This summary was automatically generated by GPT-5.2 Thinking on 2026-01-09
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Original Post:
It would be amazing if button widgets etc had the ability to select a random preset from a defined list of presets for an effect or device (Similar to how the dial widget can select from a list of presets).
This would make for some very fun improvisation