What is the problem?
At the moment, the Macro knob can be assigned to only one parameter. In practice, this makes it more of an assignable “quick access” control than a true macro.
What should this feature achieve?
I would really like to see the Macro functionality expanded.
A much more powerful implementation would allow the Macro knob to control multiple parameters at the same time, ideally across all four effect tracks.
For example, the Macro assignment menu could work like this:
- Select any parameter from Track 1–4
- Enable/disable that parameter as a Macro destination
- Set a minimum value
- Set a maximum value
- Allow the range to be inverted
Example:
Macro 0 → 127 could control:
- Track 1 Filter Cutoff: 90 → 25
- Track 2 Delay Feedback: 15 → 75
- Track 2 Delay Mix: 5 → 55
- Track 3 effect parameter: 20 → 100
- Track 4 Reverb Mix: 10 → 65
The same Macro movement would then create a coordinated transition across the entire effects chain.
This would be extremely useful for live performance: one knob could create build-ups, breakdowns, filter sweeps, dub-style transitions, glitch transformations, DJ-style up/down effects, or completely morph an effects chain and bring it back again.
The UI does not necessarily need to become complicated. When selecting a Macro parameter from the existing list, pressing it could simply open a small submenu such as:
Enabled: On / Off
Minimum: 0–127 / parameter range
Maximum: 0–127 / parameter range
Invert: On / Off
Back
Alternatively, simply allowing Minimum to be higher than Maximum would already provide inversion without needing a separate setting.
Even if the total number of destinations had to be limited for technical reasons, something like one destination per track would already be a huge improvement. Ideally, however, multiple destinations per track should be possible.
MESS is particularly well suited to this because it already consists of four effects that can form one performance-oriented effects chain. Being able to morph several parameters together would make the Macro knob an incredibly powerful live control.
A related improvement would be to offer the same multi-destination/range functionality for the Expression Pedal.
Currently:
Macro = one knob controlling one parameter
What I would love to see:
Macro = one knob controlling an entire programmed effect transformation
That would unlock a lot of the performance potential of MESS.
Are there any workarounds?
No
Any links to related discussions?
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Any references to other products?
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