Question

If I am mixing and have 10 instances (duplicates) of a plugin on each track (say a binaural pan for eg), there is currently no visual/GUI indicator to give a hint of which particular track plugin I am editing. I find myself constantly double clicking to close an instance, then double clicking again to open just to reconfirm which particular track instance I have open and am working on.

I know we can rename instances, however I do not think this should supersede such a fundamental visual DAW element.

This may not sound like a big deal, but the time it takes continually really adds up when your trying to work quickly through multiple processes in a medium to large mix. Especially if I have 3 instances of the same plugin across the channel count board. It gets real confusing, REAL quick!

Please can we have "1-click plugin opening" as a selectable item in the options tab also. We don't all use faderports.

Answer 1

It's a good idea. Yes, the channel's name is shown in the window, but a basic visual clue from the Console side would be good.

Pro Tools does this just by making the selected insert(s) or send(s) a slightly lighter color. Simple, but effective.

Answer 2

Wow, are you telling me that nobody see's value in having this simple crucial DAW function included?

Come on people!

Answer 3

When you open a plugin the window shows the name of it's channel in the upper left corner.

Answer 4

That's exactly what I'm talking about @neiljordan.
Along with the option for "One-Click" plugin opening.  
These two items (in a mixing workflow context) are way underrated, because they add up to so many extra clicks over the course of only one hour of mixing for me. And not having that active plugin instance change colour, then takes my mind away from purely listening to sound while shaping it. And instead being more conscious of remembering which channel/plugin relationship I have currently have open.
And FWIW, I am not "sold" on the plugin opening/editing advantage from a fader port yet. It's almost there, but not yet. Especially above a certain plugin edit parameter count.