Max FX Preset Template

Hi Everyone,

I want to share a QC preset I created as a pre-loaded effects template: Neural DSP Technologies - Algorithmically Perfect

Hopefully, this is useful. My goal was to fit in as many selectable effects as possible controlled by a single expression pedal (no external MIDI controllers, etc.) without triggering CPU throttling (shutting down the input gate). I made heavy use of the Transparent Blend block with scene-specific source selections to bypass various sections of the signal path at different times. The preset should work with CorOS 3.0.0, but I have only tested it on 3.1.0.

SCENES: The preset should be used in hybrid mode with stomp switches across the top row and scenes across the bottom (see photo). The scenes are your typical clean, rhythm, and lead options. The fourth scene is another lead option with alternate effects. I stuck with NDSP factory amps and cabs, so the preset should work as-is, but you likely will want to tweak the amps and cab to fit your needs.

EXPRESSION EFFECTS: By default, the expression pedal (when activated) controls wah for each scene. However, if you activate the “Bottom {FX}” footswitch, the wah is disabled, and the expression pedal instead controls a scene-dependent effect (rotary, reverse delay, wham, or trem). In each case, the expression pedal will do something interesting (e.g., speed for rotary, intensity for reverse delay, pitch for wham). For the trem effect in the last scene, I decided to leave the wah active, so the expression pedal controls both the wah position and the trem rate. It’s a fun effect; I decided to label it “twem” because it is a combo of wah and trem :open_mouth:

CONNECTIONS: The preset assumes Input 1 = guitar, EXP1 = expression pedal, and EXP2 = toe switch (momentary with latch emulation). If your expression pedal is different, you will need to modify all of the X2 assignments. If you do not have a toe switch, you can move the X2 assignments to X1 and use “Stop” or “Heel/Toe” for bypass.

I reserved the bottom lane for a secondary signal (bass, mic/vocal, or drum machine) through Input 2. This feeds out through the same reverb & ambience blocks to the Multi-Out. If you delete this lane, you can probably fit even more effects blocks into the preset, but I prefer to reserve the secondary signal in my template.

STOMP EFFECTS: I like having the Freeze and Looper effects on dedicated footswitches. Also, as mentioned above, I am already using one of the footswitches to select the expression-controlled effects. That leaves only one footswitch, so I had to make the most of it. That footswitch is labeled “Bonus FX,” and it provides a scene-dependant effect. The “S - T - T - O” sub-label indicates that it gives you Shimmer (S) in the Clean scene, Tremolo (T) in the Rhythm and Lead scenes, and Octaver (O) in the final Lead scene. The Bonus FX are static (on/off) and not controlled by the expression pedal.

Some additional effects (e.g., chorus, delay, ambience, reverb) are built into the preset and are adjusted automatically depending on the scene. There should be no need to modify these on the fly, but you can, of course, modify them to your tastes for each scene.

Hopefully, this all makes sense. Please let me know if you have questions or recommendations on improving the preset/template. Thanks!

1 Like