Introducing The Preset Project - Deep Random Choices K11

Hello everyone. I’ve created this first version of The Preset Project to be used as an ultra-randomizer for Komplete 11 VSTs and presets. I’ve worked a lot in Excel over the years but this is the first thing I’ve made in Google sheets as I wanted it to be free to use and easily shareable between users. Like all things Google it works best if you have a Google account/email. You can download the file and then save it to your Google drive to edit/mess around as you see fit. Would be fun if this took off as an open source repository for all instruments/VSTs and their presets tied in with the randomizing engine I’ve created which can be repurposed as anyone sees fit.

Feedback/fixes welcome.

Here’s the link. Permissions are set to “View,” but you can download it to edit it, as mentioned. TPP Komplete is the file you'll want to look at to see what this is all about.

The Preset Project combines two passions of mine: spreadsheets and the home digital audio workstation, with another esoteric interest: randomization/letting fate decide.

What can you do with this spreadsheet?

1. Maintain a master list of your music instruments and banks/presets (NI Komplete 11 instruments in this prototype, though there’s no reason external synths/sound gear can’t be added, along with their presets).

2. Have random VSTs and presets chosen for you with customizable filters. Load up the random preset in your DAW and see where inspiration takes you. Combine 2 or 3 randomly chosen presets into a layered sound. Go further and compose an entire track with randomly selected presets. Use filters to select drum or bass presets only, for example.

3. The randomization engine runs three levels deep (Instrument/VST – Bank/Sub Bank – Preset) and can be adopted for use as a randomizer for anything you’d like. At some point I’d like to make a cooking recipes version for meal planning & recipe selection randomization.

4. This spreadsheet can be a building block used in tandem with a higher level randomizing spreadsheet. For example, if everything on the top level of this sheet is a VST by Native Instruments, another sheet could be made for Ableton 10 Live Suite (would like to make next), and these two sheets plus any other categorized sheets could be choices in a list in another version of the sheet serving as a master above them. (Google sheets have size limitations so it’s best to spread things out over various sheets. Helps to keep processing times reasonable as well.)


I’ve tinkered with Opaque Strategies random choice lists for home studio tasks only a little in the past and would like to see unique user lists contributed. You know, lists with things like 1. Make an 8 bar beat using X in 15 minutes 2. Design a preset from scratch using X in 20 minutes 3. RTFM for X for 10 minutes for a feature you’re fuzzy on 4. Use the first 3 randomly selected presets to start a new song 5. Mix a track you’ve worked on for 1 hour etc.

If this project is something that people are interested in (I have no idea if this intersection of technology, music and chance appeals to many folks), I envision it as a platform where people can upload the instrument tabs they’ve created to a central location (my Google drive for now) toward the goal of having a complete as possible set of instruments, banks and presets so that each user can add the products they own to their own customized list.

 

I added a quick screencast video to the Google drive link, showing the main Plugins tab where your plugins, classes and filters are listed, and how you can just click on the custom buttons to get random plugin & preset choices. The screencast then shows a sample plugin tab to show how the banks and presets are stored for each plugin.

 

Ableton 10 Live Suite sheet now available in the folder.