Fender Tonemaster Pro - Building a Gig Preset

Get one from Zzounds! www.zzounds.com/a--3979426/it...
Building a preset that I would take on a gig! It is VERY important to realize you need to bring these into a soundcheck or rehearsal to make sure they are dialed in properly for your particular scenario!
Unfortunately I was not cool enough to get one sent in advance! Zzounds was cool enough to loan me one for some content, so PLEASE shop using the Zzounds links!
Some of my fav gear!
RBX 2E Double bag
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Soldano SLO 30
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Headrush Prime
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Blackstar St James
Head - www.zzounds.com/a--3979426/it...
Cab - www.zzounds.com/a--3979426/it...
WARM 273
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WA2A
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Stomp
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Strings
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Peg Winder
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Music Nomad
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M160 Ribbon Mic
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IK MAX IO BUNDLE
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ToneX pedal
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www.zzounds.com/a--3979426 /item--ROYR121
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Headphones
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Shop Pedals
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00:00 Intro
1:24 Starting to build amp sounds
3:10 Amp Level vs Volume
4:53 Dialing in Cabinet
6:42 Adding Pedals
11:53 Rotary Pedal & Speed Assign
15:28 Fender Amp Tremolo
16:48 Other FX & Assignments
17:49 Slapback
19:50 Longer Delay
20:28 Unit Glitched?!?!
22:09 More Drive !
23:19 Swapping existing assignments
24:24 Assigning colors
25:24 SOLO BOOST!
29:30 I deleted the whole preset on accident...
Tip Jar - paypal.me/stevensterlacci

[@duncanplexico7590]

This is a great video. Shows "learning a new device" in real time with no edits. I expect all modelers have a learning curve and this is no different.

[@SteveSterlacci]

Thanks! That was the goal!

[@GTV101]

thanks for demoing the rotary steve, been waiting for someone to test it out.

[@SteveSterlacci]

What did u think?

[@GTV101]

@@SteveSterlacci not a fan for now, maybe a new update in the coming months?

[@patdelaney]

I don't know. All the modellers sound so good now I thought it was all about which UI you prefer. But the price here in relation to the competition? And the competition seems to have a lot more going on. But hey, maybe I haven't had enough caffeine this morning!

[@benburnett8109]

THANK YOU FOR THIS TYPE OF CONTENT. We all know that buying a product with this steep a learning curve is a real obstacle. Watching you work your way thru the unit gives me lots of hope for the ease of use of this Fender product. Something we all forget is that we have at least 4-6 years of Helix use heading into the Fender tonemaster "trials." We all can build a preset in Helix in 3 minutes or less. We can't forget the learning curve it took to get there. So it is fair to assume that a "learning curve" is going to take place. This in no fault of Fender's. And I think that Fender has packed enough "ease" into this to make the learning curve easier. And I AM STILL WAITING TO SEE WHAT JESS THINKS OF THE GRAPHICS. If Jess is impressed by the UI...........Then mortal humans will be blown away. Tell Jess I said hi. And please cut your hair. I can tell you are a "closet man-bun type of guy"

[@rumy6871]

@Steve Sterlacci Steve, Just note of thanks to you. I've followed your videos for some time and learned a lot working with modelers. Admittedly, when I started some years back with HX Stomp as my first modeler I was lost. Your videos have been like a boot camp, which helped me greatly. I have applied those principles to the Tone Master Pro. -Use high-quality headphones for monitoring - check. -Simpler presets are better for gigging - check. -Modeler tone gets brighter when louder - check. -Add cuts with the Global EQ and cab EQ - check. -Round out the sound with two mics (using a parallel splitter) - check. -Testing at gig volume - check. Again, I've gone from stumbling through working with modelers to being proficient. Much more to learn, of course. Thank you, sir. Rumy PS The Silver Jubilee is my main amp model. Should I put the echo plex before or after the amp? The amp tone is a crunch sound (Kiss, ACDC, Zeppelin, etc,)

[@larsharild]

Looking so much forward to receive my Tone Master Pro👍👍

[@roberto3262]

Did you get it? How is it? Worth the money??

[@cjconklin4877]

I made a great fender Nashville OD preset. Mic placement was the trick. Played all weekend with it and had many compliments. I’ve owned both helix and fractal and never got it dialed in (used both for 6 months) This modeler I was extremely pleased using it just two hours after I purchased it for two gigs. Sounded amazing

[@TheCyberMantis]

The big selling-point with the TMP: It's easy to use. It has the best user interface out of all of them. The Fractal is powerful, but it's harder to work with.

[@Plextortion]

You can touch the + signs on either end of the signal chain also to add amps or effects.

[@SteveSterlacci]

I believe I did it both ways. Id still like to choose where the blocks go

[@derrickmickle5491]

The whole video kept me on edge as I kept thinking, "Has he saved this preset yet? Has he saved it yet?" LOL I've made this mistake several times. I think Fender should consider including an auto-save function with the next update.

[@SteveSterlacci]

I indeed did not save 🥲🤣😅. Its my fault, not fenders. If they had a prompt, we wouldn't be able to do the preset switching 🤷‍♂️. I take blame!

[@judsongallien]

The thing I've found is that therr are a ton of gain stages. For just the amp, you have the amp settings (gain, volume/master), and amp level. The overall preset level is done in "preset settings" at the bottom. Then there are all the levels in the pedals same as we deal with in analog. Preset level matching I think should be done in "preset level". Figured this out after I set it with "amp level" on all of my presets. It also seems that Fender tried to keep the factory presets middle of the road level-wise for keeping the signal path clean.

[@Plextortion]

Don't know if you found this out, but you can drag and drop foot switches on the foot switch page to swap things around.

[@MOAB-UT]

Another honest review. Your killing it with your unbiased reviews. You did NOT sell out. Good on you. Keep it up. IF you only needed CLEANS with light effects and IF it were priced under $500- then maybe, but probably still not. FM3 ALL Day over this and it is much less expensive and FAR superior sans a dated UI. Still, you can make 6 or so Go To patches in the FM3 and be happy e.g,. 2 versions of Clean, Edge of Breakup, Dirty. I recommend an extrenal looper and definitely a Peterson StroboHD tuner no matter what. I bought a FM9 and I have a pedal board. I also have years of experience (have played out) so I basically know what I am talking about. This thing sounds mostly bad and it is a waaaaaay over priced fizzy and muffled sounding Toy. I would take a QC over this and I don't even care for the QC much...but it's tones are better. This wins in one category- GREAT UI.

[@SteveSterlacci]

Thanks for checking it out!

[@algorithm007ify]

FM3 has limited CPU power, a terrible interface, no dual amps, and is the same price in Australia as the Fender Tonemaster Pro.

[@benburnett8109]

@@algorithm007ify Anybody that says they "Basically know what I am talking about" truly does not know what they are talking about. They are simply talking to hear themselves talk. Everything you said about the FM3 is spot on. Turns out that DG-titjb must have a "special FM9" built by Line 6. And don't forget he has a "pedal board." And he has "years of experience." And he has an "external looper." LOL

[@jojoepick]

Great video. Funny thing, the main thing I watched to find out was how to copy a preset that already exists into another preset... hmm but just as you are about ready to save it.... it got lost at the end. Yeah, I found that out the hard way too! Fender should pop up a warning before leaving an unsaved preset before just blindly deleting it! Maybe in a future update.

[@1hamer]

Thanx Steve for the time in putting these videos together. I just bought this Fender Tone Master Pro. I was wondering when I am in preset mode. Can I move bank Up and down buttons so that I can have my main preset on the first button instead of that button being bank down button....I also want to move the tuner to the top row......Is this possible

[@adamsolton]

I hate losing work! Yes, save often haha.. Question - If you have an expression pedal connected, can you configure the "wah block" to turn on when the expression pedal toe goes past 5% like you can on the Helix? I like that with the Helix because then you don't have to turn the wah on or off with a button, just start using it, and return to heel down to turn it off

[@picksalot1]

Just before losing your work, I was wondering if you had saved it yet. It's a painful lesson for everyone, particularly if you've pressed about 100 buttons!

[@SteveSterlacci]

Lesson learned! Lol

[@drummermike5150]

@@SteveSterlacciThank you for not blaming the unit like some people would do!

[@DoctorMcFarlandStudios]

save and save often :).

[@guitaroholic4365]

You can get to the other pages instead of tapping the dots just use the far left footswitch/encoder while your editing. In your video at 30:02 look where your left hand is at. Press that button and it will toggle between the pages while in that editing view.

[@QuickSticks8771]

Haven’t been able to find much on vocal effects in this unit , does it have dedicated vocal effects such as reverbs harmonies etc like the headrush ? Have never seen it demoed in this way

[@2550marshall]

I have the TMP and never had issues like this guy. It seems very intuitive and sounds great. It is very easy to get good tones from. I also have a Headrush Prime and a Fractal axe fx iii.

[@SteveSterlacci]

Hi! Thanks for checking out the video. "This guy" wanted to document a first preset build. I fully acknowledge that there are things I could just not have a grasp on with it yet, which is the purpose of the video. Idk what it is about this unit, but after 2 days with it, I am just not getting along with it. I'm open to trying different approaches, but knowing and having all other major players, it shouldn't be as difficult. Or maybe that's why it is difficult? Idk?!

[@2550marshall]

@@SteveSterlacci Sorry, didn't mean to offend you. Idk if it's a good idea to do a vid on a unit without knowing it first. It surely could add to the negativity of the gear which I don't think is fair.

[@SteveSterlacci]

@2550marshall you're fully entitled to that opinion. Have you shared it on all the dozen or so paid youtubers that opened theres and hit record without doing the update or knowing anything about it? The guys that actually got paid ? Actual and honest question here and not being a jerk... If I had the unit for 2 more weeks, what differences do you think would have improved this video? I did want to show a new users experience...

[@spada60]

@@SteveSterlacci STEVE WHAT THE FRIK MAN IM AN AMATUER AND HAD NO PROBLEMS DIALING IN A GREAT TONE. THIS THING IS SO EASY TO USE. C'MON MAN WAKE UP. I HAVE FRACTAL THAT'S A NIGHTMARE TO DIAL IN, LINE 6 HELIX DIGITAL PIECE OF CRAP WHICH IS OK TO MAKE A PRESETS ON THE UNIT ITSELF BUT NOT AS EASY AS HEADRUSH OR THIS FENDER

[@ironblast5]

Does this have a meter for the input and outputs? There where few times it sounded like it was clipping the input either that or its really audible digital aliasing

[@johnerodz7]

Hi great video can it do 2 amps? please let me know Thank you

[@shellsjoint]

You are so funny I love it

[@SteveSterlacci]

Gotta make my mistakes to learn 😅

[@flashbak01]

I don't know Steve, it sure seem like you have it out for the Tonemaster! Yet, you'll put up with all the unfulfilled promises of the QC. I think Fender did an excellent job for their initial release of the TMP and it will only get better from here. You just got the QC editor after 2 years of promises and it's still in beta. lol.

[@spada60]

REALLY RIGHT. THESE PEOPLE WHO ARE DISSING THE FENDER AND THE QUAD PIECE OF DIGITAL SHIT TOOK 2 YEARS TO COME OUT WITH A UPDATE AND I DON'T HEAR TOO MUCH WHINING ABOUT THAT

[@QuickSticks8771]

All the modeler review guys do It’s hard to not always be comparing to what your used to

[@SteveSterlacci]

Hey guys. Ive taken more dumps on the quad cortex than any other modeler. I don't have it out for any modeler. I want them all to get better. Thats all.

[@QuickSticks8771]

@@SteveSterlacci I get the feeling everyone expected such a big company to be more “ caught up” straight outa the gate which is fair enough Just seems the criticism of this unit is More based on what it isn’t yet compared to other long standing products as opposed to its strengths and potential Personally I love what you do on your channel and would very interested to see some “how to get great tones” content for the TMP Cheers

[@JHPRS]

Steve, did you not notice that when you made the comment that you couldn't switch pages, without tapping the dots on the delay graphic, that the top left footswitch said PAGE? :)

[@SteveSterlacci]

Nope. Lol totally missed what was in front of my face

[@JHPRS]

I do that all the time. 9 out of 10 times, when I have to ask where something is in the grocery store, I'm standing within 3 feet of it. 🤣🤣🤣@@SteveSterlacci

[@QuickSticks8771]

Just got the TMP and still getting my head around it My question is if I wanted 3 different amp or pedal settings on one patch ,break up Rhythm,lead ect like a 3 Chanel amp how do I configure the parameter assignments ? Seems assigning more than 2 switches to single parameter like gain means I have to turn off the previous assignment footswich before I can turn on the next one instead of just Turning them on individually I may not be explaining this very well I’m sorry but I don’t know if it’s s limitation of the unit or my understanding ?? Thank you

[@SteveSterlacci]

Great question actually! I think how the unit is designed, you are supposed to just use totally independent presets and take advantage of the seamless preset switching. So each button will have independent settings, rather than the tap dance

[@QuickSticks8771]

@@SteveSterlacci thanks for your reply and yeah multiple presets is the best way to do it ,just didn’t want to have to flick in and out of FS mode to access more options Some serious first world problems 🤪

[@SteveSterlacci]

@@QuickSticks8771 the price we pay for convenience!

[@brettgrey5658]

Firstly, I feel your frustration with losing a preset like that... If you put everything aside, does it sound any better or worse than a Helix Floor or Fractal Audio unit?

[@cjconklin4877]

I’ve gigged 6 months with helix floor and fm9. And now I just bought this. I can honestly say I never loved the helix/fractal. Consistent tweaking to make it sound good live. I bought this and played two gigs and never needed to tweak. It sounded perfect after I spent two hours of building a few presets

[@brettgrey5658]

OK, cool. That's kind of the impression I've been getting thus far. That's my first priority for a new unit now. I can appreciate all of the extra Amps, cabs and effects some units have, but a smaller selection that just sounds good is what I am looking for. Thanks! 🤘🏼@@cjconklin4877

[@landon.cunningham]

I've never understood why someone wouldn't always set the setting for balancing volume to 100 percent all the time. You said yourself you are making a one preset patch. If that's true why would you not max out your volume level in the patch. By doing so you eliminate a variable and no longer have to worry about it. This is the first thing I always do in the Helix - I set the amp channel volume or whatever to 100 percent. It gives a nice clear signal and the only reason I'd need to lower it is if I am balancing it with other patches and I don't so no need.

[@ryanc2465]

100% is different on every pedal, amp, cabinet. So 70% master volume of a Marshall amp might be 95% if a Fender amp. So finding unity gain isn’t just cranking it all to 10

[@landon.cunningham]

@@ryanc2465 that's not what we are talking about.

[@SteveSterlacci]

Thats probably a great practice if your cleaner sounds are the base tone and highest channel vol. Then the higher gain amps you bring down in channel volume. Great idea!

[@landon.cunningham]

@@SteveSterlacci yeah exactly or just bring down the master volume or the mixer or rig volume to get unity. The point is just to eliminate unnecessary variables. You only need amp level or channel volume (helix) if you are balancing. Otherwise - just max those puppies out and forget them.

[@oisinfitzgerald5401]

You know, i had a buddy who used to work in a computer repair shop and everyone who walked he’d ask ‘TMP?’ Meaning Too Much Porn? Can’t stop thinking about it every time i see this pedal

[@SteveSterlacci]

Well, this ruined it for me 🤣🤣🤣

[@TheCyberMantis]

At the end... yeah, it's kinda stupid that it doesn't have a pop-up reminder to ask you if you want to save the preset before backing all the way out. That will probably get fixed in a future update patch. Hopefully.

[@SteveSterlacci]

Only problem is that if you were on a gig, you couldnt change presets with that prompt being active. Its purely my fault and I am okay with that!

[@TheCyberMantis]

@@SteveSterlacci You shouldn't be editing your patches when you are at the gig! The reminder prompt wouldn't bother me. I guess the best way to do it is to make it selectable. You can turn it on or off if you want. Leave it in the hands of the user. I could totally see me doing the same thing that you did. Backing all the way out, without saving the patch. It's just one extra screen press. It's too easy to make that mistake.

[@andreasunlaz]

is it just the first impression or does the princetone really sound very compressed?

[@SteveSterlacci]

I do think it feels compressed

[@spada60]

YA IT'LL SOUND COMPRESSED IF U HAVE COTTON IN YOUR EARS

[@SteveSterlacci]

@@spada60 is that what ive been doing wrong?

[@JonnyLeeguitarist]

Yeah I would have chucked it out the window at the end .

[@DaPoopIsInDaPudding]

Says more about you than the product 😎

[@JonnyLeeguitarist]

@@DaPoopIsInDaPudding shush ! 🤫

[@SteveSterlacci]

Who pooped in this guy's pudding?!

[@JonnyLeeguitarist]

@@SteveSterlacci I’m the pudding pooper

[@robertartese808]

Hahaa I feel ya brother!

[@SteveSterlacci]

I blew it!

[@robertartese808]

Not really. You did show in minutes how to navigate and tweek sounds and settings pretty damn good! A very decent overview of what to expect with how this unit works. Actually a great job. That would have taken me a week, and then I'd accidentally delete it! I have a Helix floor. Love your videos! Keep up the good work!

[@robgroden]

Hey Steve, is there an equivalent to the Nashville OD in Helix? 7:55

[@cjconklin4877]

Yes I bought this because it does have the Nash OD. It sounds amazing. I love this tonemaster pro. I’ve had helix floor and fm9. And this fits my tone more than the other two.

[@SteveSterlacci]

Hey rob! There is currently no Nobels ODR in hx. That may change soon though 😎

[@robgroden]

@@SteveSterlacciI’ve been spending a lot of time watching Tonex content, apologies. But looking forward to catching up with your stuff again. Hope all is well 🤘🏻

[@mallclaude1949]

you look pretty decent for an after wedding :)

[@SteveSterlacci]

It was before I left 😅🤣😅🤣

[@captainperez1]

I don't know man, I think I'm gonna stick with my FM9. This fender tone master looks more difficult than the Fractal stuff

[@TheCyberMantis]

If you have a FM9, and you know how to use it, no reason for you to buy a TMP.

[@spada60]

WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU TALIKIN ABOUT I HAVE A FRACTAL FM3 WHICH IS A HORROR SHOW TO MAKE A PRESET. ARE U FRIKIN KIDDING ME THE FENDER IS A BREEZE TO DIAL IN.

[@SteveSterlacci]

Definitely not difficult to use at all

[@musicafteroldage]

LOL man, I am laughing but I am sympathetic LOL I am so sorry!

[@SteveSterlacci]

What a day! Lol

[@shellsjoint]

What do you think of it so far?

[@SteveSterlacci]

I think its fine. I dont see it blowing anyone out of the water at the moment

[@shellsjoint]

@@SteveSterlacci yeah it’s in the baby stage!

[@superglassbucks6356]

@@SteveSterlaccisell my Helix Floor and get one to be ahead of the curve is probably not a good idea

[@trevor4533]

So out of curiosity, do the other competitors have a preset auto save or a displayed save warning? If so, Fender should really issue a patch. This is not a good look.

[@SteveSterlacci]

If I am not mistaken, I think only headrush offers a prompt when exiting a preset. At least from whats off the top of my head... i know for a fact helix does not

[@cscott0874]

The irony is as SOON as they add that feature there will be another very vocal group of users that will complain they have to jump through "another screen" to save their present costing them time or being a cumbersome unnecessary prompt. People will complain either way. 😆

[@trevor4533]

@@cscott0874 Yeah, probably lol. Still sounds like a feature every modeler should utilize though imo.

[@cscott0874]

@@trevor4533 I agree I do think it would be a good warning to add or ideally an auto save as you go that is on by default and you could choose to turn that feature off in the user preferences.

[@DGGriffinMusic]

I think you got better tones, quicker on that Flamma pedal a few days ago. 😬

[@SteveSterlacci]

I 1000% agree to be totally honest. I was shocked how this sounded compared to a $360 pedal

[@franknguitars7671]

Oh oh, I see the Line6 team sighing with relieve … this no match for Helix, neither in stability and to me also definitely not in terms of user interface. Sounds are good, but not better than the other top tier modelers.

[@cjconklin4877]

It’s all in peoples preferences. I hated helix. Fractal was better. And now I have two gigs under my belt with this tonemaster and this blew away the others.

[@franknguitars7671]

@@cjconklin4877 fair enough - great time to be a guitar player. So many great options 😊

[@SteveSterlacci]

There are no right or wrong options. Whatever works best for that user is best for them!

[@brainycrunches2359]

Unfortunately, for me it sounds like the Mustangs GTX. I do not think they are there yet.

[@joelanderson6777]

Exactly, closer to GTX than the Tonemaster amps. But to be fair, Shane from InTheBlues was fooling people left and right blind A/Bing the original Mustang version 1 against the real amp it was modeling over 10 years ago. Bottom line is the TMP has less features than the new Headrush modelers and should be priced at $1000 max along with an apology to all GTX owners who haven't received a new update for 2 years!

[@MOAB-UT]

100% agree. This is a very decent sub $500 novelty back up pedal. Not a main gigging rig. It sounds mostly bad. Dark, fizzy, just plain bad.

[@algorithm007ify]

It's exactly like the tonemaster amp modelling actually...I am a Kemper guy and am a huge fan of the tonemaster pro. Thought it was overhyped BS from Fender..went to the shop and played it with the FR-12 cab and was surprised..It's a great high end modeller.

[@MOAB-UT]

@@algorithm007ify Right so Leon Todd, JN Cordy and I are all wrong. It does not compare to a Fractal...which you have never played so you have no reference to quality tone. FM3 has enough DSP to sound better then this. I would take one Epic amp vs 5 stacked Fizzy amps but hey, that's just me. If you think this thing is worth $1,700 there are online websites for mental health I suggest you explore. It has a nice UI- that's about it. On the FM3, you can make ~10 great patches on your PC Editor, then be done with fiddling. It will sound better.

[@joelanderson6777]

It's simply not worth $1700. End of story. Units almost half its price do more! And Fender will abandon it quickly like every other DSP product they have released since the Cyber Twin in the late 90s!

[@danmatthews3102]

NNNNOOOOOOOOOO. Ah man.

[@thpark8189]

I would not be happy with any of that. Even before you lost the preset, it didn’t sound great.

[@SteveSterlacci]

I fully agree. I almost did not post this because of it. But also wanted to share my first experience building one. I'll be learning with each one

[@arthurgonzales4949]

Ouch! Well...I wasn't over the top impressed with this modeler thing. Most importantly the sounds just didn't hit me enough to want this product. After watching how easy it is to watch work go down the drain, I'm really not interested in this product.

[@MOAB-UT]

Try a FM3 or FM9. That might change your mind. I bought a FM9 and I have a full pedal board. Digital and Tube amps. They are both different and serve different purposes. A fractal modeler is world class. The tones are incredible. You can pull up a patch at will which is hugely convenient. They now offer Set Lists too so for any song you can have all your presets for that song ready to go. Less tap dancing then using pedals. Intro, Bridge, Chorus, Solo, etc. This modeler is a toy- it does have a nice UI though. Fractal needs to work on theirs.

[@DaPoopIsInDaPudding]

So

[@arthurgonzales4949]

@@DaPoopIsInDaPudding So your mom

[@ChrisPanagopulos]

The more I see of this unit, the more it looks like a budget modeler. Seems way overpriced. It looks the Mustang GTX series repackaged as a floor unit. And the fact that you can lose a preset build by accident with no "save" warning? I figured Fender would come out with something a little more, pro.

[@SteveSterlacci]

I mean, it is totally my fault for doing that. But I think only the headrush has a warning prompt when leaving an edited preset

[@LefterisTrichakis]

And qc an undo function@@SteveSterlacci

[@cjconklin4877]

I’ve lost several presets in fractal. It’s not just this modeler. But this is easy. The preset number is red when changes have been made. Blue when it’s saved

[@TJISLA]

Pedalera para ricos. Sonido plastico filtrado . Sonido sucio. No real. Sonido no natural. Buen marqueting para sacar la pasta.