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Preset Management

Presets allow you to save, organize, and share complete mapping configurations. This guide explains how to manage presets in Gamepad MIDI.

What Are Presets?

A preset is a saved configuration that includes:

  • All MIDI mappings for all controls
  • Smoothing settings for each control type
  • Touchpad settings
  • Any other configuration options

Presets let you:

  • Switch between different mapping setups instantly
  • Create configurations for different DAWs or workflows
  • Share your mappings with other users
  • Back up your configurations

The Presets Menu

Access preset functions through the Presets menu in the mapping editor's menu bar.

Menu Options

  • Create New Preset - Start a new preset from scratch
  • Save Current Preset - Save changes to the active preset
  • Rename Preset - Change the name of the current preset
  • Delete Preset - Remove the current preset
  • Export Preset - Save preset to a file for sharing
  • Import Preset - Load a preset from a file
  • [Preset List] - Load any saved preset

Creating a New Preset

Starting Fresh

  1. Click Presets in the menu bar
  2. Select "Create New Preset"
  3. Enter a name for your preset (e.g., "Ableton Live Synth")
  4. Click "OK"

Result:

  • A new empty preset is created
  • All existing mappings are cleared
  • The preset name appears in the Presets menu
  • You can now add mappings to this preset

From Current Configuration

If you have mappings you want to save:

  1. Configure your mappings as desired
  2. Click Presets → "Create New Preset"
  3. The current mappings will be saved in the new preset

Note: This doesn't clear your mappings; it creates a copy with a new name.

Saving Presets

Auto-Save

Gamepad MIDI automatically saves:

  • The currently active preset when you make changes
  • Your mappings when you close the application
  • The last used preset (loaded on next launch)

Manual Save

To explicitly save changes:

  1. Click Presets in the menu bar
  2. Select "Save Current Preset"
  3. Changes are saved immediately

Unsaved Changes

If you have unsaved changes:

  • The preset name in the menu shows as modified
  • When switching presets, you'll be prompted to save
  • When quitting, you'll be prompted to save

Loading Presets

From the Menu

  1. Click Presets in the menu bar
  2. A list of available presets appears
  3. Click the preset name you want to load
  4. If you have unsaved changes, you'll be prompted to save first
  5. The preset loads immediately

Result:

  • All mappings are replaced with the preset's mappings
  • Smoothing settings update
  • The preset becomes the active preset

On Application Launch

Gamepad MIDI automatically loads:

  • The last preset you had active
  • Or starts with no preset if this is your first launch

Renaming Presets

To change a preset's name:

  1. Load the preset you want to rename
  2. Click Presets → "Rename Preset"
  3. Enter the new name
  4. Click "OK"

Rules:

  • Names must be unique
  • Use descriptive names for easy identification
  • Special characters are allowed

Deleting Presets

To remove a preset:

  1. Load the preset you want to delete
  2. Click Presets → "Delete Preset"
  3. Confirm the deletion
  4. The preset is permanently removed

Warning: This action cannot be undone. Export presets before deleting if you might need them later.

Exporting Presets

Export presets to share with others or back up your configurations.

Export Process

  1. Load the preset you want to export
  2. Click Presets → "Export Preset"
  3. Choose a location to save the file
  4. Name the file (use the preset name or descriptive title)
  5. Click "Save"

File Format:

  • Presets are saved as .json files
  • Human-readable text format
  • Contains all mapping and setting data

Backup Presets

Create backups by:

  1. Exporting important presets
  2. Storing the files in a safe location
  3. Cloud storage, external drives, etc.

Importing Presets

Load presets created by others or restore from backups.

Import Process

  1. Click Presets → "Import Preset"
  2. Navigate to the preset file (.json)
  3. Select the file
  4. Click "Open"
  5. Enter a name for the imported preset (default is the file name)
  6. Click "OK"

Result:

  • The preset is added to your preset list
  • It's immediately loaded and becomes active
  • Original file remains unchanged

Troubleshooting Imports

Invalid file format:

  • Ensure the file is a valid Gamepad MIDI preset
  • Check that it's a .json file
  • Verify it wasn't corrupted during transfer

Duplicate names:

  • If a preset with that name exists, choose a different name
  • Or delete the existing preset first

Preset Organization

Naming Strategies

Use clear, descriptive names:

By DAW:

  • "Ableton Live - Synth Control"
  • "FL Studio - Mixer"
  • "Logic Pro - Effects"

By Purpose:

  • "Drone Synth"
  • "Drum Triggering"
  • "Live Performance"
  • "Studio Production"

By Instrument:

  • "Serum Filter Control"
  • "Massive X Macros"
  • "Battery 4 Drums"

Creating a Library

Build a collection of presets for different scenarios:

  1. Default Preset

    • Basic, versatile mappings
    • Good starting point for new projects

  2. DAW-Specific Presets

    • Optimized for each DAW you use
    • Matches your workflow

  3. Instrument Presets

    • Specific to certain plugins or hardware
    • Quick setup for common instruments

  4. Performance Presets

    • Designed for live use
    • Emphasis on playability and expression

  5. Experimental Presets

    • Test unusual mappings
    • Explore creative possibilities

Preset Files Location

Presets are stored on your system:

Windows

C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Roaming\PoundingSystems\Gamepad\Presets\

macOS

~/Library/Application Support/PoundingSystems/Gamepad/Presets/

Linux

~/.config/PoundingSystems/Gamepad/Presets/

Note: These directories are created automatically when you save your first preset.

Accessing Preset Files

You can:

  • Browse these folders directly
  • Copy presets to/from other locations
  • Back up the entire Presets folder
  • Sync across computers using cloud storage

Working with Multiple Computers

Sync Presets Across Devices

Manual Method:

  1. Export presets on computer A
  2. Transfer files to computer B
  3. Import presets on computer B

Cloud Sync Method:

  1. Use a cloud service (Dropbox, Google Drive, etc.)
  2. Create symbolic links from the preset directory to your cloud folder
  3. Presets automatically sync across computers

Warning: Be careful with simultaneous editing on multiple machines to avoid conflicts.

Preset Best Practices

1. Start with a Template

Create a base preset with common mappings:

  • Save it as "Template" or "Default"
  • Use it as a starting point for new presets
  • Modify and save under new names

2. Document Your Presets

Include purpose in the name:

  • Not just "Preset 1" but "Ableton Drum Rack"
  • Helps you remember what each preset does

3. Regular Backups

  • Export important presets regularly
  • Store exports outside the application directory
  • Consider version control for complex setups

4. Test Before Performing

  • Load your preset before a session
  • Verify all mappings work as expected
  • Keep a backup preset ready

5. Share with the Community

  • Export and share useful presets
  • Contribute to preset libraries
  • Help other users get started quickly

Preset Modification Workflow

Making Changes to an Existing Preset

  1. Load the Preset

    • Select it from the Presets menu

  2. Make Changes

    • Add, edit, or delete mappings
    • Adjust smoothing settings
    • Test thoroughly

  3. Save Changes

    • Click Presets → "Save Current Preset"
    • Or the changes auto-save

  4. Export for Backup (optional)

    • Presets → "Export Preset"
    • Save to a safe location

Creating Variations

To create a variant of an existing preset:

  1. Load the original preset
  2. Click Presets → "Create New Preset"
  3. Give it a related name (e.g., "Synth Control v2")
  4. Make your modifications
  5. Both presets now exist independently

Troubleshooting

Preset Not Loading

Possible causes:

  • File corruption
  • Incompatible version
  • Invalid JSON syntax

Solutions:

  • Try importing the preset again
  • Check the file in a text editor
  • Restore from a backup

Changes Not Saving

Check:

  • Do you have write permissions to the presets folder?
  • Is the disk full?
  • Is the application crashing before save?

Solution:

  • Export the preset manually as a backup
  • Check file permissions
  • Move the presets folder if needed

Preset List Not Showing

Solutions:

  • Restart the application
  • Check that presets exist in the presets folder
  • Try creating a new preset to refresh the list

Duplicate Preset Names

The application prevents duplicate names:

  • Use unique names for each preset
  • Delete old versions if needed
  • Add version numbers or dates to names

Advanced: Manual Preset Editing

Presets are JSON files and can be edited manually.

Warning: Only edit presets if you understand JSON format. Incorrect syntax will prevent loading.

JSON Structure

{
  "mappings": [
    {
      "controlType": "Axis",
      "controlIndex": 0,
      "mappings": [
        {
          "type": 0,
          "channel": 1,
          "ccNumber": 1,
          "minValue": 0,
          "maxValue": 127
        }
      ]
    }
  ],
  "smoothingSettings": {
    "leftStickFactor": 0.85,
    "rightStickFactor": 0.85
  }
}

Use Cases for Manual Editing

  • Batch changing CC numbers
  • Copying mappings between controls
  • Adjusting multiple similar settings
  • Creating presets programmatically

Next Steps