Let's say you have a gate rhythm set up on a VSTi, made by zeroing volume values by macro or PCE (the new Parameter Control Event) at rhythmic intervals, like this:
|PC 01 002 200
|PC 01 002 199
|PC 01 002 199
|PC 01 002 000
|PC 01 002 197
|PC 01 002 197
|PC 01 002 000
|PC 01 002 196
|PC 01 002 195
|PC 01 002 000
|PC 01 002 194
|PC 01 002 193
|PC 01 002 000
|PC 01 002 192
|PC 01 002 000
...
where parameter 002 controls the VSTi's volume. What we're doing here is cutting off the sound in a rhythm (commonly called gating for those who don't know). At the same time we're reducing the volume gradually -- while keeping the gate. Now you want to adjust the volume interpolation to a higher slope or different level. You can easily interpolate the volume between values, but it will write over the zero entries. What we need is a way to interpolate between values EXCEPT between locked or marked or ranged values. It may require a new dialog box.
There are two alternative short-term solutions till we can get this feature:
1. The workaround now is to use a second channel to "post-apply" parameter values. That is, do your gradual interpolation in one channel, and in a channel AFTER that one put in your gated pattern, like this:
|PC 01 002 200 | ... .. ... ...
|PC 01 002 199 | ... .. ... ...
|PC 01 002 199 | ... .. ... ...
|PC 01 002 198 | PC 01 002 000
|PC 01 002 197 | ... .. ... ...
|PC 01 002 197 | ... .. ... ...
|PC 01 002 196 | PC 01 002 000
|PC 01 002 196 | ... .. ... ...
|PC 01 002 195 | ... .. ... ...
|PC 01 002 194 | PC 01 002 000
|PC 01 002 194 | ... .. ... ...
|PC 01 002 193 | ... .. ... ...
|PC 01 002 193 | PC 01 002 000
|PC 01 002 192 | ... .. ... ...
|PC 01 002 192 | PC 01 002 000
...
The problem with this is extra channels mean less viewing space and more to keep up with unnecessarily. I wouldn't mind creating two channels with the separate parameter calculations, and then merge the channels, but the problem has arisen here because i needed to change the gradual volume data (in this case from 999 - 000 instead of 200 - 000, as shown above). Plus, Mix Paste doesn't work right with PCEs.
2. The other option would be to add more logic to the Find & Replace. If there was an option to find any value "EXCEPT" the one chosen, then Replace by multiplying a found value by a given percentage or adding a given amount, i could achieve the same results.