Control Naming
Control names should evoke feeling, not describe function. Make the user want to turn the knob.
Principles
1. One Word is Better Than Two
- ✅ CRUSH
- ❌ Crush Amount
2. Verbs Suggest Action
- CRUSH, SMASH, DRIFT
- Makes users imagine what will happen
3. Adjectives Suggest Character
- WARM, THICK, DEEP
- Describes the sonic result
4. Avoid Technical Terms
- ❌ Threshold (dB)
- ✅ CRUSH or SQUEEZE
5. ALL CAPS for Primary Controls
- PRIMARY: ALL CAPS
- Secondary: Title Case
Translation Guide
Dynamics Controls
| Technical | Evocative Options |
|---|---|
| Threshold | CRUSH, SQUEEZE, GRAB, BITE |
| Ratio | SLAM, SQUASH, WEIGHT, DENSITY |
| Attack | SNAP, PUNCH, HIT, CRACK |
| Release | BODY, SUSTAIN, TAIL, BREATH |
| Knee | SOFT, SMOOTH, HARD |
| Makeup Gain | BOOST, LEVEL, OUTPUT |
Filter Controls
| Technical | Evocative Options |
|---|---|
| Cutoff | FREQ, SWEEP, TONE, EDGE |
| Resonance | RES, PEAK, RING, BITE |
| Filter Type | MODE, TYPE, SHAPE |
Distortion Controls
| Technical | Evocative Options |
|---|---|
| Drive | HEAT, GRIT, PUSH, BURN |
| Gain | DRIVE, CRUNCH, DIRT |
| Tone | BRIGHT, DARK, COLOR |
| Character | FLAVOR, TYPE, MODE |
Time/Space Controls
| Technical | Evocative Options |
|---|---|
| Decay | SPACE, ROOM, DRIFT, FADE |
| Pre-delay | GAP, SPACE, OFFSET |
| Feedback | ECHO, REPEAT, LOOP, SPIN |
| Damping | ABSORB, DAMP, WARM |
Modulation Controls
| Technical | Evocative Options |
|---|---|
| Rate | SPEED, RATE, PULSE, TEMPO |
| Depth | AMOUNT, DEPTH, SWING, RANGE |
| Shape | WAVE, SHAPE, MODE |
Universal Controls
| Technical | Evocative Options |
|---|---|
| Mix | BLEND, WET, MIX, DEPTH |
| Output | LEVEL, OUT, VOLUME |
| Input | IN, LEVEL, INPUT |
| Bypass | ON, ACTIVE, BYPASS |
Plugin Name Ideas
Single Evocative Word
- PUNCH
- GLOW
- DRIFT
- VOID
- SILK
Action Words
- SMASH
- CRUSH
- MELT
- SHATTER
- BURN
Texture Words
- SILK
- RUST
- CHROME
- VELVET
- GRIT
Space Words
- VOID
- DEPTH
- INFINITE
- BEYOND
- ABYSS
What to Avoid
Too Technical
❌ “Threshold (dB)” ❌ “Attack Time (ms)” ❌ “Cutoff Frequency”
Abbreviations That Aren’t Clear
❌ “Thrs” ❌ “Atk” ❌ “Rel”
Long Names
❌ “Pre-Delay Time” ❌ “Modulation Depth” ❌ “Output Level Control”
Boring Verb+Noun
❌ “Adjust Gain” ❌ “Set Level” ❌ “Control Amount”
Context Matters
The same parameter can have different names based on plugin type:
Threshold
- Compressor: CRUSH, SQUEEZE
- Gate: OPEN, GATE
- Limiter: CEILING, WALL
Frequency
- Filter: FREQ, SWEEP
- EQ: TONE, FOCUS
- Distortion: EDGE, BITE
Mix
- Reverb: SPACE, DEPTH
- Delay: ECHO, WET
- Distortion: BLEND, GRIT
Examples by Plugin Type
Compressor
CRUSH SLAM SNAP BODY
(thresh) (ratio) (attack) (release)
MIX BOOST
(wet) (makeup)
Filter
FREQ RES DRIVE
(cutoff) (reso) (saturation)
MODE MIX
(type) (wet)
Delay
TIME ECHO TONE
(delay) (feedback)(filter)
MIX SYNC
(wet) (tempo)
Reverb
SPACE GAP DAMP
(decay) (predly) (damping)
MIX MOD
(wet) (modulation)
Testing Your Names
Ask yourself:
- Does this name make me want to turn the knob?
- Does it hint at what will happen?
- Is it one word?
- Does it match the plugin’s personality?
- Would a user understand it without a manual?
If yes to all five, you’ve got a good name.