The Bank System — More Controls Without More Hardware
Every ParksTool device ships with two keys. On most models, those keys do one thing by default: switch banks. That one feature multiplies the number of available controls significantly — and it's worth understanding how.
What Banks Are
A bank is a complete set of assignments for every control on the device. Bank 0 might have your faders controlling channel volumes. Bank 1 might have the same faders controlling sends. Bank 2 could be EQ bands. Switch banks with a key press, and the physical controls take on entirely new functions — instantly.
An 8-encoder device with 4 banks gives you 32 independent parameter assignments across 8 physical controls. A 9-fader device with 4 banks gives you 36 fader assignments.
How to Set It Up
In the Web Configuration Tool:
- Set the number of banks you want in Global Variables → Bank Count
- Assign controls in Bank 0
- Switch to Bank 1 in the tool and assign that layer
- Repeat for each bank
The two keys are assigned Bank+ and Bank− by default. You can reassign them — or use an encoder push, a specific key combination, or an external pedal — if you need the keys for other functions.
Bank Indicator
On the 1ES2K, the LED ring color indicates the active bank — each bank can have a distinct color set in the web tool. On other devices, the current bank isn't shown on the hardware itself, but the web configurator always reflects the active bank state when connected.
Limits
The maximum bank count varies by device and firmware version. Standard: up to 15 banks on 4-control devices, 7 on 8-control devices, 3 on 16-control devices. If SysEx mode is enabled, the limits are slightly lower due to memory allocation. Check Global Variables in the web tool for the actual limit on your device.
Banks are the primary reason a small, affordable ParksTool device can replace a much larger controller in many workflows. The physical controls stay the same; the assignments change with a key press.