I’ve seen a number of comments on this topic around this forum; I’d like to formalize it:
It’s common to accidentally leave a Mix send up on the fader strips, and then try to mix LR on it.
Two changes:
1) If I press and hold a Mix key, then switch the faders to that *temporarily* until I let go. This provides the functionality many desire without breaking the traditional design, and doesn’t require adding a setup knob.
1A) Add the setup knob, for Locking/Temporary/Mixed-Mode.
2) When a Mix is on the faders, make some *REALLY VISIBLE* Change to the desk, not just a teeny LED I’m not looking at — change the default background color on the main LCD temporarily, for example.