diff --git a/libs/ardour/parameter.cc b/libs/ardour/parameter.cc
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..a908427bbc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/libs/ardour/parameter.cc
@@ -0,0 +1,97 @@
+/*
+    Copyright (C) 2008 Paul Davis 
+    Written by Dave Robillard
+
+    This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify
+    it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+    the Free Software Foundation; either version 2 of the License, or
+    (at your option) any later version.
+
+    This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+    but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+    MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+    GNU General Public License for more details.
+
+    You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+    along with this program; if not, write to the Free Software
+    Foundation, Inc., 675 Mass Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
+*/
+
+#include <ardour/parameter.h>
+
+using namespace ARDOUR;
+	
+
+/** Construct an Parameter from a string returned from Parameter::to_string
+ * (AutomationList automation-id property)
+ */
+Parameter::Parameter(const std::string& str)
+	: _type(NullAutomation)
+	, _id(0)
+	, _channel(0)
+{
+	if (str == "gain") {
+		_type = GainAutomation;
+	} else if (str == "solo") {
+		_type = SoloAutomation;
+	} else if (str == "mute") {
+		_type = MuteAutomation;
+	} else if (str == "fadein") {
+		_type = FadeInAutomation;
+	} else if (str == "fadeout") {
+		_type = FadeOutAutomation;
+	} else if (str == "envelope") {
+		_type = EnvelopeAutomation;
+	} else if (str == "pan") {
+		_type = PanAutomation;
+	} else if (str.length() > 4 && str.substr(0, 4) == "pan-") {
+		_type = PanAutomation;
+		_id = atoi(str.c_str()+4);
+	} else if (str.length() > 10 && str.substr(0, 10) == "parameter-") {
+		_type = PluginAutomation;
+		_id = atoi(str.c_str()+10);
+	} else if (str.length() > 7 && str.substr(0, 7) == "midicc-") {
+		_type = MidiCCAutomation;
+		uint32_t channel = 0;
+		sscanf(str.c_str(), "midicc-%d-%d", &channel, &_id);
+		assert(channel < 16);
+		_channel = channel;
+		cout << "LOADED PARAMETER " << str << " chan " << _channel << " id " << _id << endl; 
+		//_id = atoi(str.c_str()+7);
+	} else {
+		PBD::warning << "Unknown Parameter '" << str << "'" << endmsg;
+	}
+}
+
+
+/** Unique string representation, suitable as an XML property value.
+ * e.g. <AutomationList automation-id="whatthisreturns">
+ */
+std::string
+Parameter::to_string() const
+{
+	if (_type == GainAutomation) {
+		return "gain";
+	} else if (_type == PanAutomation) {
+		return string_compose("pan-%1", _id);
+	} else if (_type == SoloAutomation) {
+		return "solo";
+	} else if (_type == MuteAutomation) {
+		return "mute";
+	} else if (_type == FadeInAutomation) {
+		return "fadein";
+	} else if (_type == FadeOutAutomation) {
+		return "fadeout";
+	} else if (_type == EnvelopeAutomation) {
+		return "envelope";
+	} else if (_type == PluginAutomation) {
+		return string_compose("parameter-%1", _id);
+	} else if (_type == MidiCCAutomation) {
+		return string_compose("midicc-%1-%2", _channel, _id);
+	} else {
+		assert(false);
+		PBD::warning << "Uninitialized Parameter to_string() called." << endmsg;
+		return "";
+	}
+}
+