CS18AI: Can you control Virtual instrument parameters (not just insert/sends)?

CS18AI: Can you control Virtual instrument parameters (not just insert/sends)?

I understand you can press the FX button on the touch screen, and control the inserts and sends. On a PresonusLive video, it said you can also control the virtual instrument parameters, but it did not show how this was done. There is a rumor that you can press FX and ‘not’ select an insert/send and the rotary encoders would control the instrument by default? Is this true, and if so, do the scribble strips get populated with the VST parameters, just as the do when selecting an insert/send?

If the CS18AI does not do this, does the Faderport 8/16 or the new series iii mixers support this feature via the faders?

Ready to buy, if this is supported.