Setting a coll object's identity with text

Hello, I am currently designing a system where I can type in text to route a recorder~ object to record into a specified buffer. I am also using a special patch which uses a bonk~ object to create time markers within the buffer, so you can know exactly where certain events in the recording begin for later use.

I would like to design a simple system in which I type in text which automatically routes the recorder to the correct buffer AND the correct coll object. The buffer is easy, just use a textedit object and prepend "set" to a message sent to the recorder~. Unfortunately, coll is more difficult. To record to different colls, I have to make a list of them and use a gate to select which one it is going to. The names of the buffers are tester1, tester2, ect. So in theory, if I could strip the name of its numeric value, say 2, I could make the gate respond to that, but it is not a list, and I am not sure if this is possible.

I was hoping to find a way to make one text assignment do all of the routing I need. Type in one name, and then have a different ending for the coll which is appended and then sets its identity. Any suggestions? I am attaching the file, but it is my first time, so let me know if it doesn't work. If you don't have bonk~, there is also a manual mode...

Thanks!