Hi Pixelbasher,
I checked the searchengine and it showed several entries. The newest for starting with User Data is done by Kai.
In a nutshell, you take e.g., a Null object (name it if you like) and while it is active you go to the Attribute Manager and there you find in the top bar __User Data__ as pull down menu. With—Add user Data—you add new options to this object.
That object will work as a container for all the sliders and inout values. This object can be then dragged into an XPresso Editor and while clicking on that blue chip you can call up the new channels from it.
The Shaders and materials can be dragged as well into the XPresso Editor. Note, Shader by itself as well!
I think to connect all of the parts was not part of your question, but as usual the data type, integer, vector, etc., should be the same.
All the best
Sassi