Topic: Preview 2.05: Track header and inspector improvements

@Zynewave wrote:

I’d appreciate your opinions on this.

Continuing from the 2.04 development, I’m migrating some of the new mixer features to the track headers and the inspector. The track header meters now show RMS meters similar to the mixer.

Super duper 🙂 Yes!

The meters can be configured as either horizontal or vertical meters. I’m now using the vertical mode as default. The horizontal meters left little room for the track name.

Fantastic.

The BRXE buttons shown in the inspector and the chain panels are now optional. Instead shift/alt/ctrl + clicking the device name will behave like the new 2.04 mixer defaults.

Hmm I don’t think bypassing an FX should be strictly a Modifier key affair. I would prefer not adding this option (bypass) to a right click menu but it needs to be accessible at track level…so really as we can already move and delete tracks with a right click command if you remove the x button there should be an easy way to get the functionality back IMO. A modifier key for simple bypass adds complexitiy where there was ease.

How about click and hold to bypass a device?

I suppose having a bounce command on a right click menu is probably OK but I don’t think having it on a track was such a bad thing it was far easier to access but the E is less important now, but X remains very important. R is still easily acessible at track level.

Colored frames are drawn around the device names to indicate bypass, edit and record state. The buttons were perhaps more accessible than modifier+clicking, but the buttons occupied a lot of screen space. Anybody still prefer the old button style?

I *really* like the coloured frames around the device names but if the old buttons can be made optional (which I think they are)I think that is OK.

I was never happy with the old track header pan/gain faders. They were a bit “heavy”, and seen from a distance the track headers would blur together. The new fader style I’m trying here stands out better, and they have the glass-look also used for the mixer faders.

I like the new look. I have always been a fan of the glass faders look. I am just trying to decide if I like my glass squared or circular 😆

I’ve extended the fader/dial option to apply to all dials, and not only the track header pan/gain faders. How would you prefer to configure this: Should it be a “show faders instead of dials” option in preferences which then applies to the entire UI, or should it be multiple local options in the tracks region properties and the inspector properties etc.?

Preferences IMO. I would want to set and forget it from there.

@Zynewave wrote:

The track header meters now show RMS meters similar to the mixer.

Is that with the Peaks holding as shown in the picture on the Master track?

The meters can be configured as either horizontal or vertical meters. I’m now using the vertical mode as default. The horizontal meters left little room for the track name.

Looks a little nicer vertically. Provides a nice visual divider between the track and arrangement area. I like it. Once I have my levels set on input I rarely look back at these meters so I’m definitely ok with it like this.

The BRXE buttons shown in the inspector group panel and the chain panels are now optional. Instead shift/alt/ctrl + clicking the device name will behave like the new 2.04 mixer defaults. Colored frames are drawn around the device names to indicate bypass, edit and record state. The buttons were perhaps more accessible than modifier+clicking, but the buttons occupied a lot of screen space. Anybody still prefer the old button style?

For me the “E” button does not fit the “state” scenario. Bypass & Record are states and I don’t have a problem Shift + clicking here. As a matter of fact I would think that only one modifier key would be needed. And this way a user would just circle through the different states. However, I think Edit is a different beast. My opinion on this is that simply clicking or double-clicking on the name of the effect should bring up the editor.

I was never happy with the old track header pan/gain faders. They were a bit “heavy”, and seen from a distance the track headers would blur together. The new fader style I’m trying here stands out better, and they have the glass-look also used for the mixer faders.

Sounds/Looks good.

I’ve extended the fader/dial option to apply to all dials, and not only the track header pan/gain faders. How would you prefer to configure this: Should it be a “show faders instead of dials” option in preferences which then applies to the entire UI, or should it be multiple local options in the tracks region properties and the inspector properties etc.?

I would think a global option would suffice here. But I won’t be offended if additional options were offered.

What I do mind is having to wade through giant menu’s that offer 15 variations on every theme/option/selection just to get to what I need. Reaper is looking this way nowadays and it drives me nuts. I don’t mind things sitting behind the scenes this way but sitting 80% of the options in a context sensitive menu is not what I find useful. 🙂

I’m not much for the new faders.
You have to look at two places. One for the “analog” placement on the scale and one for the “digital” value. The old one had value and placement in one. The less you have to hunt the screen the better in my opinion…

That’s probably why options in preferences is a good thing. 🙂

I like the new faders more than the old ones, especially the send faders.

I like the solid round buttons without the glass effect. they integrate pretty well with the rest of the ui. I’m not sure if I’m happy with the value displays.

Have you thought about solid faders with value? similar to the meters….just a rectangular area with a dragable “line” as fader. values could be printed into that area. the problem is that this one only works for horizontal faders.

hmmm just an idea.

Just to add my preference in the faders debate. I’m not keen on the round ‘glass’ type, but I do like either the ‘solid’ round or ‘glass’ square options.

Mart.