Topic: Preview 2.05: Track header and inspector improvements

A long post sorry but a fair amount of info needs some clarification I think…

@Zynewave wrote:

Similar to my question about the dial/fader option: Should the options to show bypass, editor, bounce and record buttons be global options in Preferences or should it be possible to configure this individually for each editor?

Globally IMO for simplicity.

I tried with solid round buttons instead, which I now much prefer. The squared glass buttons pictured below are just to satisfy Conquistadors curiosity

Ha Haaa! 😛

Indeed I was wondering about that. He Hee. Well I do prefer the glass square version actually. I also like the new solid round buttons as well. I think If I had to choose I would take the glass square faders.

I did not plan to make an option between the old vs. new faders.

I cannot remember seeing all of us so divided on a matter. Perhaps an option is better in this case.

My problem with the old fader style is that it can be visually confusing that the dB level readout is all over the place depending on where the fader knob is.

Actually it makes it easier to use IMO. I love the movement of the fader and seeing the db value on the gain fader and pan value on the pan fader.

With the new style it is easy to glance up/down the track list and trace the various dB levels.

Good point here. I agree it is easier at a glance to see various db levels but I think we can have the best of both worlds…

If you look at the fader design in other hosts, I believe it is rare to find examples where the value is written on the fader knob.

Ahhhh but Frits, this is one of the things that does help distinguish Podium from other hosts in a good way.

Another problem with the old fader style is that the visual design is not suited to be used for send faders. It’s either these new faders or back to the old faders with no fader option for the sends.

I really think you may have to provide an option for this. Please consider letting the user choose. It looks like a few unexpected options are being suggested here but really that might be the best way forward.

Going back to the Fader issue on tracks…

What about this…if you add Peak marker indicators to tracks (far right of track) a user will find it “easy to glance up/down the track list and trace the various dB levels” very easy. This will not be a static db value (as such) but one that updates in real time. That IMO should solve the need to have that info easily visible at a glance as you mentioned earlier.

What about the glass or round faders?

I really think you should mirror the faders in the mixer. Make them a bit larger so that one can see db values on them, H- Man sums up this suggestions really well…

@H-man wrote:

Could the fader handles be widened a little to allow room for the data on the handle. Like some of the others I always thought this was one of the many defining features of the Podium UI. I get it that this effectively moves the values back and forth but I would put it to you that 99% of the time you would be looking at the value on the handle because you are about to change it, and it is more convenient to have the value on the handle for that operation.

I would even suffer a smaller font on the handle if necessary.

My thoughts exactly.

Summary

1. The need to have a more consistent db value display on tracks should be solved by having a realtime peak indicator to the far right of each track.

2. The existing visible db values on Gain /PanFaders in 2.04 need not be changed in 2.05.

3. The glass square buttons could be made wider (as wide as existing track faders buttons to allow for data to be seen on them like the mixer even with a slightly smaller font)

4. Showing the fader with db values and the pan fader with L/R values should be made optional. The other choice in this new option would be to show Gain faders and Pan faders the way they appear in the image above you posted.

I really think that is a good set of suggestions that might be an unexpected outcome of you asking for feedback but I think they can work.

HTH

Great work again, Frits! 😮

I’m quite happy about this re-design, as I never liked the looks of those faders, to be honest. I do prefer the first version though, the contrast on the less glossy ones isn’t great, imo.

With the new style it is easy to glance up/down the track list and trace the various dB levels.

I agree, plus I’m accustomed to it being this way, as I’ve always used the dials.

The meters are certainly a step forward, but without any indicators they’re still just eye candy (?) Would it be possible to add three or four lines (-6 dB, -12 dB, …) for that purpose? I don’t think there’d be a need for numerical values to the side, like in the mixer.

I would indeed miss at least the X and E buttons, but I’ll have to try the new style first to be certain.

Another thing, the little button to expand tracks really sticks out in darker color schemes! I never noticed this, as I use a very light one.
Would you consider giving it a transparant background, and boldening the “+/-“, maybe?

Great! 😀

Thanks Fritz!

A little bug report:
I tried double-clicking the gain and pan controls to open the track properties
so I can input a value directly. It doesn’t work, however. After the double-click, I have to click anywhere in the tracks region or any track to get the track properties to appear. Also, sometimes, after closing the properties window, the track is still selected as if it were click-dragged.

Everything else seems fine, so far!

@Zynewave wrote:

I’d appreciate your comments on the new sliders.

I am glad you said “I’ll continue with the development of the additional slider styles discussed in this topic.” but I must say graphically Frits, it looks lovely. UA was right to ask for a beta to see how it feels. It looks and feels so smoooooooth.

I remember on one of the Spectrasonics Omnisphere Videos someone said they found it inspiring. I think Podium graphically is. You just want to work in it as it looks and feels so nice…even with busy projects.

You have to be a designer to pull that off. The new faders really fit Podium like a glove. But the glass faders showing the values on them would still be my pick (just) as they are bit more practical…but these new look sliders…pleasantly surprised. Very easy and quite desirable to work with. They have the exact amount of movement I like when dragged. 8) 🙂

Not much time for detailed testing on 2.05 but that’s my viewpoint so far on the faders. I would love to be able to choose between these new ones and glass.

@thcilnnahoj wrote:

A little bug report:
I tried double-clicking the gain and pan controls to open the track properties
so I can input a value directly. It doesn’t work, however. After the double-click, I have to click anywhere in the tracks region or any track to get the track properties to appear.

Tested and confirmed as well.