@Zynewave wrote:
So far “expanded” mode is more like “classic” mode, meaning it works like in previous releases. I’m still considering what to do with the expanded mode.
Yes Compact Mode has certainly evolved to a point where Expanded mode is now more of a “classic” mode and as a result probably requires some sort of new focus of sorts. A somewhat unexpected side effect of the refinements in Compact mode.
Perhaps the new compact UI will be used in expanded mode as well, and expanded mode will thus be an extension of compact mode with less restrictions on track management.
Great idea. That seems the most logical progression for the Expanded mode IMO.
Are you sure? The “Instruments” menu (previously named “Source”) contains all mappings that produce audio, meaning bus returns appear in this menu as well.
Good points… that did cross my mind but I can definitely access a GEQ Overtone mapping and a Compressive Pro mapping (both free plugs to download and test) from my Instrument list in B17…
The “Effects” menu contains mappings that take audio as input. Some instruments may accept audio input, and will thus appear in the effects menu as well.
Effects listings are good to go (mappings are correct) in B17, but I am pretty sure I had some instrument mappings showing up in B16 out side of expected mappings like z3ta+ as an FX *and* an instrument. Anyway the mappings in the Effects list are all accurate and correct in B17. Definitely. Instrument listings (with Compressive and the GEQ showing) still seem problematic though.
Apology accepted :P.
🙂
The line you outlined is not an empty track. It’s the popup line for the lane track. The popup menu is the same as the right click menu on the lane track header. The line serves the dual purpose of displaying what is assigned to the lane track (i.e. instrument and input) as well as a left-click shortcut for displaying the popup menu you also get when right-clicking on the header.
Thanks for the clarification. I think I get it now.
“The line serves the dual purpose of displaying what is assigned to the lane track (i.e. instrument and input)”
That would also explain why there is no “Insert Instrument track” or “Insert Input track” commands I guess.
Cheers. 🙂
B17.
I really like the subtle but stylish circular button in the arrangement view for tracks. I think for new users it is a very good idea. I like it. I will use that instead of right clicking now. Not sure why but in this case I find it more satisfying to click on that button instead of right clicking 🙂
B16
1. Right click loss:
In Expanded (Advanced) mode you cannot add an effect by right clicking. Is this an oversight or deliberate? I ask because it seems very odd to lose functionality going to Expanded mode from the simpler Compact mode. Expanded mode is of course supposed to provide more flexibility and more features exposed to a user, not less. One can of course add an effect to track by right clicking in Compact mode.
2. Strange plugin issues:
Podium clearly knows the difference between an effect and an instrument mapping but…I can access my Effects (and instruments) from the “Instrument” command and my Instruments (and Effects) from the “Effects” command. This is puzzling as one would expect to see Instruments in their own list for instance and not a listing for Instruments and Effects when using the Instrument command.
@Zynewave wrote:
In compact mode it is recommended to create dedicated bounce tracks (using the “insert bounce track” menu), instead of manually enabling the bounce mode for an existing track in the track properties dialog.
I agree with the “insert bounce track” suggestion. That way you keep the original pre processed file when attempting to bounce an audio track. What may also help is having the “Use Track for Audio bouncing” option in “Track Properties” grayed out for Effect tracks within a track Panel.
If it is confusing that you have the bounce mode option available in the track properties dialog, then I’ll need to implement different properties dialogs for the different track types.
I think that will definitely help. Thanks.
I’m not sure if I understand you correctly, but there is only one track in the last of your screenshots.
The line that pops up the menu belongs to the lane track, which should be apparent from the coloring with the select color. With the compact mode, it is recommended to keep effect mappings on separate effect tracks because this makes it easier to manage the effect chains.
I totally agree with that.
The “Move track” menus can easily shuffle the effect tracks and the “Replace effect chain” command can replace all effect tracks.
Fine, no problem with that either.
This would not be possible if you assign the effect mapping directly on the lane track. That’s why you only have an “insert effect track” menu on the lane track.
Ok I think I understand what you mean now but why do I need that initial empty lane track? (see image below). You said it would not be possible to use the Move track Menu’s or Replace Effect chain commands without it, but if you right click under the last track in an arrangement for instance you will get the “New track” pop up.
Once it is selected you get the blank lane track. Now one can click on it to insert an effect track which will be placed over it (not on it). But why bother with this lane track when simply right clicking anywhere under the lane track will give you the exact same menu?
Insert as many Effect track as you want from there and the Move track and Replace Effect chain commands will still be accessible. That is what I was trying to say.
3. Another possible Bug…
If I choose to use the blank lane track instead one *can* actually assign an Effect Mapping on it. This is how I did it…if I access my Effects through the “Instrument” command I can place that effect on the “Auto track” or lane track. But I of course still have the “Insert Effect Track” command which will create an extra track. This is confusing.
Just to test this further…when I attempt to access my effects through the Instrument command the effects do not all appear. When I attempt to access my Instruments through the effects command they do not all appear there either. So there are some inconsistencies when using this “lane” track.
If you right click on the blank space under any track in a track panel not *on* the track…you get the exact same menu that pops up when right clicking on an empty track in a track panel. So it just seems needless to have this extra “lane track”.
You can insert as many effect tracks as you like, this blank “lane” track or blank mapping holder will still be there. My question is….is it really necessary? Apologies in advance if I have totally misunderstood the obvious here. 🙂
B15…
Hi Frits, a few questions for you…
1.Bounce enabling Effect tracks:
Is there any need for Effect tracks within a track panel to be bounce enabled? It does not appear to “work” this way.
I think perhaps the most logical way in Compact mode to work with bounce tracks is to eliminate the possibility of Effect Tracks being bounce enabled.
The image below has a bounce enabled track header which in Compact mode for simplicity, should probably be the only track with an option to bounce enable it within it’s track properties.
But…I can easily bounce enable the “Sonitus” Effect Track or the “Classic Auto filter” Track, but doing so appears to have no apparent affect. It just looks like something that needs to go unless I am missing something. Of course it is a different matter in Expanded mode where I would not want to lose the current bounce track functionality we have for any track.
In compact mode it is just very confusing IMO to leave the bounce enable feature on for Effect tracks.
2. Extra track created automatically every time:
When creating a new track, a blank track is also created within a track panel in Compact mode. That is a nice way to start off as one can then click on it to choose an effect…well not really because this is what you will see if you right click or left click on that new “auto” blank track…
Now at this point I thought hold on where is the command to let me access my effects? What I see here is the “Insert Effect Track” command. This looks a bit confusing as it says “Insert Effect Track” not “Insert Effect” which should be there.
If I choose the “Insert Effect Track ” option I get another track but this time with the mapping of my choice.
I now have two tracks in the track panel. I only wanted one track.
Unless there is a need for this “other track” can it be removed? Of if you must keep it then possibly allow a user to add an effect to “that” track to avoid having to create another track please.
I also noticed that when I enable bouncing in the track header that “Auto track” suddenly has a B button appear on it. So I guess it’s some sort of representation of the track panel? If that is the case a popup explaining it’s function would really help. If not, why not remove it?
@H-man wrote:
the release of 1.95 (feels like 2.0 don’t you think?)
Personally (I guess you did not direct the question at me 🙂 but…) I think 1.95 is many levels above any of the updates for Podium since the first beta (0.90) came out years ago…but…without Rewire, time stretching and other refinements to plugin handling on the project start page, it’s not 2.0 calibre just yet IMO.
There is definitely some ground left to cover before 2.0 and I suspect Frits agrees or 1.95 would be 2.0 by now. Exactly what ground that is (specific features) only he can say for sure, but people expect the three things I mentioned in hosts now, talk less of some time in future.
Podium remains a powerhouse but expectations still remain for key features especially considering how long the competition has had those features for. Years in most cases.
First, can the background to the Volume/Pan faders and the buttons X,R etc. be left in the default background colour. Minor I know but when you’re using my colour scheme …well, there’s alot of orange.
Unless I have missed a colour option that address it…I would agree with your suggestion. Pick the wrong colour and that is the kind of result one would want to avoid. It does not look good. An option to change that or a similar solution would be nice.
And finally, awesome stuff Frits 😀
Indeed! 🙂
B13 thoughts…
Podium is so much easier to navigate and use now. It is a really strange thing but those preset and parameter sub menu’s just make it so easy at track level to work very quickly now. Great idea. It is a joy to work at track level in 1.95. Love it.
z3ta+ presets using the new submenus:
Sonitus Compressor Parameters using the new submenus:
Those little additional graphical touches just give it a very refined, polished, stylish and elegant look.
While it is necessary to give feedback on problems when they occur so that they can be identified and fixed or refined…I think some really positive feedback is due here.
I really have to say Podium using Compact mode in 1.95 is a really nice experience. It really does feel very different to 1.94, it’s much easier to use, with more features and allows for a much quicker work flow. Excellent!
Thanks Frits. 🙂
@Zynewave wrote:
The new beta 13 has further changes to the track menus, including submenus for presets and parameters.
You said “including” so are there other undocumented changes in B13 as well?
