This thread is for suggestions regarding the Toolbars, layout, menus, preferences and other. This is for specific suggestions only, not general comments. There are a few ideas extracted from the main user interface enhancements thread
Rustyspoon: Radio Bar - removed or made optional. Definitely hidden on default installation. *Usable "Timeline" Navigator across most views.
Jeff Pettit: TRANSPORT: Moving the Transport to the bottom giving more room for navigator view, more interactive transport buttons and other global things such as snap and loop states.
1) Areas in gray at the top are fixed showing the open/save options, to the Left are fixed icons (buttons) that control (Open/Close) windows in the main window (Green area) 2) The blue area is for wherever PGM feels should go there. 3) The Red areas are for toolbars (See earlier post showing how clean the GUI is, doing this) 4) Any window that opens in the green area should be able to float if the user wants.
if you think my comments arent applicable please delete.
my concern is re new users. i would like to see commonality of layout tween rb and bb to cut down the learning cycle for new users. but thats just me.
om
my songs....mixed for good earbuds...(fyi..my vocs on all songs..) https://soundcloud.com/alfsongs (90 songs created useing bb/rb) (lots of tips of mine in pg tips forum.)
1) +1 Radio optional (this hinges on "Layouts" based on customers' needs and what they are aspect they are using at the time) 2) + 1 movable Transport (because it gives more room for the global actions (loop, snap, bar/beat, navigation).
R 1) + 1 to idea of fixed things. location and content up to PGM 2) Same as 1 3) +1 Toolbars, (standards (based on workflow) and Custom (based on customer) 4) +1
OM: Off topic, suggest adding thread on thing you like in RB that you would like to see in BB
Last edited by jpettit; 01/22/2507:28 AM.
Studio One (latest version), Win 11 23H2 , i9 -10940X 3.3 GHz, 32GB Mem, a 4K 40" monitor, PreSonus Studio Live III Console as interface/controller. secondarily test on Reaper, Cakewalk, and S1 on Surface Pro 3 Win 10 (latest versions).
About the radio buttons (radio bar), I recall looking over everything I wanted to do and finding that I could do it using the menus. Since the radio buttons are no longer complete, given the introduction of Utility tracks, I don't think they need to be there. I suppose +1 for it being an option, but one turned off by default going forward.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
why ? because if things go on as they are confusion will continue for new users....as currently...new users are often confused by 'when should i use xyz in bb vs rb'. ...as evinced by many posts on these forums over the years. ie the look and feel of bb will continue to be way different between bb and rb. ie toolbars/layout/gui etc etc.
if pg decide my views are 'off base' they can delete this post....but i feel strongly that the nits and grits of a new bb gui should take into account all pg's products. not just bb. after many many years of useing pg's products even i get confused sometimes going between bb and rb....even though there are features that overlap tween both programs.
maybe thinking about it maybe a user layout in any pg product should be user configurable not just bb ? JP lots of nice layout ideas have been presented but i'm very concerned about new users.
om
Last edited by justanoldmuso; 01/22/2508:28 AM.
my songs....mixed for good earbuds...(fyi..my vocs on all songs..) https://soundcloud.com/alfsongs (90 songs created useing bb/rb) (lots of tips of mine in pg tips forum.)
I believe there is a general consensus that panels are the way forward. If this will be adopted, I believe that newly added unrelated - non content tools do not belong in the Library (MTP) and should be moved elsewhere. Specifically Chords and Lyrics as they belong to Tools category - likely perfect candidates for panel tabs.
An exception to this wish would be if PGM makes possible to detach certain tabs and user would be able to assemble their own custom tabbed clusters, with user defined order.
1) I believe there is a general consensus that panels are the way forward. 2) If this will be adopted, I believe that newly added unrelated - non content tools do not belong in the Library (MTP) and should be moved elsewhere. Specifically, Chords and Lyrics as they belong to Tools category - likely perfect candidates for panel tabs.
An exception to this wish would be if PGM makes possible to detach certain tabs and user would be able to assemble their own custom tabbed clusters, with user defined order.
1) Panel are a direct replacement for all modal and non-modal windows (Tabs are panels within panels (think current mixer)) 2) I feel the same way, The Library of "Smart Musicians" should be just that. Just like in a browser panel.
Studio One (latest version), Win 11 23H2 , i9 -10940X 3.3 GHz, 32GB Mem, a 4K 40" monitor, PreSonus Studio Live III Console as interface/controller. secondarily test on Reaper, Cakewalk, and S1 on Surface Pro 3 Win 10 (latest versions).
"(Tabs are panels within panels (think current mixer))" I don't want to think current mixer, we are trying to think with new heads here In the spirit of specific suggestions for this thread, transplanting a wish for modular "Tabs". If this idea is too much, please consider at least an option for any tabbed panel to be able to hide the tabs you don't need/use and re-arrange order.
Sure, no issue. I was just trying to open the eyes to potential of the modern approach to details.
Studio One (latest version), Win 11 23H2 , i9 -10940X 3.3 GHz, 32GB Mem, a 4K 40" monitor, PreSonus Studio Live III Console as interface/controller. secondarily test on Reaper, Cakewalk, and S1 on Surface Pro 3 Win 10 (latest versions).
Transplanting a video example of auto track zoom. If "none" of the tracks are selected, pulling edge of the track expands all dynamically. When track header is selected, you should be able to expand just single track, while others retain their width:
One DAW feature that I used extensively for the past 8 years is touch screen navigation. While definitely is clunky for edits and 80% of other tasks, I found it simply amazing for scrolling and zooming in and out of tracks. So request is Touch-screen compatibility for navigation in Track View and any other view that deals with horizontal scrolling and zooming.
I noticed that last night while testing on my laptop. No touch screen support.
I was hesitating in which specific suggestion area to mention it as it's a global feature pertaining to the entire UI.
PGMs development tool should have touch screen support libraries available to use.
Studio One (latest version), Win 11 23H2 , i9 -10940X 3.3 GHz, 32GB Mem, a 4K 40" monitor, PreSonus Studio Live III Console as interface/controller. secondarily test on Reaper, Cakewalk, and S1 on Surface Pro 3 Win 10 (latest versions).
I don't like the usage of large, puffy buttons with very pronounced gradient in BIAB. I would prefer a more flat /neutral look (everywhere) If it was up to me, I would get rid of at least 1/2 of the button graphics and replace them with just text buttons. If re-design will be done with future in mind - fully configurable, you can have different "themes", and if someone is into puffy-gradient stuff, they can have this look in a matter of of a few clicks.
I don't like the usage of large, puffy buttons with very pronounced gradient in BIAB. I would prefer a more flat /neutral look (everywhere) If it was up to me, I would get rid of at least 1/2 of the button graphics and replace them with just text buttons. If re-design will be done with future in mind - fully configurable, you can have different "themes", and if someone is into puffy-gradient stuff, they can have this look in a matter of a few clicks.
Yes, all buttons should first and foremost support the OS level text which is crisper and easier to read and scales to customers needs. Pictures are a secondary nice to have and should be translucent backgrounds to support the color theme.
There is one small exception where you're making small toolbars of tools such as pencils for writing erasers for deleting Cursor for moving in that case a small transparent background picture works best because you do not have room for the text,
Studio One (latest version), Win 11 23H2 , i9 -10940X 3.3 GHz, 32GB Mem, a 4K 40" monitor, PreSonus Studio Live III Console as interface/controller. secondarily test on Reaper, Cakewalk, and S1 on Surface Pro 3 Win 10 (latest versions).
If it was up to me, I would get rid of at least 1/2 of the button graphics and replace them with just text buttons.
Me too. For me there's too much 'clutter'.
One of the difficulties with graphics buttons is making a suitable set of graphics that mean something to the user. It seems a great idea to avoid words and use pictures, but in reality, for many graphics buttons, we read the short text or hover to read the tool-tip. Of course using text does need translations, though I guess most/all of that already exists.
I think part of the issue with the present graphics buttons is that PGM try to get the pictures meaningful by putting in quite a bit of detail, which is why the buttons are quite large. That both wastes real-estate and makes the effect rather VGA-like.
Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful. AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11 BIAB2025 Audiophile, a bunch of other software. Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts .
Yes, all buttons should first and foremost support the OS level text which is crisper and easier to read and scales to customers needs. Pictures are a secondary nice to have and should be translucent backgrounds to support the color theme.
BIAB is delivered in multiple language translations. The company needs to effectively manage that when considering multilingual versions.
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Professional & Windows 11, Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors
Yes, all buttons should first and foremost support the OS level text which is crisper and easier to read and scales to customers needs. Pictures are a secondary nice to have and should be translucent backgrounds to support the color theme.
BIAB is delivered in multiple language translations. The company needs to effectively manage that when considering multilingual versions.
Yes the OS will know what the native language is. This is why some do use pictures but they have to be universally recognized like a pencil or scissors. Buttons that toggle on/off should show the current state visually.
Studio One (latest version), Win 11 23H2 , i9 -10940X 3.3 GHz, 32GB Mem, a 4K 40" monitor, PreSonus Studio Live III Console as interface/controller. secondarily test on Reaper, Cakewalk, and S1 on Surface Pro 3 Win 10 (latest versions).
ive used many apps in the past that have pens and scissors and other tools. drives me nuts....frustrates the heck out of me....CONSTANTLY. just keep it KISS...
eg editing a audio or midi track.
1..user hilites a track section then.. 2..right click over the hilited area and a edit menu appears. ie kiss.
i recommend taking a leaf out of reaps v2 book that i like. KISS !! thats why i like it. i prefer an app be more intuitive and for me the fewer the graphic tool buttons the better.
honestly i'm NOT trying to be a 'A' ...but the above are my honest feelings. think of vision impaired people for example trying to use a pen . but thats just me.
om
Last edited by justanoldmuso; 01/27/2504:52 PM.
my songs....mixed for good earbuds...(fyi..my vocs on all songs..) https://soundcloud.com/alfsongs (90 songs created useing bb/rb) (lots of tips of mine in pg tips forum.)
Although I would agree with you and I'm a huge advocate of PGM simplifying existing to pure context actions and adding missing unique context menus, that action is at least two clicks away. There is a difference between editing audio and editing midi. Usually, MIDI edits can involve more action tools.
The state of the art in editing is what many companies call a smart tool. Smart tools change to a behavior that you would expect based on a where you are at on the target. For example, editing midi the tool will change depending on if you're on the left right top or bottom of a note, when editing audio, the tool will change depending on if you're at the top, middle, bottom or start/ends of an audio clip.
Studio One (latest version), Win 11 23H2 , i9 -10940X 3.3 GHz, 32GB Mem, a 4K 40" monitor, PreSonus Studio Live III Console as interface/controller. secondarily test on Reaper, Cakewalk, and S1 on Surface Pro 3 Win 10 (latest versions).
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