|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 349
Journeyman
|
OP
Journeyman
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 349 |
As a long time (well a couple of years)advocate of an optional new user interface, UI, for BIAB/RB I found this youtube video from a new user of Windows 8 very interesting. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTYet-qf1joDone in a sometimes amusing, sometimes annoying, modern graphic cartoon style, it takes a close look at what makes a computer program's UI a good one or a bad one and why he feels Windows 8 is a very bad one. This interested me for two reasons. If PG were to redesign the BIAB/RB UI, will it be more user friendly? And since I'm considering getting or building a new computer, is Windows 8 as bad as this video indicates? If so, that would narrow my choices of a new computer due to the default install of Windows 8 on most new machines. Would like to urge PG Music to watch the video before redesigning the interface (if they ever plan to) as it does bring up some good general guidelines and potential pitfalls. Also I'd like to hear from any new users of Windows 8 to see if this video makes valid points. Thanks Carkins
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913 |
I am not yet a Win 8 user, but I had a personal one-on-one introduction to it on the 'surface' at a Microsoft demo kiosk at Logan airport about 3 weeks ago.
That particular setup of Win 8 is aimed at the 'gotta be online' on tons of different sites simultaneously, that is demonstrated by some users these days.
My iPhone does this in a relatively graceful way, without a whole bunch of little screens all simultaneously waving their hands for my attention.
There is a more Win7 mode of Win8, which is probably what I will end up using if I ever buy another PC, which looks less and less like the future state for me.
One thing is clear, there are almost no music 'apps' in the Win8 app store. There are all kinds of books on the Win8 store on how to use music apps on other OS (which was very comical to me) but no real apps like the plethora of what's available for iOS.
iOS built in core audio and midi functions (they even call it that) into the OS itself. Low level code. No ASIO needed to be developed by a 3rd party - its in the iOS itself.
Kind of like what some of the Silicon Graphics computers had back in the 90's. They had instructions which took A/D directly to the CPU and directly from the CPU to D/A, without having it having to be buffered in/out of blocks of memory. They were THE choice for audio/video processing because of it for many years. The whole Indigo series.
As to interface design, the main question I would put out there would be:
Does a particular feature really need it's own 'window' to be manually opened and closed? Is there a way for the interface to be context sensitive and eliminate the operation of manual open/close? That's what is brilliant with a few products on the market; and not talking about Apple stuff here. Garageband on iPHone - elegant; less so on Mac OSX. One bad part about the iOS Garageband: you have to shake the device to delete the most recent take. Yes, shake - like an etch-a-sketch!
Think of any 'junk' manipulation process by the user and eliminate them. Unnecessary clicks, scrolls, menu picks, etc. etc.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,129
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,129 |
Quote:
Does a particular feature really need it's own 'window' to be manually opened and closed? Is there a way for the interface to be context sensitive and eliminate the operation of manual open/close? That's what is brilliant with a few products on the market; and not talking about Apple stuff here. Garageband on iPHone - elegant; less so on Mac OSX. One bad part about the iOS Garageband: you have to shake the device to delete the most recent take. Yes, shake - like an etch-a-sketch!
Think of any 'junk' manipulation process by the user and eliminate them. Unnecessary clicks, scrolls, menu picks, etc. etc.
My take - Windows 8 is not as bad as they say, but it is DIFFERENT enough to upset lots of people. It may very well go the route of Vista, and Windows "Blue" will be the more successful launch (e.g. XP to Vista to Win7 will be mirrored by Win 7 to Win 8 to Win Blue). Since the Win8 is such a copy of Apple's model, MS has a lot of growing pains to go through. But they have the deep pockets, persistence, and corporate culture 'copy and kill the competition' model that will eventually allow them to compete with products comparable in quality.
Love your point about built-in support for Audio and Midi - that is critically important for music enthusiasts and their associated 3rd party vendors.
Lastly - I agree entirely that the amount of navigation and clicking can be reduced in BB/RB, and it would make it easier to use the product. Although you refer to Garageband on iPhone, I do feel Apple products nailed it with their user interface (especially the iPad - the navigation I can do with my fingers is often faster than with the mouse - and that was no trivial design task !)
Lastly/lastly - I believe the PG UI guys (? who are these guys ? - they never comment on all these posts) should be closely studying the best of breed UI music technology and general computer application products to the point of going from novice to advanced users. Quite often, the UI which is most efficient to the power user is a cryptic, barrier to entry for the novice. Thus, 2 modes are very important.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Update Your PowerTracks Pro Audio 2024 Today!
The Newest RealBand 2024 Update is Here!
The newest RealBand 2024 Build 5 update is now available!
Download and install this to your RealBand 2024 for updated print options, streamlined loading and saving of .SGU & MGU (BB) files, and to add a number of program adjustments that address user-reported bugs and concerns.
This free update is available to all RealBand 2024 users. To learn more about this update and download it, head to www.pgmusic.com/support.realband.htm#20245
The Band-in-a-Box® Flash Drive Backup Option
Today (April 5) is National Flash Drive Day!
Did you know... not only can you download your Band-in-a-Box® Pro, MegaPAK, or PlusPAK purchase - you can also choose to add a flash drive backup copy with the installation files for only $15? It even comes with a Band-in-a-Box® keychain!
For the larger Band-in-a-Box® packages (UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition), the hard drive backup copy is available for only $25. This will include a preinstalled and ready to use program, along with your installation files.
Backup copies are offered during the checkout process on our website.
Already purchased your e-delivery version, and now you wish you had a backup copy? It's not too late! If your purchase was for the current version of Band-in-a-Box®, you can still reach out to our team directly to place your backup copy order!
Note: the Band-in-a-Box® keychain is only included with flash drive backup copies, and cannot be purchased separately.
Handy flash drive tip: Always try plugging in a USB device the wrong way first? If your flash drive (or other USB plug) doesn't have a symbol to indicate which way is up, look for the side with a seam on the metal connector (it only has a line across one side) - that's the side that either faces down or to the left, depending on your port placement.
Update your Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows® Today!
Update your Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows for free with build 1111!
With this update, there's more control when saving images from the Print Preview window, we've added defaults to the MultiPicker for sorting and font size, updated printing options, updated RealTracks and other content, and addressed user-reported issues with the StylePicker, MIDI Soloists, key signature changes, and more!
Learn more about this free update for Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows at www.pgmusic.com/support_windowsupdates.htm#1111
Band-in-a-Box® 2024 Review: 4.75 out of 5 Stars!
If you're looking for a in-depth review of the newest Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows version, you'll definitely find it with Sound-Guy's latest review, Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows Review: Incredible new capabilities to experiment, compose, arrange and mix songs.
A few excerpts:
"The Tracks view is possibly the single most powerful addition in 2024 and opens up a new way to edit and generate accompaniments. Combined with the new MultiPicker Library Window, it makes BIAB nearly perfect as an 'intelligent' composer/arranger program."
"MIDI SuperTracks partial generation showing six variations – each time the section is generated it can be instantly auditioned, re-generated or backed out to a previous generation – and you can do this with any track type. This is MAJOR! This takes musical experimentation and honing an arrangement to a new level, and faster than ever."
"Band in a Box continues to be an expansive musical tool-set for both novice and experienced musicians to experiment, compose, arrange and mix songs, as well as an extensive educational resource. It is huge, with hundreds of functions, more than any one person is likely to ever use. Yet, so is any DAW that I have used. BIAB can do some things that no DAW does, and this year BIAB has more DAW-like functions than ever."
Convenient Ways to Listen to Band-in-a-Box® Songs Created by Program Users!
The User Showcase Forum is an excellent place to share your Band-in-a-Box® songs and listen to songs other program users are creating!
There are other places you can listen to these songs too! Visit our User Showcase page to sort by genre, artist (forum name), song title, and date - each listing will direct you to the forum post for that song.
If you'd rather listen to these songs in one place, head to our Band-in-a-Box® Radio, where you'll have the option to select the genre playlist for your listening pleasure. This page has SoundCloud built in, so it won't redirect you. We've also added the link to the Artists SoundCloud page here, and a link to their forum post.
We hope you find some inspiration from this amazing collection of User Showcase Songs!
Congratulations to the 2023 User Showcase Award Winners!
We've just announced the 2023 User Showcase Award Winners!
There are 45 winners, each receiving a Band-in-a-Box 2024 UltraPAK! Read the official announcement to see if you've won.
Our User Showcase Forum receives more than 50 posts per day, with people sharing their Band-in-a-Box songs and providing feedback for other songs posted.
Thank you to everyone who has contributed!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums66
Topics81,587
Posts734,727
Members38,500
| |
Most Online2,537
Jan 19th, 2020
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean