Old 10-31-2014, 11:49 AM   #1
Evan
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Default JS effects: show Text/description

(Surely an old FR, but can't bother digging it now.)

Pretty simple really: add a text/description panel in the FX browser (and perhaps the FX chain) for JS effects.

This would allow for brief description, and/or comments/instructions on how to use each plugin. (These can be inserted by the developers through special comments in the code.)

The reasoning being: JS effects is like a large pool of, sometimes very useful but largely obscure plugins. I tend to avoid them because they often result in confusion, and not finding what I want.

A short description attached to the plugins (could be a simple text panel below or to the right of the FX browser) would make things a lot easier. And would make it less necessary to go hunting for basic information on the forums/internet. Less distraction, more work done.

Thanks


Now in the tracker: http://forum.cockos.com/project.php?issueid=5420

Last edited by Evan; 11-13-2014 at 03:47 AM.
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Old 10-31-2014, 12:01 PM   #2
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Totally agree. I went a couple years without using JS plugins just because I didn't know what they did or if they were actually good. The names don't often indicate the purpose, there are still a ton I don't understand.
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Old 10-31-2014, 12:13 PM   #3
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This^^^^^^^^
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Old 11-13-2014, 03:47 AM   #4
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Bump, added in the tracker.... thanks!

Vote here: http://forum.cockos.com/project.php?issueid=5420
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Old 11-13-2014, 06:44 AM   #5
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Pretty neat.

Maybe this could be part of this forum.

A little database of JS plugins currently shipped with Reaper.
  • Every forum user with more than 10 posts can write up to 300 chars on each plugin.

  • Other forum users can upvote or downvote those descriptions

  • the top 3 descriptions are compiled and included in the installer with each release.
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Old 11-13-2014, 06:47 AM   #6
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Would be useful. However I've renamed most of JS plugins so they at least look nicer in the browser (I fucking hate underlines and all lowercases).

I'd like for JS section in the browser to SUPPORT SUBFOLDERS before this happens... Or along with it, that'd be fine too.
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Old 01-12-2016, 04:10 PM   #7
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Most totally vote on this one! Those JS plugins are really frustrating. I can't figure out how to use mor than half of them, and yet I'm sure they are really useful! Their names certainly imply cool functionality!

Short instructions on how to use would really be great!
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Old 01-13-2016, 01:58 PM   #8
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Generally I tend not to use any plugin without description. I understand that anyone who is giving away stuff for free doesn't feel like spending even more time to write a proper documentation. But the horrible GUI of all JS plugins and the lack of even a minimal description what the plugin is all about is not encouraging.

That's sad because many of them are probably really useful.
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Old 01-13-2016, 02:25 PM   #9
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I'm no developer/programmer but honestly, if I wen't through the trouble of programming a plugin and then felt the urge of sharing it with the community...I think I would have found the time to at least write one or two paragraphs on the plugin, as it's done in the Reaper manual. Nothing much, just what it's for and how to use the controls. (just in case some of you didn't know, there is a small portion of those plugins that are described and explained in the manual. Just search 'JS Plug' in the manual and you'll find it. For me it's at page 299)
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Old 01-13-2016, 02:58 PM   #10
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No other plugins in the world will have this. My VST plugins include so many that are unidentifiable by name! I guess folders help a bit, but...

Anyway, there's this.

Plus, most people actually do describe their plugs when they upload them to the stash, and some even have descriptions/instructions in the code itself, so you just have to click the Edit button.
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Old 01-13-2016, 03:36 PM   #11
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Thanks, yes I had forgotten that page. It's certainly better than nothing but I still - in the case of a lot of these plugins - don't understand how to make them work. The link you posted is helpful to understand what they are supposed to do though and in some cases, even the instructions are enough. Still a ton of plugins remain an enigma for most users...too bad.
I had tried clicking the Edit button, but in the JS at least, I still haven't found anything useful yet.
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Old 01-14-2016, 01:34 AM   #12
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I just had a quick skim through that Wiki page and am not sure what you would want in the way of more verbose explanations of the various JS plugs.

All seems pretty self-explanatory, assuming you know how this sort of stuff works in the first place.
Which ones are you struggling with?
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Old 01-14-2016, 01:42 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ivansc View Post
I just had a quick skim through that Wiki page and am not sure what you would want in the way of more verbose explanations of the various JS plugs.

All seems pretty self-explanatory, assuming you know how this sort of stuff works in the first place.
Which ones are you struggling with?
those descriptions in reaper's fx browser.
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Old 01-14-2016, 02:56 PM   #14
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ivansc, well, since you ask...JS MIDI Map To Key v2 is giving me trouble.
I assume it's meant to - as the name implies - aid in remapping MIDI notes from a source to a destination.
So, I have this Kontakt library that doesn't conform at all to the GM MIDI standard so when I load some MIDI loops, it sounds like nonsense.
Therefore, I figured this plugin would help me tell Kontakt to play the correct sound (a Kick instead of a snare for ex.)

Well, I can't get that JS plugin to do anything really! There are only very few settings so I don't understand how I can go wrong but I am.

I select a Note In and then a Note Out but as soon as I hit the keyboard, the setting is lost and both Note In & Out are reset to the same note, i.e. the one I just played on the keyboard!?
So ivansc...can you help me with this one??
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Old 01-15-2016, 03:24 AM   #15
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Default JS FX descriptions?

(a) Does this description come from the desc; line in the JS FX itself?
(b) I turned on the option but did not see any. What have I missed?
(c) Once turned on, the option is greyed out so I cannot turn it off. ???
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Old 01-15-2016, 04:51 AM   #16
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Darkstar...who are you asking the question to and regarding what?
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Old 01-15-2016, 05:26 AM   #17
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Agree with maybe a hover to see description option for these IF that would be do-able.
My main concern would be how much screen real estate we would lose to a feature like this.
Certainly the idea itself is good.
I have my pet set of JS plugs I use a lot and seldom stray into terra incognita, maybe something like this would make me more adventurous....


P.S. Chumbo - Sorry, you are on your own as I have never used that one!
I will have a play with it though, even if I too come up empty.
My guess is that it WILL re-map MIDI notes but not within a plug like Kontakt.
ED might be able to help on this, as he is the God of Kontakt, despite his protestations to the contrary!
Off to have a fiddle about....

Try clicking on "Edit" within the plugin`s tools and there is extensive help in setting it up.
Didn`t take the time to check out everything it does but I for one will be back exploring that one further.
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Last edited by ivansc; 01-15-2016 at 05:38 AM. Reason: UPDATE
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Old 01-15-2016, 05:53 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chumbo View Post
Darkstar...who are you asking the question to and regarding what?
Not you - it is just about the JSFX descriptions.
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Old 01-15-2016, 09:00 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ivansc View Post
Try clicking on "Edit" within the plugin`s tools and there is extensive help in setting it up.
Hmmm, are you sure? Did you actually look or are you assuming there is? Because I didn't find anything helpful, only code! :-S
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