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earlabs
07-05-2007, 02:12 PM
Okay, now that the remarks on the the ...a1, ...a2, and ...a3 releases have done their job AND now that I have read the manual from beginning to end, I re-post my original message that was in the thread where the new 1.872 was announced and which I withdrew after I figured out that I was asking for things that were already there. RTFM, right? ;)
After reading the manual there are still a few remarks and suggestions that I would like to share with you people:

track area:
- I think the button area on the top left is too big. The double row affects on the the whole area on top of the tracks (the three lines).
- the time indicators on top of the tracks are too big, they could also be positioned more closely to the tracks.
- the horizontal and vertical sliders might be a bit slimmer. The extra pixel around the area plus the shadow effect (another 2 pixels) seem a bit much, especially in the lower right corner of the track area (with +'s and the -'s)
- inserting a file that is bigger than screen width drags image to the right position of that file. That is a bit confusing, because I don't see the entire inserted file and feel sort of lost.
- the envelope points (IMO) are too big. It might be better to make the borders opaque and the central area colored. That way the clickable area would stay the same size but visually I think that is better.
- removing envelope points is cumbersome. audition> drag pointer off the track and it's gone.
- volume rubberband is (IMHO) not correct. I have a slider setting of -90dB to +6dB. The rubberband's 0dB is center. That leaves a lot of space to tune 0-6dB and relatively little space for -90-0dB.
- sliders to the left of the track are not necessary when mixer is up?

transport button area:
- the information on cursor position (right from transport buttons) should not be boxed. This way it requires much more pixel space and as it is not changeable as in contrast to other boxes in the same area (selection).

mixer area:
- the top layer could be smaller
- master area too wide for my taste
- right click on slider sets it to 0dB? the current window that is shown is a bit strange. Why would I want to see the slider again in another window? The information inside the box with indication of current volume is also already shown.

menu's:
- the menu texts could be more concise (perhaps by rearranging them?)

There are a few other remarks that I made in this thread:
http://www.cockos.com/forum/showthread.php?t=10647

I wholeheartedly support the request for a vst/dx explorer with more control. The list is too long at the moment and still growing. A favourites/or 10 last used list perhaps?

I am very very very impressed by what Reaper can do. I have yet to test the quality of the sound output, but of course a lot depends on the quality of the vst's. I have using Cool Edit (Pro) and Audition for years. I think that Reaper is actually steps ahead on the road that Audition should have gone years ago. Instead, Adobe decided to use it as a handy audio toolbox for its flagship Premiere Pro. The way things are looking now Reaper will play a major part in my music production.

LOSER
07-06-2007, 03:48 AM
- the time indicators on top of the tracks are too big, they could also be positioned more closely to the tracks.

What if you would want to enable "Measures and Beats (M:S Secondary)" as display option, it would still require two rows, right?

- the horizontal and vertical sliders might be a bit slimmer. The extra pixel around the area plus the shadow effect (another 2 pixels) seem a bit much, especially in the lower right corner of the track area (with +'s and the -'s)


It's skinable ;), so define your own faders.


- the envelope points (IMO) are too big. It might be better to make the borders opaque and the central area colored. That way the clickable area would stay the same size but visually I think that is better.


Too big? On higher resolutions they might get to small already ;).


- removing envelope points is cumbersome. audition> drag pointer off the track and it's gone.


Out off the track? To the right/left I assume, because otherwise it would be hard to make a volume envelope from like -INF dB to +6 dB.


- volume rubberband is (IMHO) not correct. I have a slider setting of -90dB to +6dB. The rubberband's 0dB is center. That leaves a lot of space to tune 0-6dB and relatively little space for -90-0dB.


You are refering to the faders, right? If so there are options to tweak there behaviour. Prefs -> Editng Behaviour -> Volume Fader Shape ... or something.


- sliders to the left of the track are not necessary when mixer is up?


Well do they harm?


transport button area:
- the information on cursor position (right from transport buttons) should not be boxed. This way it requires much more pixel space and as it is not changeable as in contrast to other boxes in the same area (selection).


IMO it makes it easier to find and read.


mixer area:
- the top layer could be smaller


Please be more precise.


- master area too wide for my taste


Well it is twice the width of a normal track, I think the MASTER deserves this.


- right click on slider sets it to 0dB? the current window that is shown is a bit strange. Why would I want to see the slider again in another window? The information inside the box with indication of current volume is also already shown.


Double Clicking it resets it to 0dB. The Box enables numerical entering of the value.


menu's:
- the menu texts could be more concise (perhaps by rearranging them?)


Present your concept.


I wholeheartedly support the request for a vst/dx explorer with more control. The list is too long at the moment and still growing. A favourites/or 10 last used list perhaps?


You can define your own folders.

earlabs
07-06-2007, 12:13 PM
What if you would want to enable "Measures and Beats (M:S Secondary)" as display option, it would still require two rows, right?


Well, it seems that in that case the three rows are still there, and not used by the time indicators. So it's a waste of space.


Out off the track? To the right/left I assume, because otherwise it would be hard to make a volume envelope from like -INF dB to +6 dB.

No, no up or down. Indeed sometimes it is difficult when the click points are near or at the borders. But I can imagine that the point where you need to let go of the the point should be somewhat further up or down from the border, you can make a distinction between "I want to place it at the border" and "I want to get rid of it".

You are refering to the faders, right? If so there are options to tweak there behaviour. Prefs -> Editng Behaviour -> Volume Fader Shape ... or something.

No, I am refering to the volume envelope rubber band on the track. 0dB equals a position at the center of the track. So the 0 to +6dB has the same amount of space as the -90 to 0dB. Which is not correct, I think.

Well do they harm?

On a screen, anything that is there while it is not necessary should be removed. Especially when there are so many other things that might be useful.

IMO it makes it easier to find and read.

Yes, but from a usability point of view it is not right. And when it's not boxed I have trouble reading it also.

Please be more precise.

Simple; it does not have to be as high as this. This too, has to do with pixel efficiency.

Well it is twice the width of a normal track, I think the MASTER deserves this.

Why?

Double Clicking it resets it to 0dB. The Box enables numerical entering of the value.

I know, but I still think that the other info (after right click) makes no sense.

Present your concept.

I will, shortly.

You can define your own folders.

okay, I will look into that.

Thanks for your response, Loser!

LOSER
07-06-2007, 03:13 PM
Well, it seems that in that case the three rows are still there, and not used by the time indicators. So it's a waste of space.


Those three lines are for markers, tempo markers and regions.


No, no up or down. Indeed sometimes it is difficult when the click points are near or at the borders. But I can imagine that the point where you need to let go of the the point should be somewhat further up or down from the border, you can make a distinction between "I want to place it at the border" and "I want to get rid of it".


Fair enough and reasonable.


No, I am refering to the volume envelope rubber band on the track. 0dB equals a position at the center of the track. So the 0 to +6dB has the same amount of space as the -90 to 0dB. Which is not correct, I think.


Yeah, now I see your point.


Why?


First to make a distinction between a normal and the master track plus for the wider meters (to display both RMS and peak values).


I know, but I still think that the other info (after right click) makes no sense.


BTW that pop up box will also show sends and recieves of that track and let you quickly adjust them.

earlabs
07-06-2007, 11:27 PM
Those three lines are for markers, tempo markers and regions.

ah, I see it now

I have been looking at the zoom function again. I was surprised to see that the + and - signs zoom in at cursor. I thought they had a similar function as the horizontal bar. The horizontal bar does not zoom in as far as the + sign. But that's a question of getting used to. The vertical zoom works different: there is no zoom bar but only the + and - signs. When I zoom to one track full screen I miss a center wave line. But I will check with my audio editor.

I have been looking into the effects directory structure. I see that I can add directories. But the ones on top stay on top so I have to scroll down every time. I would like to see a directory 'delays' or 'limiters/compressors'. I only care for choosing between vst or vsti or dx later (if at all).

BTW: what's your opinion on the idea of a 'live master track'? I raised this subject in http://www.cockos.com/forum/showthread.php?t=10647

alex zonder
07-07-2007, 05:44 AM
I would like to see a directory 'delays' or 'limiters/compressors'.

Then simply create them, and from the general list drag all delays and compressors to the new folders...

The general list keeps intact; users (and REAPER) need to be able to quickly find specific FX on their system (using the text filter at the bottom).

But yes I agree, it would be nice if one could change the tree/hierarchy of the folder list in the FX Browser... I'd put what's on top now (general lists) at the bottom, and when I add a new folder I'd like to be able to decide upon its place in the list (now the added one always comes last).

earlabs
07-12-2007, 01:01 PM
is there a way that we could:
- 'open' and 'close' tracks (make them extended and compacted) through a toggle switch?
- close popup windows (like right click on a slider) by right clicking again?

drew
07-13-2007, 05:33 AM
On the 'open' & 'close' track question I do think it would be handy to be able to collapse tracks to a thin line (like a track in a closed folder) and to lock tracks.

I think Justin mentioned once before that hiding tracks totally could complicate things (like bringing them back!) so actions to shrink & lock could be good - both independently and together.