how many people are using color faders?

[lucas_LCS]

Is it just a few or do most use them?

I'm thinking of removing them from future layouts menus to make it easier to navigate.

::

[mawi]

I don't use them and i don't use separators. I use colored tracks instead.

[Tobbe]

Rarely...but BUS, AUX/EFFECTS, VCA layouts I would love to see more. I seen it in some themes (don't remember which ones), If I choosed BUS it had a darker color, AUX has another color and VCA it's own color. Very pleasent for my eye.

Thanks Lucas for all your super themes. You doing a great job...and your are fast as lightning.

[+NRG]

Not me...

[Alsion]

I use them rarely. Most of the time when there is no specific layout for VCAs, Folders, FX and other special tracks. And for my 4 cue mixes.

So with more layouts for "special" tracks I can perfectly live without colored faders (or only 1 or 2 additional colors).

[DarkStar]

Originally Posted by lucas_LCS

Is it just a few or do most use them?

I'm thinking of removing them from future layouts menus to make it easier to navigate.

::

I do and the navigation is awkward. So I use this:



https://forum.cockos.com/showthread.php?t=240186

[lucas_LCS]

Thanks, everyone, I appreciate the feedback.

Originally Posted by Tobbe

Rarely...but BUS, AUX/EFFECTS, VCA layouts I would love to see more. I seen it in some themes (don't remember which ones), If I choosed BUS it had a darker color, AUX has another color and VCA it's own color. Very pleasent for my eye.

Two questions:
1) are the faders for those layouts a different color or are the layout backgrounds a different color?

2) what is needed and not needed on a BUS layout?
It's not clear to me how a BUS layout differs from a normal layout.

The AUX/EFFECTS layouts seem unnecessary to me for themes based on default v6 since Sidebar mode can be setup for any of the 3 layouts.

Originally Posted by Tobbe

Thanks Lucas for all your super themes.

You're welcome!

::

[lucas_LCS]

Originally Posted by +NRG

Not me...

how do you tell which race car team is winning then?


::

[lucas_LCS]

Originally Posted by Alsion

I use them rarely. Most of the time when there is no specific layout for VCAs, Folders, FX and other special tracks. And for my 4 cue mixes.

Thanks.
I have criteria for VCA layouts already, but as I mentioned earlier to Tobbe, it's not clear to me what is needed and not needed on the other layouts.

Can you clarify what is different on the Folder, FX and other specal tracks that signify what type of layout it is?



::

[lucas_LCS]

Originally Posted by DarkStar

I do and the navigation is awkward. So I use this:
https://forum.cockos.com/showthread.php?t=240186

yes.
As I mentioned in the other thread, that script is very nice.
Unfortunately it requires extra setup for each theme and an additional install step for the users.
This would be fine for my personal use, but is not expedient for theme distribution.

::

[+NRG]

Originally Posted by lucas_LCS

how do you tell which race car team is winning then?

::

I just use track colors to identify the teams! B)

[Alsion]

Originally Posted by lucas_LCS

Thanks.
I have criteria for VCA layouts already, but as I mentioned earlier to Tobbe, it's not clear to me what is needed and not needed on the other layouts.

Can you clarify what is different on the Folder, FX and other specal tracks that signify what type of layout it is?
::

E.g on folder tracks (that are only there for the structure for me) I don't need any buttons for routing etc. except Solo and Mute. Maybe with a easy to see icon indicating it is a folder track.
For e.g. FX I normally don't use the fader or the Solo and Mute buttons. I just add the effect(s) I want to use and keep everything untouched.

[Tobbe]

Hi Lucas,

I found one theme that has these layouts. It's Blankfiles Hydra Theme. Looks like this:

In MCP from left to right: VCA - BUS - FX - and three "default" tracks
In TCP there ain't anyone for VCA, but BUS and FX has a layout. The faders look the same for BUS and default tracks but are in different color for VCA and FX.

[oneammonday]

I use different colored backgrounds for different types of instruments(drums, guitars, bass, etc), and different colored faders for different kinds of tracks(black faders as default, red for parent, bus, and master, white for effects). I don't use separators.

[lucas_LCS]

Originally Posted by oneammonday

I use different colored backgrounds for different types of instruments(drums, guitars, bass, etc), and different colored faders for different kinds of tracks(black faders as default, red for parent, bus, and master, white for effects). I don't use separators.

Thanks, oneammonday.
That's very helpful.

::

[lucas_LCS]

@ Alsion and Tobbe:
Thank you for the further details.

::

[lucas_LCS]

So my current thoughts are as follows:
Parent Folders are indicated with the folder icon at the bottom by the track number.
Additionally, any layout can be setup to have a border on the parent and end folder and the Folder indent can also to be used to help easily identify a parent folder.
However, since I know some people use Sub-Masters instead of folders I will leave the Red Fader option in.

I think the FX track can be addressed with a strip track set to expand with a Sidebar instead of a dedicated FX Rack layout.

I agree that the VCA track option is probably still a viable idea, so I will include in the upcoming theme.

Here is a basic idea for using the layouts as described above:



I think the Parent folders are clearly indicated here.
The FX track can be set to only expand when selected and reduce to a strip when unselected.

::

[+NRG]

Originally Posted by lucas_LCS

So my current thoughts are as follows:
Parent Folders are indicated with the folder icon at the bottom by the track number.
Additionally, any layout can be setup to have a border on the parent and end folder and the Folder indent can also to be used to help easily identify a parent folder.
However, since I know some people use Sub-Masters instead of folders I will leave the Red Fader option in.

I think the FX track can be addressed with a strip track set to expand with a Sidebar instead of a dedicated FX Rack layout.

I agree that the VCA track option is probably still a viable idea, so I will include in the upcoming theme.

Here is a basic idea for using the layouts as described above:



I think the Parent folders are clearly indicated here.
The FX track can be set to only expand when selected and reduce to a strip when unselected.

::

That looks great!

[Retro]

Originally Posted by oneammonday

I use different colored backgrounds for different types of instruments(drums, guitars, bass, etc), and different colored faders for different kinds of tracks(black faders as default, red for parent, bus, and master, white for effects). I don't use separators.

This is basically what I do also.

[Retro]

Originally Posted by lucas_LCS

So my current thoughts are as follows:
Parent Folders are indicated with the folder icon at the bottom by the track number.
Additionally, any layout can be setup to have a border on the parent and end folder and the Folder indent can also to be used to help easily identify a parent folder.
However, since I know some people use Sub-Masters instead of folders I will leave the Red Fader option in.

I think the FX track can be addressed with a strip track set to expand with a Sidebar instead of a dedicated FX Rack layout.

I agree that the VCA track option is probably still a viable idea, so I will include in the upcoming theme.

Here is a basic idea for using the layouts as described above:



I think the Parent folders are clearly indicated here.
The FX track can be set to only expand when selected and reduce to a strip when unselected.

::

I think this looks good. The sidebar is a good fx option as it allows you to see the inserts while the MCP is fully collapsed.

[oneammonday]

Hey there, lucas. You do good work, I've stolen some of your stuff for my ever evolving Frankenstein of a dark v5 theme. Cheers to ya.

[Rusty Falcon]

Personally I use colored track backgrounds, but am finding I like similar colored faders if they are available. Not a deal breaker for me, just something aesthetically pleasing.

[White Tie]

I did colour faders in Imperial because in those days we only had the old-style track colouring, so if you wanted to differentiate tracks by colour that meant you got a side order of it washing out / reducing the contrast of everything, which was particularly egregious in such a tarty theme. Coloured faders did the job and looked great. Now that we have V5 colouring, I'd say that most of their practical purpose can be far better served by track colouring.

It also wasn't practical to do MCP folder indenting in those days without getting lots of unpleasant side effects, also now not a problem.

The simple reality is that beause Reaper isn't set up to have user selectable coloured faders and so make them a seamless experience, we're fighting it to do something it never thought we would (standard themer behaviour!) but Reaper is now set up to do custom colouring well.

Coloured faders are now only really worthwhile for 'because I like them' reasons. Which is fine, those are 100% valid reasons of course, just far harder to pin down and make a decision on, right?

[+NRG]

Originally Posted by White Tie

I did colour faders in Imperial because in those days we only had the old-style track colouring, so if you wanted to differentiate tracks by colour that meant you got a side order of it washing out / reducing the contrast of everything, which was particularly egregious in such a tarty theme. Coloured faders did the job and looked great. Now that we have V5 colouring, I'd say that most of their practical purpose can be far better served by track colouring.

It also wasn't practical to do MCP folder indenting in those days without getting lots of unpleasant side effects, also now not a problem.

The simple reality is that beause Reaper isn't set up to have user selectable coloured faders and so make them a seamless experience, we're fighting it to do something it never thought we would (standard themer behaviour!) but Reaper is now set up to do custom colouring well.

Coloured faders are now only really worthwhile for 'because I like them' reasons. Which is fine, those are 100% valid reasons of course, just far harder to pin down and make a decision on, right?

That’s the way I see it as well...

[Retro]

A compromise that I have thought about is to have a specific colored faders on the specialized tracks such as bus, VCA, FX sends as standard to help them stand out with the option to select a non-colorized version for those who don't like it. This reduces the menu count to only two color option for specialized tracks and still sets them apart for those who like the additional color coding.

[Greg Savage]

Originally Posted by lucas_LCS

Is it just a few or do most use them?

I'm thinking of removing them from future layouts menus to make it easier to navigate.

::

All the time

[poetnprophet]

Originally Posted by lucas_LCS

Is it just a few or do most use them?

I'm thinking of removing them from future layouts menus to make it easier to navigate.

::

I do, not a lot but right now specifically for FX return tracks. along with colored tracks, etc.

[xpander]

I have a different color for the MCP master, basically just because I can have it. In some of my older themes I have a specific fader color for the VCA tracks.

[todoublez]

I use them with my background script that switching theme layout automatically depends on current track's modes , like

trim / touch / latch / record arm enabled

[Win Conway]

Originally Posted by todoublez

I use them with my background script that switching theme layout automatically depends on current track's modes , like

trim / touch / latch / record arm enabled

You got a link to that script ?

[lucas_LCS]

Originally Posted by +NRG

I just use track colors to identify the teams! B)

oh my, look at all that HiDPI goodness!

::

[lucas_LCS]

@ Retro
Thanks, I appreciate the feedback.
TBH, I sorta assumed what your position would be from your themes.


@ oneammonday
Thanks! feel free to use what you need.
I only ask that you post it on Stash if you decide to share.

@ Rusty Falcon
Thanks. I appreciate the detailed response

@ Greg Savage
Thanks, I appreciate the feedback

@ poetnprophet
Thank you for weighing in on this.

@ xpander
Thanks for the detailed response.
It sounds like we are mostly in synch on this.
I also like have a red fader on the master.
My VCA layouts also have a fader color not available to the other layouts.

@ todoublez
Thanks for the detailed response.
very helpful.

::

[lucas_LCS]

Originally Posted by White Tie

I did colour faders in Imperial because in those days we only had the old-style track colouring, so if you wanted to differentiate tracks by colour that meant you got a side order of it washing out / reducing the contrast of everything, which was particularly egregious in such a tarty theme. Coloured faders did the job and looked great. Now that we have V5 colouring, I'd say that most of their practical purpose can be far better served by track colouring.

It also wasn't practical to do MCP folder indenting in those days without getting lots of unpleasant side effects, also now not a problem.

The simple reality is that beause Reaper isn't set up to have user selectable coloured faders and so make them a seamless experience, we're fighting it to do something it never thought we would (standard themer behaviour!) but Reaper is now set up to do custom colouring well.

Coloured faders are now only really worthwhile for 'because I like them' reasons. Which is fine, those are 100% valid reasons of course, just far harder to pin down and make a decision on, right?

So true.
Thanks for weighing in.
It's really only an issue because the layout menu does not have sub-menus.
I put in a feature request for this:

https://forum.cockos.com/showthread.php?t=230114

Could you take a look my proposal and ask the Devs if this is do-able?

::

[Win Conway]

I always used colored faders and VU too, then you just use a script assigned to colored buttons rather than a color selector, the script changes the layout, its pretty simple.

[+NRG]

Originally Posted by lucas_LCS

oh my, look at all that HiDPI goodness!

::

I love the V6 Default Theme 200% size! But I don’t use HiDPI monitors... I have a 27” PC monitor (1920x1080) and 15” laptop (1366×768). I just like things big and clear and don’t need many tracks. Old school... I’m a strange lad B)

I’m looking forward to seeing what you come up with next. Love your work!

[todoublez]

Originally Posted by Win Conway

You got a link to that script ?

that's a personal development
still debugging , once its stable I'll ask my friend to share on web.

[Retro Audio Enthusiast]

Originally Posted by DarkStar

I do and the navigation is awkward. So I use this:



https://forum.cockos.com/showthread.php?t=240186

What theme is that Darkstar?

[oneammonday]

Hey there, lucas. I just use stolen stuff for my own use (maybe I should say "borrowed", lol). I wouldn't upload anything unless I created it. Cheers to you, sir.

[Win Conway]

Just added them to my new theme, colors will be on buttons as per the gif, no layout actions used, just a simple script by bfooz.

[+NRG]

Lucas, FWIW... On an old theme (prior to V6) I cut out the slot the faders (slot cars!) ride in and let some or all of the track color come through. If the fader is semi-transparent it would get a colored stripe similar to the track color.

I haven’t figured out how to do it on the MCP with the default V6 theme...