Reaplugs GUI Concept

[Pink Wool]

Originally Posted by iscaryoth

@gxray: Thank you. I've fiddled a little bit more to replace the fixed sizes with ones defined relatively to the window size; oh, and the resizing should be working much better now. As a bonus I've took the 50HzKicker and applied some small changes... and it looks like it's working.

So, how could we get you to team up with @reznikdesign and get you guys to make more of these wonderful things? 😲

Perhaps this is worthy of a patreon project to get something concrete out there (that perhaps @Justin and @Schwa could implement one way or another to Reaper, if they so desire)?

[kainkrup]

Love it!!

[Ann-82]

This just looks amazing! Is it possible to try out this UI?

I wish so bad that you are going to re-design the entire GUI of reaper!

[Phazma]

Originally Posted by Ann-82

I wish so bad that you are going to re-design the entire GUI of reaper!

Yeah that sleek and comprehensive look should be all over Reaper. A lot can be done with theming already but many parts can just not be accessed and stick out like sore thumbs no matter how great the themer is and how much attention to detail he put in his work.

I also wish all the settings windows were redesigned too as many of them seem like settings have been thrown into them one after the other where a little space was found and in my experience one has to almost read through all settings every time something needs to be changed because they don’t jump to the eyes. With a little care in aligning settings, giving text-boxes sensible dimensions and grouping options into meaningful sections navigating and configuring Reaper would be much quicker.

[iscaryoth]

Hi all, here's another one for ya:


This time I looked into the masterLimiter. It's functional, but since there was no redesign graphics I sketched out something that resembles the compressor. On the surface it does not look that different from the previous plugins, but under the hood I've done a couple of improvements, mainly fixed some VU alignment (bar vs numbers), added ability to easily change accent color and draw sliders, that can be also drawn on top of meters (and their scales are aligned).

For anyone interested that missed the original: https://github.com/iscaryoth/jsfx
I really appreciate your comments as they do help keep focus on the bits that are most helpful for us all.

@Pink Wool: I greatly appreciate your enthusiasm. I'm really having fun doing these things. With ReaPlugs, though, as these are closed source there is not really much I can do.

[Distressor]

I would love for the Reaper Plugins to be themable.

I'm not a big fan of this flat look that is proposed here though. I think it looks boring and unispired.
Almost as bad as Ableton live (the most ugly DAW ever) with a little Apple Logic mixed in (which gets uglier with every update).
I'm just not a fan of the flat look that is so popular at the moment.
That's just the thing with design. Everybody has a different opinion.
I also prefer faders to dials in general.

I know the Reaper Plugs can look terrible. This is especially true for all the mac users unfortunately.

The way they are now actually works well with my theme i have to say.
If i could i would change them but i really prefer them the way they are now to what is proposed in this thread.
The current "design" - if you actually want to call it that - is pleasantly simple and retro.
I like it.

[Pink Wool]

Originally Posted by iscaryoth

Hi all, here's another one for ya:


@Pink Wool: I greatly appreciate your enthusiasm. I'm really having fun doing these things. With ReaPlugs, though, as these are closed source there is not really much I can do.

Nice! Wizardry!

I didn't mention anything about Reaplugs though as I'm very well aware those aren't skinnable.

What I did write was that perhaps we, as a community, could support your (and the OP's) work through some means (Patrion?) and then when there's enough of these designs that actually work - not "just" concepts, they could be offered to the devs (as an example?)

I think it's one of the only ways these would ever get "out into the wild" any "official way". Can't see Justin or Schwa taking time from their superbusy schedule to re-design and make some JS effect gui's!

But I do think that a redesign (of Reaper) should happen at some level. And not only looks wise but with accessibility in mind. And the JS plugs are an important part of that! And if something free (workwise) and easily appliable is offered to the devs, they might atleast consider the possibility of changing some things for the better, in my opinion.

Perhaps by offering the job to someone whose well-versed on such designs or opening Reaper more for theming so that people can make it even more their own (the more likely scenario).

Just my 2 cents.

[tonalstates]

Let's also all call in youtuber Tantacrul to help so he can move this on hahaha he's actually helping Musescore and Audacity on a new look too.

At least, someone like that.. GUI does matter.

[Phazma]

Originally Posted by tonalstates

Let's also all call in youtuber Tantacrul to help so he can move this on hahaha he's actually helping Musescore and Audacity on a new look too.

At least, someone like that.. GUI does matter.

Yes someone like Tantacrul would do Reaper very good. He does not primarily focus on looks, where tastes can vary (as this and many other threads show), but on the actual usability and intuitiveness of finding the right controls and options where they make most sense. Also (as said previously) re-designing and decluttering all the windows so that everything aligns and having visual consistency is much needed.

[Distressor]

Originally Posted by Phazma

...focus on ... the actual usability and intuitiveness of finding the right controls and options where they make most sense.
Also (as said previously) re-designing and decluttering all the windows so that everything aligns and having visual consistency is much needed.

A lot of that can actually be achieved already by tweaking the menues, designing a custom theme that fits your workflow and by writing some macros and especially scripts that automate otherwise tedious actions or workflows.
By default Reaper is pretty complicated, tedious and frankly somewhat terrible in my opinion.

A good example for this is the way the mouse controls are set up by default.
I just like to select things with the left mouse button. I've been doing it this way since i first used a mouse sometime in the late 80ies. It's great how easy this can be changed.
I also think there are way to many options to go through to record media or to listen to an external instrument that is played by a master keyboard or anything that has to do with these track options.
By default they aren't even accessible via the same menu. This was very confusing to me in the beginning and all the options felt overwhelming and redundant.
Fortunately this can be broken down to just a few with the right script, that sets all the different options at once. In my case i just need two scripts that are assigned to shortcuts.
I now understand that this is the way it's supposed to be. The numerous options and combinations are there so everybody is able to configure them to their own need.
The way i have this set up now is not possible in any DAW besides Reaper and it's the most elegant workflow i could ever think of.
These are just two prominent examples of the (perceived) hundreds of quirks that i had to fix.

Now that i'm almost finished Reaper has become the most straight forward DAW i've ever used in the past 20+ years.
I made it work the way i think it should be. Something i don't have to think about, that feels natural to me and is fast to work with. Something that did not exist in this form before.
To somebody else however it's probably really confusing and entirely useless.
But that's the beauty of it. Everybody can tweak Reaper to fit their own personal desired workflow (to some extend). You have to put in the work though - and it's not a quick fix.

I know this is not for everybody and it's a lot of work. It took me a few years to optimize Reaper to my needs. I designed my own theme and i also learned Lua to write my own scripts.
This is essential really. Reaper is the Linux of DAWs and you have to tweak it to make it great.

If any kind of redesign ever happens i hope we'll be able to customize it even more.
I would love total freedom of any window layout, more options everywhere as well as an even deeper integration of scripting.
Also there should be way better documentation of the scripting functions including examples!
I'm not a total novice when it comes to writing some basic code but i'm also not a programmer.
While i was able to create some simple scripts relatively fast there are still some functions i have trouble to implement.

There are definitely some aspects of Reaper that would benefit a lot if they would be optimized. Some things are just not fixable by writing a few scripts and some of them are really annoying.
The focus should be on DIY tweakbility though. That's what sets Reaper aside from all the other DAWs and what makes it entirely unique.
Nobody needs another ProTools, Logic, Live, Cubendo, {insert favorite DAW here} clone.

Cheers

[Phazma]

@Distressor I agree with everything you said and in fact I have heavily tweaked each menu, the theme, created toolbars, shortcuts, custom actions, installed scripts etc.. I believe Reaper is the DAW for the person that says “ok I will take some time to set this and that up and afterwards I never have to think about it again”. And I believe that there are many Reaper users like me who are on some kind of FrankenDAW and would feel like they are using a new DAW on default Reaper.

What I am talking about is rather changing things like the item properties window, preferences page, render dialog etc so that they are less straining when they have to be used and options can be found more quickly. I am talking about putting related things on the same preference page rather than on 3 different pages and partially only as options in action list so that they can be found and tweaked quickly by new as well as seasoned Reaper users. I am also talking about getting work like this done:

[Pink Wool]

Originally Posted by Phazma

Yes please!

[Distressor]

Originally Posted by Phazma

Awesome how a little rearranging can improve something so much.
Great work.

[Phazma]

Originally Posted by Distressor

Awesome how a little rearranging can improve something so much.
Great work.

To be fair this mockup has been made by USR and he has made a FR thread about it. If you like it bump up his request here: https://forum.cockos.com/showthread.php?t=248895

[chmaha]

They look absolutely stunning. Well done, @reznikdesign!

I understand the devs wanting to maintain accessibility but optional skinning would be fantastic. It would be a whole new avenue of community involvement. While we have to respect the powers-that-be, this takes nothing away from the sheer beauty of the figma mock-ups. You clearly have a bright future!

[reznikdesign]

Originally Posted by BethHarmon

They look absolutely stunning. Well done, @reznikdesign!

Thanks. The thing that bothers me about Reaper's GUI is function-over-usability approach. Sure, a human can get used to anything but that's not how modern interfaces should work.

[chmaha]

Originally Posted by reznikdesign

Thanks. The thing that bothers me about Reaper's GUI is function-over-usability approach. Sure, a human can get used to anything but that's not how modern interfaces should work.

I tend to agree. People will always be drawn to a inspirational GUI even if it makes no difference to the sound. I'm sure that's partly why Studio One, FL Studio and Cubase sell so well. I've also noticed that MAGIX have been redesigning their plugins (through Audio Plugin Union). They now have CoreFX, ColorFX and WizardFX and they look much more inviting than the old stock versions. It definitely does make a difference. The advice is always to not judge a book by its cover but it's pretty much how we operate as humans.

Anyway, again, a fantastic effort and hopefully you'll be designing DAW themes and plugin skins in the very near future! Hopefully REAPER's, but, if not, our loss.

[BartR]

Originally Posted by BethHarmon

I tend to agree. People will always be drawn to a inspirational GUI even if it makes no difference to the sound. I'm sure that's partly why Studio One, FL Studio and Cubase sell so well. I've also noticed that MAGIX have been redesigning their plugins (through Audio Plugin Union). They now have CoreFX, ColorFX and WizardFX and they look much more inviting than the old stock versions. It definitely does make a difference. The advice is always to not judge a book by its cover but it's pretty much how we operate as humans.

Anyway, again, a fantastic effort and hopefully you'll be designing DAW themes and plugin skins in the very near future! Hopefully REAPER's, but, if not, our loss.

TUKAN demonstrated that (at least for JS) it's possible to get astonishing nice UIs with very minimal data load.
Because it's not needed to upload tons of knobs. Just 1 knob, it's pointed by several plugins. This makes the life easier.

My desire is that this concept could be applied to all the plugins of Reaper.

[chmaha]

Originally Posted by BartR

TUKAN demonstrated that (at least for JS) it's possible to get astonishing nice UIs with very minimal data load.
Because it's not needed to upload tons of knobs. Just 1 knob, it's pointed by several plugins. This makes the life easier.

My desire is that this concept could be applied to all the plugins of Reaper.

Nicely put.

BTW, your signature made me chuckle. Saying you always use the "last" vs "most up-to-date" version makes you sound like an eternal pessimist. "This version's definitely going to be the last from Justin. Better start looking for an alternative DAW..."

Ignore me, I'm easily amused today

[Pink Wool]

I wonder if @iscaryoth will still come around? They were last here in 05-24-2021...

Would be nice to get someone who can code to do more JSFX UI's!

[Tukan_Studios]

Hi everybody!

I also do think, that the GUI is a very important part of the (audio)-Software.
The audio code needs to be good, no question, but...
...creativity is disturbed, if things look too generic.

Creative people need to feel "home" with the GUI.
We need to associate something with the GUI - it helps us making good sound.
Even though the GUI doesn't make sound at all, you can hear hear the influence of the GUI in the results.

[BartR]

Originally Posted by BethHarmon

Nicely put.

BTW, your signature made me chuckle. Saying you always use the "last" vs "most up-to-date" version makes you sound like an eternal pessimist. "This version's definitely going to be the last from Justin. Better start looking for an alternative DAW..."

Ignore me, I'm easily amused today

Do you like my update? :-p

[BartR]

Originally Posted by Tukan_Studios

Hi everybody!

I also do think, that the GUI is a very important part of the (audio)-Software.
The audio code needs to be good, no question, but...
...creativity is disturbed, if things look too generic.

Creative people need to feel "home" with the GUI.
We need to associate something with the GUI - it helps us making good sound.
Even though the GUI doesn't make sound at all, you can hear hear the influence of the GUI in the results.

Fully agree

[Phazma]

These Reznik designs are still among the greatest I have ever seen in audio software. Simple, elegant and comprehensive. I wish not just the plugins but the whole Reaper app followed this design concept in a consistent and well thought-out, functional manner that goes beyond theming. That would turn Reaper into the sleekest, most inspiring DAW, at least for my personal taste.

But while Reznik's style is spot on for my taste, I also believe that White Tie could do some serious magic if he wasn't restricted by WALTER. It would be amazing for Reaper 7 if the devs sat together with him (physically or virtually) and asked him to tell them everything he needs to be coded to allow him to design an interface which feels fully consistent and allows for an intuitive user experience. Reaper doesn't look bad and White Tie did a great job with his theme but there are many rough edges and a lot of room for improvement if the devs decided to invest some time and energy into the GUI and collaborated with WT beyond just letting him create a theme within the limitations of WALTER.

[chip mcdonald]

While I know nothing will change and there is nastiness and all that, I'd like to add my $.10 and say this is an excellent flat scheme, particularly in that it doesn't seem to echo the Valhalla/NASA aesthetic too closely.

Functional and visually logical.

... but the FX chain glare is the strangest software albatross in the the music world. What curious design conundrum has led to this, or what decision or non-decision? It's like something I'd see Dave Plummer making a YouTube video of one day.

[Pink Wool]

Actually @reznikdesign, have you ever thought about designing a Reaper theme?

[USR]

I love those design proposals by @reznikdesign.

Honestly, the only thing that made me hesitate to switch to REAPER was the GUI. I eventually found my favorite theme and spent hours to customize it, so it doesn't distract me that much any more, but I'm not sure if I'd suggest new users do what I did...

Originally Posted by Distressor

Awesome how a little rearranging can improve something so much.
Great work.

This is the original thread about the image (which I actually made): https://forum.cockos.com/showthread.php?t=248895

[norbury brook]

lovely work these GUI's are great. The GUI of reaper is still one area I struggle with despite the various themes etc.


M

[DaniloVillanova]

The option to make the plugins skinable would be so awesome...

[Bevosss]

Originally Posted by chip mcdonald

... but the FX chain glare is the strangest software albatross in the the music world. What curious design conundrum has led to this, or what decision or non-decision? It's like something I'd see Dave Plummer making a YouTube video of one day.

^^ This. 'Glare' is an accurate term here.

I predominately use the fx chain docked so it's tidy and quick to switch between plugins,

and that white and grey Win 95-esque glare is an absolute eyesore, and a big one.

The fx browser, media explorer and other tool windows all follow the rLive theme I use, some dark colour that doesn't intrude, but strangely not the fx chain window. It shines out like a snowstorm.

Maybe there's a reason that window can't be themed, but if it can, that would be the first aesthetic I would fix.

[diikstra8]

Great! I hope Cockos takes this design

[airon]

Maybe they should try to find a person to implement interface improvements.

I've been musing about (mediocre to almost ok)design improvements, similar to the item properties, some plugins and the odd other thing like the matrix views for at least twelve years. It took them many years to get around to doing the row/column highlights for the matrix views.

So maybe they need some help in that regard. GUI work does not seem to be fun for our two heroes, judging by how often they engage in the subject.

[/AND/]

WOW, I really LOVE this design! I hope it makes in the official version! I'm even willing to contribute money to see that happen.

[Ideosound]

A big thumbs up from me too, amazing work.

[Ideosound]

Originally Posted by /AND/

I'm even willing to contribute money to see that happen.

Me too if it did ever happen

[nait]

Man, I'd love to see this. It is minimalist, so it's not going to bloat the installer... but it looks very nice, clean and professional.

[reznikdesign]

The feedback is so inspiring, thanks everyone!

[fmL]

if we could see the devs todo list i bet GUI's is dead last. i mean.. png still.. cmon.

[theFRXST]

they really should just open everything up to let the theme'ers do their thing

[bwsd]

Eugene, its cool!!
Спасибо за разработку.