CONCEPT SIX Series - for HiDPI & 1080p

[PhelixK]

CONCEPT SIX GUIDE - Installation instructions, screenshots and useful tips.

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CONCEPT SIX Series - for HiDPI & 1080p [RELEASE]

Latest revision: 1.7
Tested with Reaper 6.23, Win10, macOSX+11
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Based on Reaper 6, default theme and theme adjuster.
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The idea for CONCEPT SIX is to present an organized and
clean appearance of the control panels, giving space
and visual freedom to concentrate on the arrangement,
and the process of creating beautiful sound. -phelixk
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Revisions:
2020-04-04 | dev_0.1 | pre-release hidpi (@2x)
2020-04-14 | dev_0.2 | pre-release 1080p (@1x)
2020-04-18 | dev_0.3 | combined resources
2020-04-24 | rev_1.0 | release for PC and Mac
2020-05-10 | rev_1.1 | added channel strips, minor fixes, updated scripts
2020-06-01 | rev_1.2 | see below,
2020-06-14 | rev_1.3a| Corrected: Margins in tcp section. Added: Purple mixer caps.
2020-06-15 | rev_1.3b| Media Explorer: Adjusted color for preview and selection range.
2020-07-20 | rev_1.4 | see below,
2020-10-19 | rev_1.5 | see below,
2020-12-19 | rev_1.6 | Maintenance update.
2021-01-16 | rev_1.7 | see below,

Revision 1.2:
+ Two new theme variants for CONCEPT SIX BASIC, plus an experimental skin for fun!
+ Customized CONCEPT SIX theme adjuster for all variants.
• Script and functions updated to fit Reaper 6.11
• Arrangement: Adjustet color for un-selected automation items
• Graphics: Small adjustments for mcp narrow mode and tcp folders.
- Mixer Panel, automation icons: Swap colors for latch and preview
- Alternate mixer thumbs: Corrected alignment when displayed in lower resolutions.

Revision 1.4:
+ Additional layouts prepared for hi-dpi
• Larger font size for tcp labels
• Updates to theme configuration and custom Theme Adjuster (rev.1.01).
- Corrections for Media items, Fx/parm/sends slots, Media Explorer, Matrix/Diagram view.

Revision 1.5:
• Maintenance and update for existing variants
• Various elements optimized for latest Reaper features
• Minor updates and corrections in configuration scripts
- Changed color for solo buttons (MC series)
- Changed super-collapsed tcp height
- Channel Strips, fixed compact view for folder tracks
+ New theme-variant: CONCEPT SIX - DM ONYX, prepped for 'dark mode' system appearances.

Revision 1.7:
• Maintenance and update for existing variants
+ New theme-variant for dark mode series: CONCEPT SIX - DM XENON.

Revision 1.7b:
• Adjusted Transport bar.

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Update instructions:

Revision 1.3 a-b
1) Overwrite old Theme
2) Manually discard old CONCEPT-SIX-BASIC_theme_adjuster script.
3) Install new CONCEPT-SIX_theme_adjuster.lua script including the new Images folder.

Revision 1.4
1) Overwrite ReaperTheme(s)
2) Overwrite CONCEPT-SIX_theme_adjuster.lua script (root folder > Scripts > Cockos/).

Revision 1.5
1) Overwrite/install ReaperTheme revisions. Done.

Revision 1.6
1) Overwrite/install ReaperTheme revisions. Done.

Revision 1.7
1) Overwrite/install ReaperTheme revisions. Done.

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Corrections for next update (awaiting):
- none

Basic installation is available from Stash server, other variants from the external page, see links below.

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Full installation packages, theme variants and description, please visit the Download and Donation Page: https://additive.audio/csix

Reaper Stash resource (small basic install): CONCEPT SIX BASIC

*Installation archive from the Download and Donation Page include additional theme variants and add-ons. There you can also sign up to receive notifications about updates.
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[PhelixK]

Hello fellow Reapers!
Thinking it is time to show a little preview of what is cooking here;

'CONCEPT SIX' (working title) is slowly becoming a full theme for latest Reaper 6. At this time, the theme is still in an experimental state as I try various solutions, but do so while actually working with a functional implementation. Nearly 200 elements have already been completed, and still there are many more things to do, including an even further expanded and dedicated Theme Adjuster tool.

Also there’s a few things I assume can be done in a more convenient way using the config-script, but since I’m very (very) far from being an expert of Walter coding, it could require some time to find out if things are possible or not))


What is perhaps new about this approach is that all graphic elements are created as vector objects, which opens the possibility of scaling all graphics in a 'pixel perfect' environment. I've done some tests adapting everything to various Reaper resolutions and it works really well, including stretch marks and so on.

Another wonderful feature is the ability to make global changes, which means that certain aspects of the full theme and all its elements can be adjusted or completely changed in a rather simple way, but still with the help of a complex operation of course.

If time permits, and things go well, I hope to be able to finish the theme and make it available sometime later this year :-o -The project is solely driven by my idea of ​​a strong conceptual look for Reaper, a theme with some tweaks that I personally find both helpful and useful and would like to try and realize. Importantly, the project must be fun and give way to creativity - as well as other priorities in life!


I will probably post more pictures and ideas here.

Any comments, feedback or questions are very welcome.

Cheers!
/f


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Note that images in this thread will be uploaded at full resolution and will appear gigantic if you browse the forum in standard mode.
For a better reading experience: Log in to your account and select Reaper5 style from the drop-down menu at the bottom of the page.



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[Needow]

Looks good!

[poetnprophet]

Looks promising!

Will this be available for 1080p also?

[Funkybot]

Originally Posted by PhelixK

What is perhaps new about this approach is that all graphic elements are drawn as vectorized objects

This part is working? How is that possible? I didn't think Reaper supported any vector formats for GUI elements. It would be much easier to just feed Reaper some .svg's, tell it what size to draw them via Walter, and have everything just happen without multiple copies of images or rescaling errors.

Looks interesting. Would love to hear more.

[PhelixK]

Originally Posted by Needow

Looks good!

Thanks man!

Originally Posted by poetnprophet

Looks promising!

Will this be available for 1080p also?

Hi, that’s the ambition yes, but, > big disclaimer here < –it really depends if the whole scaling thing is working out as I expect it to. Some of the scaled placeholders have arbitrary sizes which can force a lot of manual editing. I'll try to get a better idea of the number and have a more clear answer to the question.

[PhelixK]

Originally Posted by Funkybot

This part is working? How is that possible? I didn't think Reaper supported any vector formats for GUI elements. It would be much easier to just feed Reaper some .svg's, tell it what size to draw them via Walter, and have everything just happen without multiple copies of images or rescaling errors.

Looks interesting. Would love to hear more.

Hi! no-no Reaper doesn't scale vector graphics (but would be really cool if!), maybe I wasn't clear, it's just me doing things in vector-art (eg. illustrator) in contrary to working with rasterized images.

[Funkybot]

Originally Posted by PhelixK

Hi! no-no Reaper doesn't scale vector graphics (but would be really cool if!), maybe I wasn't clear, it's just me doing things in vector-art (eg. illustrator) in contrary to working with rasterized images.

Ah gotcha! I was a little confused based on the way it was worded. I've been in Affinity Designer the last few days making a set of custom icons for the 6 theme the same way.

My two big Reaper GUI wishes at this point are 1) svg support as an option for graphic elements, and 2) themeable dialog boxes. For a second I thought you figured out some kind of workaround for #1.

[PhelixK]

Originally Posted by Funkybot

Ah gotcha! I was a little confused based on the way it was worded. I've been in Affinity Designer the last few days making a set of custom icons for the 6 theme the same way.

My two big Reaper GUI wishes at this point are 1) svg support as an option for graphic elements, and 2) themeable dialog boxes. For a second I thought you figured out some kind of workaround for #1.

Ah ok, unfortunately I haven't discovered anything new about those two things. If Reaper gets the ability of SVG I'll be ready

Btw. I'm also doing knob stacks in the same document, really convenient if there's need for at global color change, different transparency or perhaps a font adjustment.

[vidalsh]

I really like the 2d simplicity but not too much colors than disturb the concentration.

Colors are awesome for marketing but when you sit down for hours in front of one daw you really need one relax view with smooth tones and only contrast colors for important events to prevent the visual fatige...

But it´s only my taste.

Anyways if you need beta testers I´m here...

[playtimer]

Preview looks just great and fresh! I will keep an eye on this thread as it's developing

Congrats and good luck working further on this theme!

[Not_Here]

nice high tech look. has that under black glass control surface look...

[+NRG]

Beautiful work! Keep going! B)

[b0se]

Nice stuff dude!

[bigjoe]

This Looks amazing!

[PhelixK]

Originally Posted by playtimer

Preview looks just great and fresh! I will keep an eye on this thread as it's developing

Congrats and good luck working further on this theme!

thanks! It could take a decent amount of time before done, just saying

Originally Posted by Not_Here

nice high tech look. has that under black glass control surface look...

– exactly, that's the idea for the solo/mute section. It's really tricky to get the correct tints working for that backlit look. I'm not sure it's spot-on yet, still working on the buttons when engaged.

Originally Posted by +NRG

Beautiful work! Keep going! B)

thx!

Originally Posted by b0se

Nice stuff dude!

thanks buddy, honestly I'm not sure if I'm able to complete this, it's a mountain -you know!!!

Originally Posted by bigjoe

This Looks amazing!

thank you Joe!


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[PhelixK]

Originally Posted by vidalsh

I really like the 2d simplicity but not too much colors than disturb the concentration.

Colors are awesome for marketing but when you sit down for hours in front of one daw you really need one relax view with smooth tones and only contrast colors for important events to prevent the visual fatige...

But it´s only my taste.

Anyways if you need beta testers I´m here...

Hi, yes I try to achieve a simple interface, at first glance. Then, the more we dig, the more elements that require our attention appear in a new and different way.

The real challenge is trying to weigh each element of importance, how often it is actually used, and how everything can have its own place in the 'family'. Of course, we all have our individual judgment of what we feel is too busy to look at, confusing or encrypted. On the contrary, an overly simple and clean interface can feel boring and uninspiring. It's an extremely difficult balance!


Since some basic Reaper knowledge is needed, both for the installation and also for the initial setup, I believe this theme would be categorized as a "pro theme", but more on that later if it becomes relevant at all(!)


- thank you for the offer and interest to beta-test, what platform do you use?


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[PhelixK]

Here’s another example, just to show a more busy and compact production scenario,
– note the track titles are using a condensed font style. This allows longer names of course, but perhaps also a convenient space for small personal reminders -very important imo.

[PhelixK]

small detail on new folder icons and unfolding:




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[GameAudioRvlzzr]

Awesome.

Would love to see what it looks like when the user didn't apply custom colours to the tracks.

[PhelixK]

Originally Posted by GameAudioRvlzzr

Awesome.

Would love to see what it looks like when the user didn't apply custom colours to the tracks.

Hello and good evening!
Here’s a very simple example, without any tracks chosen. The dark reddish color (aubergine??!) is most likely going to be one of the available default theme colors. To some extend, colors like this makes me calm down and concentrate, like back in school, lol!

Also showed here, dark yellow-lit volume thumbs (six different flavors in total).
And horizontal VUs in action, hidden labels/pk in this example. Notice the new little indicator for overs.

– I haven’t done much on the mixer control panel, so nothing to show yet.


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[vidalsh]

Originally Posted by PhelixK

Hi, yes I try to achieve a simple interface, at first glance. Then, the more we dig, the more elements that require our attention appear in a new and different way.

The real challenge is trying to weigh each element of importance, how often it is actually used, and how everything can have its own place in the 'family'. Of course, we all have our individual judgment of what we feel is too busy to look at, confusing or encrypted. On the contrary, an overly simple and clean interface can feel boring and uninspiring. It's an extremely difficult balance!


Since some basic Reaper knowledge is needed, both for the installation and also for the initial setup, I believe this theme would be categorized as a "pro theme", but more on that later if it becomes relevant at all(!)


- thank you for the offer and interest to beta-test, what platform do you use?


.

w10 fulhd...

[mikostep]

Very nice. Bravo!

[PhelixK]

Originally Posted by vidalsh

w10 fulhd...

super!
I have a Win10 VM install in my macOS environment. With this setup I’m able to export theme adjustments and elements directly into specified shared folders inside the VM, and do parallel checks on the Reaper pc version. However, this setup is limited to a single configuration, with addition of a low-res display. Test-check with other configs/hidpi is still very relevant.

Originally Posted by mikostep

Very nice. Bravo!

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[GameAudioRvlzzr]

Originally Posted by PhelixK

Hello and good evening!
Here’s a very simple example, without any tracks chosen. The dark reddish color (aubergine??!) is most likely going to be one of the available default theme colors. To some extend, colors like this makes me calm down and concentrate, like back in school, lol!

Also showed here, dark yellow-lit volume thumbs (six different flavors in total).
And horizontal VUs in action, hidden labels/pk in this example. Notice the new little indicator for overs.

very cool, thank you!

[Crumbfort]

This looks really dope.

I'm currently only running at 2560x1440 (still using a mid 2012 mac pro as my main) but I'll be switching over to PC full-time for my next rig and will definitely have 4k then.

I'll be keeping any eye on this theme for sure!

[todd_r]

Ooh, looks amazing. Very exciting...

[vidalsh]

Originally Posted by PhelixK

super!
I have a Win10 VM install in my macOS environment. With this setup I’m able to export theme adjustments and elements directly into specified shared folders inside the VM, and do parallel checks on the Reaper pc version. However, this setup is limited to a single configuration, with addition of a low-res display. Test-check with other configs/hidpi is still very relevant.




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Thanks you. Let me know if you need some help to test.

[vala]

looks beautiful!

[Alez156]

Awesome!

Does the mute/solo button stay horizontal even when enlarging the tracks? cause that'd be amazing!

[PhelixK]

Originally Posted by Alez156

Awesome!

Does the mute/solo button stay horizontal even when enlarging the tracks? cause that'd be amazing!

Hi! Yes if possible to solve properly 'solo flip' will not be a feature of this theme.

– it's one of the things I wish I knew a smart way to turn off globally somewhere in the script, also for the tcp master track. For now, I have increased the flip height, which seems to work fine but not sure if it holds water. As a consequence, the buttons on the master control have a little wrong alignment and needs correction.

Originally Posted by vala

looks beautiful!

thank you!

Originally Posted by todd_r

Ooh, looks amazing. Very exciting...

great, thx!

Originally Posted by Crumbfort

This looks really dope.

I'm currently only running at 2560x1440 (still using a mid 2012 mac pro as my main) but I'll be switching over to PC full-time for my next rig and will definitely have 4k then.

I'll be keeping any eye on this theme for sure!

super! best of luck with the migration!
-

[PhelixK]

Solo, mute and phase button completed -for some reason very tricky to solve, did many variations...might do some adjustment later on...
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[AndreiT]

I think this is the best looking theme so far!
Can we get an estimation of when it will be a beta available?

Thanks!

[PhelixK]

Originally Posted by AndreiT

I think this is the best looking theme so far!
Can we get an estimation of when it will be a beta available?

Thanks!

Thank you for the motivating words Andrei!

I can't really estimate when it's done, the project is something that I'm working on in my spare time, and when I feel like it. Hopefully one day this year it will be ready for release. Maybe Reaper v7 or 8 has been released at the time and this way of creating themes is outdated, ha ha!

And who knows, it could also happen that another software house stumbles upon the look of this, and offer me a gazillion to buy the rights to the concept and use it with their own products, and then I'm off to Honolulu

In all seriousness, a showstopper could be that I'm getting tired of the project and forgetting about it, or I could run into some technical Reaper issues that I'm unable solve. Simple as that.

About other themes, old and new ones under development, I honestly think there are some excellent solutions and fine candidates out there. Other themes, including the Cockos inhouse design, impress me a lot. Anyone who's serious about making a Reaper theme, for personal or commercial reasons, has proven they have skills, technical insight, and great ideas that shines through in many different ways. I have a lot of respect for all these people!

If I am lucky and Concept Six reaches the point of a public release, it will be a satisfying achievement, but for me as a lifelong graphic designer, most of the joy and passion lies within the process itself. Trying to create functional design inside environments with strong limitations has always been very interesting to me!

/f

[sinkmusic]

Hi, It looks very nice, well done !
i'm looking forward to it

[Coachz]

Looks super pro!

[PhelixK]

Originally Posted by sinkmusic

Hi, It looks very nice, well done !
i'm looking forward to it

Originally Posted by Coachz

Looks super pro!

thank ya guys!


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[AndreiT]

Originally Posted by PhelixK

Thank you for the motivating words Andrei!

I can't really estimate when it's done, the project is something that I'm working on in my spare time, and when I feel like it. Hopefully one day this year it will be ready for release. Maybe Reaper v7 or 8 has been released at the time and this way of creating themes is outdated, ha ha!

And who knows, it could also happen that another software house stumbles upon the look of this, and offer me a gazillion to buy the rights to the concept and use it with their own products, and then I'm off to Honolulu

In all seriousness, a showstopper could be that I'm getting tired of the project and forgetting about it, or I could run into some technical Reaper issues that I'm unable solve. Simple as that.

About other themes, old and new ones under development, I honestly think there are some excellent solutions and fine candidates out there. Other themes, including the Cockos inhouse design, impress me a lot. Anyone who's serious about making a Reaper theme, for personal or commercial reasons, has proven they have skills, technical insight, and great ideas that shines through in many different ways. I have a lot of respect for all these people!

If I am lucky and Concept Six reaches the point of a public release, it will be a satisfying achievement, but for me as a lifelong graphic designer, most of the joy and passion lies within the process itself. Trying to create functional design inside environments with strong limitations has always been very interesting to me!

/f

Thank you for your reply.

I hope it will be soon. :P

Looking forward to it!

[Lestat66]

Looking great so far. I am not a fan of big bulky buttons and large faders so this looks much smoother so far.

[PhelixK]

Originally Posted by Lestat66

Looking great so far. I am not a fan of big bulky buttons and large faders so this looks much smoother so far.

Thankz! I think on-screen buttons are generally fake looking (including my own idea here for Concept Six). But the buttons often tell a little story and give a sense of something in real life, that we can relate to and maybe get some inspiration from))

My idea for the fader thumbs is ​​to have some kind of lightweight feeling, think Reaper(!), and with a clear indicator that will work just as well on different backgrounds. Besides that, I'm perfectly fine with ultra minimalistic buttons, eg. the triangles in Ableton.


Normal / Dark Mode generic control window:

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