u-he

Howard · Post by **Howard** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 7:04 pm

GUI idea for Zebra2 (done using OmniGraffle). Bit of ACE, bit of Dark Horse...
Likes / dislikes / other comments?

Edit
For a sharper image, go here: http://www.mediafire.com/i/?l32p4yoa42oedjp

jupiter8 · Post by **jupiter8** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 7:09 pm

Looking sharp,i like it. A bit drab perhaps ? Though that kinda goes with the U-He esthetic's.

justin3am · Post by **justin3am** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 7:13 pm

On one hand I really like the way ACE looks but for me it's doesn't really fit with Zebra. It looks kinda cluttered (though very smooth

).

If there is going to be a major GUI overhaul, can we just do away with knobs all together and replace them with values that you can click and adjust depending on the decimal place you clicked on? Perhaps add some visual feedback indicating how modulation is affecting parameters.

As far as I'm concerned this UI is kind of a step backwards from where Zebra is currently. It doesn't provide the user with any information that wasn't available before. It just adds some flashy-ness. I don't want to be too negative because I know this probably took a lot of work, it's just my gut reaction.

toitoi · Post by **toitoi** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 8:35 pm

I like it, minimal, a bit structured layout is good but to many knobs, maybe it would be better to get rid of them. I am missing the Dark Horse.

"visual feedback indicating how modulation is affecting parameters." is a dream

ariston · Post by **ariston** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 8:41 pm

Aesthetically, I think it's a step up - I really like the look. One minor gripe: those chunky knobs make it really busy. Maybe some variations on those?

I really didn't like Zebra's UI at the beginning, but it's grown on me. It manages to throw a lot of information at you without seeming cluttered, and it's actually a very elegant solution. The trade-off of twisting a knob and looking to the top to see the value seemed fair enough to me, because knowing the exact value is usually not that important.

Audio Damage has been pushing the "values instead of knobs" thing forward recently, and although I was hesitant about it (I love virtual knobs, I know some people don't), I'll admit that it can work well AND look good at the same time. So, +1 to that notion. Although I can't really imagine a UI as complex as Zebra's with lots of value indicators - that would probably look pretty horrible, like looking at the printout of the results of a factor analysis.

Nitpicking aside, this is a very nice UI. I can definitely see myself using it.

bmrzycki · Post by **bmrzycki** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 8:41 pm

justin3am wrote:It doesn't provide the user with any information that wasn't available before.

I like this new GUI and completely disagree there isn't any new information.

1. Direct assignment knobs are now a little bit smaller, giving the user quick feedback what are direct modulators and what are module parameters. Also, names for modulators have a darker box around them making them easier to identify from regular parameter names. The knobs in ENV1 are all the same size as they should be because those ... knobs aren't direct modulators. Again, subtle but a nice touch and can help with learning the UI.

2. The Bottom bar has been re-organized to place all the More OSC/FMO module stuff directly below the soursource side, and the modulation stuff on the modulaton side. This is subtle but has a nice mental workflow improvement. Tabs on the left you now know are for sound generators, tabs on the right are for modulators. Makes me wonder what "Keys" is...I also like that the Global tab is much bigger (implying it's importance) and is directly between the grids.

3. Greatly enhanced organization of the Global page. It's now much easier to see what goes with what. The new approximation count is nice and probably gives a lot of warm-fuzzies to people who didn't like the few,medium,many method previously employed.

4. Nice reworking of the FX grid. It's off-center from the main grid which implies it's not just a straight drop-down from above. I'd actually go a little further here and change the color of the Send1,Send2 lanes to visually remind people they are conceptually different. I like that the bypass button is an actual button and closer to the FX section. I never liked the original placement of the sendN+send modulators on the older skins, this new layout is nicer. I'd have actually reversed it though, place the send modulators on the right-hand side and the master+bypass knob on the left. A minor cosmetic thing though. I do wonder what the small "led" over master implies.

5. I like that the buttons on the top are more consistent now and all have names.

6. Is the [on] button in the SWING section a button or only there to denote the LED? IF it's a button does this mean a Swing of 0% can still be on somehow?

7. I really like the cleanup of the REV module. The coloring is subtle but again, it helps understand what knobs are grouped.

8. I notice some modules are getting new shorthand names like the Shaper to SHP1. This will mean a change to the documentation is necessary.

9. One thing I'd like to see is if no modules are selected in the FX section there is a "Plate" on the right hand side denoting there is nothing there. Thor in Reason does something similar when you remove all filters:

I don't know if that's possible with this skin or if it's something that also needs code added. I think it'd add a bit of a finished feel to Zebra though.

10. I don't see the midi activity button anymore. is that going away?

11. The gradient on some of the buttons (OSC eleven in particular) blurs the words a little bit.

12. There are no graphics on the LFO type anymore, is that a work in progress or are those being removed too?

13. Finally, the knobs look good to me as I liked them in ACE. One thing that'd be really nice is if the center marker for the knob (the black line) changed color if it was not on its default. For example in this mockup (pardon the crudness):

A change like that would make it very easy to glance at a module and know what knob has been touched.

14. The arrows in the bars on the left and right, what do they do? Also, they are too dark; I didn't see them at all for several minutes.

Overall I like it quite a bit. I wish it was a smidgeon brighter but overall I think there's a lot to gain and almost nothing to lose with this new layout. Nice work on not just thinking about the colors but also about the layout and how we interface with it.

twolegstoneworks · Post by **twolegstoneworks** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 8:51 pm

Looks really awesome!

Kriminal · Post by **Kriminal** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 9:07 pm

looks ike ACE patched onto Zebra, not a good look IMO

Sampleconstruct · Post by **Sampleconstruct** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 9:12 pm

Howard wrote:GUI idea for Zebra2 (done using OmniGraffle). Bit of ACE, bit of Dark Horse...
Likes / dislikes / other comments?

I like that a lot, less childish, more technical, good design...

Nielzie · Post by **Nielzie** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 9:17 pm

I like it, good work so far. Please continue

Or is the design already final and finished?

Xenos · Post by **Xenos** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 9:19 pm

Howard, I absolutely love, love, love that design! From a practical standpoint, I find it very easy on the eyes. Being able to see what you are doing and find things quickly is of primary concern, IMHO.

opus_diaboli · Post by **opus_diaboli** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 9:22 pm

To make it short: I like it.

MitchK1989 · Post by **MitchK1989** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 9:28 pm

I personally like some of the design sensibility but switching from the color and thickness morphing parameters to hardware-like knobs is a HUGE step down.

3ee · Post by **3ee** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 9:30 pm

Hello,
The GUI looks pretty cool, organised... like the color tone as well.
To get the basic stuff out of the way, here's what I think:

Like the most:
-Preset ACE-like arrows.
-Tab reorganisation idea at the bottom + global effects section in the middle but without the text. (Would it be a cool idea for the Zebra logo instead of the "global & effects text?)
-Rounded modules in the center grid.
-Reverb reorganisation.
-"Keys"

I assume what that's for.

What I don't like that much:
-Logo
-Undo/redo, info, save should have chubby cute'n'cool icons. Thinking of something about like in this image.

-"Wooden" side frame, IMO doesn't go well with the synth's character which I found to be modern and futuristic. ("Android Zebra Terminator"

)

-Osc buttons and such buttons would be better if they would be icons instead.
-ACE knobs. Don't know why, but I never liked them. IMO, TyrellN6 knobs look better.
I wouldn't change the original zebra knob concept though.. just color or upgrade it somehow different.
- A lot of texts could be replace by intuitive placement, icons/pictures and such.

Hope these opinions are worthy of something.
Cheers,

3ee

breakmixer · Post by **breakmixer** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 9:32 pm

I'm an ACE owner and I love it's UI, however I've never liked Zebra's UI(though soundwise I know it's great), for me this Skin makes me want to own the synth, however I still wouldn't spend $199 on a soft synth, not in my price range...sorry Urs.

So, yes, best Skin for Zebra I've seen...in fact it's an Ace skin...

u-he

KVR Audio

Thoughts about Zebra2 GUI...