MuTools

MuTools · Post by **MuTools** » Fri Dec 02, 2011 9:18 pm

If you go for a synth => Factory/Instruments/Devices/Basic Synth.Mux
If you go for an effect => Factory/Effects/Devices/Basic Effect.Mux

Nielzie · Post by **Nielzie** » Fri Dec 02, 2011 9:47 pm

mutools wrote:If you go for a synth => Factory/Instruments/Devices/Basic Synth.Mux
If you go for an effect => Factory/Effects/Devices/Basic Effect.Mux

Yeah I found those. But those are basic templates, although very helpful of course. Somehow it would also make sense to be able to open an empty editor and starting from scratch. So you can add the OSC's, envelopes, etc. from scratch. That's how SynthEdit starts for instance

From there it's possible to load "templates" (called "prefabs").

Maybe add in the [Devices] menu a device called "Editor" that starts with an empty template?

The Editor is an important aspect of the the whole MU.LAB "platform" so it would make sense to be able to start it on its own like that.

Also chances are that people won't even recognize "Basic Synth" as a template to start from in the editor, but see it as a very basic synth only by itself.

Or perhaps put "Basic synth" and "Basic Effect" in a submenu of "Editor" (or "Editor Templates") so it's more obvious what they are representing

I'm looking at this from a N0obs perspective

liquidsound · Post by **liquidsound** » Sat Dec 03, 2011 1:36 am

Got it to work. I was using the 3.0 serial number that I got from my email account. I was rushing in getting it because I was at work. Now I'm fine.

One more observation: The "Task Bar", where the modules are minimized, could be used also for the Mixer if it could be minimized as well. I know we have shortcuts for changing the mixer status but when we work with one hand on the keyboard and one on the mouse the shortcuts are not so handy, while the "Task Bar", if you want to call it this way, is more efficient.
The problem with that would be to create a way to tell the mixer to minimize without needing to go to a menu or scrolling to the empty area at the end because it would loose the quickness required to maintain the speedy workflow.

Also, when the mixer is in Windowed Mode you need again to get to the end in order to Dock it. In other words, the Mixer still suffer from quickness in the workflow.

liquidsound · Post by **liquidsound** » Sat Dec 03, 2011 3:58 am

In the Module selection area (the one with the mini keyboard) if I cancel the action of Choosing an Instrument, the area becomes blank but when R-Click and choose Insert Module nothing happens. v4.0.65

I'm probably too late on this one: one way to separate the meaning of New Session in the two Menus could be "Add New Session" in the MuLab menu.

MuTools · Post by **MuTools** » Sat Dec 03, 2011 11:48 am

liquidsound wrote:In the Module selection area (the one with the mini keyboard) if I cancel the action of Choosing an Instrument, the area becomes blank but when R-Click and choose Insert Module nothing happens. v4.0.65

Can you please elaborate on this one, for i don't see what you mean.
Eventually using a screenshot. Thanks.

liquidsound · Post by **liquidsound** » Sat Dec 03, 2011 3:13 pm

mutools wrote:
liquidsound wrote:In the Module selection area (the one with the mini keyboard) if I cancel the action of Choosing an Instrument, the area becomes blank but when R-Click and choose Insert Module nothing happens. v4.0.65
Can you please elaborate on this one, for i don't see what you mean.
Eventually using a screenshot. Thanks.

Sorry Jo but I never figure it out out to post a screenshot on this forum

but here is my elaboration.
Where the mini keyboard is located, in the middle of the top area, next to it you made a display indicating the current focussed plugin in the rack. When I click on it I get a window that allows me to choose an instrument. If I choose an instrument then the new instrument is loaded and it's name displayed there in that little area next to the mini keyboard. But if I cancel the action of choosing an instrument with the Cancel button on the "Choose an Instrument" window then that little area next to the mini keyboard turns blank as expected and if I right click on it a menu appears with a choice to "Insert Module". If I choose to Insert Module, nothing happens. It looks to me that you have two ways to work on that little display area, one with a direct single left click displaying the "Choose an Instrument" and one with a right click menu. The last is not working.

liquidsound · Post by **liquidsound** » Sat Dec 03, 2011 4:53 pm

To add to the previous reply, I think that if when using the Cancel button, on that Choose an Instrument window, MuLab should not remove the name of the current displayed module and leave it blank. That's what cancel is for... "Cancel, Never Mind, Business as Usual", but then I find that display blank... it's a little confusing.

To sum all up:

When the Display Area has a name of a Rack/Module

1) Double Click you get the Corresponding Rack.
2) Right Click you get a Menu with choices for that Rack module
3) Single Left Click you get the "Choose an Instrument" Pop-up Window

When the Display Area is Blank

4) Single Left Click you get the "Choose an Instrument" Pop-up Window
5) Double Left Click you get the "Choose an Instrument" Pop-up Window
6) Right Click you get a little menu with "Insert Module" active and "Paste Module" gray-out.

In #3 choosing either OK or CANCEL leaves the display Blank. It doesn't make sense. In fact OK should be gray-out until an instrument has been chosen or don't let the display go blank in either cases: OK or CANCEL

In#6 the menu is not working

#4 and 5 should not exist. It gets Blank because I am allowed to choose "OK" in the "Choose an Instrument" window and in the "Add New Instrument Track" WITHOUT choosing anything which should be the task of the CANCEL button.
And Cancel should leave thing as they are... The current displayed Rack name.

Another suggestion regarding the MIxer and the Modular Area if I may, these are main objects that are used very frequently and at any point in the workflow of composing, especially the mixer. Wouldn't be more practical to have Two distinctive buttons for them since the Modular Area is such a unique and powerful feature in MuLab? Almost all the DAW have a dedicated button for the key features they offer and it would give the beginner an awareness of the power, implication and implementation of the Modular system. A button declares a degree of power more than a Menu choice IMO.

Nielzie · Post by **Nielzie** » Sat Dec 03, 2011 9:37 pm

liquidsound wrote:Wouldn't be more practical to have Two distinctive buttons for them since the Modular Area is such a unique and powerful feature in MuLab? Almost all the DAW have a dedicated button for the key features they offer and it would give the beginner an awareness of the power, implication and implementation of the Modular system. A button declares a degree of power more than a Menu choice IMO.

Interesting idea

janamdo · Post by **janamdo** » Sat Dec 03, 2011 10:35 pm

This has been a topic earlier by me

: add buttons to get the attention to a modulair session area and the deep editor

To get the attention of more serious music lovers, but ..Jo is a modest developer

> DiGiT < · Post by **> DiGiT <** » Sun Dec 04, 2011 12:10 am

the answer invariably seems to be along the lines of 'there are key combinations' or 'it will clutter the interface', at least when i ask. but you never know. other than that, jo seems determined to follow his vision.

liquidsound · Post by **liquidsound** » Sun Dec 04, 2011 1:56 am

> DiGiT < wrote: jo seems determined to follow his vision.

It should be that way but he also needs to change the way MuLab is presented.
There is lot of power already in the design of it that it is not emphasized such as the Modular area and the various modules used in creating neat stuff.

By using interface clues, such as dedicated buttons, any user would get to be exposed to the inner works of his visions. For example lets say there is a button saying "Create a New Synth or Effect" and a MUX pops up, or a button saying "Go Modular" for the Modular Area(you know what I mean) even a beginner would be compelled to learn more. A menu choice seems to be one of those extra or confusing or too technical thing to leave it for later etc.

Simplicity with exposure is much better.
When you open MuLab there is absolutely nothing there that reflect its uniqueness (I'm referring to the Modularity side of it). Why not...

pljones · Post by **pljones** » Sun Dec 04, 2011 9:32 am

Mmmm... A quick question - I've not investigated in M4 yet, so may be off topic.

In M3, IIRC, we can put audio effects in the audio path before recording takes place but the same was not true for MIDI events. Has that changed? i.e. if someone has a MIDI Arpeggiator effect and wants it recorded into the sequencer (but then not triggered on subsequent play back), is that possible?

I really need to play with M4 more... I have some other MIDI investigations I want to carry out (like trying to using MIDI CC values to switch subsequent events to different targets). I have a feeling I may end up with new M5 feature requests, though...

> DiGiT < · Post by **> DiGiT <** » Mon Dec 05, 2011 2:56 am

liquidsound wrote:
> DiGiT < wrote: jo seems determined to follow his vision.
It should be that way but he also needs to change the way MuLab is presented.
There is lot of power already in the design of it that it is not emphasized such as the Modular area and the various modules used in creating neat stuff.

By using interface clues, such as dedicated buttons, any user would get to be exposed to the inner works of his visions. For example lets say there is a button saying "Create a New Synth or Effect" and a MUX pops up, or a button saying "Go Modular" for the Modular Area(you know what I mean) even a beginner would be compelled to learn more. A menu choice seems to be one of those extra or confusing or too technical thing to leave it for later etc.

Simplicity with exposure is much better.
When you open MuLab there is absolutely nothing there that reflect its uniqueness (I'm referring to the Modularity side of it). Why not...

i completely agree and well said.

MuTools · Post by **MuTools** » Wed Dec 07, 2011 7:34 pm

First of all, sorry for my absence, suffered from a heavy bronchitis including high fever etc. It's a bit better now, luckily, and hopefully i can make it fade away completely the next days.

liquidsound wrote:Where the mini keyboard is located, in the middle of the top area, next to it you made a display indicating the current focussed plugin in the rack. When I click on it I get a window that allows me to choose an instrument. If I choose an instrument then the new instrument is loaded and it's name displayed there in that little area next to the mini keyboard. But if I cancel the action of choosing an instrument with the Cancel button on the "Choose an Instrument" window then that little area next to the mini keyboard turns blank as expected and if I right click on it a menu appears with a choice to "Insert Module". If I choose to Insert Module, nothing happens. It looks to me that you have two ways to work on that little display area, one with a direct single left click displaying the "Choose an Instrument" and one with a right click menu. The last is not working.

Ok i see. Finetuned in the next version. Thanks.

MuTools · Post by **MuTools** » Wed Dec 07, 2011 7:43 pm

liquidsound wrote:To add to the previous reply, I think that if when using the Cancel button, on that Choose an Instrument window, MuLab should not remove the name of the current displayed module and leave it blank. That's what cancel is for... "Cancel, Never Mind, Business as Usual", but then I find that display blank... it's a little confusing.

Agreed. Added a note on the wishlist about this. Skipping it at the very moment to gain some time.

Another suggestion regarding the MIxer and the Modular Area if I may, these are main objects that are used very frequently and at any point in the workflow of composing, especially the mixer. Wouldn't be more practical to have Two distinctive buttons for them since the Modular Area is such a unique and powerful feature in MuLab? Almost all the DAW have a dedicated button for the key features they offer and it would give the beginner an awareness of the power, implication and implementation of the Modular system. A button declares a degree of power more than a Menu choice IMO.

I understand and agree with your reasoning that too few buttons is not a good GUI either. And maybe MuLab's GUI is a bit too minimalistic at some points. Well, the future is open and i'll do my best to improve things along the way.

A Dash Board feature would solve this too as then you can add the buttons you want. But that Dash Board feature is not planned for M4, sorry.

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