KVR Audio

SJ_Digriz · Post by **SJ_Digriz** » Wed Dec 07, 2011 2:12 am

Just one example one of the big things I don't like is the overly convoluted combinations of things you have to set to get lanes and takes to operate properly with the various recording modes. Some of the things you need to do to switch between modes are not toggles, so you can't even macro it.

To make matters worse things like Free Item Positioning, record modes and some of the lane positioning menu options are not even in the same menu structure. Of course, I can create my own menus ... which is nice ... if I want to spend my time making menu structures.

However, I have to admit the UI is getting a bit better. Some of the windows are still ass-tastic. But let's see if I can show a few in a reduced vid. Try to do gifs from a 32" monitor at high rez is hard.

I'm probably coming off more negative than intended about Reaper. I just vastly prefer Cubase. The Reaper UI stuff just makes it hard to use IMO.

New docking for custom toolbars

Having trouble with the bigger gif that shows how I have docking set up in Reaper now. Photobucket is doesn't seem to want to render it. I'll keep trying.

Astromann · Post by **Astromann** » Wed Dec 07, 2011 2:16 am

I think some people have made some valid points here...both for and against.
Although I dont agree with some that say the UI and user experience is just clunky no matter what skin is on Reaper.
To me it depends a lot how it is set up, and what skin, toolbars, hotkeys you have going on, I have some areas that are a bit clunky and other areas that I am very happy with.
Basically I am wary of blanket statements like "such and such sucks" "The UI is horrible" etc...all these experiences are somewhat subjective but the poster tries to make them absolute.
I came from Logic and tried Cubase for a long time and HATED it no matter how much I tried to like it, I honestly thought it was a bucketload of garbage and clutter, too many windows, useless implementation of VST in channels etc...compared to Logic it was like picking your nose with your hand wrapped around the back of your head, just an awful experience (for me)
Others however...love it tho and swear by it, so I have to accept that my view is not necessarily the complete view, I obviously am not having the same experience as them.
Same with Reaper, those that say it is clunky etc...need to understand that this is "their" view, and although there may be some truth in it, their view is not absolute..sorry.
Its like guitars, a Les Paul is generally clunkier than a Strat, but it depends how it is set up and who's playing it, there is some similarity in the DAW experience, no 2 users have the same experience, or set their DAW up the same.
Having said that...I have tried White Ties skins and although he is a good artist, they feel too cluttered for me and I didn't like the experience.
Instead I use the Reaction skin and that makes my user experience a LOT better, in fact a lot of fun.
But others may not agree, and thats life!
Cheers

Astromann · Post by **Astromann** » Wed Dec 07, 2011 3:11 am

SJ_Digriz wrote:Just one example one of the big things I don't like is the overly convoluted combinations of things you have to set to get lanes and takes to operate properly with the various recording modes. Some of the things you need to do to switch between modes are not toggles, so you can't even macro it.

I do agree the take system could be better.
BTW...With the toolbars...you do know that left Click+Alt and drag with the left mouse button grabbing the Toolbar tabs...you can position them anywhere and several at once.
That save having nto open and close them to do different tasks.
Cheers

blueman · Post by **blueman** » Wed Dec 07, 2011 5:08 am

Who here is going to argue that THIS is good usability or high quality interface design?! I'll concede the point about differing opinions but THIS is crap!!

hibidy · Post by **hibidy** » Wed Dec 07, 2011 5:11 am

It's usually not THAT bad (at least you have options)

I'm not saying it's perfect

blueman · Post by **blueman** » Wed Dec 07, 2011 5:15 am

hibidy wrote: It's usually not THAT bad (at least you have options)

I'm not saying it's perfect

Indeed, there are alternative ways for handling automation and I get that but this is one of those glaring features (and there are others such as was mentioned with takes) that always remind me of what an afterthought the Reaper GUI is. I guess they figure you can skin it and now there's "Walter" for moving around the UI components so we should just settle for the generic menu lists and clunky workflow

But, I'll say it again...it's STILL my DAW of choice so that's saying something

hibidy · Post by **hibidy** » Wed Dec 07, 2011 5:19 am

Totally agreed, there are things that should be improved.

Ok, now I'm pissed.........I'm focusing on the negatives and reaper sucks too

blueman · Post by **blueman** » Wed Dec 07, 2011 5:26 am

It definitely doth not sucketh! It just has an unfinished, poorly implemented UI. It's actually quite brilliant otherwise; hence the frustration I have with it which is furthered by those who minimize the issue as mere eye candy or trivial concerns about window dressings.

I would GLADLY pay double the asking price if they'd finally hire a UI designer to make a proper GUI that is still modular. It's quite doable! Photoshop has a gorgeous, intuitive interface that is modular, somehwhat customizable and includes actions

Astromann · Post by **Astromann** » Wed Dec 07, 2011 6:34 am

blueman wrote:Who here is going to argue that THIS is good usability or high quality interface design?! I'll concede the point about differing opinions but THIS is crap!!

I agree...this is not a good look when all this parameters are on display.
But generally I simply check the "show last touched FX parameters only" box, and that collapses that display into a neat 7 main parameter only display.
Pretty easy really..1 click.

hibidy · Post by **hibidy** » Wed Dec 07, 2011 6:39 am

For one moment I was reading and going "hun?"

Then the light bulb came on

hibidy · Post by **hibidy** » Wed Dec 07, 2011 6:43 am

Astromann wrote:
blueman wrote:Who here is going to argue that THIS is good usability or high quality interface design?! I'll concede the point about differing opinions but THIS is crap!!

I agree...this is not a good look when all this parameters are on display.
But generally I simply check the "show last touched FX parameters only" box, and that collapses that display into a neat 7 main parameter only display.
Pretty easy really..1 click.

a handy tip I didn't know about

Astromann · Post by **Astromann** » Wed Dec 07, 2011 6:57 am

hibidy wrote: a handy tip I didn't know about

Yeah there are a lot of little things like that that make using Reaper a LOT more fluent and pleasurable to use.

hibidy · Post by **hibidy** » Wed Dec 07, 2011 7:20 am

There always seems to be a workaround somewhere in there. I'm no power user. I should be, I've got enough time on my hands.

BTW, about the automation jumbled window, can't you just use the right click and select what you want from there?

concealed identity · Post by **concealed identity** » Wed Dec 07, 2011 7:23 am

Just out of curiosity, why haven't Cuckos made an integrated wav/sample editor in Reaper yet? I use the one in Cubase all the time, but the way Reaper uses external editors is (especially if you don't own one and are forced to use Audacity) is a huge pain. It's just something I would have thought they would have implemented by now, with all of the work they do on adding features.

hibidy · Post by **hibidy** » Wed Dec 07, 2011 7:29 am

There are so many different philosophies on that. I really don't have a definitive answer

Would you still buy Reaper if it will cost you as much as the other DAWs ?