PG8X (inspired by the JX8P): new beta version uploaded

[brok landers]

will the finaly v2 version eventually have max 12 voices instead of 6? because that was always my main gripe with the original - i hated it to only have 6 voices. the reason is simple - when grabing a full chord, left hand octaved and right hand 4 voiced, if the ampl release is longer you run out of voices and cut off the previous ones... which to me is a thing to go nuts over, as especially the jx8p/jx10 were rather to be used on such sounds, as the envs are way too slow for anything else and the chorus unit was really creamy... so yeah, as this really sounds like the hardware or at least is incredibly close - why limit it unnecessarily in the exact regard a lot of original users complained on the original?

anyhow... just asking/hoping...

Yes, the polyphony can be adjusted between 6 and 12 voices. Have a look at the beta.

Cheers,
Martin

hey. that was fast... thanks, will check the beta asap!

[nBeat]

I must say that this is a really nice instrument and great emu, as far as I can remember
(a band member of mine had a JX-8P), but this was like 20 years ago so...
I have a MKS-70 though. Anyhow.

I usually don't review GUIs but I feel this one I find very promising, especially this version:


A few thing though:
Sizewise I think it's too large (1000x800) for a laptop (17,3"). It will fit depending on what host you use I guess.
Desktop monitor >19", no problem. Will it be resizable?
Ok, so I took the liberty to check if it's possible to reduce the size a little:
974x755 with a beige/brownish tone.

* I contracted the LFO/ENV1+2/Chorus sections by moving the controls up a bit.
Now the space between the "main" and the "sub" labels are the same as in the DCO1+2/Mixer/VCF/VCA sections.
* Same thing on the right side (cropped); I think you can still squeeze a logo in there somewhere at the top
(it's the height that concerns me the most).
* And one more thing; There should of course be 11 value tracks alongside the sliders (see VCA).

The tabs below the preset display (and nevermind the font I used) is just an idea that popped up.

All minor things I guess but I thought I'd just share my humble opinion.
All the best and good luck Martin and ENV1!

[Teksonik]

That looks great but the buttons just don't fit, too flat, look like they are just tacked on. They let the rest of the GUI down..........(yes in my opinion, to my eye yada yada)....

Good to see nBeat here........one of my all time favorite GUI artists.......

[nBeat]

@Teksonik:

[ENV1]

A few thing though:
Sizewise I think it's too large (1000x800) for a laptop (17,3"). It will fit depending on what host you use I guess.

I have already begun to shrink it somewhat by placing whatever object was closest to a section divider precisely 5 pixels from the border and then align the rest to that. In the case of the Mixer section for instance this was the OFF label at the bottom. The indicator lines are to be 2 pixels away, after that comes the slider background. The slider above is to be vertically aligned with the slider below, so that gave me the most conservative coordinates for that section. The other sections have been arranged by the same rule. (Except for the vari-panel, which isnt done yet.) That way, and after removing the outer frame, the size could be reduced to 960x780 without losing any of the room for what is still planned. Depending on how much width im going to need for the vari-panel it might be possible to shave off some more pixels from that section at the end. The height should probably not be reduced any further or things will start to look cramped.

As for backgrounds, i have tried to come up with something thats not really bright but not really dark either. The result was a icey kind of grey with a metallic texture similar to that of the black variant with controls matched to the look of the background. Right now i rather like it, but this might change tomorrow when i see it with fresh eyes. (And it wouldnt be the first time.) Feel free to leave a comment though.

click for fullsize

[Doc Brown]

Is there going to be a final payed version of this? If so I'll gladly buy it. It's that good.

Hats off to Martin and ENV1.

[Spitfire31]

I rather like the contrast now – it feels comfortable. And the hinted metal surface gets rid of the 'plasticy' impression without being obvious. Nice!

I'm not so keen on the cool (blue/cyan) general colour cast, though. IMHO, a slightly warm tone feels more inviting as a work environment – especially since PG8X is emulating a 'warm' synth.

/Joachim

[ENV1]

As much as i would like to, but i can tell you right now that it will be impossible to make a UI that is to the liking of everyone. Tastes and preferences are just too different for that, so eventually i will have to take one of the ideas ive collected and just run with it.

(Personally i still prefer the black variant, but i wouldnt feel comfortable just going ahead without having at least heard Martins opinion. Soon as he contacts me back i will let you know whether its going to be dark, bright, or somewhere inbetween.)

[EvilDragon]

I agree that membrane buttons should look less tacked on and more realistic... Add something to their edges so they feel like they're part of the thing, or some lighting, or some discolorations from ages of usage...


Not enough contrast on your latest mockup, ENV1 (my guess is because slider/knob caps have a very similar tone as the background, which makes them harder to see at a glance)... nBeat nailed it, both with the BG panel color and contrast. I especially like how he implemented Settings/MIDI Learn/Global (we shouldn't have two buttons that have "MIDI" on them) below the display.

[Lesha]

Great work guys! I also like what nBeat did with it.

[layzer]

enough banter over gui microdetails, lets get a beta out with this GUI on it already!

http://www.pixhost.org/show/2643/25061635_tmp.png

looks great, do it!

[Totolitoto]

enough banter over gui microdetails, lets get a beta out with this GUI on it already!

http://www.pixhost.org/show/2643/25061635_tmp.png

looks great, do it!

+1

ENV1 stop listening to every advice or it'll turn to "GROUNDHOG DAY" for you

[valerian_777]

enough banter over gui microdetails, lets get a beta out with this GUI on it already!

http://www.pixhost.org/show/2643/25061635_tmp.png

looks great, do it!

+1

ENV1 stop listening to every advice or it'll turn to "GROUNDHOG DAY" for you

+1

[ras.s]

For what it's worth, I preferred the buttons and the display at the bottom. If this was a physical instrument, it would be more ergonomic (no reaching for the screen, easy access to patch change) and in any case, it's sort of logical that after all the modules the last thing is to manage patches and settings. The looks are top-notch.

I think this was the last edit with the buttons at the bottom?
http://www.pixhost.org/show/2600/25014535_wip.png


Anyway, martin_l, I guess you hear this quite often but once more a big THANK YOU for this synthesizer, it's very good. My own experience with the real thing (jx3p + controller, well not the same) is limited to mucking about with one over at a band rehearsal place where one guy used to own one and while I don't have access to that one anymore, it's just amazing that I can have this. It has become a staple in my music. Thank you.

[akademie]

I think that buttons and display at the top are more logical in case of virtual/plugin, e.g. because you can move GUI (holding top bar of plugin window) down to save space on display and still be able to see display and main controls (program selections...), when editing, then you move GUI to see it complete, of course. With buttons and display at bottom, you miss them very quickly by moving plugin window down a bit

akademie