Two browsers connundrum

[antic604]

Do we really need two browsers?

Since I've been using Bitwig (around v2.1 I believe) there were always two browsers, but I never really understood what's the purpose? The pop-up one should theoretically be enough, but then it's constrained in a way that makes the side browser necessary for some things, e.g. you can't drag samples (or devices, for that matter) out of pop-up browser or drag a clip or preset into it.

Wouldn't it make sense to just have one that covers all needs?

[antic604]

I voted for single pop-up one, that could be invoked by a button & keyboard shortcut (not just "+" icons) and that would intelligently move away or disappear e.g. when dragging stuff out of it. Or something

[aMUSEd]

Do we really need two browsers?

Since I've been using Bitwig (around v2.1 I believe) there were always two browsers, but I never really understood what's the purpose? The pop-up one should theoretically be enough, but then it's constrained in a way that makes the side browser necessary for some things, e.g. you can't drag samples (or devices, for that matter) out of pop-up browser or drag a clip or preset into it.

Wouldn't it make sense to just have one that covers all needs?

Yes one absolutely - I've been saying this for ages now. I always thought the popup one was a temp solution until it could be integrated into the main browser as it seemed to me a bit of a hacked together thing - but it never happened and I find it gets in the way far too much - especially working in the Grid - unless I use 2 screens which I rarely do

At least making docking it an option

[david.djx]

Two is better than one. Nothing wrong with some overlap in functionality. They both have their use in my workflow. The side browser can be toggled off and on. I dont understand why you would be bothered by it. I would like the pop-up browser, which I only use for grabbing instruments and fx, to be slimmed down and work a bit more like the one in houdini.

[Dionysos]

I only really use the popup browser, even though the side browser is sometimes useful for non-targeted exploration (or digging out parts from other projects). I suppose in theory the side browser could cover the pop-up browser's duties, but then it'd have to change & restore its state contextually quite a lot, and that might end up feeling more confusing and/or annoying than having a separate pop-up browser like we do now. I think having two is fine.

[_leras]

Definitely both are useful to me - and also serve slightly different purposes.

I like the pop up for transitional events like adding an instrument or effect, maybe quickly picking a preset.

The sidebar I use mainly for things like finding drum samples, and I appreciate this being open while I continue to use other things, so I don't lose my 'place'. i.e. add a SD, mess around split out to a new drum machine, move that to a group, add a group fx channel, add a compressor and reverb etc - and then be able to go straight back to the preset pane to get an OHH

Now... I know I'm missing some shortcuts and/or setting up better favourites for browsing to things I want... but that is anyway how I am working for now.

My answer is actually more like - What the heck, why are you even suggesting to take this away from me!

[stamp]

Leave the browsers where they are! I use both. Pop-up for devices and presets, sidebrowser for samples.

[antic604]

...I dont understand why you would be bothered by it.

I wouldn't, if I could do everything from the pop-up one

[_leras]

The people have spoken Antic!

[antic604]

The people have spoken Antic!

It's an international forum.
Some are still asleep, others are at work, etc.
I'm not closing it just yet

Ima win this thing!

[lokanchung]

it's weird design. But I got kinda convinced to keep both. both have their own use.

[carlca]

Like the sensible majority have said, I'm in favour of two browsers. My muscle memory is well adjusted to using the side browser for samples and the pop-up browser for the other stuff. One thing, though, although I used to curse the slow response time of the Ableton Live browser (2 typed chars before it starts to trudge through the index), I did like the keyboard navigation and the fact that the browser was on the left. I don't suspect the Bitwig keyboard navigation is going to change anytime soon, but it would presumably be quite easy to make it an option to appears on the left.

[antic604]

...but it would presumably be quite easy to make it an option to appears on the left.

Not the same, but choosing "small screen profile" you can have both Inspector and Browser on the right, interchangeably.

[antic604]

...They both have their use in my workflow...

...even though the side browser is sometimes useful for non-targeted exploration (or digging out parts from other projects)...

Definitely both are useful to me - and also serve slightly different purposes...

...I use both. Pop-up for devices and presets, sidebrowser for samples.

...But I got kinda convinced to keep both. both have their own use.

...My muscle memory is well adjusted to using the side browser for samples and the pop-up browser for the other stuff...

It's funny, because all of you who are for keeping 2 browsers mention exactly the things that led me to creating this poll:
a) there's huge overlap in functionality,
b) but some things are only available in one or the other
c) you all gotten used to it

[Dionysos]

a) there's huge overlap in functionality,
b) but some things are only available in one or the other
c) you all gotten used to it

Well, the thing is, your points a) and b), while accurate, aren't necessarily bad and mean that the views should be combined. The browsers are separate for a reason and combining them will only really weaken them for exactly the use cases they're best suited for. IMO.

It's a testament to the design sensibilities of the team that they recognised that transient actions warrant a separate, transient UI, and not trying to cram them into the existing browser because there's overlap.