Tag Browsers - a comparison

[noiseboyuk]

As a spin-off from the Massive X thread, I thought I'd do a quick browser comparison, to see how different developers display only Sub Bass patches. NB - the ever helpful Mario (EvilDragon) says that the new Massive X tag browser is still a work-in-progress, but will in time become the defacto NI browser across multiple products, so it's a good time for NI to get user feedback imo.

NI MASSIVE


Although this is the smallest UI of any, it's very clear to see what's selected. The whole thing could be bigger - this was pre-scalable UIs, and there's all that wasted space on the RHS - simply widening columns for longer names would be better than nothing. But ux-wise, everything is one click away.

SPECTRASONICS OMNISPHERE


(Deep Tones in Spectrasese, not Sub). Very similar conceptually to Massive, only clearer. 4 user-chosen columns to drill down, all easily visible. For me still the one to beat as the best balance of clarity, functionality and aesthetics.

ARTURIA ARP2600


A totally different technique. Arturia sort of combine their main type and sub type, and you can change from the drop down arrows. I can see I've chosen Sub Bass easily enough (on every patch and again in the search box), but it's quite a bit of wasted space. It's two clicks to change anything - not a disaster, but overall not as helpful as the first two candidates.

U-HE REPRO-5


Another totally different technique. On the small side, but in general this is clear and as quick to use as the first two. I can see what I'm searching for, and it's single click to change (sometimes 2 to clear an existing filter).

NI MASSIVE-X


In terms of sharpness and clarity, arguably the best of the bunch (and imo the prettiest). In terms of information and user interaction, the worst. It's the only one where we can't see what is even being searched for - we just know it's sub. Not bass, because only one field of information is able to be viewed at a time, via a tab system. With sub - okay, we know it's probably bass, but of course with other tags they will span multiple sound types. (Also it's not possible to assign tags to user patches, or quickly reset).

So improvement is needed as NI continue to develop it. They could break out the different fields vertically as per U-he. Or - at the very least - display the selected tags in the massively (!) wide search box, a la Arturia, or maybe underneath each field name display the results the user has chosen. At least then you could literally see what you are looking for.

[nightjar]

Thanks for starting this thread.. really a vital topic as we spin ever deeper into more choices.

Of the 4 browsers presented so far, u-he layout works best for me.

NI's new Massive X browser looks like a blank slate that has barely been developed. If it is indeed an embryo for many future NI products, there is potential to get a lot right or wrong...

And none of these 4 examples address the looming impact of AI/ML analysis and searching for sound-a-likes.

[noiseboyuk]

And none of these 4 examples address the looming impact of AI/ML analysis and searching for sound-a-likes.

Omnisphere does - the Sound Match button does exactly this. It also has sound lock so you can fix particular parameters when searching.

[v1o]

They should have just copied and pasted the old browser into MX and called it a day.

[aMUSEd]

Tbh it’s not just about the browser per se, it’s also about the save dialogue as this determines what metadata gets added to the preset, which then determines organisation/usability of the browser.

Massive X literally just has preset name and author fields. What it should have is something like this:

[nightjar]

Fun to think what AI/ML analysis can bring to auto-tagging as a powerful, next-generation NKS.

NI having a deep, "clean sheet" rethink on how to translate spectral and time domain analysis into categories and universal tags.

And this would extend to User presets getting an automatic NKS preview made, with the same AI/ML auto-tagging upon save.

[Barbarossa]

I wonder if several of these slow and complicated systems had any input of power users during development...
One can ignore Manuel Schleis, but its not wise...

[nightjar]

Hmmm.. browser in updated Massive X is growing on me a bit.

If indeed intended to be a starting point for browsers in other NI products (KK?) I am optimistic.

[btfnk]

I like the U-he browser the most. Not mentioned but probably the worst full featured browser is the Softube one. It's just annoying.

[trusampler]

Arturia's and Spectrasonics easily. Now if only Presonus could catch on with Studio one.

[Sinisterbr]

Phaseplant's browser is very good as well.

[aMUSEd]

Phaseplant's browser is very good as well.

I think the browser is ok but it doesn’t seem to correspond to actual preset locations on the hard drive which makes preset management very hard - all preset and banks seem to have their actual names obfuscated (XILs do this too and it’s a pain)

[Biome_Digital]

Dune 3's new browser is very nice. So is Pigments and Hive 2. In fact, most synths I have I can easily manage 3rd party expansions, apart from Massive X, still.

[Biome_Digital]

Tbh it’s not just about the browser per se, it’s also about the save dialogue as this determines what metadata gets added to the preset, which then determines organisation/usability of the browser.

Massive X literally just has preset name and author fields. What it should have is something like this:

Yes this is good.

[noiseboyuk]

Tbh it’s not just about the browser per se, it’s also about the save dialogue as this determines what metadata gets added to the preset, which then determines organisation/usability of the browser.

Massive X literally just has preset name and author fields. What it should have is something like this:

Be patient. More fields to come as early as 2038 if all goes well.