Hey, MuTools. (Why isn't MuLab more popular?)
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- KVRAF
- 3148 posts since 28 Mar, 2008 from a Galaxy S7 far far away
I think the old skinning system should have been kept. Then, like reaper, you could change any part of the interface to look how you want.
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- KVRist
- 329 posts since 6 Mar, 2015
i think the stock look should be 'not salted' like restaurant food. you add your own salt to taste. but i feel like the decision has already been made and im just barking in the woods. initial attraction and decision to buy is often made on non merit based criteria, like looks. of course people need to see it doing some high level stuff that appeals. so loox and videos made by pros.
i also should mention that looks give an impression of what is inside however misguided the impression may be. my own snap judgement of something stems from my sense of the impression of 'utility' rather than 'pretty colors' or even colors that are very different from other software that i consider to have a look of utility.
cabaret voltaire wouldnt have sold as well without the help of Neville Brody
https://www.google.com/search?q=neville ... ws-wiz-img
https://www.google.com/search?q=who+did ... p=10&ntc=1
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DSBHO73A ... xtaDJ0MQ==
wow he got a bunch of free coverage from a guy who likes his stuff. ok it wasnt free but it wasnt really expensive unless he wanted to also bring an inflatable playhouse too! size of exhibit is usually what makes the price go up!
a ton of companies send a representative rather than go themselves. its a load off the mind when you designate, get a pro. they come in all flavors
i also should mention that looks give an impression of what is inside however misguided the impression may be. my own snap judgement of something stems from my sense of the impression of 'utility' rather than 'pretty colors' or even colors that are very different from other software that i consider to have a look of utility.
cabaret voltaire wouldnt have sold as well without the help of Neville Brody
https://www.google.com/search?q=neville ... ws-wiz-img
https://www.google.com/search?q=who+did ... p=10&ntc=1
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DSBHO73A ... xtaDJ0MQ==
wow he got a bunch of free coverage from a guy who likes his stuff. ok it wasnt free but it wasnt really expensive unless he wanted to also bring an inflatable playhouse too! size of exhibit is usually what makes the price go up!
a ton of companies send a representative rather than go themselves. its a load off the mind when you designate, get a pro. they come in all flavors
Last edited by solipsvs on Mon Feb 16, 2026 11:32 pm, edited 1 time in total.
ACKCHYUALLY
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- KVRAF
- 3148 posts since 28 Mar, 2008 from a Galaxy S7 far far away
How is the default look "salted"? It couldn't be any plainer! Regardless how it looks by default, there will always be someone who thinks it's "salted" so it's impossible to make a customisable software appeal to everyone by default.
The fact it is customisable should mean that the default look becomes irrelevant.
I for one admit mulabs looks could do with an uplift. I suggested this year's ago and we got the current set up. But as I said, I would've preferred the old skinning system, though I understand why it was abandoned, realistically it is still a viable way of doing it as can be seen in other software.
That's said, despite people keep moaning about mulabs looks, I like it. It's plain and distinct, without being cluttered like every other daw. THAT is where people struggle. They expect that level of clutter and when they don't see it, they think MuLab is severely limited, but that couldn't be further from the truth. In fact, when Jo implements something, so much research is done that it is done to perfection. At least as much as is possible. One man can never do perfection as there will always be points of view missed out. But this is where the forum comes in, we give feedback and help to shape things.
BTW, not sure about others, but I don't waste time trying to read posts that people cannot be bothered to post correctly. The use of capitals and paragraphs make things easier to read, so I skipped the rest. One of your longer posts earlier had no paragraphs at all, it was just one long post! Which is quite ironic for someone complaining about looks!
No offence, just sayin'
The fact it is customisable should mean that the default look becomes irrelevant.
I for one admit mulabs looks could do with an uplift. I suggested this year's ago and we got the current set up. But as I said, I would've preferred the old skinning system, though I understand why it was abandoned, realistically it is still a viable way of doing it as can be seen in other software.
That's said, despite people keep moaning about mulabs looks, I like it. It's plain and distinct, without being cluttered like every other daw. THAT is where people struggle. They expect that level of clutter and when they don't see it, they think MuLab is severely limited, but that couldn't be further from the truth. In fact, when Jo implements something, so much research is done that it is done to perfection. At least as much as is possible. One man can never do perfection as there will always be points of view missed out. But this is where the forum comes in, we give feedback and help to shape things.
BTW, not sure about others, but I don't waste time trying to read posts that people cannot be bothered to post correctly. The use of capitals and paragraphs make things easier to read, so I skipped the rest. One of your longer posts earlier had no paragraphs at all, it was just one long post! Which is quite ironic for someone complaining about looks!
No offence, just sayin'-
- KVRist
- 329 posts since 6 Mar, 2015
im not sure you alone are the market. thats what everyone here thinks. it looks ok to you! ok if thats your take then i see why these threads dont produce much.
maybe you ARE the intended market. maybe its why mulab isnt more popular in which case ill not offer my observations because you are exactly whom its built to attract, and its been done this way intentionally. for you! and you make up most of who uses mulab. you are not mainstream and thats good yeah? why do people start threads like this? maybe jo is fine with the current trajectory mutools earnings are taking! maybe its me who needs to learn that? maybe the original poster should have seen this likely reason mutools isnt popular like the rest.
im definitely getting the message however! mutools attracts those who are fine with a misfit because they are misfits! its that simple. we are within the alternate reality some people use to justify closing off the rest of the world (that they dont fit in)! i apologize for intruding into your safe space! may you find peace in your safe spaces!
maybe you ARE the intended market. maybe its why mulab isnt more popular in which case ill not offer my observations because you are exactly whom its built to attract, and its been done this way intentionally. for you! and you make up most of who uses mulab. you are not mainstream and thats good yeah? why do people start threads like this? maybe jo is fine with the current trajectory mutools earnings are taking! maybe its me who needs to learn that? maybe the original poster should have seen this likely reason mutools isnt popular like the rest.
im definitely getting the message however! mutools attracts those who are fine with a misfit because they are misfits! its that simple. we are within the alternate reality some people use to justify closing off the rest of the world (that they dont fit in)! i apologize for intruding into your safe space! may you find peace in your safe spaces!
ACKCHYUALLY
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- KVRAF
- 3148 posts since 28 Mar, 2008 from a Galaxy S7 far far away
You're right, I am not the market. I am nobody. That however doesn't mean what I say is not true.
FACT: It makes no difference what the default look is, it will always be criticised by someone.
FACT: Mulab's look being customisable should mean that the default look is irrelevant as it can be changed. Just as Reaper's is.
FACT: Mulab's appearance is deceptively simple and minimal. Because it creates a cleaner user space. That clarity does NOT mean it is not capable. It means people are simply narrow minded in their approach. Because if they tried it, it becomes evident it is a vastly capable DAW. This narrow mindedness, is not a criticism of you or anyone, it is just a simple fact of human nature and the current status of mankind in general.
FACT: If looks were THAT important, why does Reaper have such a large user base? Because it sure as hell looks like sh*t by default! To top it off, it's actually not even easy to skin it either. Or learn to use it! It took me nearly 30 minutes on first use just to find how to add a VST to a track! Seriously, that's poor development right there.
Denial of these truths is also irrelevant. As they will remain true regardless of anyone's belief. The grass is green despite those afflicted with colour-blindness stating otherwise. Wisdom and knowledge allow us to see the reality of these statements as both being true, if you just approach them with an open mind. One huge problem with our society is not being able to accept criticism in a positive way. Not to mention I did a piss poor job of that! If you feel attacked, you respond accordingly. For that I apologise. My ways are often misinterpreted.
You have intruded on nothing. It is clear I offended you by stating I didn't read your comments due to your poor use of Capitals and paragraphs. I am not being a dick, I am stating that for everyone's sake, it is better to write clearly to make things more legible. Is that also not true? Forgive me solipsvs, I am not attacking you in any way.
FACT: It makes no difference what the default look is, it will always be criticised by someone.
FACT: Mulab's look being customisable should mean that the default look is irrelevant as it can be changed. Just as Reaper's is.
FACT: Mulab's appearance is deceptively simple and minimal. Because it creates a cleaner user space. That clarity does NOT mean it is not capable. It means people are simply narrow minded in their approach. Because if they tried it, it becomes evident it is a vastly capable DAW. This narrow mindedness, is not a criticism of you or anyone, it is just a simple fact of human nature and the current status of mankind in general.
FACT: If looks were THAT important, why does Reaper have such a large user base? Because it sure as hell looks like sh*t by default! To top it off, it's actually not even easy to skin it either. Or learn to use it! It took me nearly 30 minutes on first use just to find how to add a VST to a track! Seriously, that's poor development right there.
Denial of these truths is also irrelevant. As they will remain true regardless of anyone's belief. The grass is green despite those afflicted with colour-blindness stating otherwise. Wisdom and knowledge allow us to see the reality of these statements as both being true, if you just approach them with an open mind. One huge problem with our society is not being able to accept criticism in a positive way. Not to mention I did a piss poor job of that! If you feel attacked, you respond accordingly. For that I apologise. My ways are often misinterpreted.
You have intruded on nothing. It is clear I offended you by stating I didn't read your comments due to your poor use of Capitals and paragraphs. I am not being a dick, I am stating that for everyone's sake, it is better to write clearly to make things more legible. Is that also not true? Forgive me solipsvs, I am not attacking you in any way.
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- KVRist
- 329 posts since 6 Mar, 2015
youve defeated my argument for a pro look with your awesome logic, away i go to sulk by myself in the corner of the studio by the multitrack tape machine
mate, i dont care what you like! this game is about self expression and being real with yourself. i know how fickle people are and i live in ackchyuality. of course i have my corner of the world where ive made myself comfy but i recognize the real world we all live in. the psychology of buying is a good thing to study if you get round to it!
mate, i dont care what you like! this game is about self expression and being real with yourself. i know how fickle people are and i live in ackchyuality. of course i have my corner of the world where ive made myself comfy but i recognize the real world we all live in. the psychology of buying is a good thing to study if you get round to it!
Last edited by solipsvs on Fri Feb 20, 2026 4:17 am, edited 1 time in total.
ACKCHYUALLY
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- KVRist
- 329 posts since 6 Mar, 2015
trade shows are pretty effective promotion mechanisms. if indeed awareness is what is lacking. although my argument is its looks and lack of promotion at places like trade shows, since it opens you up for coverage by the internet famous. theyre mostly bastards tho so you gotta have an in or be real businesslike haha! i dont think jo would have a particular problem though!
if i were you jo i would hire a pro to spruce up the look of all of mulabs graphics and then book at superbooth or namm or even knobcon. there are makers from everywhere and also music market reviewers. i wasnt even ready the first time i went! some chick shoved a camera in my face and i was worried about my makeup for a second! luckily someone else talked to me before i agreed to be on camera haha! luckily i believe in what i do
you cant absent mindedly pick your nose in a place like that with a bunch of youtubers and cameras everywhere
if i were you jo i would hire a pro to spruce up the look of all of mulabs graphics and then book at superbooth or namm or even knobcon. there are makers from everywhere and also music market reviewers. i wasnt even ready the first time i went! some chick shoved a camera in my face and i was worried about my makeup for a second! luckily someone else talked to me before i agreed to be on camera haha! luckily i believe in what i do
you cant absent mindedly pick your nose in a place like that with a bunch of youtubers and cameras everywhere
ACKCHYUALLY
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- KVRAF
- 3148 posts since 28 Mar, 2008 from a Galaxy S7 far far away
I am not trying to defeat your argument. If you read the post at the top of the page, you can see I agreed with it. As doing that would allow for the "pro look" people seem to prefer.
I know what you are saying as I have had those same discussions.
I know what you are saying as I have had those same discussions.
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- Beware the Quoth
- 35433 posts since 4 Sep, 2001 from R'lyeh Oceanic Amusement Park and Funfair
yup, i think we all remember where we were when red mecca went platinum.solipsvs wrote: Sun Feb 15, 2026 5:03 pm cabaret voltaire wouldnt have sold as well without the help of Neville Brody
An idiot on Set Theory:
"In some cases there is an object called red that contains everything that is red. In much the same way a pot is a plate."
"In some cases there is an object called red that contains everything that is red. In much the same way a pot is a plate."
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- KVRist
- 329 posts since 6 Mar, 2015
was that before NB came on board? im not sure. do you think that NB had anything to do with sales? or popularity
edit: yeah it was neville brody. not as developed as later stuff but definitely fit with other stuff from the same time period like front 242 or JMJ.
edit: yeah it was neville brody. not as developed as later stuff but definitely fit with other stuff from the same time period like front 242 or JMJ.
ACKCHYUALLY
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- KVRian
- 975 posts since 21 Feb, 2015
MuLab looks unique, it is his design, I like it.
Quite awhile back, when "gearspace" was "gearslutz",(
)... alright, just pause for a moment guyz...and allow ourselves to have one helluva silly laff on this bullshit.........................
alright?? Done???
______________________________________________________________________________________
Anyhow, a poster said that MuLab looked like a toy.
Well, just because ...it doesn't look like Cubase?
Quite awhile back, when "gearspace" was "gearslutz",(
)... alright, just pause for a moment guyz...and allow ourselves to have one helluva silly laff on this bullshit.........................alright?? Done???
______________________________________________________________________________________
Anyhow, a poster said that MuLab looked like a toy.
Well, just because ...it doesn't look like Cubase?
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- KVRist
- 329 posts since 6 Mar, 2015
does it need an explanation beyond what i said? it doesnt look professional. it looks amateur. this is not an insult! ill be the first to admit i couldnt design an audi to look contemporary! my audi wouldnt look like a pro designed it. you guys dont need to respond to this with emotions. dont take offense, its my opinion and is made from a purely good intention. yeah it looks ok enough to use but put it next to an audi and it looks amateur. thats all. im attempting to answer the question the thread is asking. you guys are responding emotionally which is all that happens here. some guy you dont know is saying your software looks funny and youre worried your friend jo is going to get his feelings hurt. come on guys! its an attempt by me to tell you why its not selling like ableton live or fls or some other tool that has a professional look.
ACKCHYUALLY
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- Beware the Quoth
- 35433 posts since 4 Sep, 2001 from R'lyeh Oceanic Amusement Park and Funfair
its not compelling given that live and fl sold like live and fl with UIs like thesesolipsvs wrote: Wed Feb 18, 2026 3:58 pm its an attempt by me to tell you why its not selling like ableton live or fls or some other tool that has a professional look.
An idiot on Set Theory:
"In some cases there is an object called red that contains everything that is red. In much the same way a pot is a plate."
"In some cases there is an object called red that contains everything that is red. In much the same way a pot is a plate."
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- KVRist
- 329 posts since 6 Mar, 2015
ah well those have the same design language as they do now. do you understand? and i assume those are from the 90s. take live and compare their looks today please. back when there was not much doing what they do, its no surprise. i imagine they werent hundreds and hundreds of $$$. look, objectively mutools looks less like a pro tool. if you dont think so, what car do you drive? how do you like the way it looks? why do manufacturers echo design elements originated with vw/audi/lambo/aston martin? or maybe ford pickup trucks? or american SUVs?. some people just dont have a developed sense of design and make decisions to buy on merit based stuff which mutools meets with flying colors. but the reality is that the majority of people dont make buying decisions on merit. which one are you? who's money is green? does yours spend at a higher value than the fickle buyer's?
ACKCHYUALLY