Looking cool VS usable GUIs

[martiu]

best lookin

echo-cat.png

[paramita123]

UAD Topline plugin is, to me, a good example of skeuomorphic design blended with a modern interface that is clear, to the point, easy to look at and easy to operate. Which is pretty rare for UAD because most of their stuff is based on old hardware and they insist on the plugin GUI’s being a 1:1 copy of that.

Yes that is a nice example, they didn't overdo it with the wood panels, they added the digital views like in and out levels, the middle of the interface is clear and appealing. Nice.
And I hope all manufacturers pay attention to their preset browser, I keep referring to U-HE as it's one of the best in class.
For the blur, I think it's whilst the plugin is checking the license. Not the best part as with my internet connection it sometimes refuses to load it, making me not want to use iLok-related plugins. Another issue ..

[paramita123]

best lookin
echo-cat.png

To my eyes a waste of space. And pushing the skeuomorphic approach too far, the tape graphic probably does nothing and the space could be better used by introducing modern functionality.

[Morty-C-137]

UAD Topline plugin is, to me, a good example of skeuomorphic design blended with a modern interface that is clear, to the point, easy to look at and easy to operate. Which is pretty rare for UAD because most of their stuff is based on old hardware and they insist on the plugin GUI’s being a 1:1 copy of that.

Yes that is a nice example, they didn't overdo it with the wood panels, they added the digital views like in and out levels, the middle of the interface is clear and appealing. Nice.
And I hope all manufacturers pay attention to their preset browser, I keep referring to U-HE as it's one of the best in class.
For the blur, I think it's whilst the plugin is checking the license. Not the best part as with my internet connection it sometimes refuses to load it, making me not want to use iLok-related plugins. Another issue ..

Yes, U-he style preset browser (a full size overlay on top of the plugin) that does not mess with the size of the plugin GUI itself is my preference also. Vital's preset browser is fne too imo. UAD preset browsers are a very detached experience. And don't get me started on Waves

[morphex]

Since I've been using software for so long, I've seen the effect that the gaming industry has had on our neck of the woods. With better graphics cards and screens being more affordable, I kind of see fancy, professional-looking GUI's as part of the "gamification" of music-making software. I absolutely love a great interface to look at, especially when everything is conveniently placed for a solid workflow. It just reminds me of video games.

I've never owned a gaming console or even took the time to learn how an Xbox turns on lol. But my nephew got into gaming pretty hardcore and at a young age. He was the first person that told me how my plug-ins in Logic looked like a game of sorts. And after I thought about it for a second, I had to agree. We have sharp graphics with extremely bright colors (or colours for you blokes across the pond), and developers are STILL cashing in on the look of old analog gear. Although I do see that being more phased out at some point.

It could also be partly psychological. Some may think that if a company spends a lot of resources for a dazzling GUI, the plug-in MUST be good... right? Yeah, not so fast. I have plenty of killer-looking VST's and some of them are absolute crap. Functionality and compatibility are my first priorities. If it looks nice too, then that's a win win purchase. Minimal Audio, Devious Machines, Zynaptiq, Lunacy Audio, Dawesome Music, Polyverse Music, u-he, and plenty of others have both functionality and looks. And I do use those quite a bit.

[paramita123]

Since I've been using software for so long, I've seen the effect that the gaming industry has had on our neck of the woods. With better graphics cards and screens being more affordable, I kind of see fancy, professional-looking GUI's as part of the "gamification" of music-making software. I absolutely love a great interface to look at, especially when everything is conveniently placed for a solid workflow. It just reminds me of video games.

I've never owned a gaming console or even took the time to learn how an Xbox turns on lol. But my nephew got into gaming pretty hardcore and at a young age. He was the first person that told me how my plug-ins in Logic looked like a game of sorts. And after I thought about it for a second, I had to agree. We have sharp graphics with extremely bright colors (or colours for you blokes across the pond), and developers are STILL cashing in on the look of old analog gear. Although I do see that being more phased out at some point.

It could also be partly psychological. Some may think that if a company spends a lot of resources for a dazzling GUI, the plug-in MUST be good... right? Yeah, not so fast. I have plenty of killer-looking VST's and some of them are absolute crap. Functionality and compatibility are my first priorities. If it looks nice too, then that's a win win purchase. Minimal Audio, Devious Machines, Zynaptiq, Lunacy Audio, Dawesome Music, Polyverse Music, u-he, and plenty of others have both functionality and looks. And I do use those quite a bit.

Great input and storytelling again dear Morphex !
Your raising the point of hardware looks getting phased out interests me.
My original post was about the guitar amp sims putting more efforts on looks rather than function, and I believe a lot of their users may never have used a physical pedal, instead jumping straight to digital.
But the appeal of the magic of past glory is strong, the phasing out might be slow

As to gamification, making great music takes tons of passion and work, fun plugins cannot replace that, so this is a reminder not to be seduced by yet another cute GUI and instead go sweat in our DAWs to create emotion !

[martiu]

best lookin
echo-cat.png

To my eyes a waste of space. And pushing the skeuomorphic approach too far, the tape graphic probably does nothing and the space could be better used by introducing modern functionality.

how about now

wavesfactory_echo_cat_01-nGgq9RGaey2S_.Gy5xHerEqTR.ebjQ_o.jpg

[paramita123]

best lookin
echo-cat.png

To my eyes a waste of space. And pushing the skeuomorphic approach too far, the tape graphic probably does nothing and the space could be better used by introducing modern functionality.

how about now
wavesfactory_echo_cat_01-nGgq9RGaey2S_.Gy5xHerEqTR.ebjQ_o.jpg

I see, much better !
Though they could replace the cat or the 220V info by an LFO for example, for added modernity.
Skeuomorphic does not have to mean limited to hardware. I wish the guitar plugins manufacturers understand that !

[TMaudio]

best lookin
echo-cat.png

To my eyes a waste of space. And pushing the skeuomorphic approach too far, the tape graphic probably does nothing and the space could be better used by introducing modern functionality.

Your waste of space is another man's room to breath.

[echastus]

Echo Cat is beautiful! Not sure what the controls are, or what it does, but definitely looks cool.
I wonder if Soundguys plugins fit this thread, since they are neither cool looking, nor usable. C'mon, they are still not resizable.

[lunchcap]

Don´t think beautiful is the right word but Aberrant's Lair reverb is definetly a stand out for me.

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