MU.LAB terminology: Targets

[MuTools]

In a recent talk with someone, i understood that the term "Target" is a bit difficult to understand, especially for newbies. Maybe because it's a bit too abstract.

So what about changing the more abstract "Target" into the more concrete "Target Module"?

This would be implemented throughout entire MU.LAB. So, for example, when you right-click a track you'll then see "Choose Target Module" in the context menu. Etc.

What do you think?

[stanlea]

Why not the classic "send to" ?

[Branis]

I think I prefer "Target" than "Target Module", it seems simpler to me, maybe because it's just one word. The other word that comes to mind is "Destination", but I'm personally used to "Target".

I guess for newbies anything will sound abstract, maybe it's more of a problem to people who are already used to a certain terminology.

[Nielzie]

I think if it helps newbies to get a better understanding than it's for the better. Lightweight, solid and easy to understand and use (workflow), that should be MU.LAB's "target".

[vinpizza]

"target" is simple and fits!
once people know what it is, they usually use it like its read [they first know what it is]
especially for newbie?

but if its for people that already use different tools/DAW and having difficulty for their old habit, they will learn too, even maybe in a snap and build their new habit.
but I'm a Mu.Lab free user afterall
don't mind me, Jo.

[Juan Mendoza]

Target is fine for me, but i vote for "Choose Player" or "send to" just to simplify things for newbies,

Juan

[Improviser]

Target is fine for me, but i vote for "Choose Player" or "send to" just to simplify things for newbies,

Juan

I'd tend to agree with this.

Let's pretend I'm a newcomer to midi sequencing.
I download Mulab and open it.

If, after sorting out my Audio Settings (asio, etc), I'm a little bit impatient (and haven't studied the documentation !), one of the first things I'll want to do is click the Record button, and play a few notes on my midi keyboard. Or perhaps use the mouse to insert 'note' via the sequencer editor.

Next, I want to hear what I've just created, so I click the Play button, and .... no sound !!

At this point I probably need nudging - in easy to understand terms - towrds the idea that the events have to be 'sent to', 'routed to' or 'linked to' a 'Player' device that will generate the sound.

Like you, I'm now used to the term 'Target' and am quite happy with it. But for the aforementioned newbie, such terms (Target, Target Module, etc) may not be quick to get to grips with ?

Les J.

[liquidsound]

I agree with the fact tha eventually once it is understood what Target means then ....it's understood...

Maybe a VERY SHORT introduction could be given at the first use of MuLab splash screen with the fundamental "Gems" of MuLab.
Very brief and to the point. Maybe with a button saying "Got It! Let's begin"

Most people are used to the word Routing which I think is the meaning of "Target".

[MuTools]

Why not the classic "send to" ?

Thanks for the suggestion but we need a noun, not a verb.

[MuTools]

Target is fine for me, but i vote for "Choose Player" or "send to" just to simplify things for newbies

What do others think about 'Player'?

So this would result in (some examples as used in M):

"Choose Player"
"Player Set By Track"
"Use Manual MIDI Input Player"
"Edit MIDI Input Players"
"Set MIDI Clock Out Player"
...

[MuTools]

Maybe a VERY SHORT introduction could be given at the first use of MuLab splash screen with the fundamental "Gems" of MuLab.
Very brief and to the point. Maybe with a button saying "Got It! Let's begin"

Yes, i'm thinking about that too.

Like "Do you want an intro on using MU.LAB?".
If yes, then it will open a tutorial webpage with a basic tutorial (movie).

[D.H. Miltz]

I don't care for "Player"--it seems less clear to me than "Target". But "Target" never seemed unclear to me, and I came to MU.LAB with essentially no computer recording experience. My input on this is: keep "Target".

The short tutorial option is a good idea, but you might consider something for the dial-up user too (something like the Johnny Pumphandle tutorials, only updated, maybe).

[pljones]

I think it's more likely that people coming to MU.LAB from other hosts will get confused by the workflow. I don't think it matters what you call anything -- MU.LAB just works differently from what they're used to. They'll explain this by not understanding what the words mean but in fact it's just that they're trying to approach the tool the "wrong" way. What's a "player"? What's a "target module"? Both need explaining just as much as "target".

I think the splash should say "MU.LAB works differently -- would you like a short introduction?" or something along those lines. That way both people who were new to music making and those with experience of other hosts would realise the introduction was for them.

[Juan Mendoza]

I think it's more likely that people coming to MU.LAB from other hosts will get confused by the workflow. I don't think it matters what you call anything -- MU.LAB just works differently from what they're used to. They'll explain this by not understanding what the words mean but in fact it's just that they're trying to approach the tool the "wrong" way. What's a "player"? What's a "target module"? Both need explaining just as much as "target".

I agree with you but i think there is another important factor: Native language of the musician. A lot of musicians don't understand english as you all do and in my opinion "play" or "player" are a lot more universal words. In my case, i understand english quite well and i know what target means, but there are lots of technic words in Mulab and other hosts that require the use of a dictionary, and i think that would be better to choose the most common/basic/undestandable words when possible to make Mulab even more intuitive.

I think the splash should say "MU.LAB works differently -- would you like a short introduction?" or something along those lines. That way both people who were new to music making and those with experience of other hosts would realise the introduction was for them.

Like "Do you want an intro on using MU.LAB?".
If yes, then it will open a tutorial webpage with a basic tutorial (movie).

About start up tutorial:

I think this is a most wanted addon, but in my opinion the most important thing is to try to (with time) make Mulab even more intuitive.
How many tutorials have you all read/watched the first time you try a demo of a vst or a host?
In my case just a few ones. In most of cases i give new apps between 5 and 20 minutes to decide if i wan't to in deep explore it's potential and functionality, so to become a potential buyer. And one of the most important factors is intuitiveness. Between the thousands of options avalaible in the pro audio soft market i tend to choose the easiest ones (alongside with sound and features), call me "lazy boy" if you want, but there are many like me.

Also, i think that the tutorial should be offline because i know lots of musicians that has a dedicated offline daw, sometimes out of their houses and without other computer with internet connection.

Juan

[cytone]

Player sounds confusing to me. Target is more generic as you could be selecting:

Synth
Effect
Rack Mixer Strip
etc