Interface design for softsynths...

decimator · Post by **decimator** » Sat Mar 22, 2003 7:11 pm

[ This Message was edited by: decimator on 2003-03-22 20:00 ]

decimator · Post by **decimator** » Sat Mar 22, 2003 8:05 pm

Okay, I've decided to clean my shit finally ...
Well, sort of ... sorry about the last ones, the site went berzerk and submitted my last response many times !!
Tomorrow, we'll talk about these GUIs !! hope you remember them ...

King of Snake · Post by **King of Snake** » Sun Mar 23, 2003 5:06 am

well, they're all gone now...

?

decimator · Post by **decimator** » Sun Mar 23, 2003 6:13 am

Don't worry, I will try to make what astroman suggested : pick elements of different GUIs and make a composite or many ( few ) composite images and this time I will watch about size !

But I'am totally unarmed and unexperienced regarding graphic programs : should I buy Photoshop to make some collages ??

Stay tuned ( as we say ) ... that may take tiiiime ... and it's sunday ...

There will be also some meaningful words too ( not sure but I'll try ) not just : that's killer, groovy maaaan !!!!!!!

decimator · Post by **decimator** » Sun Mar 23, 2003 5:15 pm

Okay, I'am very tired, so words will be delayed ...
I kept what I found workable ( for me ) instead of showing what I don't like but I still have pics so maybe later ...

The * only * knobs I love below ... I said KNOBS not the faders ( sorry Rob )
Second are Solaris ...
Manipulation : Ohmforce ! Perfect !!

Not my most " cool " GUI but my most UI friendly because sliders only + matrix + graphic EGs !!

Next steps I would like : plenty of matrixes since it clearly tells what on and ignore what's off ... most compact ... immediate overview of the whole setup ...

More words on this later ( in the week )

Some slim sliders + icons to finish ( visual only - faster computing ) ...
If they were shorter by 1/3 I think we could stack a lot since I often hear that they waste space compared to knobs ...

King of Snake · Post by **King of Snake** » Sat Mar 29, 2003 7:33 pm

Just came across this on Neutron's site:

I have no idea what it is, but it looks really cool

really like the texture and colour, and some cool knobs as well.

astroman · Post by **astroman** » Sun Mar 30, 2003 5:37 am

if you don't have an idea what it's used for then the interface design obviously failed

It's a good example for a funky, graphically tasteful design which is functionally meaningless and confusing.
An eyecatcher, but not a working tool.
Strange, because most of Neutron's interfaces are very clear to understand, but still good looking.

cheers, Tom

visilia · Post by **visilia** » Sun Mar 30, 2003 6:10 am

What's the problem with that Rhino interface? It's the first time I see it, but it's functionality is prety obvious to me. I see filter, distortion and phaser processing parts and env. follower, EG and LFO as modulation parts of the device. I think the layout is fine.

cheers,
vincent

King of Snake · Post by **King of Snake** » Sun Mar 30, 2003 8:00 am

Yeah I think it's rather quick to judge this as non-functional. You haven't even used it have you?
It seems pretty clearly layed out, I'm just not entirely sure what it is yet. (some sort of fx unit obviously).

astroman · Post by **astroman** » Sun Mar 30, 2003 3:10 pm

no, that wasn't a quick judgement at all:
the writing melts with the background, really hard to read
though the knobs have a color indicator, the form makes it difficult to get the amount tuned at first glance (compare with decimator's Foraminator example above, where the red fill indicates the amount)
The LED indicators are build of 5 different colors each.
The distance between the elements doesn't suggest a logical or functional dependence, all is about equal-spaced.
Of course it's easy to see that it's an effects unit

but to get the howto would be a trial and error process.
On the 'infamous' Europa the function of each knob was clear even before I tried the device itself - as it was also with Neutron's Transplanet for examle.

cheers, Tom

King of Snake · Post by **King of Snake** » Sun Mar 30, 2003 4:02 pm

Hmmm, I don't really have a problem with the knobs, but I can't really judge without using it. I like the symmetrical layout, it makes the interface easy to "read" for me. The knobs seem clearly grouped with the grey backgrounds so I don't really think you need different spacing. The more important functions also have bigger knobs and leds.

astroman · Post by **astroman** » Sun Mar 30, 2003 5:25 pm

you can even judge the interface design better without actually using the device, simply because you'd get used quickly to anything if the result pleases you(r ears).

Regarding contrast and readability I admit that it might be designed on a flatpanel, at least with intensified monitor settings the image gets better.
But the textured grey under the inverted chars doesn't improve readability.

Triangular knobs: all 3 edges are emphasized: blue for the pointing one, black and white by the 3d effect.
Round knobs: the 3d shadow distracts from the direction of the blue pointer.
LED dials: the led itself, it's path and the above mentioned triangular knob all get about the same attraction by their color intensity.

Of course this doesn't mean the device is unusable, but keep in mind it's a rather simple one.
The topic was 'interface design for software synths' - imagine a Modular 3 with that surface.
My 2 cents are not for bashing the Rhino, but hopefully to improve something.

cheers, Tom

King of Snake · Post by **King of Snake** » Mon Mar 31, 2003 3:35 am

actually in the starting post I also included other audio-related software in the discussion so not just synths

Of course a modular with the interface of a wacky effect (which I suppose Rhino is) wouldn't work, but then they are hardly compareable things.
I can see what you mean with the knobs now. The blue does seem to get lost in the black. Using some different colours for the knobs would probably improve readability.

King of Snake · Post by **King of Snake** » Mon Mar 31, 2003 3:40 am

I really like the Orbitone stuff as well. I've never gotten round to trying their devices but they look very good. Anyone have some first-hand experience with them?
Does Orbitone still develop for CW?

Anyway here's some pictures:

The layouts seem to be simple and easy to read. They use the hardware-look very well, without overdoing it, but what is really outstanding is the use of colours, lighting and textures. The subtle 3d effects helps to give the interfaces a more solid and "expensive" feel.
_________________

[ This Message was edited by: King of Snake on 2003-03-31 03:47 ]

Neutron · Post by **Neutron** » Sun Jul 27, 2003 4:27 am

An eyecatcher, but not a working tool.
Strange, because most of Neutron's interfaces are very clear to understand, but still good looking.

cheers, Tom

hmmm could that be why this one was never released? moovie at 10

darkrezin · Post by **darkrezin** » Sun Jul 27, 2003 5:54 am

Hi King of Snake

I have the Orbitone devices you mention. Without exception they are superb-sounding, although they tend to get overlooked, especially the Impressor.

I also love the Psy-Fi effects which offer a beautiful range of colours and textures, and the Synchrome synth is fat and evil.

By the way, these were coded by Red_muze, the mastermind behind the imminient FleXor!

peace

valis · Post by **valis** » Sun Jul 27, 2003 8:48 am

When FleXor launches i'm going to be asking some questions (I'll probably edit this post unless this thread gets out of hand

)

ReD_MuZe · Post by **ReD_MuZe** » Sun Jul 27, 2003 9:14 am

the excelent graphics for orbitones device are made by Sander Baan!
Also coding was also made by John Cooper (yes yes the one and only!)

peace!

DigiSUN · Post by **DigiSUN** » Sun Jul 27, 2003 9:38 am

Looking at the flanga screenshot, posted above by King of Snake...
My only compaint about the design is that the panel seems to have two cooling vents on its bottom. Does that mean that if i move an other window on top of those, my Flanga gets overheated??

valis · Post by **valis** » Tue Aug 05, 2003 12:51 am

Obviously I think that an actual working device is necessary to really evaluate how the knobs work etc, but I'm curious what people think about my treatment of Creamware's basic design for Modular in Adern's Flexor?

I'd also like to mention that while I'm the graphics end Red Muze had a tremendous amount of input on what he did & didn't like during the design process, and he only had me approve his choices when laying out the individual surfaces in Scope (I don't think I've had time to see all 70 devices still outside of doing the html treatment to the manual).

[ This Message was edited by: valis on 2003-08-05 01:53 ]