[linux-audio-dev] Project: modular synth editor

[Fons Adriaensen]

On Fri, Jan 16, 2004 at 09:08:33PM +0100, Joost Diepenmaat wrote:

> ...  most plugins just let the GUI be generated by the host, and
> of those that don't, only a couple actually improve the situation -
> actually, the only one I can think of is the default mixer plugin,
> which has 16 channels with about 7 controls per channel - that just
> too much to represent as a bunch of vertically aligned sliders)

I have to disagree. In many cases  these 'automatically generated'
GUIs provide a layout that is quite poor. In my younger days I've
spent lots of time using big multitrack mixing desks. Before
everything went digital and user interfaces could be shared between
channels, these desks had zillions of knobs and buttons. One thing 
I learned there is the importance of a good layout. Most 'big name'
manufacturers did this quite well, using subliminal hints of all
sorts to make you unconsciously absorb the logic of the layout in
your mind, thereby allowing you to reach for the right control in
a minimum of time without having to think. 

A modular synth that allows complex patches or has complex modules
should IMHO try to have a GUI that has the same qualities. 

-- 
Fons