I'm sure you all use tons of plugins, aren't you also frustrated when plugins try look cool by emulating "hardware looks" only to prove frustrating to use?
I'll take the example of guitar processors, I use BIAS FX2 and Amplitube mostly, both have terrible use of screen space, depending on the view, perhaps only 10% of the screen space is dedicated to actually tweaking the controls !![:dog:]( "D'oh!")
....
Both offer editing panels, but tiny and often requiring too many clicks. BIAS FX pedalboard is a good idea in itself, BUT why on earth give so much space to fake cables, fake boxes, fake racks etc.. and so little to the actually usable parts???
....
This highlights the actual tweakable areas. Isn't it crazy?
....
I have seen similar issues with so many plugins FX and even instruments, I tried the Rhodes instrument demo and felt frustrated seeing this big GUI trying to look like the real thing with only a tiny part of the space for controls. Synths with large "wood panels". NI Studio Drummer with a large "kit image" that cannot be used to preview sounds, etc...
Rather than just rant, I would like to suggest to manufacturers to kindly think of designing TWO layouts, one for the pretty look to pitch the "hardware quality" but also a second one stripped of unnecessary elements and focused on production, with large enough fonts and maximised screen space optimisation with modern production in mind (menus, MIDI learn, visual clues and meters etc..) just have a switch to the two layouts, same functionality.
I would even argue that with time passing, more and more users have never touched hardware guitar rig or synths and do not relate that much to it...
Our modern smartphones do not emulate rotary phone dials to look cool![:hihi:]( "HiHi")
Then there is Airwindows, Kilohearts etc who make popular plugins with minimal GUIs.
I occasionally send requests or feedback on companies forums but thought this might be interesting to share with KVR friends here, I'm always happy to hear different thoughts from seasoned and more recent users alike.
I'll take the example of guitar processors, I use BIAS FX2 and Amplitube mostly, both have terrible use of screen space, depending on the view, perhaps only 10% of the screen space is dedicated to actually tweaking the controls !
....
Both offer editing panels, but tiny and often requiring too many clicks. BIAS FX pedalboard is a good idea in itself, BUT why on earth give so much space to fake cables, fake boxes, fake racks etc.. and so little to the actually usable parts???
....
This highlights the actual tweakable areas. Isn't it crazy?
....
I have seen similar issues with so many plugins FX and even instruments, I tried the Rhodes instrument demo and felt frustrated seeing this big GUI trying to look like the real thing with only a tiny part of the space for controls. Synths with large "wood panels". NI Studio Drummer with a large "kit image" that cannot be used to preview sounds, etc...
Rather than just rant, I would like to suggest to manufacturers to kindly think of designing TWO layouts, one for the pretty look to pitch the "hardware quality" but also a second one stripped of unnecessary elements and focused on production, with large enough fonts and maximised screen space optimisation with modern production in mind (menus, MIDI learn, visual clues and meters etc..) just have a switch to the two layouts, same functionality.
I would even argue that with time passing, more and more users have never touched hardware guitar rig or synths and do not relate that much to it...
Our modern smartphones do not emulate rotary phone dials to look cool
Then there is Airwindows, Kilohearts etc who make popular plugins with minimal GUIs.
I occasionally send requests or feedback on companies forums but thought this might be interesting to share with KVR friends here, I'm always happy to hear different thoughts from seasoned and more recent users alike.
Statistics: Posted by paramita123 — Wed Jan 29, 2025 3:46 am