1. IMPORTANT:
    We launched a new online community and this space is now closed. This community will be available as a read-only resources until further notice.
    JOIN US HERE

B4: Thoughts about GUI, usability and workflow

Discussion in 'Feature Suggestions' started by lanfear, May 1, 2013.

  1. lanfear

    lanfear Forum Member

    Messages:
    61
    B4 is really cool from a technical standpoint, but there are some GUI and usability issues that disrupt my workflow. What do you think?

    1. Removed tree-view
      In B4, the tree-view in the browser has been removed. The breadcrumbs in B4 are nice, but I still miss the the tree-view, I think it gives a better overview.
    2. Hidden menus
      All menus (file/edit/view) are hidden in an extra menu in B4, which makes accessing these options slower.

      Additional suggestion: "Preferences" should maybe not be in the File menu, what does it have to do with File management? (To be fair, this was already in B3, but it's still illogical from a GUI perspective.)
    3. Envelopes not shown on waveform
      The envelopes are no longer visible on top of the waveform. Why not make them superimposed and drag & drop with nodes?

      Extra request: A pan envelope would be really nice. :)
    4. Empty cells don't blink anymore
      In B4, empty cells no longer blink on incoming notes by default. This makes it hard to track where you are on the keyboard compared to your mapped samples.

      The new "Selection follows MIDI input" button gives this behaviour but it also selects cells.
    5. Previous/next sample buttons now play sample
      In B4, when you click the previous/next sample buttons (the arrow buttons at the bottom of the waveform) the sample is played. Battery is often used as a drum sampler, so if you switch samples during playback of a drum beat to test new kick drums in context, your beat is interrupted with sample auditioning. This did not happen in B3. Maybe the new behaviour could be optional?
    6. Cell output selection only visible in right click menu
      In B3, the selected output for a cell was shown on the cell tab, quickly verifiable at a glance. In B4, the only place I've found this information in is in a right click menu.

    Feel free to add any ideas or thoughts to make B4 even better!