rack grouping and rack folding improvement

[x.iso]

First of all, to improve existing rack behaviour, I feel like there's a need for at least option to fold racks into thin column with arrow on top, followed by a label rotated 90 degrees, solo and mute buttons, and then depending on vertical real estate populate remaining area with volume fader and VU meter. this way racks would stay in same place relative to workspace instead of jumping all the way to the left.
here's a mock-up:


if it's difficult to implement, we could start with making an optional separate column in UI for folded racks, so that they're always available when needed again, and perhaps adding solo and mute buttons would also help, since folded racks usually don't take too much space.

Then there's a tedious process of hiding and revealing several relevant racks. It could be solved along with simplifying simple routing routine (no pun untended ). Just introduce rack grouping, where the rack group will allow batch hiding and revealing and also could have common input and output along with mixer (for common effects I think it would make more sense to use common output to other rack). Well, you get the idea, most DAW's have track groups now days, so why not Usine?

[sephult]

Someone get the tranquilizers, i think x.iso finally hit that point

[sephult]

No I think it's cool idea too...just had me laughing reading your post.... reminded of many times ideas just flowing out and too much coffee on my end.

The implementation of racks I think is great, but I personally believe it's about time to evolve a bit as well. I loved when senso introduced the mixer, I generally don't even use the rack output hardly anymore and just use the mixer or outboard metering. Now bussing racks...that is something I will go along with...some sort of Rack Promotion, or "different types", or as you say "Groups" I agree with will be a cool thing to discuss and mature and hopefully someday see some updates on.

I like your thin vertical rack or "narrow" concept...Sonar has a mode of this type of thing too and when you have a lot going on it's good to have a quick overview...but then again that is something you can do with the mixer as well. (Not to say I don't like the visual/handling/organization of the thin racks)

So what would be really cool with this concept...is an alternate UI Layer. An Opened, and a Minimized rack.
The minimal layer would be like a common "Macro" layer..All patch elements in a rack could come together at this point.
The thinner rack could host minimal objects such as buttons/faders, your typical metering and such. Specific items that make it a combination to put together.
When you maximize however the layer changes to the full-implementation of the rack/patch underneath so you have access to all your goodies.

-cool ideas x.iso keep them going love discussion on new directions or improvements

-s

[x.iso]

Well the main point here is to not get lost in bigger workspaces, where you have to scroll trough all the racks. Current implementation with folding racks to the left-most area is flawed because you have to scroll back and forth just to find folded rack, unfold and then scroll back again if you need more racks. So I've addressed both problems with these ideas.

I also tend to hide mixer elements from racks if I have patches reaching out to the bottom and generally use mixer tool for the purpose it's intended for. But when in-rack mixer elements don't get in the way, it's nice to have them.

[senso]

yes it's a good suggestion.
I'll see how I can do that and implement both options (vertical and horizontal)

[sephult]

+1