Actual screenshot resolution Height 714 pixels x Width 1200 pixels. ( Based upon the original screenshot dimensions from Propellerheads Website ) Read details and look at additional screenshots first.
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More to follow in the next day or so...
About Reason X
I made a few decisions from the outset in tackling a new design of Reason, these were to retain or show how existing elements are displayed as they are currently, it would be so much easier to completely redesign Reason so it wouldn't look anything like resembling the program but that would defeat the purpose and I'd probably end up doing another variation of Cyclorazer like completely thinking outside the box mythology ;-D, but that would be too far removed so rather than do that, much of the recognisable elements have been left.
Instead, integration of new elements have been placed along side them to illustrate alternate methods in which current gui aspects in the product aren't present such as the vertical tabbed names of the instruments which take up less horizontal screen estate whilst still providing easy drag and drop and being informative at the same time. In fact, finding solutions was another of my main mission parameters into which to get a as much as possible on a one screen working environment. The resolution screen estate I had to work with was exactly as shown above.
Integration of new tools was another defining aspect in updating Reason as well as ways in which to navigate around it. Taking the last point first, is that if there is one thing I hate having to learn too much of, it's frigging so many key commands and combinations, and I'm not a fan of jumping through multiple sectioned subsections of a right click menu in which to access a feature or forced down a new convoluted predefined path when it comes to how I want to access something that made sense previously. As you can see clearly, all main sections of the gui are clearly labeled on the transport bar in activation.
Sequencer navigation is provided by a new optional toggle feature/widget which allows you navigate around and zoom on sequencer page as well as toggle between multiple sequencer tracks/pages with your scroll wheel just using the mouse alone and not touching any keys although you can set up a macro to a keys if you would like to. And, yes Reason X also includes the ability to set up macro's. The combination of these features provide a powerful way to jump to elements you want to come back to. An additional pop up history window will allow you to jump to any predefined macro's you have set. The widget also allows you to target multiple elements such as clips with a single click and apply multiple actions or automations to selected elements, such as volume, panning ect...
The main sequencer, also includes multiple looping points so you can jump instantly between sections you want to play or come back to or sequence. For example.. when you press play on the main transport you can set it to play only these loops or intermix with main sequence with the ability to punch them in and out within a mix for creative mixing or realtime stage play in addition to bouncing them in various ways. One of the ways in which can be to the new updated block and step editor. Below the main sequencer those loop markers are just one click away. These loop boxes can double as a way in which you time stretch sections of your track. Each sequencer lane has the addition of enabling the left and right markers if they are enabled and selected as well as displaying them. Other options include volume controls, muting , freezing of tracks, linking and bouncing all on the sequencer, which means giving you access to these controls whilst at the same time reducing the size horizontally of each sequencer lane information giving more space to the note/clip sequences when tabbed.
If there was one thing that I tried once and never tried again, it was blocks which came in version 5, it really just felt disconnected from my normal way of working. So I really wanted to come up with better way to integrate that aspect of Reason. I just want to note that whilst I was aware of other software such as bitwig implenting this kinda thing, I wanted to do this differently, in fact.. with a lot of this GUI design / adaptation there's not a lot of similarity with other software, even in the new video window. The Step Editor is combined with the Block Editor, we have blocks and within those blocks we have the steps. Steps contain the notes or wave files ( which would have a 'W' instead of a number as well as a unique colour that is different to any normal other note number. Steps can be re-arranged and played back on the fly when clicked on. For those that are use to the conventional Block mode, it remains.. so there is no loss of any tracks. The new Block & Step sequencer includes various options including syncing with the main sequencer as well as including easy drag and drop to and from. A display menu of additional information such as the block loaded and additional info would be displayed in the glass window.
The new Multitrack Sequencer, as the name implies allows you to apply advanced multiple operations of multiple tracks including viewing and editing in traditional notation, great for those who can read it and those who need to learn it. It integrates the tools menu as well which itself integrates new shaping options such as curving notes through various patterns and visually splitting notes on using the vector based system. It seamlessly integrates waveform editing which includes basic as well as more advanced editing features of multiple formats including the extraction of audio from film media for editing.
It's film time now
, a feature that has long been requested probably for about as long as Reason has existed. It's something I've wanted for years because I produce film like scores and not having proper time based syncronisation has really been a pain over the years. Reason is today lagging behind the competition in this area despite third party developers adapting ways to try and over come this, might be fine if you're on a Mac, but it certainly isn't if you're on a PC and of course nothing is gonna beat a properly integrated solution than being inside the application. In the design you'll find all the usual controls including snapping functions to position makers on the time line as well as visual control parameters, how far the VFX controls would go as in whether you would have WinAmp visual effects, could be a nice feature for those with no media to use, or perhaps aid in stimulating your creative mind as you play and experiment. A filmstrip and the wave form of the film is an extra overview of the video loaded, it can be docked horizontally if required. Other features not mention yet is a revised browser with volume control and level indicators, looping and auto-play, clear navigation and banks of favorites clearly visible. Tabbed interface useful for multiple browser management.
Improved and identifiable indicators in transport panel, CPU usage, Automation override and DSP levels.
And last but definitely not least, the inclusion of STEP-TIME recording.
All new elements can be optionally activated with the preferences menu or tabbed, minimised.
Gui colours, can be changed to suite your preferences.
Realistic 3D life like GUI interface. Flat 2D GUI's is not a good trend, despite what Apple might think, studies have proven this.
You design the interface you want to work in.
Do note, that the screenshot illustrates functionality of many active elements working at any one time, and focus would be different in actual usage.
Not all elements are illustrated.
Advanced GUI Customisation & Blanking Plates
Introducing The X-SSL 9000 Mixer
A Simple But Radical New Concept In Interaction And Extensive Extended Functionality.
Can't fit the complete mixer properly on a 1080P screen in landscape mode ?
Well you can now.
Completely redesigned from the ground up, new interactive concepts are my own, it's one of my most challenging GUI projects to date, one block still to fill, what is going to go there, still undecided.
(Some minor elements have not made the transition from the first screenshots yet)
'Mixer Split Mode' slices rack into 2 sections, for improved overview of mixer sections and accessibility in landscape mode.
Screenshot shown at 1080p
nice touch
As if it isn't confusing enough already.
Enhanced by DataBridge v5
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