The main reason, for this thread is an ‘Unfolded’ view:
The modulators have a page system for when you add more than 2/4 destinations to the first page… The user should be able to expand this condensed view to be able to scroll/see everything on screen at once, especially in ‘Open In External Editor’ Window.
Visual Patch:
I’m pretty indifferent on the patch cables part, but visual marketing wise - it’s a lot more eye/nerd catching. People see patchcables, copies will be sold.
I think as an option, Patchcables in the full window mode would be cool, while lower zone would be regulated to colour coded parameters.
At the very least if patchcables are a no-go, auto colour coding (with the ability to change colour) of daisy chained parameters could be helpful, ie, when a user is using modulators do modulate modulators.
In this example, The plugins are all similar, with two of them modulating the speed of two others - but at glance, it’s pretty difficult to ascertain which is which.
Solution 1: Colour code Source → Destination
Solution 2 - physics/gravity based patch cables that follow the contours of modules and or fall into empty space
The way modulator destinations are ‘Learn’ patched is fine, but click and drag is a little sexier and more akin to ‘Patching’. Keep the ‘Learn’ method as a click+release function, click+hold+drag for quick patching what is already visible on screen.
Also, I think adding a bit of colour to the modulators wouldn’t hurt - they are a little… gray… Again, not the best visual marketing. Even just me sloppily drawing in these lines, makes it pop more.
Lastly, Free Organize in Full Window
I think it would be useful if in Full Editor Window mode, users could freely organize the modules off the grid.
When in this organize mode, the user can organize the lower zone grid, and the Full Editor Window non-grid separately. ie Lower Zone will always keep last grid-sort, but, can continue to be re-sorted without disrupting the free-organize in Full Editor Window.
This would tie in well with my request for Global/Project Modulators - Please also see: