Can we PLEAAASSSEEE finally get some proper plugin window management and UX?!!

[ozinga]

I for one wish for at least a bypass on the plugin GUI header

[Mercado]

Ableton needs to copy Logic's UX for easy window navigation. I just bought Ableton too and i'm surprised this hasn't been added decades ago.

When I'm using Logic Pro X i use these custom hotkeys:

(whatever track i've selected)
- To open the actual VST or instrument itself: "Shift+Q"
- Open inserts/FX: "Shift + (1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8)" to open plugins/FX on inserts (1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8).
- Hide/unHide last plugin windows i've opened: "V"
- Close ALL plugin / instrument windows: (Shift+click) the X button on the window.


Super clean, super fast and efficient. I know Ableton Live has all their plugins on the bottom window so there's now need to open those like i do in Logic. But the instrument window workflow right now really scares me, It's not a very professional workflow and it feels immature to me.

Please Ableton Please!! Implement this Instrument window workflow!!

[wavesinspace]

How will it know which vst to display? There's often multiple plugins on a track, so you still have to select the one you want.

I want a shortcut to open/close the selected vsts window.

either:
default to the VSTI, then hotkey to cycle down the chain.
or
a toggle to set the default plugin on the rack

[StefanS59]

I completely agree, I'm also missing this functionality and (as a quite novice Ableton user) can't really believe that folks are asking for this for so long and Ableton doesn't seem to listen. That's really sad.

For the time being, I found a workaround for me by using the 'Touch Portal' App on my Smartphone to trigger some of the most important Live features, so I don't even need a computer keyboard.

Disadvantage is, I have to create a keyboard-shortcut (I use numbers 1 and following, which are not used within Live) for the wrench icon in each VST device I want to be able to open/close from my Phone.

This is what it looks like:

[Machinesworking]

I think the environment they created back in the day was so compelling to them that they made some design choices that to this day still feel like limitations instead of advantages.

I think the logic is something like this, you're supposed to in their minds set up a plugin in a Rack, then close that plugin GUI and only use the rack. It's pretty short sighted considering some plugins have a hundred or more controls, but it's the same sort of thing as taking 15 years or more to implement dual monitor support and a hotkey to full screen the edit windows. It just shows a stubbornness towards standards that were established in other DAWs long before Ableton existed.

I still to this day struggle to figure out why plugins cannot be opened unless you've opened them with the mouse first? No other DAW I own does that. Too many parts of the GUI are like this, but this one is still a head scratcher. I was all exited that the UX is being redesigned for physically challenged users that this would change, but nope.

You can have separate commands to open the instrument or FX, other DAWs do this. Hell they could have plugin slots in the mixer like other DAWs...