AudioGL: Session View was fun while it lasted

[synnack]

While we continue to obsess on Ableton Live versus some screenshots of "Bitwig" others are creating the next generation of tools that will make both look old school.

Check this out. "AudioGL".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCC9uHHAEuA

[Angstrom]

Stuff like that is great if you are into minimalist bleeps, but it would be less use to me than a more standard paradigm.

Many times programmers create something because it can be created, rather than because there is a requirement. I often think of lemurs bouncy balls and gravity. Very easy to create, seems really "exciting" and "new" but in reality the percentage of music which benefits from a rubber ball simulation is vanishingly small.

For the 3dgl app, the concept of a 3-space interface is a good one, but the issue is the author is a programmer and his programmer mind is process driven by a certain mentality, and his new authoring tool reflects that. I'm sure that he would love to throw a bouncy ball in there, with gravity and friction.

But what does this solve?
What issue or current lack is this new methodology addressing ?

Me, I'd be perfectly happy seeing my midi for my bassline, drums and lead all at once, and be able to edit them synchronously. Now that's a real world musical requirement.
Alternatively I'd like to see a tactile interface, something that could challenge the guitar or violin for haptic feedback. Reason: it would be immediately musically useful to me.

These tech demo guys are creating stuff that addresses requirements that don't exist. "how can I be different" is not a requirement. I'm not seeing any outcome from this which is measurably improved over a standard interface. It merely looks "new" that's all. If anything it's worse that existing paradigms.


Perhaps I'm wrong though, I'm sure someone can name an urgent requirement of theirs that this app fills.

[synnack]

Well. You are doing this thing called "rational thought". You have to through that out right away. Then you'll see what i'm saying.

[3dot...]

I'm not saying bye bye to session view...

but audioGL will be mine once it comes out !

futuristic gui...

[3dot...]

those 3d automation plots for xy automation are fucking awesome...

ride the wave...

and it supports rewire...

if I had 200$ laying around right now I would definitely chip in !
this guy knows his stuff !!!

one of the most exciting things happening right now in audio software imo..
I'm very much hyped about this !

[JuanSOLO]

I think this looks really interesting, surly it offers a lot more than beeps.

I would say "programmers" or good programmers have a mentality that is about solving challenges.
Yet I dont really see the need or what a 3D environment offers in realms of advancement?

I still see a lot of mouse clicking and less instrument playing.

COOL looking though.

[synnack]

Yeah. My comment in the title about Session view was tongue and cheek. At the end of the day new things seem amazing because they are new but when the novelty wears off I'd likely be right back in Live anyway.

However it's cool to see real innovation happening again. Bitwig, for example, looks to aim at a market of "Live but more stuff" where this is actually something new. Excited to see it.

[taffmonster]

It looks gorgeous, but leaning to navigate around a totally 3d plain sounds like a major ball ache. Imagine trying to edit all those automations, it's not easy to see where they are on the timeline. It looks likes maze to program.

[pencilrocket]

Imagine trying to edit all those automations, it's not easy to see where they are on the timeline. It looks likes maze to program.

It is done in 2D. 3D is just for picking up automations you edit.

[taffmonster]

still looks pretty cumbersome to me. the synth create looks cool though. reminds me a little of reactable but way more advanced

[Forge.]

looks amazing - but I think it would drive me insane

it's what electrical engineers do to wind down I guess

[#1thelark]

Audio GL is just for the looks, reminds me of Puredata-patches....

Did anyone notice this "portable daw"? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTwgglOT6yc

Looks nice but I guess it won't survive long until someone does a proper Ipad-Case with keys and stuff

[3dot...]

the "looks" count for a lot these days no??
workflow also seems to be a popular word...

[Sibanger]

I wouldn't marry a chick just for her great looks, but if she was as hot as AudioGL & was crap in bed ( bad workflow ).....I'd still hang out for a while & pretend it was good.

[donmich]

When you consider how often people ask if a new DAW (or one they are thinking of switching to) will do x like their old DAW (which is only natural), innovation is usually only welcome if it doesnt take people too far out of their comfort zone but makes their comfort zone more awesome. I could see this interface being confusing or disorienting for some people.
What I couldnt tell from the one video I have seen is whether AudioGL hosts plugins. I assume not or it would have been mentioned - so hopefully it will play nice in Rewire.
Whether it brings many functional benefits beyond aesthetics or not, we cant underestimate the value of having added perspective on well worn paths. Maybe looking 'back and to the left' or underneath a series of relationships (from below) can suggest strategies we may not think of otherwise.
Mental 3D transformations of 2D information is very difficult for some people - like trying to figure out where concealed spaces might be within a stack of boxes on certain civil servant or aptitude tests. Warehouse dudes are often better at it that front office type people. So being able to spin things around and look at different angles can free some people from very real cognitive limitations they might not even know they have, which can benefit their music.
I dont know if someone tracking a rock band whould get as much out of it as someone who makes experimental electronic music, but I guess we will find out.