Posted
I personally find it very important to iterate quickly. Unfortunately, it's very tedious to work between different parameters as the parameter view switches for (almost) every parameter. This, in my opinion, hurts usability.
For example, I'm editing the figure and I need to change the harmony. I'd have to go into the Harmony parameter, which may also mean going into the Progression or Palette tabs. At the very least, it means the view switches away from the Figure view, and at most, completely changes the main interface. And if I'm in any other parameter view, selecting a chord will parameter link will be disabled, meaning I'd have to lock it again to see any view other than Figure. This takes me out of the workflow and slows me down a lot.
I know I can open a Palette window, instead of going to the Palette tab.
In addition, though I don't yet have Synfire Pro, the "Output" parameter is almost critical for me, to be able to actually see what notes Synfire chooses for the segments. Since many settings that can influence the output are spread across various parameters (which, as indicated above, means flipping through multiple views), I would find it extremely helpful if I can "lock" the Output view somewhere so I can always see it, independent of, say, the Figure view.
In general, based on my experience with other software, I would like to suggest the ability to have more than one window open. Like the Palette window, but allowing me to choose what to view in there. For example, the aforementioned Output view, so I can immediately see what happens if I edit a figure or chord. Or being able to edit harmony without leaving the Figure view.