Synfire 2.4.2

This is what the colored headers look like

Yes, as an example mentioned here, you can give all the orchestral string instruments a fixed color.
But you don't see this color back in the arrangement structure ?  

You also see the colors on the track sheet when phrase editor is closed. The containers however are containers not instruments.

Of course, the containers are not instruments, but the color of the containers may be an indication of the instruments used.

Unless a container color was assigned, the containers could possibly deduce a default color from their instruments (if they have all the same color). Or just blend all the colors in them. The issue I have with this is that it tempts users to use containers like regions in a DAW and then they start to complain that the container layout is not tracks ... 

Unless a container has a specific colour, just set it to brown, that's the colour I remember plasticine ended up when all the colours were mixed together ;)

Yes, the use of automatic coloring of containers is obvious if a DAW working method is followed for an instrument choice.
So a linear setup of the arrangement .
How do you recognize in the arrangement if you deviate from the linear container structure of an instrument ?
The coloring of the (dynamic( just call it that) ) container is the same then.
Can it be set as a choice option the automatic coloring of instruments if you want to follow the DAW composing mode initially?
Would have to experiment with it with this new option.

To make this easier composing you could also introduce a new start mode option.
Option : Start mode: <start from selection or cycle start>.
If you select a container, playback starts from this container.
If you select a track (no container) then playback starts from the cycle marker. 
 

Output Parameter

The output parameter is excellent for giving feedback.  On scrolling, the note names go out of view.  It would be great if the note names stayed in place on scrolling.

Agree!

 It would be great if the note names stayed in place on scrolling.

Yep, I have raised that too at some stage. A piano roll layout (key colours) would be even better!

I hear you all.

The reason this isn't implemented yet is that split-scrolling ("sticky") views, like headers and legends, and fancy backgrounds (back & white keys) slow down the UI. My biggest concern currently is UI responsiveness. It's fine for medium size projects, but graphics output becomes slower with many instruments, figures and deep container structure.

We first need a better performing solution for these split-views before adding more of them.

Thanks a lot for taking the time to explain such reasons!

As a workaround, I at times export a MIDI file and then use other tools to read what I could read in the Output. Not a fancy solution, but it helps.