Posted
While development is going on, I want to share some details about what is to come with the next update. We are in the middle of a pretty huge refactoring and restructuring that eliminates long standing technical debt we have accumulated over the years and that we need to get rid of before we can move forward.
The goals are
- More intuitive navigation and less confusing parameter selection
- Make the overview page work more like a track sheet in a DAW (linear arrangements)
- Make racks feel more like a DAW mixer with more insert slots
- Better tutorials and marketing videos based on a new simplified user interface
- A new surprise product we can't yet talk about
This effort is also in preparation for eventually porting some of Synfire's features to C++ for better integration with DAWs and a more industry standard user experience for everyday workflows. It is still a long way but making Synfire (or parts of it) a plug-in is a possibility.
Simplification doesn't mean we will dumb it down. We are just looking to hide some of its complexity and make the screen layouts more unified and intuitive. It's mostly small changes here and there that add up and make a noticeable difference.
I'll share a few screenshots soon.
Sat, 2025-07-12 - 19:22 Permalink
The main pages will share more of the same layout (most detail views are still optional). It bugged me for years already that each page had parameters in a different place and shape. I don't know about you, but the distinct layout on every page slowed me down.
- Parameters are now always on the right and always vertical. Even on the Library page and even the Palette and Progression pages have their Outlets now placed on the right (the only exception is the small "Parameters" tab in the lower left of the library browser). Need to reach for a parameter? Reach to the right. Small change - huge difference.
- There's a small parameter toolbar (like the one on the parameter inspector) on most pages now.
- Container structure and Snippets grid can be opened on every page (optional), so you can drag & drop content to and from either side. On a big monitor you can have all of them open at the same time which is convenient.
- The Matrix can no longer be confused with a mixing console. This confusion frustrated some users with false expectations. It is now more like a telephone switchboard, which is its intended purpose.
There's more to come.
(EDIT: Can't upload screenshots - Apple's Preview crashes all the time, wait ...)
Sat, 2025-07-12 - 19:47 Permalink
Snippets: Parameters on the right
Library (parameters also on right)
Matrix (parameters not on the right, for obvious reasons). Opening the phrase editor however will make the vertical parameter block appear as usual.
Palette (outlet on the right). Also note the parameter toolbar under the circle. Container structure and snippets grid are open here, which is optional. Select a container or snippet to edit its Harmony on the Palette.
Sun, 2025-07-13 - 11:39 Permalink
Layout changes seem minor but are important in the larger context.
The "Overview" page will be labeled "Tracks" and offer tools for drawing new "regions", each filled with a single phrase. Multiple regions with the same position and length can be grouped, which moves them into a single container. The container still appears as individual regions in this view (not sure yet how to best indicate their belonging together). The phrases can then be moved around as a unit. Overlaps within the same track are possible but since the view is flat they are hard to spot and their precedence can only be told from the resulting output.
Compared with the "Structure" page, the "Tracks" page has severe limitations. But nobody coming from a DAW will miss what they don't know! At the time users want to structure their arrangements in more flexible ways (which the dynamic nature of prototyping encourages them to), they will likely turn to the "Structure" perspective.
The lower part of the "Tracks" page will have a phrase editor plus an extra lane for "automation" of parameters other than Figure. Ultimately the "Tracks" page will be a "DAW with Figures" that many users will find more intuitive to work with.
We are still figuring out how to best manage parameter selection. The vertical parameter block needs to control three separate views: Tracks, Phrase and Automation. It could work like any toolbar, i.e. control the view you last activated (clicked on). If you have other ideas, let me know.
Sun, 2025-07-13 - 22:02 Permalink
The new layouts look much clearer and more intuitive. Anything which means I don't have to hunt for things is very welcome. Thank you. The new "track" view should make newcomers feel more at home - I expect you're already working on a new "getting started" video to match it.
Almost seems like Synfire 3!
Mon, 2025-07-14 - 13:08 Permalink
Select a container or snippet to edit its Harmony on the Palette.
Synfire's palettes are a defining, superior feature. This is going to be great!
I'd like to mention a use-case for consideration here. Suppose I have a short progression, or portions of a longer progression, say, 4 chords.
The chords are close to what I want, but not quite. Say there is something not quite right about the 2nd chord. It's close, and maybe I can't actually improve it, but I want to try. So, of course, using the palette to swap out that 2nd chord is the way to go - experiment and iterate.
But suppose all the experiments are failures. I need that 2nd chord back!
In fact, during the experiments, I will often want to compare the latest experiment to the original to see if it is better or worse.
IOW, the need is to be able to use the palette for chord substitution (for example, while a section plays on loop) with the substitution being non-destructive/undo-able until the decision is made: "Yes, that's it, bye-bye old chord!".
I'm not sure exactly what the UI would or should be for this workflow, but I am sure that this workflow is an important one. It needs to be as close to frictionless as possible. So, I thought I would mention it for consideration as the new paradigms are being created. Thanks!
P.S. KARMA software, another favorite of mine, makes good use of "compare buffers" to let the user get really crazy, and yet still be able to get right back to where they were. The "crazy" and the "reference" can always be swapped with just one touch. Possibly Synfire could make use of something similar in one or more places.
Mon, 2025-07-14 - 17:20 Permalink
For the workflow you describe, let's call it A/B comparison, I drag the original progression to the embedded library and drag it back if I need to restore it. It's easy to tell multiple variants apart and if everything fails you can go to the Library page and examine the details.
Another thing: We want to get rid of the white color themes. I don't think anyone is using them anyway. They are a strain on the eye and it's also very hard to maintain consistency with the dark themes. The feel of the app is so extremely different, using them for night/day switching doesn't work either.
Wed, 2025-07-16 - 10:05 Permalink
Almost seems like Synfire 3
Adding a fully functional track sheet with a toolbar, selections, drag and drop, copy and paste, etc is a major effort for sure. We are exploring the path (and it's going well) but it is unlikely that this feature will be included with 2.7 already.
On the other hand it is unclear if the "Tracks" view can be useful without all that.
Wed, 2025-07-16 - 21:28 Permalink
Structure and tracks can be navigated at the same time.
That's very nice!
I hope there will be an ability to automatically set/lock together the location/scaling/alignment of the structure and track timelines. Otherwise, I forsee alot of repeated user time and motion devoted to attempting to do so manually!
Thu, 2025-07-17 - 07:50 Permalink
Container structure and tracks are just different views on the same data. You edit one and it immediately reflects on the other side and vice versa.
When you create a new "region" on a track, it shows up as a new container in the structure. If you create 4 regions for 4 instruments, e.g. to build a section of a song, they will initially appear as 4 parallel containers in the structure view.
There will be a group/ungroup command for regions that merges them into a single container. Their look on the "Tracks" page won't change much (maybe some brackets or lines that show they are grouped), but in "Structure" they consolidate in a single container.
Some constraints apply, e.g. you can only group regions that start at the same position. If they have different lengths that can change the output significantly, so maybe it will have to be confirmed by the user.
Fri, 2025-07-18 - 19:00 Permalink
I'm excited. What quarter should we expect this in? Quarter 3 four orQ 1 of 2026
