Can I incorporate the Control Panel into the main window?

geoffmutton · Post by **geoffmutton** » Fri Mar 09, 2012 4:22 am

Apologies if this has been covered before - total noob to DP (but not to DAWs).

Is there any way to have the control panel be part of the main window instead of floating?
I love the way the main window works and how flexible it is in terms of layout, but my regular apps (Tools, Logic, Ableton Live) all have a 'one window' interface that I'm very comfortable with.

It feels pretty old fashioned going back to this way of working - I really like for my main workspace to feel like one solid piece.

I know this is tiny in the grand scheme, but to someone using other software regularly, this is immediate and very jarring.

buzzsmith · Post by **buzzsmith** » Fri Mar 09, 2012 6:05 am

I don't use this (and others will certainly comment) but it sounds like you want to activate Consolidate Windows.

Buzzy

groove · Post by **groove** » Fri Mar 09, 2012 6:48 am

I think Geoff is already using the Consolidated Window and want to know if the controls of the Control Panel can be found inside the consolidated window.

Unfortunately; no

I've ask for this feature quite often as well as the ability for the plugins windows to stay on top (à la Ableton Live) if we choose to, but with no joy.

zed · Post by **zed** » Fri Mar 09, 2012 7:59 am

buzzsmith wrote:I don't use this (and others will certainly comment) but it sounds like you want to activate Consolidate Windows.

It's hard to imagine working without them. I guess you must use window sets, though, in order to keep your windows organized to be able to force windows back into a particular configuration?

I like having my Tracks Overview and Editor windows stitched together. I refer to both of them constantly so I don't want either window to ever overlap the other.

--------

Ha! I just realized that I am one of the "others" you referred to! Sorry.

bayswater · Post by **bayswater** » Fri Mar 09, 2012 8:32 am

Adding the control panel to the consolidate window might be convenient but considering its size and shape, where would it go? Could go in a sidebar if it was configurable.

Also would like to be able to close it altogether and get the screen space back in editors. Most of what it does is easily done with command keys.

zed · Post by **zed** » Fri Mar 09, 2012 9:05 am

bayswater wrote:Also would like to be able to close it altogether and get the screen space back in editors. Most of what it does is easily done with command keys.

Indeed. I keep it atop of my second monitor, and use it mainly for visual reference and settings. I wouldn't want it taking up any real estate in the consolidated window.

It's command keys all the way when it comes to Transport!

FMiguelez · Post by **FMiguelez** » Fri Mar 09, 2012 10:16 am

zed wrote:
bayswater wrote:Also would like to be able to close it altogether and get the screen space back in editors. Most of what it does is easily done with command keys.
Indeed. I keep it atop of my second monitor, and use it mainly for visual reference and settings. I wouldn't want it taking up any real estate in the consolidated window.

It's command keys all the way when it comes to Transport!

+1

The only reason I usually look at the Control Panel is to see the Solo status, or for reference to see where I am in the sequence.

For these situations, I simply show / hide the CP with Shift-x on a need-to basis. For the rest of its functions I couldn't think of not using shortcuts. I mean, I seriously doubt anyone would actually click on the Play or Stop buttons... That would be dumb, to say teh least

geoffmutton · Post by **geoffmutton** » Fri Mar 09, 2012 10:54 am

I don't really use the control panel for control, as much as I do for a heads up display.
There is a huge amount of useful information assembled in one tidy package up there.

I too use key commands for most things, but a glance up at the top of the screen for visual confirmation is just a habit I hold deeply, I guess?

Guitar Gaz · Post by **Guitar Gaz** » Sat Mar 10, 2012 6:15 am

Yes Key Commands are the way to customise your DP workspace. Have whatever windows you want opened for various tasks and save that as a Window Set and assign a Key Command. For example I use T for a tracks window plus mixer on my second monitor, but I use S to switch to Sequence editor on the second monitor with the Tracks window still on the main display - but you can do pretty much whatever configuration you want. I never use Consolidated Windows as with Key Commands and Window Sets I have all I need.

twistedtom · Post by **twistedtom** » Sat Mar 10, 2012 6:46 am

I use custom window sets and set them up for each project. When the project opens the window set I was using opens as well.

bayswater · Post by **bayswater** » Sat Mar 10, 2012 7:23 am

Guitar Gaz wrote: For example I use T for a tracks window plus mixer on my second monitor, but I use S to switch to Sequence editor on the second monitor with the Tracks window still on the main display

Do the windows always render exactly as you saved them in the windows set? I had a window set for tracking that had a channel strip, audio monitor, MIDI monitor and the TO. When I switched to it, the TO always showed up shorter and lower than saved. I put all of these into a CW and now this new window set works properly.

Same with track selectors as part of editors in window sets. If these are individual windows, the track selectors do not reappear consistently when window sets are selected. If the same window set is saved as a CW, the track selectors do appear consistently.

Guitar Gaz · Post by **Guitar Gaz** » Wed Mar 14, 2012 12:28 pm

bayswater wrote:
Guitar Gaz wrote: For example I use T for a tracks window plus mixer on my second monitor, but I use S to switch to Sequence editor on the second monitor with the Tracks window still on the main display
Do the windows always render exactly as you saved them in the windows set? I had a window set for tracking that had a channel strip, audio monitor, MIDI monitor and the TO. When I switched to it, the TO always showed up shorter and lower than saved. I put all of these into a CW and now this new window set works properly.

Same with track selectors as part of editors in window sets. If these are individual windows, the track selectors do not reappear consistently when window sets are selected. If the same window set is saved as a CW, the track selectors do appear consistently.

As I said - I don't use the CW which does not tend to save as a Window Set in the same way. But if you save a set of windows when they are set how you want them, then they seem to come back to the same configuration. It works for me - just experiment a bit as you can't break anything! I often change the Windows Set when I find I want a different format. The CW doesn't work for me - I guess I feel hemmed in by it. Size up the windows the way you want them, put them where you want them and any other edit windows - save them as a Window Set - then switch from Window Set to Window Set.

zed · Post by **zed** » Wed Mar 14, 2012 12:43 pm

Guitar Gaz wrote:As I said - I don't use the CW which does not tend to save as a Window Set in the same way. But if you save a set of windows when they are set how you want them, then they seem to come back to the same configuration. It works for me - just experiment a bit as you can't break anything! I often change the Windows Set when I find I want a different format. The CW doesn't work for me - I guess I feel hemmed in by it. Size up the windows the way you want them, put them where you want them and any other edit windows - save them as a Window Set - then switch from Window Set to Window Set.

I remember being frustrated by the Consolidated Windows when I first started using DP, about 7 years ago. But after troubleshooting and figuring out what worked and what didn't, I came to the conclusion that the Consolidated Windows are indispensible... BUT... it is for joining the Tracks overview with a second window below it. Anything you double click on in the TO then automatically opens in the editor below and can then be switched to anything else. It is the easiest way to keep things orderly and to not have a whole bunch of floating windows which offset themselves.

The trick is NOT to include everything in your Consolidated Window--just your 2 main windows, plus you can make it so that the Event List and Soundbites info and stuff always pops out of the side when you need it. But the Mixing Console is not included in my Consolidated Window, but instead sits with other palettes on my second monitor.

For the record, Consolidated Windows can work VERY WELL with Window Sets. Once again it is just a matter of setting thing up in a way that WILL take. My Tracks Overview/Editor in a Consolidated Window ABSOLUTELY gets saved and recalled with Window Sets.

I suspect that people who have rejected Consolidated Windows have faced the frustrations I initially faced, and not spent the extra time figuring out how they can work effectively.

But we all have different ways of working. I cannot imagine not seeing the Tracks Overview window at all times. That is my main window. I don't want it being covered up by editor windows, or removed from view at the bidding of a Window Set. The Consolidated Windows allows me to keep it there and have it communicate effectively with the Editor Windows.

Guitar Gaz · Post by **Guitar Gaz** » Wed Mar 14, 2012 3:58 pm

zed wrote:
Guitar Gaz wrote:As I said - I don't use the CW which does not tend to save as a Window Set in the same way. But if you save a set of windows when they are set how you want them, then they seem to come back to the same configuration. It works for me - just experiment a bit as you can't break anything! I often change the Windows Set when I find I want a different format. The CW doesn't work for me - I guess I feel hemmed in by it. Size up the windows the way you want them, put them where you want them and any other edit windows - save them as a Window Set - then switch from Window Set to Window Set.
I remember being frustrated by the Consolidated Windows when I first started using DP, about 7 years ago. But after troubleshooting and figuring out what worked and what didn't, I came to the conclusion that the Consolidated Windows are indispensible... BUT... it is for joining the Tracks overview with a second window below it. Anything you double click on in the TO then automatically opens in the editor below and can then be switched to anything else. It is the easiest way to keep things orderly and to not have a whole bunch of floating windows which offset themselves.

The trick is NOT to include everything in your Consolidated Window--just your 2 main windows, plus you can make it so that the Event List and Soundbites info and stuff always pops out of the side when you need it. But the Mixing Console is not included in my Consolidated Window, but instead sits with other palettes on my second monitor.

For the record, Consolidated Windows can work VERY WELL with Window Sets. Once again it is just a matter of setting thing up in a way that WILL take. My Tracks Overview/Editor in a Consolidated Window ABSOLUTELY gets saved and recalled with Window Sets.

I suspect that people who have rejected Consolidated Windows have faced the frustrations I initially faced, and not spent the extra time figuring out how they can work effectively.

But we all have different ways of working. I cannot imagine not seeing the Tracks Overview window at all times. That is my main window. I don't want it being covered up by editor windows, or removed from view at the bidding of a Window Set. The Consolidated Windows allows me to keep it there and have it communicate effectively with the Editor Windows.

Interesting - I will have another look. But the key to my Window Sets is that the Tracks window is always there and it depends what other window shows in my second monitor as to the Window Set I call up with a keystroke. With only one monitor of course the needs are different - so I can live without CW - but your point is interesting and I will experiment.

zed · Post by **zed** » Wed Mar 14, 2012 4:27 pm

Guitar Gaz wrote:Interesting - I will have another look. But the key to my Window Sets is that the Tracks window is always there and it depends what other window shows in my second monitor as to the Window Set I call up with a keystroke. With only one monitor of course the needs are different - so I can live without CW - but your point is interesting and I will experiment.

I think if your preferred place for your editor window is on a second monitor, you might be right about DP not cooperating in a consolidated window, unless the consolidated window is actually stretched across 2 monitors. If you have the CW on one monitor, as in my setup, I don't think you can get an editor window to show up on the 2nd monitor, but I haven't tested this for several versions of DP.

You may be right that Window Sets are better for your preferred setup. It would be nice if MOTU could rework Consolidated Windows so that you could have more control, especially when dealing with 2 or 3 monitor setups.

I would also like to have the option when in the Sequence Editor to force all MIDI to be overlayed onto a single track (as in the MIDI editor) so that when working with audio tracks in the sequence editor all desired MIDI is directly available on a the track right above the audio track(s) being edited. A preference to turn this feature on or off would be great.

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