At some point, it should be considered to add an option(to the File Browser) to, during import, split audio files with multiple audio channels into individual strips with correctly panned positions.
Another thing to consider, in relation to waveform drawing (bullet point #1), if the waveform drawing get optimized enough, maybe it could be considered to add waveform thumbnails in the File Browser and Asset Browser?
(Btw. looking at the VFX & Video module meeting resumes, I wonder why the VSE is even in that module, since none of the meeting resumes displays any interest in the state of and development of the VSE. To me, yet again, this simply stresses the fact that the VSE lacks leadership).
By surprise, the patch Graphical Sound EQ has been included in the Main Blender. Thanks to the efforts of @iss .
Now, it would be time to agree to the best suitable GUI for the modifier.
I think that modifying the python code, in order to let the user change the ranges of the graph would be enough to start.
@pistolario No need to thank me. I want good code to be merged.
As far as GUI goes, I would say, that first step would be to make scale logarithmic and draw a grid with values, so user can interpret whole curve at once. Then perhaps custom range may make sense, but IMO would be quite unnecessary.
In any case, that is my opinion. I would probably make design first and have it signed off.
Hello @iss,
I would be glad to continue the “adventure”. I can be a little slow but I can try
But this time I / we have to learn from my / our mistakes.
The plan could be:
list of requirements
mockup the GUI
approved by devs in BF?
patches needed
integrate simple
From my selfish point of view, I would need one person in BF devs that could be involved from the beginning, in order to communicate, ask, say “no” when it is needed, suggest changes,… Could be @iss ?
That’s nice to hear, I agree that things would have to change to make this work
I agree with this. IMO you and @fsiddi should have a chat to exchange what both of you envise and what should be worked on. Then formalize this in a design task. That’s pretty much standard process. Francesco is fairly busy, so sometimes he responds quickly sometimes not. I was thinking about regular meetings, even once a month, but not sure if that would be helpful for me. Perhaps for you it would work better.
Will have to leave coordination up to you two. I am happy to participate in conversations and reviews of course.
Hi @pistolario feel free to write up a document describing (as visually as possible) the reasoning behind the feature and the expected UI/UX. Should fit in one A4 page or less!
Following suggestions by users, I’ve “simplified” the proposal.
In this case, it would be only one graph with horizontal scollbar and X axis logarithmic
Hi @pistolario
I’ve been following this thread for some time because I use EQs with Blender externally– synced with Ardour via Jack. It is so wonderful to see the VSE slowly entering the DAW world
A few remarks on what’s currently available in Blender 4.1, trying it for the first time and probably biased by my previous experience with digital and analog parametric EQs.
Graphic EQs don’t control bandwidth by definition afaik (only gain and frequency). This module allows bandwidth control, so I would call it Parametric EQ But the way it does so tends to create asymmetric curves, while the most common use for filtering frequencies is to start with a curve that is centered and this is quite difficult to do with the current design. The center frequency is also very important as a reference point, more than the start/end frequencies. It determines how audio filters are measured in general.
Also, I miss a lot the ability to see and control the bandwidth (or Q) of a curve numerically. Filter shape buttons are rather confusing to me honestly.
A direction I can imagine could be that the module allows only one curve and the panel is limited to three dots (start, center, end). This shouldn’t be a limitation for creating complex filters since modules can be stacked already. The panel would then begin showing three-dots at 0dB, representing a ‘muted’ predefined curve. The middle dot always sticking to the center unless de-centered moving the dots from the sides. In the values section I would add: center frequency, bandwidth and gain.
This is roughly how I can imagine it, but I don’t want step over all the efforts already done. Just hoping that it helps somehow, a bit of a standard view. I’d be happy to collaborate on the usability side if opinions are still needed, I can offer my passion and experience using and designing (analog) PEQs. Also if chat or live sessions are happening.
–Other ideal improvements could be increasing responsiveness, because audio is muted for quite a while on filter changes or enable/disable actions. Or showing the realtime waveform on the panel’s background, but that’s luxury I guess and too visual for an audio filter some could argue.
PD. It’s true that the linear x-axis makes it extremely difficult to use also (see picture) but that has been noted already.
This is the next version of the proposal, which I’ve just sent to BF developers.
It’s the same, with some tweaks and some implementation details / doubts.
Hi, thanks for sharing this design. From my experience with EQs, it’s important to:
be able to observe the entire range without scrolling
have a clear unit reference (ruler) on the side)
have live metering (to observe the effect of the EQ)
Your proposal seems to follow other principles, and I’m not sure this fits with Blender’s design. Further, the implementation details suggest the creation of a new widget, which I think won’t be possible currently.
Some of the points raised by @domingo are good, focus on simplicity.
I would keep the interface intentionally simple, and look at sound processing from a broader perspective before investing further time in designing an EQ.
I don’t use the VSE, so feel free to completely ignore. In any case, I have used sound software elsewhere.
The ‘standard’ blender curve “popup” isn’t the best for lots of points, and manipulating with precision. For sound, this is crucial. So, I would suggest that it’s more important that the artist have the tool they need, rather than one that they do not that DOES “follow the blender way”.
Presets would also be quite important. Saving them, reusing, etc. No one wants to have to copy/paste a curve’s settings from here to there.
Thanks for sharing. I consider this proposal a concept, that should fit in the broader topic of “sound design in Blender”. Currently this topic is not in the short-term roadmap for the module, so it might take some time before the conversation continues.
Whatever the full and final audio implementation will be, the current implementation of the EQ, needs some attention right now. The range is so big that makes it very difficult to work in. Ex. the range music is in is just around 1/7 of the visual range, so ex. removing the bass-line is very difficult.
In order to limit the range, there is a clipping option, but it doesn’t work. It doesn’t have any effect, and it jumps from 20000 to 100. This should be fixed(gif):
These clipping values should have units inserted, and then they can be removed from the eq. panel:
If users can manually limit the working range, that’ll allow them to ex limit the range around ex. the music, and be able to work on it in finer detail. And even add several EQ modifiers to process on more ranges in fine detail.
