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UserInterface.adoc

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User interface conventions

Panels

When you run Zyn-Fusion you’ll be presented with this window:

bank read

As you can see it is divided into multiple panels, each with their own use. When navigating between different views, you’ll consistently see the status panel on top of the window, the navigation panel on the left, and the bottom the virtual keyboard. In the middle of all of those is the content view which you can expect to change when navigating around Zyn-Fusion

Status Panel

The status panel is where you’ll find a few global parameters, the file menu, automation-learn/fine-tuning mode selectors, the panic button, master VU meter, and the information tray.

Panic button

When getting started you’ll want to be familiar with the panic button as it will instantly silence the audio produced by Zyn, no matter what state the synth is in. It’s a safety device in case the sounds go out of control.

Master VU meter

This meter will display the current audio output levels. It can be useful for a few things:

  • It’ll let you decide on choosing an optimal sound level for your patch.

  • It might be helpful to find out which instance of Zyn-Fusion is currently making sounds, if you’re working with a few of them at once.

  • It’ll help you make sure your MIDI keyboard is connected properly.

Fine indicator

This indicator shows when parameters are being finely adjusted. Fine adjust is trigged by holding SHIFT and it can be toggled by clicking on the indicator.

Learn indicator

This indicator shows when automation learning is in progress.

Information Tray

The information tray will show tooltips about Zyn’s parameters, current parameter values, as well as other status information. info tray

Navigation Panel

The left side of the screen can be used to change what view the content panel is actively presenting. The side panel is used to navigate between different parts of the user interface. From here you can change the view in the main panel to:

  • Part settings

  • Part Grid - the active part id

  • Browser

  • Mixer

  • Kits

  • Kit Grid - the active kit id

  • Macro Learn

  • Effects

  • Add synth

  • Add synth Voice Grid - the active voice id

  • Sub synth

  • Pad synth

For all of the grid selectors you can change the active id with the left mouse button or you can enable/disable the selected ID via the middle mouse button.

Main Panel

Here’s where the most of the action happens. When you start Zyn-Fusion it’ll begin by showing you the Browser. Use the Side Bar to select what should be displayed here.

There’s not much to say about this region of the interface, because its looks and functions will vary wildly based on the context selected by the navigation panel.

General conventions

The Zyn-Fusion GUI tries to maintain a consistent language through it’s controls. The ones you’ll see most commonly are:

  • Buttons

  • Sliders

  • Knobs

  • Number fields

  • anything else?

The knobs and sliders can be reset to their default position with a double-click or a middle-mouse-click.

Using the Keyboard

Zyn-Fusion lets you use the keyboard in two ways:

  • playing notes with the alpha-numeric keyboard

  • accessing special functions with modifier keys

For example you can play a C-4 note by pressing the Q key, or play the C-3 note with the Z key. You can also change the keyboard layout between QWERTY and AZERTY in the Global Settings.

Tip
 you can learn more about this in the [Global Settings] chapter.

Holding down Ctrl will temporarily activate Learn mode - any control touched will be assigned to a macro.

Holding down Shift will temporarily activate Fine mode - this will greatly increase the input resolution allowing for more precise manipulation.