some thoughts about setlist mode

[GiantSonicRobot]

Setlist mode is great!
Having said that, I think it could be even better if it was more focused on what is really needed on stage.
The problem is that it seems a bit overambitious, trying to tell you too much. Too much information is crammed into the available space and I think that in this case less would be decidedly more.

For every slot, it displays the slot's number, it's name, the memory location of the referenced program/combi and that program/combi's name. The same goes for the line at the top where the currently selected slot is displayed.

I can see that there might be situations where it is beneficial to have all this information on one page, but certainly not on stage during a gig. Here the priority must be an interface which is as clear and straightforward as possible, so you can quickly find your way around even from a distance or when your viewing angle isn't optimal or the stage lights are blinding you...

Why would I need to know the bank and memory location of a referenced program or comby when I'm on stage?
I don't. Never ever.
So if the space used up by this information could be traded for a bit of additional real-estate in order to make the really important information bigger and more legible, I am all for it.

So what do I really need to see inside of each slot's box when I'm gigging? Just the slot's name, which tells me all I need to call it up at the right moment. Maybe it's number in the setlist. That's all. The same goes for the line at the top: Just the name of the currently selected slot in big letters, no further distractions. Make it as uncluttered as possible!

Maybe this could be a preference setting. Maybe the setlist could be switched to a "simple mode". (The current layout would then be "verbose mode".)
In any case, I think it's worth giving this some thought.

[tlong]

Well stated GiantSonicRobot. I had exactly the same thoughts. What is it with everything being so tiny today and giving too much information?

You can compare it with a training Powerpoint slide. If you asked most people to make one, they will cram it to bits. The result is that the people at the back can't see it and the rest of the class do not take in the "Must Know" information.

When you are playing on stage in low light conditions, you want everything as clear as possible. I found it interesting that even Jordan Rudess in his YouTube demos of the Kronos kept bending his head down and screwing his eyes to see his next selection - it did not look very professional.

I am like most folk on this forum, I think that Kronos is a truly wonderful piece of kit, but there are things that Korg have not got right. My top three are Noisy Fan, pathetic data wheel knob and fonts too small. The last thing that annoyed me was the storage area but fortunately this is being sorted in the upgrade.

Tony Long
http://www.tonylongmusic.co.uk/

[ScoobyDoo555]

One option might be to give the Setlist "view" options.

Options akin to a satnav, where you can tick or un-tick what information is showed on the main screen.

You could then have more space for bigger text etc etc etc.


I agree though, I never look at the patch data in setlist. IF I'm going to do some on-the-fly changes, I hop into prg or combi mode and edit accordingly.

[DaveBoulden]

I've mentioned this before, but I'd like to see an extra tab in set-list mode, call it a "View" tab for arguments sake, that shows the 512 character notes field in a larger text covering the full screen but leaving room for navigation buttons to move up/down the set list, ideally with some basic formatting (CR, TAB, bold, underline etc...) allowing you to show some formatted "cheat sheet" notes to use in a gig at those moments when you know you'll need an aide memoire to remind you of particular chords, song structures, recent arrangement changes, or whatever you need.

[GiantSonicRobot]

I'd like to see an extra tab in set-list mode, call it a "View" tab for arguments sake, that shows the 512 character notes field in a larger text covering the full screen but leaving room for navigation buttons to move up/down the set list, ideally with some basic formatting (CR, TAB, bold, underline etc...) allowing you to show some formatted "cheat sheet" notes to use in a gig at those moments when you know you'll need an aide memoire to remind you of particular chords, song structures, recent arrangement changes, or whatever you need.

I agree, this would be extremely useful.
When I play gigs where the song order is more or less fixed, I don't need to see 16 slots at once anyway. All I need is to know what is the currently selected slot and what is coming up next.
Also, I think that adding this in the form of an additional "View" tab as you suggest would make a lot of sense. That way you could quickly jump back to the regular 4x4 matrix-view at any time, if necessary.

[phattbuzz]

I've mentioned this before, but I'd like to see an extra tab in set-list mode, call it a "View" tab for arguments sake, that shows the 512 character notes field in a larger text covering the full screen but leaving room for navigation buttons to move up/down the set list, ideally with some basic formatting (CR, TAB, bold, underline etc...) allowing you to show some formatted "cheat sheet" notes to use in a gig at those moments when you know you'll need an aide memoire to remind you of particular chords, song structures, recent arrangement changes, or whatever you need.

+10

[philmagnotta]

I agree.
Font size and style, lay-out and organization, versus display should- considering the kronos is a computer- offer these functions in an OS update.
How effective or experienced is this forum, if a poll were to take up this issue, and approach Korg.
Can we at least get commentary from Korg regarding the feasibility of such a basic function that it TRULY needed?

[michelkeijzers]

What also could be possible, is to have e.g. 2 or 3 different font sizes for the descriptions. When not many characters are used a bigger font can be used.

When I add the set list 'generator' to my app, I'm intending the possibility to show the next song in the description of the current song (automatically). Luckily it's already possible to enter descriptions and names with a normal computer keyboard instead of on the Kronos itself.

[amosdef]

I would also love a simpler view in Set List mode. Maybe when switching to edit mode it can display all of the current information, so you have a reference to the exact sound location, but for play mode, all I'll ever need is the name of the patch in as big of a font size as will fit.

[PinkFloydDudi]

Seems like this would be a software fix, and an easy one.

Solution - let people edit what information they want displayed?

[michelkeijzers]

Seems like this would be a software fix, and an easy one.

Solution - let people edit what information they want displayed?

That's the most flexible solution, semi solution could be a few different views that can be changed by continuously pressing the set list button (or via global setting).

[ronnfigg]

I found a bug in Setlist mode relating to the saving of multiple Setlists. In attempting to do what is basically a "Save As", I come up with to Setlists with the same name as the recent save. When I go back to resave the original, it appears the Kronos already remember's name it and I can re-save that setlist with it's original name and the new (renamed) one is intact. Crazy huh? Give it a try. I use actual setlsts on stage, so I am fairly happy with the lack of real estate for titles. Mine are set up in the order we play the songs, so I can get thru them with a pedal. I theoretically don't even have to look at the display. I keep a printed setlist list handy with the Kronos Setlist numbers to refer to should the band try to pull something out of the hat. Might I suggest putting your Setlist slots in alphabetical order, to help make searching for songs in a live situation a little easier. Maybe Korg could make improved real estate an option for users to select.

[ronnfigg]

What also could be possible, is to have e.g. 2 or 3 different font sizes for the descriptions. When not many characters are used a bigger font can be used.

When I add the set list 'generator' to my app, I'm intending the possibility to show the next song in the description of the current song (automatically). Luckily it's already possible to enter descriptions and names with a normal computer keyboard instead of on the Kronos itself.

Are you talking about hooking up an external QWERTY keyboard directly to a Kronos? How? USB?

[michelkeijzers]

What also could be possible, is to have e.g. 2 or 3 different font sizes for the descriptions. When not many characters are used a bigger font can be used.

When I add the set list 'generator' to my app, I'm intending the possibility to show the next song in the description of the current song (automatically). Luckily it's already possible to enter descriptions and names with a normal computer keyboard instead of on the Kronos itself.

Are you talking about hooking up an external QWERTY keyboard directly to a Kronos? How? USB?

No I am talking about my app (see the link in my signature). With this you can read a PCG file, change program, combi and set list names and descriptions, write it back and the Kronos can read the modified PCG.