I would like to suggest an alternative layout for the Device Chain in Renoise.
Currently, devices are arranged horizontally next to each other. This works well for short chains, but with larger chains it becomes a very long horizontal strip and requires a lot of scrolling.
I think a Stacked Device Chain layout would be a very useful alternative.
Each device would keep its normal controls, but the chain itself would use the available vertical space instead of extending horizontally.
Interestingly, the existing pop-out device windows already demonstrate why this can work well: the controls remain accessible and the overall presentation becomes much more compact.
The important part is that this would be an optional layout, for example:
Horizontal — current Renoise layout
Stacked — devices arranged vertically
Possibly Auto — automatically stack devices when the chain becomes too wide
This would be especially useful for users working with long effect chains, VST-heavy setups and detailed sound-design workflows.
It would not change the DSP structure or signal flow at all. It would simply provide another way of displaying the existing Device Chain.
For me, the main advantage is workflow speed: with a long chain, I could see and access all devices without having to navigate a huge horizontal strip.
I think this could make the Device Chain considerably more compact and easier to work with while keeping the current layout available for users who prefer it.
I like this idea! I think it would also help people understand that the instrument section basically has its own mixer, and the vertical layout option would reinforce this point. It could basically just be a small mixer section within the instrument effects pane
I think the stacked view could eventually go even further than just being an alternative Device Chain layout.
If the devices were stacked vertically, you could potentially reduce the need for the horizontal Device Chain above the Mixer, where many of the controls and sliders are currently hidden or require scrolling.
A stacked layout could give you a much more compact “mini mixer” for each instrument, with the important controls immediately visible and accessible.
Basically: instead of searching through a long chain, you could just look at it and tweak it instantly. Almost like “fast-food” workflow: grab the control you need, change it, move on to the next one.
It’s not the same, but I wanted a way to switch tracks, scroll through chains etc. and keep a floating dialog of a selected native DSP (turns out, works on VST’s too) so I can always access its controls, no matter what. This could help.
This is a beta version of the vertical DSP chain tool.
Multiple windows can exist at once for multiple tracks.
Invoking the tool from the patter editor right click menu, opens the tool in “pinned” mode - based on the track that received the right click.
Knobs can be hidden completetely or expand a specific (or more) DSP’s controls. Up to 6 parameteres can be linked to the knobs. The knobs can receive right click and drag for automation writing, ctrl+drag for fine adjustments and doublle click to reset to default value and middle click to reassign parameter.
Long click and drag a DSP to rearrane the order.
Mute, Solo (track) and Bypass all (remembers previous active/inactive state of individual devices) buttons are available.
Clicking on a DSP focuses the specific section in the DSP chain below, useful for quick jumping to devices or even tracks.
Active/inactive states of each device is also available through its checkmark.
The tool is scrolllable, so extra long FX chains can still be navigated through the tool.
Double clicking a devices name fires up my MG Native DSP Floater tool (if installled), while middle click - in compact mode - expands/collapses the specific device’s controls.
Auto-populate knobs with first 3 (or 6) device’s parameters option in the device’s name right click menu.
