Horizontal zooming with ThinkPad x60

[UpTilDawn]

I've been struggling with this one for some time and haven't figured out a way to do what I want.

Anybody have any ideas on how to get the MT in SAW to horizontally zoom using this old ThinkPad x60?

I can vertically scroll the MT easy enough with the down/up arrows as I would with any standard keyboard and I fully expected the Left/Right arrows to do the trick with horizontal zooming, but no go. :(

[Soundguy]

I don't have SAW but on any DAW I am familiar with, vertical zooming is a different animal compared to horizontal because you are limited by the track height boundries.

So first you must increase the track height, then you can increase/zoom in on the waveform height ... so two separate issues? I don't think the commands would be different for any particular Windows computer like a thinkpad.

Soundguy

[karagjoz]

I think he is talking about horizontal zooming, not vertical.
On machines without numpad of the keyboard the only way is mouse scroll.... So, get a mouse :-)
X60 is a good computer...

[UpTilDawn]

I think he is talking about horizontal zooming, not vertical.
On machines without numpad of the keyboard the only way is mouse scroll.... So, get a mouse :-)
X60 is a good computer...

Yeah, I like the x60 a lot.

Now that I think about it some more, I think I can use the Fn key to get the numpad function and zoom horizontally that way.... But IIRC, it's also a PITA because it's so easy to forget you've turned it on and that leads to major head scratching. I guess I'll have to try and develop some kind of workflow using the Fn key... Maybe I'll get it down in a month. :rolleyes:

[UpTilDawn]

I don't have SAW but on any DAW I am familiar with, vertical zooming is a different animal compared to horizontal because you are limited by the track height boundries.

So first you must increase the track height, then you can increase/zoom in on the waveform height ... so two separate issues? I don't think the commands would be different for any particular Windows computer like a thinkpad.

Soundguy

You're right... two separate issues... one I have covered with regular key and mouse moves. The horizontal zoom is the other issue, which is not so easy and not doable at all with the l/r arrow keys, unfortunately.

[RBIngraham]

If you're talking about zomming in and out on the time axis then there is always the simple method of just clicking on the button that zooms in and out. Or am I missing something?

Bottom left corner of the multi-track window.

If you're talking about track height that would be Page Up and Page Down. But that also changes the size of the Multi-track window which I have always found rather annoying frankly.

[Dave Labrecque]

Yeah, I like the x60 a lot.

Now that I think about it some more, I think I can use the Fn key to get the numpad function and zoom horizontally that way.... But IIRC, it's also a PITA because it's so easy to forget you've turned it on and that leads to major head scratching. I guess I'll have to try and develop some kind of workflow using the Fn key... Maybe I'll get it down in a month. :rolleyes:

I was gonna suggest the Fn key approach if the computer has that PITA numpad ability (numbers and +/- keys), but you're onto that. Really, the best thing IMO is to use a mouse with a scroll wheel. When that came into being for zooming in SAW, it changed my life. Any chance you can add a mouse w/ scroll wheel to this bad boy?

[Dave Labrecque]

If you're talking about zomming in and out on the time axis then there is always the simple method of just clicking on the button that zooms in and out. Or am I missing something?

Bottom left corner of the multi-track window.

If you're talking about track height that would be Page Up and Page Down. But that also changes the size of the Multi-track window which I have always found rather annoying frankly.

RBI -- if you don't know -- shift+PgUp and shift+PgDn will do 'vertical zoom' without altering track height or MT size. Also ctrl+scroll wheel. :)

[UpTilDawn]

If you're talking about zomming in and out on the time axis then there is always the simple method of just clicking on the button that zooms in and out. Or am I missing something?

Bottom left corner of the multi-track window.

...

Yeah.... that's one of the irritating things about using the x60 until I find something that works more smoothly/efficiently. That's been my "workaround".... but I don't really feel it's much of one.

On a desktop PC with standard keyboard, the whole thing is much easier.

[UpTilDawn]

I was gonna suggest the Fn key approach if the computer has that PITA numpad ability (numbers and +/- keys), but you're onto that. Really, the best thing IMO is to use a mouse with a scroll wheel. When that came into being for zooming in SAW, it changed my life. Any chance you can add a mouse w/ scroll wheel to this bad boy?

Yeah, mouse with scroll wheel I use all the time on the desktop PC. Love it. :)

Tying a mouse to the x60 defeats part of the purpose for me.

In fact, I really like that little red button instead of the mouse pad on the typical laptop, but also find it extremely awkward when I try to use it for certain other things in combination with the modifier keys in SAW.

[Soundguy]

I think he is talking about horizontal zooming, not vertical.


Oops. Boy, did I misread that one.:o

Soundguy

[karagjoz]

Keep the X60.
On all new laptops you will be forced to work in Win7. Believe me, it is pain in the ..... with SawStudio.
I demonstrated to my students SS as the most flexible and fast audio software, but they had many problems with the demo and Win7 - the audio buffers, the graphics, so they went to another programs - PT and Cubase.
And today is very hard to find a new laptop with drivers for XP.

[Ian Alexander]

Keep the X60.
On all new laptops you will be forced to work in Win7. Believe me, it is pain in the ..... with SawStudio.
I demonstrated to my students SS as the most flexible and fast audio software, but they had many problems with the demo and Win7 - the audio buffers, the graphics, so they went to another programs - PT and Cubase.
And today is very hard to find a new laptop with drivers for XP.

Win 7 Home Premium here. With the OS tweaks and SS under XP compatibility mode, my DAW is very solid. This is a desktop not a laptop, though.

[karagjoz]

Maybe.
In my case I had a lot of problems, finally switched back to XP.
And, if I have to explain to the students about the tweaks and XP compatibility mode , the answer will be: XP compati.... WHAT??....:)
People like to do simple things with the computer. If the system is just working, without asking me for many things, I'm happy. This is the reason people are buying macs.

[Ian Alexander]

Maybe.
In my case I had a lot of problems, finally switched back to XP.
And, if I have to explain to the students about the tweaks and XP compatibility mode , the answer will be: XP compati.... WHAT??....:)
People like to do simple things with the computer. If the system is just working, without asking me for many things, I'm happy. This is the reason people are buying macs.

I hear you. And it takes a bit more with each new OS. But there was a fair bit of tweaking under XP already, I think. It's a real time app on a chop shop OS.:)

[RBIngraham]

Yeah.... that's one of the irritating things about using the x60 until I find something that works more smoothly/efficiently. That's been my "workaround".... but I don't really feel it's much of one.

On a desktop PC with standard keyboard, the whole thing is much easier.


Yeah, but that's true with just about everything and every application. Trying to work with just a touchpad is always going to be more time consuming for just about everything more complex than browsing the web and looking at email right?

[UpTilDawn]

Yeah, but that's true with just about everything and every application. Trying to work with just a touchpad is always going to be more time consuming for just about everything more complex than browsing the web and looking at email right?

You're probably correct.
This, however, is not a touchpad.
Still a PITA. :(

I'm having no trouble running SAC as a front side mixer with SAW hooked to it, recording up to 16 tracks at once with 2x64 buffer settings through an RME Multiface (or digiface). So, it'd be really great to be able to also edit and mix in SAW on this little laptop when the situation calls for it. (Well, maybe not with NO trouble, but pretty close!)

[Dave Labrecque]

You're probably correct.
This, however, is not a touchpad.
Still a PITA. :(

I'm having no trouble running SAC as a front side mixer with SAW hooked to it, recording up to 16 tracks at once with 2x64 buffer settings through an RME Multiface (or digiface). So, it'd be really great to be able to also edit and mix in SAW on this little laptop when the situation calls for it. (Well, maybe not with NO trouble, but pretty close!)

Dan, wouldn't the added bulk and logistics of a USB or blue tooth mouse and pad be more than made up for by the advantages of the resulting work flow improvements?

[UpTilDawn]

Dan, wouldn't the added bulk and logistics of a USB or blue tooth mouse and pad be more than made up for by the advantages of the resulting work flow improvements?

Maybe, just not always convenient in a real tight tabletop like I have to work on sometimes (think a folding stool to hold the Thinkpad :eek: ).

[Dave Labrecque]

Maybe, just not always convenient in a real tight tabletop like I have to work on sometimes (think a folding stool to hold the Thinkpad :eek: ).

Maybe a simple solution would be to put a board on top of the stool (beneath the laptop) that's wide enough to accommodate a mouse?

Or just get one of these...


http://www.chinatraderonline.com/files3/2011-8/3/laptop-stand--made-of-mdf-board-and-metal--ergonomic-design--customized-colors-are-welcome-11182887525.jpg

[UpTilDawn]

Maybe a simple solution would be to put a board on top of the stool (beneath the laptop) that's wide enough to accommodate a mouse?

Or just get one of these...


http://www.chinatraderonline.com/files3/2011-8/3/laptop-stand--made-of-mdf-board-and-metal--ergonomic-design--customized-colors-are-welcome-11182887525.jpg

Aha! Maybe....

I've already got a board on there.... maybe a little larger one. ;)

[Dave Labrecque]

Aha! Maybe....

I've already got a board on there.... maybe a little larger one. ;)

Oh, yes. A 'mouse-ready' board is key. Like in the middle '80's, when all the stereo receivers were touted as being 'digital-ready' for your CD player even though they had plain ol' analog RCA ins. The brochures wouldn't being trying to manipulate my thinking, would they? Point is... be sure you use a mouse-ready board. Nothing else will do.

Sorry. It's almost 6 and I'm still at the office. The mind loses it's robustness.

[jcgriggs]

You don't really need a pad for the mouse if it is optical - in a pinch, I've used my thigh as a mouse pad for a laser mouse. Also, the mouse itself does not need to be bulky: http://www.laptoptoys.net/laptop_pc_mouse.html

- John

[Dave Labrecque]

You don't really need a pad for the mouse if it is optical - in a pinch, I've used my thigh as a mouse pad for a laser mouse. Also, the mouse itself does not need to be bulky: http://www.laptoptoys.net/laptop_pc_mouse.html

- John

I actually prefer a "laptop mouse" for general desktop use. Smaller, easier to manipulate...

[UpTilDawn]

I actually prefer a "laptop mouse" for general desktop use. Smaller, easier to manipulate...

I have one..... it makes my hand cramp for something as extensive as editing... ouch!

[UpTilDawn]

You don't really need a pad for the mouse if it is optical - in a pinch, I've used my thigh as a mouse pad for a laser mouse. Also, the mouse itself does not need to be bulky: http://www.laptoptoys.net/laptop_pc_mouse.html

- John

Same problem with using a leg for a pad, I'm afraid. Gets really difficult for long sessions of editing. A wireless would be slightly better (I've done that before at the desktop).

A wireless keypad might be a good solution to the horizontal zooming issue, since I could then use the numbers or +/- on the keypad instead of using the Fn modifier key on the main keyboard. I wouldn't have to worry much about the usb causing glitches in SAW, since I'd be using it for editing... not realtime recording chores. I might get one and try it..... never used one before.

[jcgriggs]

OK - How about something like this: http://www.gyration.com/index.php/us/products/in-air-micekeyboards/air-mouse.html It has sensors that let it work in mid air - no need for a pad (or body part 8^) - and it's wireless.

- John

[UpTilDawn]

OK - How about something like this: http://www.gyration.com/index.php/us/products/in-air-micekeyboards/air-mouse.html It has sensors that let it work in mid air - no need for a pad (or body part 8^) - and it's wireless.

- John

That's fine if I want a mouse, but I don't want to muck around with locating the mouse pointer and pressing the +Zm/-Zm buttons when I want to zoom horizontally. This is the whole point of my original post, really.

What makes the most sense is to use the L/R arrow buttons on the existing keyboard..... Why doesn't that work?? :confused:

I suppose it's because THAT is what makes sense. :rolleyes:

[Dave Labrecque]

I have one..... it makes my hand cramp for something as extensive as editing... ouch!

Well that must be due to your very large hands. And you know what they say...

Congratulations. And thanks for revealing my 'modest endowment'. :(

[Dave Labrecque]

That's fine if I want a mouse, but I don't want to muck around with locating the mouse pointer and pressing the +Zm/-Zm buttons when I want to zoom horizontally. This is the whole point of my original post, really.

What makes the most sense is to use the L/R arrow buttons on the existing keyboard..... Why doesn't that work?? :confused:

I suppose it's because THAT is what makes sense. :rolleyes:

Dan -- look again. Two words: mouse wheel.

Superior to any kind of keyboard zooming. Tell me you're aware of mouse wheel zooming. There is nothing even close to being as good.

[UpTilDawn]

Dan -- look again. Two words: mouse wheel.

Superior to any kind of keyboard zooming. Tell me you're aware of mouse wheel zooming. There is nothing even close to being as good.

How could I have missed that??? :eek:
You are sooo right! :)

Use that all the time... keep forgetting the Alt override for vertical scrolling. :o

Take heart, dear friend, David! I'm sure what they say must be the opposite of the truth..... as is so often the case with those who must brag to feel better about themselves... ;)

Either that, or I've been cheated! :eek: