Surely, then, we need to have a degree of modularity to the way that Grids are written. Nobody is after a fully-blown Object-Oriented approach, just two or three levels of sub-modules, to add some sanity to the more ambitious creations. I’me sure that the Bitwig devs could come up with something that would give the necessary flexibility but with the ease of use and intuitiveness that characterises the Grid, and indeed Bitwig as a whole.
It seems like a logical progression. We have both building block type modules ( for example the logic modules and math modules), as well as full fledged multi feature modules ( like the oscillators, filters and LFOs). So, you can build things in a programming type way, as well as normal modular synthesis. But, it gets really messy having it all on one screen, and not being able to really organize things well.
I mentioned in the description that I think this effects cpu performance too, because The Grid seems to require a lot of cpu for the visual graphics. I notice that complex patches push the cpu meter a lot higher when their windows are open, compared to when audio is only running through.
Once we get Containers, it will make it way easier to save, re-use and share sections of Grid patches. It will also allow for endless possibilities of new custom modules.
I use the Grid now for most of my synth, sampler, and sequencer patches, and it is my favorite modular environment to use. I think it is really well designed. It is intuitive, fun to use, and sounds great. But it’s main limitation compared to the others is that users can’t make custom modules. Containers would really open that up. More building block type modules would also, or something like Pure Data Grid Block would really open a can of worms.
I’ve mentioned before too, that I think the logical progression of this would be a suite of panel/visual modules, so we can make custom interfaces. Things like custom buttons and sliders, background images, waveform displays, customizable sequencers, and more. Eventually, maybe we could even get something like “stacked macros” in Reaktor. Those allow you to switch the views for different modes in a patch. Anyway, I’m rambling on, but my main point is that this seems like a logical progression for The Grid, being that it already has fully formed “eurorack” style modules, as well as simple building blocks. This can really join both of those in a more usable way, and open up huge possibilities for new types of modules in the Grid. This and “slicing in the sampler” are the 2 main features that I really want to see.