Formal usability evaluation of audio track widget graphical representation for two-dimensional stage audio mixing interface

The two-dimensional stage paradigm (2DSP) has been suggested as an alternative audio mixing interface (AMI). This study seeks to refine the 2DSP by formally evaluating graphical track visualisation styles. Track visualisations considered were text only, circles containing text, individually coloured circles containing text, circles colour coded by instrument type with text, icons with text superimposed, circles with RMS related dynamic opacity and a traditional AMI. The usability evaluation focused on track selection efficiency and included user visualisation preference for this micro-task. Test subjects were instructed to click five randomly selected tracks for a six, sixteen and thirty-two track mix for each visualisation. The results indicate text only visualisation is best for efficiency however test subjects preferred icons and traditional AMI.