Alternative styling: Stealth finish

README.md

@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ body alone. Formats: **VST3** and **CLAP** (Windows, macOS, Linux).
 [![CI](https://github.com/affinedsp/suppressor/actions/workflows/ci.yml/badge.svg)](https://github.com/affinedsp/suppressor/actions/workflows/ci.yml)
 
 <p align="center">
-  <img src="docs/images/suppressor-ui.png" alt="Suppressor: input and output LED ladders around a backlit high-band reduction meter, with Threshold, Strength and Release knobs and a Listen removed key" width="800">
+  <img src="docs/images/suppressor-ui.png" alt="Suppressor in the Stealth finish: a screen plotting six seconds of high-band reduction beside input and output bar meters, with Threshold, Strength and Release knobs and a Listen key" width="800">
 </p>
 
 ## What it does
@@ -37,13 +37,14 @@ biquads plus an envelope per channel).
 | **Release** | Sets how quickly suppression returns after a note (2–30 ms). Increase it to preserve tails. |
 | **Listen removed** | Auditions input minus processed audio; switch it off to hear the processed signal. This difference includes filter phase effects, not just noise. |
 
-The **IN** and **OUT** ladders show **peak dBFS**, each with a clip cell held for
-one second. The backlit meter shows **high-band gain reduction**, not
-whole-signal loudness loss; in multiband sessions it shows the deepest band
-reduction. While *Listen removed* is on, the output column is relabelled
-**REMOVED**. Bypass, silence, learning, and stopped audio are labelled
-explicitly, and stopped meters go dark (the meter lamp dims and the needle
-rests) instead of holding stale readings.
+The screen plots **high-band gain reduction** over the last six seconds, not
+whole-signal loudness loss, with the current value above the plot; in multiband
+sessions it shows the deepest band reduction. The **INPUT** and **OUTPUT** bars
+show **peak dBFS** with a readout, each with a clip cell held for one second.
+While *Listen removed* is on, the output bar is relabelled **REMOVED**. Bypass,
+silence, learning, and stopped audio are labelled explicitly; the plot breaks
+wherever there was no reading, and stopped bars go dark instead of holding
+stale readings.
 
 Drag a knob to adjust; **Shift-drag** for fine control, **double-click / Return**
 for exact entry in its readout, and **Alt/Option-click / Home** to reset.

Source/PluginEditor.h

@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
 
 namespace SuppressorTheme
 {
-/** Graphite anodising with a glacier-cyan emission: the Suppressor finish of the Affine family. */
+/** Stealth finish: matte powder coat, white LED rings and a colour screen. */
 affine::Theme theme();
 }
 
@@ -15,6 +15,36 @@ class ListenButton final : public affine::KeyButton
     ListenButton() : affine::KeyButton ("Listen removed") {}
 };
 
+/**
+    The screen: gain reduction as a scrolling history, with input and output
+    peak bars. Only real snapshots are plotted; stretches without audio stay empty.
+*/
+class ReductionScreen final : public juce::Component
+{
+public:
+    ReductionScreen();
+
+    void setTheme (const affine::Theme&);
+    /** Appends one frame. `reductionDb` is ignored when `hasReduction` is false. */
+    void push (float reductionDb, bool hasReduction, float inputDb, float outputDb, bool live, bool inputClip,
+               bool outputClip, bool removed, bool multiband);
+    void paint (juce::Graphics&) override;
+
+private:
+    static constexpr int frames = 180; // six seconds at 30 Hz
+
+    void paintHistory (juce::Graphics&, juce::Rectangle<float>);
+    void paintLevel (juce::Graphics&, juce::Rectangle<float>, const juce::String& name, float level, bool clipped,
+                     juce::Colour);
+
+    affine::Theme theme;
+    affine::render::GlowText readoutGlow;
+    std::array<float, frames> history {};
+    int head = 0, valid = 0;
+    float input = -100.0f, output = -100.0f, latest = 0.0f;
+    bool live = false, current = false, inputClipped = false, outputClipped = false, removedSignal = false, multi = false;
+};
+
 class SuppressorEditor final : public juce::AudioProcessorEditor, private juce::Timer
 {
 public:
@@ -25,7 +55,7 @@ class SuppressorEditor final : public juce::AudioProcessorEditor, private juce::
     void visibilityChanged() override;
     int getControlParameterIndex (juce::Component&) override;
 
-    static constexpr int width = 800, height = 530;
+    static constexpr int width = 820, height = 540;
 
 private:
     void timerCallback() override;
@@ -37,15 +67,14 @@ class SuppressorEditor final : public juce::AudioProcessorEditor, private juce::
     affine::Knob threshold, strength, release;
     ListenButton listen;
     juce::AudioProcessorValueTreeState::ButtonAttachment listenAttachment;
-    affine::NeedleMeter reduction;
-    affine::LadderMeter inputLadder, outputLadder;
-    affine::DisplayLabel status, inputPeak, outputPeak, hostSettings;
+    ReductionScreen screen;
+    affine::DisplayLabel status, hostSettings;
     juce::Label meterSummary;
     juce::TooltipWindow tooltips { this, 700 };
     suppressor::MeterSnapshot meter;
     uint32_t lastSequence = 0;
     double lastUpdateMs = 0.0;
-    bool fresh = false, auditionShown = false;
+    bool fresh = false;
 
     JUCE_DECLARE_NON_COPYABLE_WITH_LEAK_DETECTOR (SuppressorEditor)
 };

Tests/test_ui.cpp

@@ -55,6 +55,39 @@ void feed (juce::AudioProcessor& p, int blocks = 120, bool silence = false, bool
         if (bypass) p.processBlockBypassed (buffer, midi); else p.processBlock (buffer, midi);
     }
 }
+bool capturing() { return juce::SystemStats::getEnvironmentVariable ("SUPPRESSOR_UI_CAPTURE_DIR", {}).isNotEmpty(); }
+// Plucked notes over a hiss floor, processed at real-time pace so the editor's
+// reduction history fills with readings the processor actually produced.
+void playPlucks (juce::AudioProcessor& p)
+{
+    struct Pluck { double at, level; };
+    const Pluck notes[] { { 0.0, 0.30 }, { 0.9, 0.18 }, { 1.5, 0.34 }, { 2.9, 0.22 }, { 3.4, 0.12 }, { 4.6, 0.32 }, { 5.3, 0.2 } };
+    constexpr double length = 6.2, fundamental = 196.0;
+    juce::AudioBuffer<float> buffer (2, 256);
+    juce::MidiBuffer midi;
+    juce::Random hiss (7);
+    const auto start = juce::Time::getMillisecondCounterHiRes();
+    const auto blocks = static_cast<int> (length * 48000.0 / 256.0);
+    for (int b = 0; b < blocks; ++b)
+    {
+        for (int n = 0; n < 256; ++n)
+        {
+            const auto t = (b * 256 + n) / 48000.0;
+            auto sample = 0.002 * (hiss.nextDouble() * 2.0 - 1.0);
+            for (const auto& note : notes)
+                if (t >= note.at)
+                    for (int k = 1; k <= 30; ++k)
+                        sample += note.level / k * std::exp (-(t - note.at) * (1.5 + 0.35 * k))
+                                * std::sin (juce::MathConstants<double>::twoPi * fundamental * k * (t - note.at));
+            buffer.setSample (0, n, static_cast<float> (sample));
+            buffer.setSample (1, n, static_cast<float> (sample));
+        }
+        p.processBlock (buffer, midi);
+        const auto due = start + (b + 1) * 256.0 / 48.0;
+        while (juce::Time::getMillisecondCounterHiRes() < due)
+            pump (2);
+    }
+}
 juce::MouseEvent event (juce::Component& c, juce::Point<float> pos = { 60, 60 }, int modifiers = juce::ModifierKeys::leftButtonModifier)
 {
     const auto now = juce::Time::getCurrentTime();
@@ -322,6 +355,8 @@ TEST_CASE ("live meter states, stale data, legacy modes and monitor labels are e
     feed (p);
     expectStatus (*status, "Suppressing");
     CHECK (summary->getDescription().contains ("High-band reduction"));
+    if (capturing())
+        playPlucks (p);
     capture (*editor, "suppressor-ui");
     for (float scale : { 1.0f, 1.25f, 1.5f, 1.75f, 2.0f })
     {

docs/UI_DESIGN.md

@@ -1,11 +1,11 @@
 # Suppressor interface
 
 The editor implements the shared [Affine design language](../libs/affine-ui/DESIGN_LANGUAGE.md)
-(v1.0) through the vendored `affine_ui` JUCE module. This document records only the
-Suppressor-specific decisions.
+(v2.0) in its **Stealth** finish through the vendored `affine_ui` JUCE module. This
+document records only the Suppressor-specific decisions.
 
 <p align="center">
-  <img src="images/suppressor-ui.png" alt="Suppressor suppressing: live input and output ladders, backlit high-band reduction meter near 40 dB, and the three suppression knobs" width="800">
+  <img src="images/suppressor-ui.png" alt="Suppressor in the Stealth finish: a matte black panel with a teal screen plotting six seconds of high-band reduction between plucked notes, input and output bar meters, three knobs with white LED rings and a Listen soft key" width="800">
 </p>
 
 ## Product
@@ -14,19 +14,18 @@ Suppressor-specific decisions.
   high-gain amplification.
 - **Primary task:** remove high-band noise between notes without losing body, sustain or
   pick attack, and check what was removed when in doubt.
-- **Finish:** graphite anodising, glacier-cyan emission, an incandescent meter card.
-- **Editor:** fixed 800 × 530 logical pixels; renders natively at 100–200% and on Retina.
+- **Finish:** modern matte hardware: black powder coat, dark knobs with white pointers
+  and white LED rings, a rubber soft key, and one colour screen. Teal appears only on the
+  screen and the *Suppressing* LED.
+- **Editor:** fixed 820 × 540 logical pixels; renders natively at 100–200% and on Retina.
 
 ## Layout
 
-The signal runs left to right across the meter bridge, and the controls sit below it.
-
 | Zone | Contents |
 |---|---|
-| Header | Wordmark; processing-status display with lamp; *Host settings active* lamp underneath when non-default legacy settings exist |
-| Meter bridge | **IN** peak ladder → backlit **reduction** meter → **OUT** peak ladder (relabelled **REMOVED** while auditioning), each ladder with a clip cell and a peak readout |
-| Suppression frame | Threshold, Strength, Release: medium knobs with calibrated scales and glass readouts |
-| Monitor frame | *Listen removed* latching key with an amber LED |
+| Header | Wide-tracked wordmark and descriptor; the processing status with its LED; *Host settings active* underneath when non-default legacy settings exist |
+| Screen | Left: **high-band reduction** over the last six seconds, with the current value above the plot. Right: **INPUT** and **OUTPUT** peak bars (the output relabelled **REMOVED** while auditioning), each with a readout and a clip cell |
+| Controls | Threshold, Strength, Release: medium knobs with LED rings and glass readouts; after a hairline, *Listen removed* as a soft key with a headphones glyph |
 
 ## Telemetry contract
 
@@ -36,36 +35,38 @@ Listen and band-mode settings, so an old block is never relabelled as the new mo
 
 | Display | Source | Presentation |
 |---|---|---|
-| IN / OUT ladders | Peak across channels, 300 ms decay | −60 to 0 dBFS in 3 dB segments: cyan, amber from −12 dBFS, red from −3 dBFS |
-| Clip cells | Processor clip flags, held for one second | Separate red cell above each column |
+| Reduction plot | Deepest high-band gain reduction, 120 ms decay, sampled 30 times a second while the editor is open | 0–60 dB on a square-root scale, 0 dB at the top, newest at the right; the plot breaks wherever reduction was unavailable (no audio, no input, learning) and reads *NO AUDIO* once six seconds hold no readings |
+| Reduction readout | The latest reading | dB to 0.1, `60+` beyond the scale, `--` when unavailable |
+| INPUT / OUTPUT bars | Peak across channels, 300 ms decay | −60 to 0 dBFS in 1.5 dB segments: teal, pale from −12 dBFS, amber from −3 dBFS |
+| Clip cells | Processor clip flags, held for one second | Separate red cell at the end of each bar |
 | Peak readouts | Same peaks | dBFS to 0.1 dB, `-inf` for silence, `--` when not live |
-| Reduction meter | Deepest high-band gain reduction, 120 ms decay | 0–60 dB on a square-root scale so small reductions stay readable; lamp dims and needle rests when reduction is unavailable (no audio, no input, learning) |
 | Status | Snapshot flags | *No audio*, *No input*, *Passing signal*, *Suppressing*, *Listening to difference*, *Bypassed*, *Learning bands* |
 
-The needle's spring-damper ballistics (about 300 ms to settle) are presentation only.
+The plot shows stored readings only: nothing is interpolated across gaps or extrapolated
+past the newest reading.
 
 ## States
 
 | State | Presentation |
 |---|---|
-| Suppressing | Cyan status lamp, needle on the reduction, ladders live |
-| Listen removed | Amber key LED and status, **REMOVED** legend and amber readout on the output column |
-| Multiband topology | Meter caption reads **MAX BAND REDUCTION**; Threshold and Strength are disabled (veiled) because that mode uses its own splits and learned thresholds |
-| Learning bands | Amber status; reduction marked unavailable, so the meter lamp dims |
-| Bypassed | Needle at rest with the lamp lit (no reduction is applied) |
-| Stopped audio | Lamp dims, needle rests, ladders dark, readouts `--` |
+| Suppressing | Teal status LED, the plot follows the reduction, bars live |
+| Listen removed | Amber LED strip on the key and amber status LED; the output bar reads **REMOVED** in amber |
+| Multiband topology | The plot title reads **MAX BAND REDUCTION**; Threshold and Strength are disabled (their rings go dark) because that mode uses its own splits and learned thresholds |
+| Learning bands | Amber status LED; reduction is unavailable, so the plot breaks |
+| Bypassed | Red status LED; the plot runs along 0 dB (no reduction is applied) |
+| Stopped audio | Status LED off, bars dark, readouts `--`, the plot breaks |
 
 <p align="center">
-  <img src="images/suppressor-delta-audition.png" alt="Listening to the removed signal: amber status, lit Listen key and REMOVED output column" width="400">
-  <img src="images/suppressor-learning.png" alt="Learning bands in multiband mode: amber status, dimmed meter, disabled Threshold and Strength, host settings lamp" width="400">
+  <img src="images/suppressor-delta-audition.png" alt="Listening to the removed signal: amber status LED and key strip, output bar relabelled REMOVED in amber" width="400">
+  <img src="images/suppressor-learning.png" alt="Learning bands in multiband mode: amber status LED, plot titled MAX BAND REDUCTION, disabled Threshold and Strength, host settings line" width="400">
 </p>
 
 ## Parameter contract
 
 Unchanged: all 20 parameters keep their IDs, order, version hints, ranges, defaults,
 tapers, text conversion and automation. The editor exposes Threshold, Strength, Release
 and Delta Audition; the remaining engine settings stay available in the host's parameter
-view and are summarised by the *Host settings active* lamp's tooltip.
+view and are summarised by the *Host settings active* tooltip.
 
 ## Interaction
 
@@ -86,10 +87,10 @@ view and are summarised by the *Host settings active* lamp's tooltip.
 
 - Every control exposes its parameter name, formatted value with unit, and a description.
 - The *Signal meters* label carries a live summary (input and output dBFS, reduction or
-  why it is unavailable, clip warnings); the per-column readouts are hidden from assistive
+  why it is unavailable, clip warnings); the screen itself is hidden from assistive
   technology so values are not announced twice.
-- State is never colour-only: every lamp has a text legend and every mode change has a
-  printed or displayed label.
+- State is never colour-only: the status is always spelled out next to its LED, and
+  every mode change has a printed or displayed label.
 - Printed text meets 4.5:1 on the plate, including its darker lower edge; emitted
   colours meet 4.5:1 on display glass. Both are unit-tested.
 
@@ -102,4 +103,6 @@ view and are summarised by the *Host settings active* lamp's tooltip.
 - The DSP suite is unchanged and passes.
 - pluginval 1.0.4 at strictness 10 reports `SUCCESS` for the VST3.
 - With `SUPPRESSOR_UI_CAPTURE_DIR` set, the UI tests write a PNG of every state and scale;
-  CI uploads them for macOS, Windows and Linux.
+  before the main capture they play six seconds of plucked notes at real-time pace, so
+  the plot shows readings the processor produced. CI uploads the captures for macOS,
+  Windows and Linux.