Let's take a simple example of a track that contains two devices: one instrument and one audio FX.

Note that the above image shows the instrument on the left and the audio FX on the right. In the Device Panel, signal always flows from left (input) to right (output). While you could swap the position of these devices, you probably would not get the desired outcome.

Starting with the outer rounded rectangle, we find on its left edge an abbreviated, vertical track header. Included here are the familiar track color stripe and track name.

Other than the track header, all space in the Device Panel is reserved for devices. But before the first device (and after every device) comes a vertical column containing three items:

The Add Device button is present in all these locations so that you can insert additional devices at any point within the device chain. The note indicators and audio meters are present at every device handoff to visually inform you of signals that are changing as the signal flow progresses. As relevant texts and your own experimentation will teach you, the order in which devices are connected is critical to the outcome.

Each device has its own vertical header on its left edge. Common elements in device headers are:

Finally, the body of each device contains its own various parameters. They can take the form of knobs, sliders, numerics, text and graphical lists, buttons, curve controls, clickable graphic interfaces, and more. All parameters can be set with the mouse by simply clicking and dragging.

Certain devices have an optional Expanded Device View. This list currently includes several instruments (FM-4, Phase-4, Polysynth, and Sampler) and a few audio effects (EQ-5, Resonator Bank, and Spectrum Analyzer). Each of these devices has an Expanded Device View button in its device header.

Clicking the Expanded Device View button covers the central panel area with additional controls and visualizations for the device.

The Expanded Device View can also be loaded as a separate floating window by clicking the undocking button (the box with an arrow ascending out of it) in the top right.

Once floating, the Expanded Device View will remain visible regardless of what track is selected. You can always close the window or click the re-docking button (the box with an arrow, propelling the window back to Earth) to rejoin the view within the main window.

Note

This behavior can be changed with Floating windows follow current track setting. This preference can be found in the Dashboard under the Settings tab on the Behavior page in the Device category. Enabling this setting will hide any floating Expanded Device View windows when a different track is selected and restore them when you select their track again. Additionally, this setting provides a thumbtack toggle at the top right of the window, allowing you to make some floating windows persistent while the others only appear when their track is selected.

FX tracks have one unique feature in the track header of the Device Panel.

When the effects sends button is enabled, the effect sends pane is visible within the track header area. This resizable pane shows a list of all instrument, audio, hybrid, and nested group tracks in your current project. Each track is listed along with a meter showing its current output level and a control for the send amount targeting this FX track.

Essentially, this is a "mixer" view of the buss that feeds the FX track. And tracks that have track fold buttons on the mixer (see Track Headers) have a similar fold button here.

Additionally, clicking on the name of any send toggles whether it is active or not, saving processing when unneeded or allowing for a 'bypass' while keeping your level setting.