diff --git a/gtk2_ardour/SConscript b/gtk2_ardour/SConscript
index d2c0448e23..193f942954 100644
--- a/gtk2_ardour/SConscript
+++ b/gtk2_ardour/SConscript
@@ -211,6 +211,7 @@ route_ui.cc
 selection.cc
 sfdb_ui.cc
 send_ui.cc
+splash.cc
 streamview.cc
 audio_streamview.cc
 tape_region_view.cc
diff --git a/gtk2_ardour/about.cc b/gtk2_ardour/about.cc
index ecd8eab726..8d14f09e3a 100644
--- a/gtk2_ardour/about.cc
+++ b/gtk2_ardour/about.cc
@@ -153,6 +153,8 @@ static const char* authors[] = {
 	N_("Nedko Arnaudov"),
 	N_("Carl Hetherington"),
 	N_("Colin Fletcher"),
+	N_("Roland Stigge"),
+	N_("Audun Halland"),
 	0
 };
 
@@ -175,7 +177,7 @@ About::About ()
 	: paypal_pixmap (paypal_xpm)
 #endif
 {
-	set_type_hint(Gdk::WINDOW_TYPE_HINT_SPLASHSCREEN);
+	// set_type_hint(Gdk::WINDOW_TYPE_HINT_SPLASHSCREEN);
 
 	string path;
 	string t;
diff --git a/gtk2_ardour/ardour2_ui_default.conf b/gtk2_ardour/ardour2_ui_default.conf
index c8f017416d..03c2b7c8e0 100644
--- a/gtk2_ardour/ardour2_ui_default.conf
+++ b/gtk2_ardour/ardour2_ui_default.conf
@@ -1,7 +1,8 @@
 <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
 <Ardour>
   <Canvas>
-    <Option name="waveform" value="000000cc"/>
+    <Option name="waveform" value="373737a7"/>
+    <Option name="waveform fill" value="73737378"/>
     <Option name="clipped waveform" value="ff0000e5"/>
     <Option name="region base" value="bfbfc1aa"/>
     <Option name="selected region base" value="b591a8ff"/>
diff --git a/gtk2_ardour/ardour_ui.cc b/gtk2_ardour/ardour_ui.cc
index c7051680db..88ce2fc24d 100644
--- a/gtk2_ardour/ardour_ui.cc
+++ b/gtk2_ardour/ardour_ui.cc
@@ -75,6 +75,7 @@
 #include "add_route_dialog.h"
 #include "new_session_dialog.h"
 #include "about.h"
+#include "splash.h"
 #include "utils.h"
 #include "gui_thread.h"
 #include "theme_manager.h"
@@ -166,6 +167,12 @@ ARDOUR_UI::ARDOUR_UI (int *argcp, char **argvp[])
 	}
 	
 	about = 0;
+	splash = 0;
+
+	if (ARDOUR_COMMAND_LINE::session_name.length()) {	
+		/* only show this if we're not going to post the new session dialog */
+		show_splash ();
+	}
 
 	if (theArdourUI == 0) {
 		theArdourUI = this;
@@ -261,6 +268,13 @@ ARDOUR_UI::create_engine ()
 		return 0;
 	}
 
+#ifdef __APPLE__
+	// OS X where everything is sllloooowwww
+	loading_dialog->set_message (_("Starting audio engine"));
+	loading_dialog->show_all ();
+	flush_pending ();
+#endif 				
+
 	try { 
 		engine = new ARDOUR::AudioEngine (ARDOUR_COMMAND_LINE::jack_client_name);
 
@@ -592,74 +606,39 @@ Please consider the possibilities, and perhaps (re)start JACK."));
 	win.show_all ();
 	win.set_position (Gtk::WIN_POS_CENTER);
 
-	if (!ARDOUR_COMMAND_LINE::no_splash) {
-		hide_splash ();
-	}
+	hide_splash ();
 
 	/* we just don't care about the result, but we want to block */
 
 	win.run ();
 }
 
+static bool
+_hide_splash (gpointer arg)
+{
+	((ARDOUR_UI*)arg)->hide_splash();
+	return false;
+}
+
 void
 ARDOUR_UI::startup ()
 {
 	string name, path;
-	bool isnew;
 
 	new_session_dialog = new NewSessionDialog();
-	
-	/* If no session name is given: we're not loading a session yet, nor creating a new one */
-	
-	if (ARDOUR_COMMAND_LINE::session_name.length()) {
-	
-		/* Load session or start the new session dialog */
-		
-		if (Session::find_session (ARDOUR_COMMAND_LINE::session_name, path, name, isnew)) {
-			
-			MessageDialog msg (string_compose(_("Could not find command line session \"%1\""), 
-							  ARDOUR_COMMAND_LINE::session_name),
-					   true,
-					   Gtk::MESSAGE_ERROR,
-					   Gtk::BUTTONS_OK);
-			
-			msg.set_position (Gtk::WIN_POS_MOUSE);
-			msg.present ();
-			msg.run ();
-			
-			exit (1);
-		}
 
-		if (!ARDOUR_COMMAND_LINE::new_session) {
-			
-			/* Supposed to be loading an existing session, but the session doesn't exist */
-			
-			if (isnew) {
-				MessageDialog msg (string_compose (_("\n\nNo session named \"%1\" exists.\n"
-								     "To create it from the command line, start ardour as:\n   ardour --new %1"), path),
-						   true,
-						   Gtk::MESSAGE_ERROR,
-						   Gtk::BUTTONS_OK);
+	// in 4 seconds, hide the splash screen 
 
-				msg.set_position (Gtk::WIN_POS_MOUSE);
-				msg.present ();
-				msg.run ();
+	Glib::signal_timeout().connect (bind (sigc::ptr_fun (_hide_splash), this), 4000);
 
-				exit (1);
-			}
-		}
-	}
-
-	hide_splash ();
-
-	bool have_backend = EngineControl::engine_running();
+	bool backend_audio_is_running = EngineControl::engine_running();
 	XMLNode* audio_setup = Config->extra_xml ("AudioSetup");
 	
 	if (audio_setup) {
 		new_session_dialog->engine_control.set_state (*audio_setup);
 	}
 	
-	if (!get_session_parameters (ARDOUR_COMMAND_LINE::session_name, have_backend, ARDOUR_COMMAND_LINE::new_session)) {
+	if (!get_session_parameters (backend_audio_is_running, ARDOUR_COMMAND_LINE::new_session)) {
 		return;
 	}
 	
@@ -2029,8 +2008,175 @@ ARDOUR_UI::fontconfig_dialog ()
 #endif
 }
 
+void
+ARDOUR_UI::parse_cmdline_path (const Glib::ustring& cmdline_path, Glib::ustring& session_name, Glib::ustring& session_path, bool& existing_session)
+{
+	existing_session = false;
+
+	if (Glib::file_test (cmdline_path, Glib::FILE_TEST_IS_DIR)) {
+		session_path = cmdline_path;
+		existing_session = true;
+	} else if (Glib::file_test (cmdline_path, Glib::FILE_TEST_IS_REGULAR)) {
+		session_path = Glib::path_get_dirname (string (cmdline_path));
+		existing_session = true;
+	} else {
+		/* it doesn't exist, assume the best */
+		session_path = Glib::path_get_dirname (string (cmdline_path));
+	}
+	
+	session_name = basename_nosuffix (string (cmdline_path));
+}
+
+int
+ARDOUR_UI::load_cmdline_session (const Glib::ustring& session_name, const Glib::ustring& session_path, bool& existing_session)
+{
+	/* when this is called, the backend audio system must be running */
+
+	/* the main idea here is to deal with the fact that a cmdline argument for the session
+	   can be interpreted in different ways - it could be a directory or a file, and before
+	   we load, we need to know both the session directory and the snapshot (statefile) within it
+	   that we are supposed to use.
+	*/
+
+	if (session_name.length() == 0 || session_path.length() == 0) {
+		return false;
+	}
+	
+	if (Glib::file_test (session_path, Glib::FILE_TEST_IS_DIR)) {
+
+		Glib::ustring predicted_session_file;
+		
+		predicted_session_file = session_path;
+		predicted_session_file += '/';
+		predicted_session_file += session_name;
+		predicted_session_file += Session::statefile_suffix();
+		
+		if (Glib::file_test (predicted_session_file, Glib::FILE_TEST_EXISTS)) {
+			existing_session = true;
+		}
+		
+	} else if (Glib::file_test (session_path, Glib::FILE_TEST_EXISTS)) {
+		
+		if (session_path.find (Session::statefile_suffix()) == session_path.length() - 7) {
+			/* existing .ardour file */
+			existing_session = true;
+		}
+
+	} else {
+		existing_session = false;
+	}
+	
+	/* lets just try to load it */
+	
+	if (create_engine ()) {
+		hide_splash ();
+		loading_dialog->hide ();
+		backend_audio_error (false, new_session_dialog);
+		return -1;
+	}
+	
+	return load_session (session_path, session_name);
+}
+
 bool
-ARDOUR_UI::get_session_parameters (Glib::ustring predetermined_path, bool have_engine, bool should_be_new)
+ARDOUR_UI::ask_about_loading_existing_session (const Glib::ustring& session_path)
+{
+	Glib::ustring str = string_compose (_("This session\n%1\nalready exists. Do you want to open it?"), session_path);
+	
+	MessageDialog msg (str,
+			   false,
+			   Gtk::MESSAGE_WARNING,
+			   Gtk::BUTTONS_YES_NO,
+			   true);
+	
+	
+	msg.set_name (X_("CleanupDialog"));
+	msg.set_wmclass (X_("existing_session"), "Ardour");
+	msg.set_position (Gtk::WIN_POS_MOUSE);
+	
+	switch (msg.run()) {
+	case RESPONSE_YES:
+		return true;
+		break;
+	}
+	return false;
+}
+
+int
+ARDOUR_UI::build_session_from_nsd (const Glib::ustring& session_path, const Glib::ustring& session_name)
+{
+	
+	uint32_t cchns;
+	uint32_t mchns;
+	AutoConnectOption iconnect;
+	AutoConnectOption oconnect;
+	uint32_t nphysin;
+	uint32_t nphysout;
+	
+	if (Profile->get_sae()) {
+		
+		cchns = 0;
+		mchns = 2;
+		iconnect = AutoConnectPhysical;
+		oconnect = AutoConnectMaster;
+		nphysin = 0; // use all available
+		nphysout = 0; // use all available
+		
+	} else {
+		
+		/* get settings from advanced section of NSD */
+		
+		if (new_session_dialog->create_control_bus()) {
+			cchns = (uint32_t) new_session_dialog->control_channel_count();
+		} else {
+			cchns = 0;
+		}
+		
+		if (new_session_dialog->create_master_bus()) {
+			mchns = (uint32_t) new_session_dialog->master_channel_count();
+		} else {
+			mchns = 0;
+		}
+		
+		if (new_session_dialog->connect_inputs()) {
+			iconnect = AutoConnectPhysical;
+		} else {
+			iconnect = AutoConnectOption (0);
+		}
+		
+		/// @todo some minor tweaks.
+		
+		if (new_session_dialog->connect_outs_to_master()) {
+			oconnect = AutoConnectMaster;
+		} else if (new_session_dialog->connect_outs_to_physical()) {
+			oconnect = AutoConnectPhysical;
+		} else {
+			oconnect = AutoConnectOption (0);
+		} 
+		
+		nphysin = (uint32_t) new_session_dialog->input_limit_count();
+		nphysout = (uint32_t) new_session_dialog->output_limit_count();
+	}
+	
+	if (build_session (session_path,
+			   session_name,
+			   cchns,
+			   mchns,
+			   iconnect,
+			   oconnect,
+			   nphysin,
+			   nphysout, 
+			   engine->frame_rate() * 60 * 5)) {
+		
+		return -1;
+	}
+
+	return 0;
+}
+
+	
+bool
+ARDOUR_UI::get_session_parameters (bool backend_audio_is_running, bool should_be_new)
 {
 	bool existing_session = false;
 	Glib::ustring session_name;
@@ -2045,91 +2191,45 @@ ARDOUR_UI::get_session_parameters (Glib::ustring predetermined_path, bool have_e
 						    Gtk::BUTTONS_NONE);
 	}
 
-
 	int response = Gtk::RESPONSE_NONE;
 
-	if (predetermined_path.length()) {
-		
-		/* before we start, lets see if the given path looks like
-		   an existing ardour session. if it does, skip the
-		   tabs that we don't need
-		*/
+	if (!ARDOUR_COMMAND_LINE::session_name.empty()) {
 
-		if (Glib::file_test (predetermined_path, Glib::FILE_TEST_IS_DIR)) {
-			session_path = predetermined_path;
-			existing_session = true;
-		} else if (Glib::file_test (predetermined_path, Glib::FILE_TEST_IS_REGULAR)) {
-			session_path = Glib::path_get_dirname (string (predetermined_path));
-			existing_session = true;
-		} else {
-			/* it doesn't exist, assume the best */
-			session_path = Glib::path_get_dirname (string (predetermined_path));
+		parse_cmdline_path (ARDOUR_COMMAND_LINE::session_name, session_name, session_path, existing_session);
+
+		/* don't ever reuse this */
+
+		ARDOUR_COMMAND_LINE::session_name = string();
+
+		if (existing_session && backend_audio_is_running) {
+
+			/* just load the thing already */
+
+			if (load_cmdline_session (session_name, session_path, existing_session) == 0) {
+				return true;
+			}
 		}
-		       
-		session_name = basename_nosuffix (string (predetermined_path));
+
+		/* make the NSD use whatever information we have */
 
 		new_session_dialog->set_session_name (session_name);
 		new_session_dialog->set_session_folder (session_path);
-		new_session_dialog->set_modal (true);
-
-		if (existing_session) {
-
-			if (session_name.length() == 0 || session_path.length() == 0) {
-				error << string_compose (_("Ardour cannot understand \"%1\" as a session name"), predetermined_path) << endmsg;
-				return false;
-			}
-			
-			if (Glib::file_test (predetermined_path, Glib::FILE_TEST_IS_DIR)) {
-				Glib::ustring predicted_session_file;
-				
-				predicted_session_file = predetermined_path;
-				predicted_session_file += '/';
-				predicted_session_file += session_name;
-				predicted_session_file += Session::statefile_suffix();
-				
-				if (Glib::file_test (predicted_session_file, Glib::FILE_TEST_EXISTS)) {
-					existing_session = true;
-				}
-				
-			} else if (Glib::file_test (predetermined_path, Glib::FILE_TEST_EXISTS)) {
-				
-				if (predetermined_path.find (Session::statefile_suffix()) == predetermined_path.length() - 7) {
-					/* existing .ardour file */
-					existing_session = true;
-				}
-			} else {
-				existing_session = false;
-			}
-			
-			if (existing_session && have_engine) {
-				/* lets just try to load it */
-				
-				loading_dialog->set_message (_("Starting audio engine"));
-				loading_dialog->show_all ();
-				flush_pending ();
-				
-				if (create_engine ()) {
-					backend_audio_error (!have_engine, new_session_dialog);
-					loading_dialog->hide ();
-					return false;
-				}
-				
-				if (load_session (session_path, session_name) == 0) {
-					goto done;
-				}
-			}
-		}
 	}
 
 	/* loading failed, or we need the NSD for something */
 
+	new_session_dialog->set_modal (false);
 	new_session_dialog->set_position (WIN_POS_CENTER);
 	new_session_dialog->set_current_page (0);
 	new_session_dialog->set_existing_session (existing_session);
 	new_session_dialog->reset_recent();
 
+	/* get this out of the way */
+
+	hide_splash ();
+
 	do {
-		new_session_dialog->set_have_engine (have_engine);
+		new_session_dialog->set_have_engine (backend_audio_is_running);
 		new_session_dialog->present ();
 		response = new_session_dialog->run ();
 		loading_dialog->hide ();
@@ -2138,291 +2238,142 @@ ARDOUR_UI::get_session_parameters (Glib::ustring predetermined_path, bool have_e
 		
 		/* handle possible negative responses */
 
-		if (response == Gtk::RESPONSE_CANCEL || response == Gtk::RESPONSE_DELETE_EVENT) {
-			
+		switch (response) {
+		case Gtk::RESPONSE_CANCEL:
+		case Gtk::RESPONSE_DELETE_EVENT:
 			if (!session) {
 				quit();
 			}
 			new_session_dialog->hide ();
 			return false;
 			
-		} else if (response == Gtk::RESPONSE_NONE) {
+		case Gtk::RESPONSE_NONE:
 			/* "Clear" was pressed */
-			
 			goto try_again;
 		}
 
 		fontconfig_dialog();
 
-		/* if we're here to help set up audio parameters this is where want to do that.
-		*/
-
-		if (!have_engine) {
+		if (!backend_audio_is_running) {
 			if (new_session_dialog->engine_control.setup_engine ()) {
 				new_session_dialog->hide ();
 				return false;
 			} 
-
-			loading_dialog->set_message (_("Starting audio engine"));
-			loading_dialog->show_all ();
-			flush_pending ();
 		}
-
+		
 		if (create_engine ()) {
-			backend_audio_error (!have_engine, new_session_dialog);
+
+			backend_audio_error (!backend_audio_is_running, new_session_dialog);
 			loading_dialog->hide ();
 			flush_pending ();
-			/* audio setup page */
+
 			new_session_dialog->set_existing_session (false);
 			new_session_dialog->set_current_page (2);
+
 			response = Gtk::RESPONSE_NONE;
 			goto try_again;
 		}
 
 		loading_dialog->hide ();
-		have_engine = true;		
+		backend_audio_is_running = true;		
 			
-		/* now handle possible affirmative responses */
+		if (response == Gtk::RESPONSE_OK) {
 
-		if (response == Gtk::RESPONSE_YES) {
+			session_name = new_session_dialog->session_name();
 
-		        /* YES == OPEN from the session selector */
-
-		        session_name = new_session_dialog->session_name();
-			
 			if (session_name.empty()) {
 				response = Gtk::RESPONSE_NONE;
 				goto try_again;
 			} 
 
+			/* if the user mistakenly typed path information into the session filename entry,
+			   convert what they typed into a path & a name
+			*/
+			
 			if (session_name[0] == '/' || 
 			    (session_name.length() > 2 && session_name[0] == '.' && session_name[1] == '/') ||
 			    (session_name.length() > 3 && session_name[0] == '.' && session_name[1] == '.' && session_name[2] == '/')) {
-				if (load_session (Glib::path_get_dirname (session_name), session_name)) {
-					response = Gtk::RESPONSE_NONE;
-					goto try_again;
-				}
+				
+				session_path = Glib::path_get_dirname (session_name);
+				session_name = Glib::path_get_basename (session_name);
+				
 			} else {
+
 				session_path = new_session_dialog->session_folder();
-				if (load_session (session_path, session_name)) {
-					response = Gtk::RESPONSE_NONE;
-					goto try_again;
-				}
 			}
-			
-		} else if (response == Gtk::RESPONSE_OK) {
-
-			/* OK == OPEN button */
-
-			session_name = new_session_dialog->session_name();
-		
-			if (session_name.empty()) {
-				response = Gtk::RESPONSE_NONE;
-				goto try_again;
-			} 
 
 			switch (new_session_dialog->which_page()) {
+
 			case NewSessionDialog::OpenPage: 
 			case NewSessionDialog::EnginePage:
-
-				if (session_name[0] == '/' || 
-				    (session_name.length() > 2 && session_name[0] == '.' && session_name[1] == '/') ||
-				    (session_name.length() > 3 && session_name[0] == '.' && session_name[1] == '.' && session_name[2] == '/')) {
-
-					if (load_session (Glib::path_get_dirname (session_name), session_name)) {
-						response = Gtk::RESPONSE_NONE;
-						goto try_again;
-					}
-
-				} else {
-					session_path = new_session_dialog->session_folder();
-					if (load_session (session_path, session_name)) {
-						response = Gtk::RESPONSE_NONE;
-						goto try_again;
-					}
-				}
+				goto loadit;
 				break;
 
 			case NewSessionDialog::NewPage: /* nominally the "new" session creator, but could be in use for an old session */
-
-				if (new_session_dialog->get_current_page() == 0 && ARDOUR_COMMAND_LINE::session_name.empty()) {
-					should_be_new = true;
-				}
-
-				/* handle what appear to be paths rather than just a name */
-
-				if (session_name[0] == '/' || 
-				    (session_name.length() > 2 && session_name[0] == '.' && session_name[1] == '/') ||
-				    (session_name.length() > 3 && session_name[0] == '.' && session_name[1] == '.' && session_name[2] == '/')) {
-
-					session_path = Glib::path_get_dirname (session_name);
-					session_name = Glib::path_get_basename (session_name);
-
-				} else {
-
-					session_path = new_session_dialog->session_folder();
-
-				}
-
+				
+				should_be_new = true;
+				
 				//XXX This is needed because session constructor wants a 
 				//non-existant path. hopefully this will be fixed at some point.
 				
 				session_path = Glib::build_filename (session_path, session_name);
 
-				if (!should_be_new) {
+				if (Glib::file_test (session_path, Glib::FileTest (G_FILE_TEST_EXISTS | G_FILE_TEST_IS_DIR))) {
 
-					if (load_session (session_path, session_name)) {
-						response = Gtk::RESPONSE_NONE;
-						goto try_again;
-					}
-
-					continue; /* leaves while() loop because response != NONE */
-
-				} else if (Glib::file_test (session_path, Glib::FileTest (G_FILE_TEST_EXISTS | G_FILE_TEST_IS_DIR))) {
-
-					Glib::ustring str = string_compose (_("This session\n%1\nalready exists. Do you want to open it?"), session_path);
-
-					MessageDialog msg (str,
-							   false,
-							   Gtk::MESSAGE_WARNING,
-							   Gtk::BUTTONS_YES_NO,
-							   true);
-
-
-					msg.set_name (X_("CleanupDialog"));
-					msg.set_wmclass (X_("existing_session"), "Ardour");
-					msg.set_position (Gtk::WIN_POS_MOUSE);
-					
-					switch (msg.run()) {
-					case RESPONSE_YES:
-						new_session_dialog->hide ();
-						goto_editor_window ();
-						flush_pending ();
-						if (load_session (session_path, session_name)) {
-							response = Gtk::RESPONSE_NONE;
-							goto try_again;
-						}
-						goto done;
-						break;
-					default:
+					if (ask_about_loading_existing_session (session_path)) {
+						goto loadit;
+					} else {
 						response = RESPONSE_NONE;
-						new_session_dialog->reset ();
-						new_session_dialog->set_existing_session (false);
-						loading_dialog->hide ();
-						continue;
-					}
-				} 
+						goto try_again;
+					} 
+				}
 
 			        _session_is_new = true;
 						
 				if (new_session_dialog->use_session_template()) {
 
 					template_name = new_session_dialog->session_template_name();
-
-					new_session_dialog->hide ();
-					goto_editor_window ();
-					flush_pending ();
-
-					if (load_session (session_path, session_name, template_name)) {
-						response = Gtk::RESPONSE_NONE;
-						goto try_again;
-					}
-
+					goto loadit;
 			  
 				} else {
-
-					uint32_t cchns;
-					uint32_t mchns;
-					AutoConnectOption iconnect;
-					AutoConnectOption oconnect;
-					uint32_t nphysin;
-					uint32_t nphysout;
-					
-					if (Profile->get_sae()) {
-
-						cchns = 0;
-						mchns = 2;
-						iconnect = AutoConnectPhysical;
-						oconnect = AutoConnectMaster;
-						nphysin = 0; // use all available
-						nphysout = 0; // use all available
-
-					} else {
-
-						/* get settings from advanced section of NSD */
-						
-						if (new_session_dialog->create_control_bus()) {
-							cchns = (uint32_t) new_session_dialog->control_channel_count();
-						} else {
-							cchns = 0;
-						}
-						
-						if (new_session_dialog->create_master_bus()) {
-							mchns = (uint32_t) new_session_dialog->master_channel_count();
-						} else {
-							mchns = 0;
-						}
-						
-						if (new_session_dialog->connect_inputs()) {
-							iconnect = AutoConnectPhysical;
-						} else {
-							iconnect = AutoConnectOption (0);
-						}
-						
-						/// @todo some minor tweaks.
-						
-						if (new_session_dialog->connect_outs_to_master()) {
-							oconnect = AutoConnectMaster;
-						} else if (new_session_dialog->connect_outs_to_physical()) {
-							oconnect = AutoConnectPhysical;
-						} else {
-							oconnect = AutoConnectOption (0);
-						} 
-						
-						nphysin = (uint32_t) new_session_dialog->input_limit_count();
-						nphysout = (uint32_t) new_session_dialog->output_limit_count();
-					}
-
-					if (build_session (session_path,
-							   session_name,
-							   cchns,
-							   mchns,
-							   iconnect,
-							   oconnect,
-							   nphysin,
-							   nphysout, 
-							   engine->frame_rate() * 60 * 5)) {
-						
-						response = Gtk::RESPONSE_NONE;
+					if (build_session_from_nsd (session_path, session_name)) {
+						response = RESPONSE_NONE;
 						goto try_again;
 					}
-
-					new_session_dialog->hide ();
-					goto_editor_window ();
-					flush_pending ();
+					goto done;
 				}
 				break;
-
+				
 			default:
 				break;
 			}
+			
+		  loadit:
+			new_session_dialog->hide ();
+			
+			if (load_session (session_path, session_name)) {
+				/* force a retry */
+				response = Gtk::RESPONSE_NONE;
+			}
+
+		  try_again:
+			if (response == Gtk::RESPONSE_NONE) {
+				loading_dialog->hide ();
+				new_session_dialog->set_existing_session (false);
+				new_session_dialog->reset ();
+			}
 		}
 
-	  try_again:
-		if (response == Gtk::RESPONSE_NONE) {
-			loading_dialog->hide ();
-			new_session_dialog->set_existing_session (false);
-			new_session_dialog->reset ();
-		}
-		
 	} while (response == Gtk::RESPONSE_NONE);
 
   done:
 	show();
 	loading_dialog->hide ();
 	new_session_dialog->hide();
+	new_session_dialog->reset();
+	goto_editor_window ();
 	return true;
-}
+}	
 
 void
 ARDOUR_UI::close_session ()
@@ -2433,7 +2384,7 @@ ARDOUR_UI::close_session ()
 
 	unload_session (true);
 	
-	get_session_parameters ("", true, false);
+	get_session_parameters (true, false);
 }
 
 int
@@ -2467,10 +2418,13 @@ ARDOUR_UI::load_session (const Glib::ustring& path, const Glib::ustring& snap_na
 		goto out;
 	}
 
+#ifdef __APPLE__
+	// OS X where everything is sllloooowwww
 	if (loading_dialog) {
 		loading_dialog->set_markup (_("Please wait while Ardour loads your session"));
 		flush_pending ();
 	}
+#endif
 
 	disable_screen_updates ();
 
@@ -2612,28 +2566,52 @@ ARDOUR_UI::show ()
 }
 
 void
-ARDOUR_UI::show_splash ()
+ARDOUR_UI::show_about ()
 {
 	if (about == 0) {
-		about = new About();
+		about = new About;
 		about->signal_response().connect(mem_fun (*this, &ARDOUR_UI::about_signal_response) );
 	}
-	about->present();
-	flush_pending ();
+
+	about->show_all ();
+}
+
+void
+ARDOUR_UI::hide_about ()
+{
+	if (about) {
+	        about->get_window()->set_cursor ();
+		about->hide ();
+	}
 }
 
 void
 ARDOUR_UI::about_signal_response(int response)
 {
-	hide_splash();
+	hide_about();
+}
+
+void
+ARDOUR_UI::show_splash ()
+{
+	if (splash == 0) {
+		try {
+			splash = new Splash;
+		} catch (...) {
+			return;
+		}
+	}
+
+	splash->show ();
+	splash->get_window()->process_updates (true);
+	flush_pending ();
 }
 
 void
 ARDOUR_UI::hide_splash ()
 {
-	if (about) {
-	        about->get_window()->set_cursor ();
-		about->hide();
+	if (splash) {
+		splash->hide();
 	}
 }
 
@@ -3041,26 +3019,6 @@ ARDOUR_UI::reconnect_to_jack ()
 	}
 }
 
-int
-ARDOUR_UI::cmdline_new_session (string path)
-{
-	if (path[0] != '/') {
-		char buf[PATH_MAX+1];
-		string str;
-
-		getcwd (buf, sizeof (buf));
-		str = buf;
-		str += '/';
-		str += path;
-		path = str;
-	}
-
-	get_session_parameters (path, false, true);
-
-	_will_create_new_session_automatically = false; /* done it */
-	return FALSE; /* don't call it again */
-}
-
 void
 ARDOUR_UI::use_config ()
 {
diff --git a/gtk2_ardour/ardour_ui.h b/gtk2_ardour/ardour_ui.h
index eef0dea451..58832a2b10 100644
--- a/gtk2_ardour/ardour_ui.h
+++ b/gtk2_ardour/ardour_ui.h
@@ -73,6 +73,7 @@ class Mixer_UI;
 class ConnectionEditor;
 class RouteParams_UI;
 class About;
+class Splash;
 class AddRouteDialog;
 class LocationUI;
 class ThemeManager;
@@ -109,6 +110,9 @@ class ARDOUR_UI : public Gtkmm2ext::UI
 	
 	void show_splash ();
 	void hide_splash ();
+
+	void show_about ();
+	void hide_about ();
 	
 	int load_session (const Glib::ustring & path, const Glib::ustring& snapshot, Glib::ustring mix_template = Glib::ustring());
 	bool session_loaded;
@@ -132,8 +136,11 @@ class ARDOUR_UI : public Gtkmm2ext::UI
 		_will_create_new_session_automatically = yn;
 	}
 
-	bool get_session_parameters (Glib::ustring path, bool have_engine = false, bool should_be_new = false);
-	gint cmdline_new_session (string path);
+	bool get_session_parameters (bool have_engine = false, bool should_be_new = false);
+	void parse_cmdline_path (const Glib::ustring& cmdline_path, Glib::ustring& session_name, Glib::ustring& session_path, bool& existing_session);
+	int  load_cmdline_session (const Glib::ustring& session_name, const Glib::ustring& session_path, bool& existing_session);
+	int  build_session_from_nsd (const Glib::ustring& session_name, const Glib::ustring& session_path);
+	bool ask_about_loading_existing_session (const Glib::ustring& session_path);
 	int  unload_session (bool hide_stuff = false);
 	void close_session(); 
 
@@ -639,6 +646,7 @@ class ARDOUR_UI : public Gtkmm2ext::UI
 	void count_recenabled_streams (ARDOUR::Route&);
 
 	About* about;
+	Splash* splash;
 	bool shown_flag;
 	/* cleanup */
 
diff --git a/gtk2_ardour/ardour_ui_dependents.cc b/gtk2_ardour/ardour_ui_dependents.cc
index 1e20278c6e..ee76f5ae11 100644
--- a/gtk2_ardour/ardour_ui_dependents.cc
+++ b/gtk2_ardour/ardour_ui_dependents.cc
@@ -111,12 +111,15 @@ ARDOUR_UI::goto_editor_window ()
 {
 	editor->show_window ();
 	editor->present();
+	flush_pending ();
 }
+
 void
 ARDOUR_UI::goto_mixer_window ()
 {
 	mixer->show_window ();
 	mixer->present();
+	flush_pending ();
 }
 
 gint
diff --git a/gtk2_ardour/ardour_ui_ed.cc b/gtk2_ardour/ardour_ui_ed.cc
index 19a3ab4720..d870f71743 100644
--- a/gtk2_ardour/ardour_ui_ed.cc
+++ b/gtk2_ardour/ardour_ui_ed.cc
@@ -101,7 +101,7 @@ ARDOUR_UI::install_actions ()
 
 	/* the real actions */
 
-	act = ActionManager::register_action (main_actions, X_("New"), _("New"),  hide_return (bind (mem_fun(*this, &ARDOUR_UI::get_session_parameters), string (), true, true)));
+	act = ActionManager::register_action (main_actions, X_("New"), _("New"),  hide_return (bind (mem_fun(*this, &ARDOUR_UI::get_session_parameters), true, true)));
 
 	ActionManager::register_action (main_actions, X_("Open"), _("Open"),  mem_fun(*this, &ARDOUR_UI::open_session));
 	ActionManager::register_action (main_actions, X_("Recent"), _("Recent"),  mem_fun(*this, &ARDOUR_UI::open_recent_session));
@@ -207,7 +207,7 @@ ARDOUR_UI::install_actions ()
 	ActionManager::session_sensitive_actions.push_back (act);
 	act = ActionManager::register_toggle_action (common_actions, X_("ToggleBigClock"), _("Big Clock"), mem_fun(*this, &ARDOUR_UI::toggle_big_clock_window));
 	ActionManager::session_sensitive_actions.push_back (act);
-	ActionManager::register_action (common_actions, X_("About"), _("About"),  mem_fun(*this, &ARDOUR_UI::show_splash));
+	ActionManager::register_action (common_actions, X_("About"), _("About"),  mem_fun(*this, &ARDOUR_UI::show_about));
 	ActionManager::register_toggle_action (common_actions, X_("ToggleThemeManager"), _("Theme Manager"), mem_fun(*this, &ARDOUR_UI::toggle_theme_manager));
 	ActionManager::register_toggle_action (common_actions, X_("ToggleKeyEditor"), _("Keybindings"), mem_fun(*this, &ARDOUR_UI::toggle_key_editor));
 	
diff --git a/gtk2_ardour/audio_region_view.cc b/gtk2_ardour/audio_region_view.cc
index a818fc0407..a9f45bf8ae 100644
--- a/gtk2_ardour/audio_region_view.cc
+++ b/gtk2_ardour/audio_region_view.cc
@@ -1200,6 +1200,7 @@ AudioRegionView::set_frame_color ()
 				(*w)->property_wave_color() = UINT_RGBA_CHANGE_A(ARDOUR_UI::config()->canvasvar_WaveForm.get(), MUTED_ALPHA);
 			} else {
 				(*w)->property_wave_color() = ARDOUR_UI::config()->canvasvar_WaveForm.get();
+				(*w)->property_fill_color() = ARDOUR_UI::config()->canvasvar_WaveFormFill.get();
 			}
 		}
 	}
diff --git a/gtk2_ardour/canvas-waveview.c b/gtk2_ardour/canvas-waveview.c
index b78bf63ea7..05d5c84b32 100644
--- a/gtk2_ardour/canvas-waveview.c
+++ b/gtk2_ardour/canvas-waveview.c
@@ -52,7 +52,10 @@ enum {
 	 PROP_WAVE_COLOR,
 	 PROP_CLIP_COLOR,
 	 PROP_ZERO_COLOR,
+	 PROP_FILL_COLOR,
+	 PROP_FILLED,
 	 PROP_RECTIFIED,
+	 PROP_ZERO_LINE,
 	 PROP_REGION_START,
 	 PROP_LOGSCALED,
 };
@@ -265,6 +268,20 @@ gnome_canvas_waveview_class_init (GnomeCanvasWaveViewClass *class)
 		  g_param_spec_uint ("zero_color", NULL, NULL,
 				     0, G_MAXUINT, 0,
 				     (G_PARAM_READABLE | G_PARAM_WRITABLE)));
+
+	 g_object_class_install_property
+		 (gobject_class,
+		  PROP_FILL_COLOR,
+		  g_param_spec_uint ("fill_color", NULL, NULL,
+				     0, G_MAXUINT, 0,
+				     (G_PARAM_READABLE | G_PARAM_WRITABLE)));
+
+	 g_object_class_install_property
+		 (gobject_class,
+		  PROP_FILLED,
+		  g_param_spec_boolean ("filled", NULL, NULL,
+					FALSE,
+					(G_PARAM_READABLE | G_PARAM_WRITABLE)));
 	 
 	 g_object_class_install_property
 		 (gobject_class,
@@ -273,6 +290,13 @@ gnome_canvas_waveview_class_init (GnomeCanvasWaveViewClass *class)
 					FALSE,
 					(G_PARAM_READABLE | G_PARAM_WRITABLE)));
 
+	 g_object_class_install_property
+		 (gobject_class,
+		  PROP_ZERO_LINE,
+		  g_param_spec_boolean ("zero_line", NULL, NULL,
+					FALSE,
+					(G_PARAM_READABLE | G_PARAM_WRITABLE)));
+
 	 g_object_class_install_property
 		 (gobject_class,
 		  PROP_LOGSCALED,
@@ -335,6 +359,8 @@ gnome_canvas_waveview_init (GnomeCanvasWaveView *waveview)
 	waveview->gain_src = NULL;
 	waveview->rectified = FALSE;
 	waveview->logscaled = FALSE;
+	waveview->filled = TRUE;
+	waveview->zero_line = FALSE;
 	waveview->region_start = 0;
 	waveview->samples_per_unit = 1.0;
 	waveview->amplitude_above_axis = 1.0;
@@ -345,6 +371,7 @@ gnome_canvas_waveview_init (GnomeCanvasWaveView *waveview)
  	waveview->wave_color = RGBA_TO_UINT(44,35,126,255);
  	waveview->clip_color = RGBA_TO_UINT(44,0,0,100);
  	waveview->zero_color = RGBA_TO_UINT(44,0,128,100);
+ 	waveview->fill_color = RGBA_TO_UINT(44,35,126,128);
 }
 
 static void
@@ -830,12 +857,34 @@ gnome_canvas_waveview_set_property (GObject      *object,
 		}
 		break;
 
+	case PROP_FILL_COLOR:
+		if (waveview->fill_color != g_value_get_uint(value)) {
+		        waveview->fill_color = g_value_get_uint(value);
+			redraw = TRUE;
+		}
+		break;
+
+	case PROP_FILLED:
+		if (waveview->filled != g_value_get_boolean(value)) {
+			waveview->filled = g_value_get_boolean(value);
+			redraw = TRUE;
+		}
+		break;
+
 	case PROP_RECTIFIED:
 		if (waveview->rectified != g_value_get_boolean(value)) {
 			waveview->rectified = g_value_get_boolean(value);
 			redraw = TRUE;
 		}
 		break;
+
+	case PROP_ZERO_LINE:
+		if (waveview->zero_line != g_value_get_boolean(value)) {
+			waveview->zero_line = g_value_get_boolean(value);
+			redraw = TRUE;
+		}
+		break;
+
 	case PROP_LOGSCALED:
 		if (waveview->logscaled != g_value_get_boolean(value)) {
 			waveview->logscaled = g_value_get_boolean(value);
@@ -950,10 +999,22 @@ gnome_canvas_waveview_get_property (GObject      *object,
 		g_value_set_uint (value, waveview->zero_color);
 		break;
 
+	case PROP_FILL_COLOR:
+		g_value_set_uint (value, waveview->fill_color);
+		break;
+
+	case PROP_FILLED:
+		g_value_set_boolean (value, waveview->filled);
+		break;
+
 	case PROP_RECTIFIED:
 		g_value_set_boolean (value, waveview->rectified);
 		break;
 
+	case PROP_ZERO_LINE:
+		g_value_set_boolean (value, waveview->zero_line);
+		break;
+
 	case PROP_LOGSCALED:
 		g_value_set_boolean (value, waveview->logscaled);
 		break;
@@ -1012,9 +1073,11 @@ gnome_canvas_waveview_update (GnomeCanvasItem *item, double *affine, ArtSVP *cli
 		      &waveview->wave_a);
 	UINT_TO_RGBA (waveview->clip_color, &waveview->clip_r, &waveview->clip_g, &waveview->clip_b,
 		      &waveview->clip_a);
+	UINT_TO_RGBA (waveview->fill_color, &waveview->fill_r, &waveview->fill_g, &waveview->fill_b,
+		      &waveview->fill_a);
 
 //	check_cache (waveview, "end of update");
-}
+}				   
 
 static void
 gnome_canvas_waveview_render (GnomeCanvasItem *item,
@@ -1028,6 +1091,7 @@ gnome_canvas_waveview_render (GnomeCanvasItem *item,
 	double half_height;
 	int x, end, begin;
 	int zbegin, zend;
+	char rectify;
 
 	waveview = GNOME_CANVAS_WAVEVIEW (item);
 
@@ -1107,10 +1171,18 @@ gnome_canvas_waveview_render (GnomeCanvasItem *item,
 		waveview->reload_cache_in_render = FALSE;
 	}
 
-	cache_index = gnome_canvas_waveview_ensure_cache (waveview, s1, s2);
-
 //	check_cache (waveview, "post-ensure");
 
+	/* don't rectify at single-sample zoom */
+	if(waveview->rectified && waveview->samples_per_unit > 1) {
+		rectify = TRUE;
+	}
+	else {
+		rectify = FALSE;
+	}
+
+	clip_length = MIN(5,(waveview->height/4));
+
 	/* 
 	   Now draw each line, clipping it appropriately. The clipping
 	   is done by the macros PAINT_FOO().
@@ -1119,83 +1191,401 @@ gnome_canvas_waveview_render (GnomeCanvasItem *item,
 	half_height = waveview->half_height;
 
 /* this makes it slightly easier to comprehend whats going on */
-
 #define origin half_height
 
-
-	for (x = begin; x < end; x++) {
-
+	if(waveview->filled && !rectify) {
+		int prev_pymin = 1;
+		int prev_pymax = 0;
+		int last_pymin = 1;
+		int last_pymax = 0;
+		int next_pymin, next_pymax;
 		double max, min;
-		int clip_max, clip_min;
-		
-		clip_max = 0;
-		clip_min = 0;
+		int next_clip_max = 0;
+		int next_clip_min = 0;
 
+		if(s1 < waveview->samples_per_unit) {
+			/* we haven't got a prev vars to compare with, so outline the whole line here */
+			prev_pymax = (int) rint ((item->y1 + origin) * item->canvas->pixels_per_unit);
+			prev_pymin = prev_pymax;
+		}
+		else {
+			s1 -= waveview->samples_per_unit;
+		}
+
+		if(end == waveview->bbox_lrx) {
+			/* we don't have the NEXT vars for the last sample */
+			last_pymax = (int) rint ((item->y1 + origin) * item->canvas->pixels_per_unit);
+			last_pymin = last_pymax;
+		}
+		else {
+			s2 += waveview->samples_per_unit;
+		}
+
+		cache_index = gnome_canvas_waveview_ensure_cache (waveview, s1, s2);
+
+		/*
+		 * Compute the variables outside the rendering rect
+		 */
+		if(prev_pymax != prev_pymin) {
+			prev_pymax = (int) rint ((item->y1 + origin - MIN(waveview->cache->data[cache_index].max, 1.0) * half_height) * item->canvas->pixels_per_unit);
+			prev_pymin = (int) rint ((item->y1 + origin - MAX(waveview->cache->data[cache_index].min, -1.0) * half_height) * item->canvas->pixels_per_unit);
+			++cache_index;
+		}
+		if(last_pymax != last_pymin) {
+			/* take the index of one sample right of what we render */
+			int index = cache_index + (end - begin);
+			
+			last_pymax = (int) rint ((item->y1 + origin - MIN(waveview->cache->data[index].max, 1.0) * half_height) * item->canvas->pixels_per_unit);
+			last_pymin = (int) rint ((item->y1 + origin - MAX(waveview->cache->data[index].min, -1.0) * half_height) * item->canvas->pixels_per_unit);
+		}
+
+		/* 
+		 * initialize NEXT* variables for the first run, duplicated in the loop for speed
+		 */
 		max = waveview->cache->data[cache_index].max;
 		min = waveview->cache->data[cache_index].min;
 		
 		if (max >= 1.0) {
 			max = 1.0;
-			clip_max = 1;
+			next_clip_max = 1;
 		}
-
+		
 		if (min <= -1.0) {
 			min = -1.0;
-			clip_min = 1;
+			next_clip_min = 1;
+		}
+		
+		max *= half_height;
+		min *= half_height;
+		
+		next_pymax = (int) rint ((item->y1 + origin - max) * item->canvas->pixels_per_unit);
+		next_pymin = (int) rint ((item->y1 + origin - min) * item->canvas->pixels_per_unit);
+
+		/*
+		 * And now the loop
+		 */
+		for(x = begin; x < end; ++x) {
+			int clip_max = next_clip_max;
+			int clip_min = next_clip_min;
+			int fill_max, fill_min;
+
+			pymax = next_pymax;
+			pymin = next_pymin;
+
+			/* compute next */
+			if(x == end - 1) {
+				/*next is now the last column, which is outside the rendering rect, and possibly outside the region*/
+				next_pymax = last_pymax;
+				next_pymin = last_pymin;
+			}
+			else {
+				++cache_index;
+
+				max = waveview->cache->data[cache_index].max;
+				min = waveview->cache->data[cache_index].min;
+
+				next_clip_max = 0;
+				next_clip_min = 0;
+
+				if (max >= 1.0) {
+					max = 1.0;
+					next_clip_max = 1;
+				}
+				
+				if (min <= -1.0) {
+					min = -1.0;
+					next_clip_min = 1;
+				}
+
+				max *= half_height;
+				min *= half_height;
+				
+				next_pymax = (int) rint ((item->y1 + origin - max) * item->canvas->pixels_per_unit);
+				next_pymin = (int) rint ((item->y1 + origin - min) * item->canvas->pixels_per_unit);
+			}
+			
+			/* render */
+			if (pymax == pymin) {
+				PAINT_DOTA(buf, waveview->wave_r, waveview->wave_g, waveview->wave_b, waveview->wave_a, x, pymin);
+			} else {
+				if((prev_pymax < pymax && next_pymax < pymax) ||
+				   (prev_pymax == pymax && next_pymax == pymax)) {
+					fill_max = pymax + 1;
+					PAINT_DOTA(buf, waveview->wave_r, waveview->wave_g, waveview->wave_b, waveview->wave_a, x, pymax);
+				}
+				else {
+					fill_max = MAX(prev_pymax, next_pymax);
+					if(pymax == fill_max) {
+						PAINT_DOTA(buf, waveview->wave_r, waveview->wave_g, waveview->wave_b, waveview->wave_a, x, pymax);
+						++fill_max;
+					}
+					else {
+						PAINT_VERTA(buf, waveview->wave_r, waveview->wave_g, waveview->wave_b, waveview->wave_a, x, pymax, fill_max);
+					}
+				}
+
+				if((prev_pymin > pymin && next_pymin > pymin) ||
+				   (prev_pymin == pymin && next_pymin == pymin)) {
+					fill_min = pymin - 1;
+					PAINT_DOTA(buf, waveview->wave_r, waveview->wave_g, waveview->wave_b, waveview->wave_a, x, pymin-1);
+				}
+				else {
+					fill_min = MIN(prev_pymin, next_pymin);
+					if(pymin == fill_min) {
+						PAINT_DOTA(buf, waveview->wave_r, waveview->wave_g, waveview->wave_b, waveview->wave_a, x, pymin);
+					}
+					else {
+						PAINT_VERTA(buf, waveview->wave_r, waveview->wave_g, waveview->wave_b, waveview->wave_a, x, fill_min, pymin);
+					}
+				}
+
+				if(fill_max < fill_min) {
+					PAINT_VERTA(buf, waveview->fill_r, waveview->fill_g, waveview->fill_b, waveview->fill_a, x, fill_max, fill_min);
+				}
+				else if(fill_max == fill_min) {
+					PAINT_DOTA(buf, waveview->fill_r, waveview->fill_g, waveview->fill_b, waveview->fill_a, x, fill_max);
+				}
+			}
+
+			if (clip_max) {
+				PAINT_VERTA(buf, waveview->clip_r, waveview->clip_g, waveview->clip_b, waveview->clip_a, x, pymax, pymax+clip_length);
+			}
+			
+			if (clip_min) {
+				PAINT_VERTA(buf, waveview->clip_r, waveview->clip_g, waveview->clip_b, waveview->clip_a, x, pymin-clip_length, pymin);
+			}
+
+			prev_pymax = pymax;
+			prev_pymin = pymin;
+		}
+	}
+	else if(waveview->filled && rectify) {
+		int prev_pymax = -1;
+		int last_pymax = -1;
+		int next_pymax;
+		double max, min;
+		int next_clip_max = 0;
+		int next_clip_min = 0;
+
+		// for rectified, this stays constant throughout the loop
+		pymin = (int) rint ((item->y1 + waveview->height) * item->canvas->pixels_per_unit);
+
+		if(s1 < waveview->samples_per_unit) {
+			/* we haven't got a prev vars to compare with, so outline the whole line here */
+			prev_pymax = pymin;
+		}
+		else {
+			s1 -= waveview->samples_per_unit;
 		}
 
-		/* don't rectify at single-sample zoom */
+		if(end == waveview->bbox_lrx) {
+			/* we don't have the NEXT vars for the last sample */
+			last_pymax = pymin;
+		}
+		else {
+			s2 += waveview->samples_per_unit;
+		}
 
-		if (waveview->rectified && waveview->samples_per_unit > 1) {
+		cache_index = gnome_canvas_waveview_ensure_cache (waveview, s1, s2);
+
+		/*
+		 * Compute the variables outside the rendering rect
+		 */
+		if(prev_pymax < 0) {
+			max = MIN(waveview->cache->data[cache_index].max, 1.0);
+			min = MAX(waveview->cache->data[cache_index].min, -1.0);
 
 			if (fabs (min) > fabs (max)) {
 				max = fabs (min);
-			} 
+			}
 
-			max = max * waveview->height;
-
-			pymax = (int) rint ((item->y1 + waveview->height - max) * item->canvas->pixels_per_unit);
-			pymin = (int) rint ((item->y1 + waveview->height) * item->canvas->pixels_per_unit);
-
-		} else {
+			prev_pymax = (int) rint ((item->y1 + waveview->height - max * waveview->height) * item->canvas->pixels_per_unit);
+			++cache_index;
+		}
+		if(last_pymax < 0) {
+			/* take the index of one sample right of what we render */
+			int index = cache_index + (end - begin);
 			
-			max = max * half_height;
-			min = min * half_height;
-			
-			pymax = (int) rint ((item->y1 + origin - max) * item->canvas->pixels_per_unit);
-			pymin = (int) rint ((item->y1 + origin - min) * item->canvas->pixels_per_unit);
+			max = MIN(waveview->cache->data[index].max, 1.0);
+			min = MAX(waveview->cache->data[index].min, -1.0);
+
+			if (fabs (min) > fabs (max)) {
+				max = fabs (min);
+			}
+
+			last_pymax = (int) rint ((item->y1 + waveview->height - max * waveview->height) * item->canvas->pixels_per_unit);
 		}
 
-		/* OK, now fill the RGB buffer at x=i with a line between pymin and pymax,
-		   or, if samples_per_unit == 1, then a dot at each location.
-		*/
-
-		if (pymax == pymin) {
-			PAINT_DOTA(buf, waveview->wave_r, waveview->wave_g, waveview->wave_b, waveview->wave_a, x, pymin);
-		} else {
-			PAINT_VERTA(buf, waveview->wave_r, waveview->wave_g, waveview->wave_b, waveview->wave_a, x, pymax, pymin);
+		/* 
+		 * initialize NEXT* variables for the first run, duplicated in the loop for speed
+		 */
+		max = waveview->cache->data[cache_index].max;
+		min = waveview->cache->data[cache_index].min;
+		
+		if (max >= 1.0) {
+			max = 1.0;
+			next_clip_max = 1;
 		}
 		
-		/* show clipped waveforms with small red lines */
-
-		if (clip_max || clip_min) {
-			clip_length = MIN(5,(waveview->height/4));
+		if (min <= -1.0) {
+			min = -1.0;
+			next_clip_min = 1;
 		}
-
-		if (clip_max) {
-			PAINT_VERTA(buf, waveview->clip_r, waveview->clip_g, waveview->clip_b, waveview->clip_a, x, pymax, pymax+clip_length);
-		}
-
-		if (clip_min) {
-			PAINT_VERTA(buf, waveview->clip_r, waveview->clip_g, waveview->clip_b, waveview->clip_a, x, pymin-clip_length, pymin);
-		}
-
-		/* presto, we're done */
 		
-		cache_index++;
+		if (fabs (min) > fabs (max)) {
+			max = fabs (min);
+		} 
+		
+		next_pymax = (int) rint ((item->y1 + waveview->height - max * waveview->height) * item->canvas->pixels_per_unit);
+
+		/*
+		 * And now the loop
+		 */
+		for(x = begin; x < end; ++x) {
+			int clip_max = next_clip_max;
+			int clip_min = next_clip_min;
+			int fill_max;
+
+			pymax = next_pymax;
+
+			/* compute next */
+			if(x == end - 1) {
+				/*next is now the last column, which is outside the rendering rect, and possibly outside the region*/
+				next_pymax = last_pymax;
+			}
+			else {
+				++cache_index;
+
+				max = waveview->cache->data[cache_index].max;
+				min = waveview->cache->data[cache_index].min;
+				
+				if (max >= 1.0) {
+					max = 1.0;
+					next_clip_max = 1;
+				}
+				
+				if (min <= -1.0) {
+					min = -1.0;
+					next_clip_min = 1;
+				}
+				
+				if (fabs (min) > fabs (max)) {
+					max = fabs (min);
+				} 
+				
+				next_pymax = (int) rint ((item->y1 + waveview->height - max * waveview->height) * item->canvas->pixels_per_unit);
+			}
+			
+			/* render */
+			if (pymax == pymin) {
+				PAINT_DOTA(buf, waveview->wave_r, waveview->wave_g, waveview->wave_b, waveview->wave_a, x, pymin);
+			} else {
+				if((prev_pymax < pymax && next_pymax < pymax) ||
+				   (prev_pymax == pymax && next_pymax == pymax)) {
+					fill_max = pymax + 1;
+					PAINT_DOTA(buf, waveview->wave_r, waveview->wave_g, waveview->wave_b, waveview->wave_a, x, pymax);
+				}
+				else {
+					fill_max = MAX(prev_pymax, next_pymax);
+					if(pymax == fill_max) {
+						PAINT_DOTA(buf, waveview->wave_r, waveview->wave_g, waveview->wave_b, waveview->wave_a, x, pymax);
+						++fill_max;
+					}
+					else {
+						PAINT_VERTA(buf, waveview->wave_r, waveview->wave_g, waveview->wave_b, waveview->wave_a, x, pymax, fill_max);
+					}
+				}
+
+				if(fill_max < pymin) {
+					PAINT_VERTA(buf, waveview->fill_r, waveview->fill_g, waveview->fill_b, waveview->fill_a, x, fill_max, pymin);
+				}
+				else if(fill_max == pymin) {
+					PAINT_DOTA(buf, waveview->fill_r, waveview->fill_g, waveview->fill_b, waveview->fill_a, x, pymin);
+				}
+			}
+
+			if (clip_max) {
+				PAINT_VERTA(buf, waveview->clip_r, waveview->clip_g, waveview->clip_b, waveview->clip_a, x, pymax, pymax+clip_length);
+			}
+			
+			if (clip_min) {
+				PAINT_VERTA(buf, waveview->clip_r, waveview->clip_g, waveview->clip_b, waveview->clip_a, x, pymin-clip_length, pymin);
+			}
+
+			prev_pymax = pymax;
+		}
+	}
+	else {
+		cache_index = gnome_canvas_waveview_ensure_cache (waveview, s1, s2);
+
+		for (x = begin; x < end; x++) {
+			
+			double max, min;
+			int clip_max, clip_min;
+			
+			clip_max = 0;
+			clip_min = 0;
+			
+			max = waveview->cache->data[cache_index].max;
+			min = waveview->cache->data[cache_index].min;
+			
+			if (max >= 1.0) {
+				max = 1.0;
+				clip_max = 1;
+			}
+			
+			if (min <= -1.0) {
+				min = -1.0;
+				clip_min = 1;
+			}
+			
+			if (rectify) {
+				
+				if (fabs (min) > fabs (max)) {
+					max = fabs (min);
+				} 
+				
+				max = max * waveview->height;
+				
+				pymax = (int) rint ((item->y1 + waveview->height - max) * item->canvas->pixels_per_unit);
+				pymin = (int) rint ((item->y1 + waveview->height) * item->canvas->pixels_per_unit);
+				
+			} else {
+				
+				max = max * half_height;
+				min = min * half_height;
+				
+				pymax = (int) rint ((item->y1 + origin - max) * item->canvas->pixels_per_unit);
+				pymin = (int) rint ((item->y1 + origin - min) * item->canvas->pixels_per_unit);
+			}
+			
+			/* OK, now fill the RGB buffer at x=i with a line between pymin and pymax,
+			   or, if samples_per_unit == 1, then a dot at each location.
+			*/
+			
+			if (pymax == pymin) {
+				PAINT_DOTA(buf, waveview->wave_r, waveview->wave_g, waveview->wave_b, waveview->wave_a, x, pymin);
+			} else {
+				PAINT_VERTA(buf, waveview->wave_r, waveview->wave_g, waveview->wave_b, waveview->wave_a, x, pymax, pymin);
+			}
+			
+			/* show clipped waveforms with small red lines */
+			
+			if (clip_max) {
+				PAINT_VERTA(buf, waveview->clip_r, waveview->clip_g, waveview->clip_b, waveview->clip_a, x, pymax, pymax+clip_length);
+			}
+			
+			if (clip_min) {
+				PAINT_VERTA(buf, waveview->clip_r, waveview->clip_g, waveview->clip_b, waveview->clip_a, x, pymin-clip_length, pymin);
+			}
+
+			/* presto, we're done */
+		
+			cache_index++;
+		}
 	}
 
-	if (!waveview->rectified) {
+	if (!waveview->rectified && waveview->zero_line) {
 		// Paint zeroline.
 		//PAINT_HORIZA(buf, waveview->zero_r, waveview->zero_g, waveview->zero_b, waveview->zero_a, begin, endi-1, origin );
 		
diff --git a/gtk2_ardour/canvas-waveview.h b/gtk2_ardour/canvas-waveview.h
index 30696defd0..3d7b02946d 100644
--- a/gtk2_ardour/canvas-waveview.h
+++ b/gtk2_ardour/canvas-waveview.h
@@ -101,9 +101,12 @@ struct _GnomeCanvasWaveView
     uint32_t wave_color;
     uint32_t clip_color;
     uint32_t zero_color;
+    uint32_t fill_color;
 
+    char filled;
     char rectified;
-    char logscaled; 
+    char zero_line;
+    char logscaled;
 	
     /* These are updated by the update() routine
        to optimize the render() routine, which may
@@ -116,6 +119,7 @@ struct _GnomeCanvasWaveView
     int32_t bbox_lry;
     unsigned char wave_r, wave_g, wave_b, wave_a;
     unsigned char clip_r, clip_g, clip_b, clip_a;
+    unsigned char fill_r, fill_g, fill_b, fill_a;
     uint32_t samples;
     uint32_t region_start;
     int32_t reload_cache_in_render;
diff --git a/gtk2_ardour/canvas_vars.h b/gtk2_ardour/canvas_vars.h
index 226b1e321f..8623d50c1d 100644
--- a/gtk2_ardour/canvas_vars.h
+++ b/gtk2_ardour/canvas_vars.h
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 CANVAS_VARIABLE(canvasvar_WaveForm, "waveform")
+CANVAS_VARIABLE(canvasvar_WaveFormFill, "waveform fill")
 CANVAS_VARIABLE(canvasvar_WaveFormClip, "clipped waveform")
 CANVAS_VARIABLE(canvasvar_FrameBase, "region base")
 CANVAS_VARIABLE(canvasvar_SelectedFrameBase, "selected region base")
diff --git a/gtk2_ardour/main.cc b/gtk2_ardour/main.cc
index 1247ca1ee1..f7039039cf 100644
--- a/gtk2_ardour/main.cc
+++ b/gtk2_ardour/main.cc
@@ -59,16 +59,6 @@ extern int curvetest (string);
 static ARDOUR_UI  *ui = 0;
 static char* localedir = LOCALEDIR;
 
-gint
-show_ui_callback (void *arg)
-{
- 	ARDOUR_UI * ui = (ARDOUR_UI *) arg;
-
-	ui->hide_splash();
-	
-	return FALSE;
-}
-
 #ifdef __APPLE__
 
 #include <mach-o/dyld.h>
@@ -335,13 +325,6 @@ int main (int argc, char* argv[])
 		exit (1);
 	}
 
-	if (!no_splash) {
-		ui->show_splash ();
-		if (session_name.length()) {  
-			g_timeout_add (4000, show_ui_callback, ui);
-		}
-	}
-
 	setup_keybindings (ui);
 
 	ui->run (text_receiver);
diff --git a/gtk2_ardour/new_session_dialog.cc b/gtk2_ardour/new_session_dialog.cc
index 81b1aafa62..9d1805a7c4 100644
--- a/gtk2_ardour/new_session_dialog.cc
+++ b/gtk2_ardour/new_session_dialog.cc
@@ -378,12 +378,9 @@ NewSessionDialog::NewSessionDialog()
 	title += _("Session Control");
 	set_title(title.get_string());
 
-	//set_modal(false);
-	//property_window_position().set_value(Gtk::WIN_POS_NONE);
+	set_position (Gtk::WIN_POS_MOUSE);
 	set_resizable(false);
-	//property_destroy_with_parent().set_value(false);
 	set_has_separator(false);
-	// add_button(Gtk::Stock::HELP, Gtk::RESPONSE_HELP);
 	add_button(Gtk::Stock::QUIT, Gtk::RESPONSE_CANCEL);
 	add_button(Gtk::Stock::CLEAR, Gtk::RESPONSE_NONE);
 	m_okbutton = add_button(Gtk::Stock::NEW, Gtk::RESPONSE_OK);
@@ -906,7 +903,7 @@ NewSessionDialog::template_chosen ()
 void
 NewSessionDialog::recent_row_activated (const Gtk::TreePath& path, Gtk::TreeViewColumn* col)
 {
-        response (Gtk::RESPONSE_YES);
+        response (Gtk::RESPONSE_OK);
 }
 
 void
diff --git a/gtk2_ardour/route_time_axis.cc b/gtk2_ardour/route_time_axis.cc
index 4bdb392f0e..cc5e7f937e 100644
--- a/gtk2_ardour/route_time_axis.cc
+++ b/gtk2_ardour/route_time_axis.cc
@@ -176,7 +176,9 @@ RouteTimeAxisView::RouteTimeAxisView (PublicEditor& ed, Session& sess, boost::sh
 	
 	label_view ();
 
-	if (!Profile->get_sae()) {
+	if (0) {
+
+		/* old school - when we used to put an extra row of buttons in place */
 
 		controls_table.attach (hide_button, 0, 1, 1, 2, Gtk::FILL|Gtk::EXPAND, Gtk::FILL|Gtk::EXPAND);
 		controls_table.attach (visual_button, 1, 2, 1, 2, Gtk::FILL|Gtk::EXPAND, Gtk::FILL|Gtk::EXPAND);
@@ -185,11 +187,11 @@ RouteTimeAxisView::RouteTimeAxisView (PublicEditor& ed, Session& sess, boost::sh
 
 	} else {
 
-		controls_table.attach (automation_button, 4, 5, 1, 2, Gtk::FILL|Gtk::EXPAND, Gtk::FILL|Gtk::EXPAND);
+		controls_table.attach (automation_button, 5, 6, 1, 2, Gtk::FILL|Gtk::EXPAND, Gtk::FILL|Gtk::EXPAND);
 	}
 
 	if (is_track() && track()->mode() == ARDOUR::Normal) {
-		controls_table.attach (playlist_button, 5, 6, 1, 2, Gtk::FILL|Gtk::EXPAND, Gtk::FILL|Gtk::EXPAND);
+		controls_table.attach (playlist_button, 4, 5, 1, 2, Gtk::FILL|Gtk::EXPAND, Gtk::FILL|Gtk::EXPAND);
 	}
 
 	y_position = -1;
diff --git a/gtk2_ardour/splash.cc b/gtk2_ardour/splash.cc
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..4da01783c5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/gtk2_ardour/splash.cc
@@ -0,0 +1,55 @@
+#include <string>
+
+#include <pbd/failed_constructor.h>
+#include <ardour/ardour.h>
+
+#include "splash.h"
+
+using namespace Gtk;
+using namespace Glib;
+using namespace std;
+using namespace ARDOUR;
+
+Splash::Splash ()
+{
+	string path = find_data_file ("splash.png");
+
+	if (path.empty()) {
+		throw failed_constructor();
+	}
+
+	try {
+		pixbuf = Gdk::Pixbuf::create_from_file (path);
+	}
+
+	catch (...) {
+		throw failed_constructor();
+	}
+	
+	set_size_request (pixbuf->get_width(), pixbuf->get_height());
+	set_type_hint (Gdk::WINDOW_TYPE_HINT_SPLASHSCREEN);
+	set_keep_above (true);
+	set_position (WIN_POS_CENTER);
+	add_events (Gdk::BUTTON_PRESS_MASK|Gdk::BUTTON_RELEASE_MASK);
+}
+
+bool
+Splash::on_button_release_event (GdkEventButton* ev)
+{
+	hide ();
+}
+
+bool
+Splash::on_expose_event (GdkEventExpose* ev)
+{
+	RefPtr<Gdk::Window> window = get_window();
+
+	Window::on_expose_event (ev);
+
+	window->draw_pixbuf (get_style()->get_bg_gc (STATE_NORMAL), pixbuf,
+			     ev->area.x, ev->area.y,
+			     ev->area.x, ev->area.y,
+			     ev->area.width, ev->area.height,
+			     Gdk::RGB_DITHER_NONE, 0, 0);
+	return true;
+}
diff --git a/gtk2_ardour/splash.h b/gtk2_ardour/splash.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..3ef717d08d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/gtk2_ardour/splash.h
@@ -0,0 +1,41 @@
+/*
+    Copyright (C) 2008 Paul Davis 
+
+    This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify
+    it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+    the Free Software Foundation; either version 2 of the License, or
+    (at your option) any later version.
+
+    This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+    but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+    MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+    GNU General Public License for more details.
+
+    You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+    along with this program; if not, write to the Free Software
+    Foundation, Inc., 675 Mass Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
+
+*/
+
+#ifndef __ardour_gtk_splash_h__
+#define __ardour_gtk_splash_h__
+
+#include <gtkmm/window.h>
+#include <gdkmm/pixbuf.h>
+
+class ARDOUR_UI;
+
+class Splash : public Gtk::Window
+{
+  public:
+	Splash ();
+	~Splash () {}
+
+	bool on_expose_event (GdkEventExpose*);
+	bool on_button_release_event (GdkEventButton*);
+
+  private:
+	Glib::RefPtr<Gdk::Pixbuf> pixbuf;
+};	
+
+#endif /* __ardour_gtk_splash_h__ */
diff --git a/gtk2_ardour/time_axis_view.cc b/gtk2_ardour/time_axis_view.cc
index 5c7f0c3f8e..c4f5a558ab 100644
--- a/gtk2_ardour/time_axis_view.cc
+++ b/gtk2_ardour/time_axis_view.cc
@@ -125,7 +125,7 @@ TimeAxisView::TimeAxisView (ARDOUR::Session& sess, PublicEditor& ed, TimeAxisVie
 	controls_table.set_col_spacings (0);
 	controls_table.set_homogeneous (true);
 
-	controls_table.attach (name_hbox, 0, 4, 0, 1,  Gtk::FILL|Gtk::EXPAND,  Gtk::FILL|Gtk::EXPAND);
+	controls_table.attach (name_hbox, 0, 4, 0, 1,  Gtk::FILL|Gtk::EXPAND,  Gtk::FILL|Gtk::EXPAND, 3, 0);
 	controls_table.show_all ();
 	controls_table.set_no_show_all ();
 
@@ -140,8 +140,6 @@ TimeAxisView::TimeAxisView (ARDOUR::Session& sess, PublicEditor& ed, TimeAxisVie
 	controls_ebox.signal_button_release_event().connect (mem_fun (*this, &TimeAxisView::controls_ebox_button_release));
 	controls_ebox.signal_scroll_event().connect (mem_fun (*this, &TimeAxisView::controls_ebox_scroll), true);
 
-	controls_lhs_pad.set_name ("TimeAxisViewControlsPadding");
-	controls_hbox.pack_start (controls_lhs_pad,false,false);
 	controls_hbox.pack_start (controls_ebox,true,true);
 	controls_hbox.show ();
 
diff --git a/gtk2_ardour/waveview.cc b/gtk2_ardour/waveview.cc
index fef90cde22..f9f011ea41 100644
--- a/gtk2_ardour/waveview.cc
+++ b/gtk2_ardour/waveview.cc
@@ -267,6 +267,22 @@ Glib::PropertyProxy_ReadOnly<guint> WaveView::property_zero_color() const
 {
 	return Glib::PropertyProxy_ReadOnly<guint> (this, "zero_color");
 }
+Glib::PropertyProxy<guint> WaveView::property_fill_color()
+{
+	return Glib::PropertyProxy<guint> (this, "fill_color");
+}
+Glib::PropertyProxy_ReadOnly<guint> WaveView::property_fill_color() const
+{
+	return Glib::PropertyProxy_ReadOnly<guint> (this, "fill_color");
+}
+Glib::PropertyProxy<gint> WaveView::property_filled()
+{
+	return Glib::PropertyProxy<gint> (this, "filled");
+}
+Glib::PropertyProxy_ReadOnly<gint> WaveView::property_filled() const
+{
+	return Glib::PropertyProxy_ReadOnly<gint> (this, "filled");
+}
 Glib::PropertyProxy<gint> WaveView::property_rectified()
 {
 	return Glib::PropertyProxy<gint> (this, "rectified");
@@ -275,6 +291,14 @@ Glib::PropertyProxy_ReadOnly<gint> WaveView::property_rectified() const
 {
 	return Glib::PropertyProxy_ReadOnly<gint> (this, "rectified");
 }
+Glib::PropertyProxy<gint> WaveView::property_zero_line()
+{
+	return Glib::PropertyProxy<gint> (this, "zero_line");
+}
+Glib::PropertyProxy_ReadOnly<gint> WaveView::property_zero_line() const
+{
+	return Glib::PropertyProxy_ReadOnly<gint> (this, "zero_line");
+}
 Glib::PropertyProxy<guint> WaveView::property_region_start()
 {
 	return Glib::PropertyProxy<guint> (this, "region_start");
diff --git a/gtk2_ardour/waveview.h b/gtk2_ardour/waveview.h
index 99028f2519..2af3465932 100644
--- a/gtk2_ardour/waveview.h
+++ b/gtk2_ardour/waveview.h
@@ -144,9 +144,15 @@ public:
   Glib::PropertyProxy_ReadOnly<guint> property_wave_color() const;
   Glib::PropertyProxy<guint> property_clip_color();
   Glib::PropertyProxy_ReadOnly<guint> property_clip_color() const;
-  Glib::PropertyProxy<gint> property_rectified();
+  Glib::PropertyProxy<guint> property_fill_color();
+  Glib::PropertyProxy_ReadOnly<guint> property_fill_color() const;
+  Glib::PropertyProxy<gint> property_filled();
+  Glib::PropertyProxy_ReadOnly<gint> property_filled() const;
+  Glib::PropertyProxy<gint> property_zero_line();
+  Glib::PropertyProxy_ReadOnly<gint> property_zero_line() const;
   Glib::PropertyProxy<guint> property_zero_color();
   Glib::PropertyProxy_ReadOnly<guint> property_zero_color() const;
+  Glib::PropertyProxy<gint> property_rectified();
   Glib::PropertyProxy_ReadOnly<gint> property_rectified() const;
   Glib::PropertyProxy<guint> property_region_start();
   Glib::PropertyProxy_ReadOnly<guint> property_region_start() const;
diff --git a/libs/ardour/audio_diskstream.cc b/libs/ardour/audio_diskstream.cc
index 32335d4938..8b02af2101 100644
--- a/libs/ardour/audio_diskstream.cc
+++ b/libs/ardour/audio_diskstream.cc
@@ -526,6 +526,11 @@ AudioDiskstream::process (nframes_t transport_frame, nframes_t nframes, nframes_
 
 	commit_should_unlock = false;
 
+	if (!_io->active()) {
+		_processed = true;
+		return 0;
+	}
+
 	check_record_status (transport_frame, nframes, can_record);
 
 	nominally_recording = (can_record && re);
@@ -742,6 +747,7 @@ AudioDiskstream::process (nframes_t transport_frame, nframes_t nframes, nframes_
 				nframes_t total = chaninfo->playback_vector.len[0] + chaninfo->playback_vector.len[1];
 				
 				if (necessary_samples > total) {
+					cerr << "underrun for " << _name << endl;
 					DiskUnderrun ();
 					goto out;
 					
@@ -825,6 +831,10 @@ AudioDiskstream::commit (nframes_t nframes)
 {
 	bool need_butler = false;
 
+	if (!_io->active()) {
+		return false;
+	}
+
 	if (_actual_speed < 0.0) {
 		playback_sample -= playback_distance;
 	} else {
diff --git a/libs/ardour/insert.cc b/libs/ardour/insert.cc
index eb0576b46e..8724c5011e 100644
--- a/libs/ardour/insert.cc
+++ b/libs/ardour/insert.cc
@@ -717,7 +717,7 @@ PluginInsert::set_state(const XMLNode& node)
 	}
 
 	boost::shared_ptr<Plugin> plugin;
-	
+
 	plugin = find_plugin (_session, prop->value(), type);	
 
 	if (plugin == 0) {
diff --git a/svn_revision.h b/svn_revision.h
index d417a995ab..14515fb63b 100644
--- a/svn_revision.h
+++ b/svn_revision.h
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
 #ifndef __ardour_svn_revision_h__
 #define __ardour_svn_revision_h__
-static const char* ardour_svn_revision = "2914";
+static const char* ardour_svn_revision = "2918";
 #endif