Execution difference identification tool

1. A method of displaying instrument output comprising:

receiving instrument output data;

determining a difference between two or more corresponding portions of data included in the received instrument output data, wherein the two or more corresponding portions of data comprise corresponding portions of output of an instrument during two or more successive runs of a same sequence of inputs affecting the output of the instrument; and

displaying at least a selected part of the received instrument output data in a manner that highlights the difference;

wherein the manner that highlights the difference includes adding to a display of the corresponding portions a graphic indication visually linking the corresponding portions together and visually indicating the corresponding portions correspond to each other.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein each successive run comprises a playback of a master track comprising one or more previously recorded inputs to one or more computer system components.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising recording the master track.

4. The method of claim 2 further comprising playing the master track.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the two or more corresponding portions of data comprise corresponding portions of the output of two or more different instruments during a run.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the two or more corresponding portions of data comprise corresponding portions of the output of two or more different instances of the same instrument during a run.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein determining one or more differences includes receiving meta-information associated with the instrument output data.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein determining one or more differences includes receiving summary information associated with the instrument output data.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the graphic indication further indicates at least one relationship between the corresponding portions and the difference between them.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the manner that highlights the difference includes drawing a shape that connects the corresponding portions.

11. A method of displaying instrument output comprising:

receiving instrument output data;

determining that two or more corresponding portions of data included in the received instrument output data satisfy a criterion that defines a prescribed relationship between the corresponding portions, wherein the two or more corresponding portions of data comprise corresponding portions of output of an instrument during two or more successive runs of a same sequence of inputs affecting the output of the instrument; and

displaying at least a selected part of the received instrument output data in a manner that highlights the corresponding portions;

wherein the manner that highlights the difference includes adding to a display of the corresponding portions a graphic indication visually linking the corresponding portions together and visually indicating the corresponding portions correspond to each other.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the criterion is satisfied if a first prescribed level or state is detected by a first instrument at the same time that a second level or state is detected by a second instrument.

13. A computer system comprising:

a display; and

a processor coupled to the display and configured to:

receive instrument output data;

determine a difference between two or more corresponding portions of data included in the received instrument output data, wherein the two or more corresponding portions of data comprise corresponding portions of output of an instrument during two or more successive runs of a same sequence of inputs affecting the output of the instrument; and

cause at least a selected part of the received instrument output data to be rendered in the display in a manner that highlights the difference;

wherein the manner that highlights the difference includes adding to a display of the corresponding portions a graphic indication visually linking the corresponding portions together and visually indicating the corresponding portions correspond to each other.

14. The computer system of claim 13 , wherein each successive run comprises a playback of a master track comprising one or more previously recorded inputs to one or more computer system components.

15. The computer system of claim 13 , wherein the two or more corresponding portions of data comprise corresponding portions of output of two or more different instruments during a run.

16. The computer system of claim 13 , wherein the two or more corresponding portions of data comprise corresponding portions of output of two or more different instances of the same instrument during a run.

17. The computer system of claim 13 , wherein the graphic indication further indicates at least one relationship between the corresponding portions and the difference between them.

18. The computer system of claim 13 , wherein the manner that highlights the difference includes drawing a shape that connects the corresponding portions.

19. A computer program product for displaying instrument output, the computer program product being embodied in a non-transitory computer readable medium and comprising computer instructions for:

receiving instrument output data;

determining a difference between two or more corresponding portions of data included in the received instrument output data, wherein the two or more corresponding portions of data comprise corresponding portions of output of an instrument during two or more successive runs of a same sequence of inputs affecting the output of the instrument; and

displaying at least a selected part of the received instrument output data in a manner that highlights the difference;

wherein the manner that highlights the difference includes adding to a display of the corresponding portions a graphic indication visually linking the corresponding portions together and visually indicating the corresponding portions correspond to each other.