Who else thinks the touch sensitive trend is the wrong direction to go?

[Ciar2001]

lol Brit humour couldn't help meself!

[Jester]

12-0 so far. maybe its because we're a bunch of old cnuts for the most part, or aren't up with this new fangled contraptionery

[quuz]

Real buttons/knobs, why? Because touch sensetive will never be as responsive.

[nem0nic]

The problem with "analog" controls when used with MIDI applications is that you have a good possibility that your control surface and the application will get out of sync (that is to say, what you see on your control surface will not represent what the actual software settings are). Of curse, the other issue is that because they lack any real modality, you're forced to use a bigger control surface than is really necessary (or to carry around a shitload of gear to accomplish complete control).

There are ways to get around some of the smaller issues related to these 2 points, but they all end up limiting the user in significant ways. Touch sensitive controls have their place, especially when a specific control has a ton of modality, or when it gets modified by software regularly (like a pitch fader or gain control).

Real buttons/knobs, why? Because touch sensetive will never be as responsive.

How do you figure that? Not only are "real" controls unable to provide anything but absolute messages (eliminating precise control), but they're also unable to accommodate functionality that needs to be "armed" by touch (like scratch on/off messaging in Traktor, or touch writing automation in a DAW or NLE).

[Wuz]

i like my x/y pad for effects but if i had to choose between a lemur and a vci, i'd choose the vci.

actually lets face it, at that pricepoint i'd be choosing between the lemur and the xone.
the xone would win

touch sensitive surfaces are cool but i like mixing with volume faders and eq knobs.

[charo]

lol at the guy who wouldn't trade a uc33e for a lemur. that's like not wanting to trade a honda minivan for a new porsche

nem0nic, i agree with your points but you say

Not only are "real" controls unable to provide anything but absolute messages (eliminating precise control), but they're also unable to accommodate functionality that needs to be "armed" by touch (like scratch on/off messaging in Traktor, or touch writing automation in a DAW or NLE).

it seems like this isn't totally true, that there are examples of relative "real" controls; endless knobs, the messages sent from the jogwheels, and buttons with controllable LEDs.

maybe i'm just reading what your saying wrong.

my personal opinion, after experimenting with monotouchlive, and developing my own touch workspace in Usine, is that incorporating at least some touch screen tech is the right direction to go....

[nem0nic]

I'm calling "real" controls the kind of analog controls that the OP is referencing. Sorry I wasn't more clear. In the OP, endless rotary encoders are vilified right next to touch controls.

Also, where is this supposed "trend" towards touch controls right now? The Jazzmutant controller was the lone player until our SCS.3 controllers came along. Maybe you're lumping the Monotouch Live DIY solution into that as well, but it too has been around for years now. The only other thing I see that has touch control is the Wacom NextBeat (from a company that already makes touch technology and wants to cash in), and the EKS Otus (for it's pitch slider, but it's an otherwise tactile controller).Do 3 controllers, one of which has been out for years, indicate a trend? Do 4 controllers, one of which has been out for years, indicate a trend, especially when compared to the number of 2 platter / 1 mixer VCI-100 style controllers out there?

[Hippie]

With the new Windows7 features and multitouch technology I'm expecting to see a lot more dual screen setups with something like Lemur or Multitouch live software on the 2nd screen. The possibilities are endless as it's all virtual, if u want more buttons or knobs or anything in fact, all you have to do is add them to the screen layout and program the response as u want it - I can't wait.

[charo]

I'm calling "real" controls the kind of analog controls that the OP is referencing. Sorry I wasn't more clear. In the OP, endless rotary encoders are vilified right next to touch controls.

i see your point better now. I'd take functional endless rotaries like those on the bcr2000 or apc40 over "real" rotaries limited to 0-127 midi anyday. IMO save the real rotaries for the actual dj mixer, which i choose over midi mixing regardless of the knob but that's off topic.

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no one has really said it yet but the vci-100 uses touch sensitive platters, along several other controllers that use touch control in this basic way. its a good example that you don't need to always have to think screen when you think touch control

check out the multitouch demo vid of Usine if you haven't seen it.

[BentoSan]

how about the fact that touch controllers are better for some things than traditional knobs/ faders are just like how knobs/faders are better than touch sensitive surfaces for other things ?

Theres no one input that is going to do everything.

You cant for instace with a traditional knob do anything like that i am doing with my SCS 3d for my Traktor Pro FX section where i can do some wiked fun things with the beatmasher and other effects.

This whole argument is so moot in my opinion.

PS - Neomonic is the man, that dude knows what hes talking about