It belongs on a Star Ship!

jeremykeys · Post by **jeremykeys** » Wed Jan 31, 2018 12:07 am

Now I really like the look of this synth!

https://youtu.be/3jxWOWUwFWA

CowboyNQ · Post by **CowboyNQ** » Wed Jan 31, 2018 12:09 am

I think Commander Shepard uses one. When he's not feeding his fish.

Bachus · Post by **Bachus** » Wed Jan 31, 2018 1:12 pm

I actually got inspired by this one...
I am seriously looking into building this for myself..
Using 3 18" touchscreens with thin bezzels and building a new case around it
So that it looks and feels like one big screen...
And then creating a touchinterface...

If my idea's ever get materialised i will keep everyone informed...

John01W · Post by **John01W** » Wed Jan 31, 2018 1:41 pm

Looks like Star Trek.

Kevin Nolan · Post by **Kevin Nolan** » Thu Feb 01, 2018 1:08 am

It's nonsense, in the same way as iPad synths are nonsense: no tactile interaction.

Flat screens are a step back from sophisticated control. It's why nobody ever uses iPad synths; and the likes of the Push2, Circuit, BSP, Volca, .... sell like hot cakes.

And from a practical stand point - when that screen goes down, that's it - you're in utter no-mans land.

It will never make it off the drawing board; and if it does, it'll sell a few and within 5-10 years will be useless and likely faulty with no support and no replacement screen.

Flawed physical concept from beginning to end. If they have clever synthesis - make it a VST/AU plugin or an iPad app.

CowboyNQ · Post by **CowboyNQ** » Thu Feb 01, 2018 1:26 am

Kevin Nolan wrote: Flat screens are a step back from sophisticated control. It's why nobody ever uses iPad synths...

Well, ALMOST nobody. This photo of part of my rig was taken at a sound check a couple of years back. I'm still using the same iPad and soft synth.

The above being said, I agree with your point in a general sense.

Broadwave · Post by **Broadwave** » Thu Feb 01, 2018 8:21 am

Bachus wrote:I actually got inspired by this one...
I am seriously looking into building this for myself..
Using 3 18" touchscreens with thin bezzels and building a new case around it
So that it looks and feels like one big screen...
And then creating a touchinterface...

If my idea's ever get materialised i will keep everyone informed...

I was thinking the same thing. I've already got a basic VST system with 23" touch screen, but it's very bulky - I'm currently looking at the Intel NUC range for running the OS to help keep things compact.

thehighesttree · Post by **thehighesttree** » Wed Feb 07, 2018 1:16 am

You guys should check this one from NAMM last year! seems really well thought-out (tap a touch-sensitive knob to bring up its value in the status bar) and the sound is killer.

He's an independent synth-maker who came up with this at 18, how can you not be impressed?? It looks like something Data from TNG would rock.

D575 · Post by **D575** » Wed Feb 07, 2018 5:36 am

thehighesttree wrote:You guys should check this one from NAMM last year! seems really well thought-out (tap a touch-sensitive knob to bring up its value in the status bar) and the sound is killer.

He's an independent synth-maker who came up with this at 18, how can you not be impressed?? It looks like something Data from TNG would rock.

www.gearnews.com/namm-2018-jacob-shear- ... c-6-still/

gjvti · Post by **gjvti** » Thu Feb 08, 2018 7:44 am

Kevin Nolan wrote:It's nonsense, in the same way as iPad synths are nonsense: no tactile interaction.

Flat screens are a step back from sophisticated control. It's why nobody ever uses iPad synths; and the likes of the Push2, Circuit, BSP, Volca, .... sell like hot cakes.

And from a practical stand point - when that screen goes down, that's it - you're in utter no-mans land.

It will never make it off the drawing board; and if it does, it'll sell a few and within 5-10 years will be useless and likely faulty with no support and no replacement screen.

Flawed physical concept from beginning to end. If they have clever synthesis - make it a VST/AU plugin or an iPad app.

It depends - if your approach is to play with knobs and standard oldschool midi keyboard that yes, but with iOS you can use your iOS app (if it has well engineered modulation options), which you can program to respond to your hw tactile midi controllers - MPE, knobby, touchpad - and you can do a lot more that way than with oldschool approach.... but yes, you have to spend some time on programming and assigning connections, which is not an instant result. I think both approaches have their advantages and disadvantages.

Kevin Nolan · Post by **Kevin Nolan** » Thu Feb 08, 2018 9:46 pm

gjvti and CowboyNQ:

Good points. I did shoot a bit from the hip on my post, only seeing the negatives.

I think I'm biased for two reasons: 1) I've tried loads of ways to integrate my iPad into my music system in vein (it's never reliable!) and 2) I just wish Animoog was an AU plugin

(and that the Gadget AU Plugin was a bit cheaper !!)

But I tell you what I do like on the iPad - Arturia MiniV and Spark - because they are so similar to and compatible with the AU Plugin versions - especially Spark (but even here I don't tend to use them on iPad because connectivity between iPad and my Mac environment never seems to work).

But agreed - of course there are pros to tablet / flat screen technology (and I assure you, my iPad has revolutionised my music learning by simply being able to house scores, music, books, ear test apps and so on.

CowboyNQ · Post by **CowboyNQ** » Thu Feb 08, 2018 10:44 pm

Kevin Nolan wrote:Good points. I did shoot a bit from the hip on my post, only seeing the negatives.

Although to be fair Kevin, I think the overall point you were making is sound.

Touch screens definitely have their place (I love the one on my Krome), but I wouldn't want to use a keyboard instrument with a control surface that is ENTIRELY touch screen. Would be completely impractical for me in a live performance setting.

jeremykeys · Post by **jeremykeys** » Fri Feb 09, 2018 2:41 am

I'm of 2 schools of thought on this subject. I like the "look" of it and even though we're still not entirely sure about the durability of the touchscreen, I think that in the very near future, they will be great. On the other hand, I also really like the accessibility of dedicated knobs. One knob for one function just seems to work.
Truth be told, menu diving for me totally sucks even though I have to do it daily on my Kronos and other synths.
Like I said, Of 2 minds here.
I do use my iPad in my home studio but I've never ever taken it out to a gig. Not that I don't trust it or it's durability, it's just too easily stolen.

CowboyNQ · Post by **CowboyNQ** » Fri Feb 09, 2018 3:01 am

jeremykeys wrote:it's just too easily stolen.

Yes, that's always a worry. If I'm playing a small venue I lock mine in my rack until show time. On top of that, like all my gear, it's insured.

Broadwave · Post by **Broadwave** » Fri Feb 09, 2018 8:12 am

There's no reason why you can't have full tactile control over softsynths...

I'm busy building a couple of these (basics are all done, but I'm having a problem getting the code onto the AVRs - Maybe I should have bought the kits

)

I'm configuring mine for 90 knobs and 30 switches - perfect for getting knobby with soft synths. Template overlays are easy enough to create so you know what's what

Each pot/switch can be edited to control either CC or NRPNs - DX7 SysEX commands are also pre-programmed, if you need them.