[sdiy] Control Interfaces (was Wakeman)

[jbv]

Glen :

> Heck, even the MIT device had "knobs" of a sort (small objects meant to be
> grasped and moved by hand.)    :)
>
> I find knobs very useful, but certainly not the only interesting form of
> tactile interface. Of course, we could remove "tactile" from the equation
> entirely and try to invent other forms of control for synths--ones which do
> not rely on human "touch" at all.

I do understand the need for tactile controls for many musicians,
as their use of synths & computers is an extension of some earlier
instrumental practice such as piano, violin, guitar...

I for one am a coder before being a musician, and do like sophisticated
front panels with hundreds of knobs & blinking LEDs, but am slightly
more excited by 3D GUI and eventually touch screens...

I did once an interview with JM Jarre, mainly on the topic of his use
of computers in his work (this was for a mag published by Apple France),
and among other things he said that interfaces for synths & computers
suck. He suggested sensitive foams that composers would approach
like a sculptor... Something similar could be done with a data glove...
I'm sure it's be done already...

-----------------

Someone else also mentioned factory presets (can't find the post
anymore sorry). I must say that tweaking presets can be a valuable
approach : at least it's how I learned to use Music V, Csound, Max,
the DX7...

JB