amazing new magnetic controller.

[waxxy]

check out this new magnetic controller being developed now.instead of you having a physical control suraface you have there knobs which you place on your monitor and as you turn the knobs it controls whats on the screen..amazing and im sure someone like novation will use these technology one day..

girtonlabs - SenseSurface - Girton Labs Cambridge

[terminal3]

cool thought, but it wouldn't suit my workflow, not without some fundamental design changes. plug-in windows get moved around all the time, and it looks like based on that prototype they've got to be fixed in one of x number of places in order for them to function.

another issue is that the rumour mill has Apple introducing some serious touch-screen capabilities to their computers in the very near future. surely that completely obliterates the need for those knobs? I could just point at the screen and the on-screen knob would move to where I pointed.

finally, there's the fact that 90% of the time, where it's permitted by the plug-in designer, I end up clicking on the parameter and manually entering a value anyway. ever tried to dial in -0.1dbFS on a limiter? it's never that precise with a graphical knob.

just my 2p, ymmv.

[waxxy]

the link i provided is still work in progress theyve still got a lot of time too finish yet..and i know apple are working on a touch screen but loads of people dont use macs they use pcs and if they could make the magnetic controller knobs work like automap were by you can place the knob anywere on the vst parameter you want too control then just turn the knobs to change the sound then i think theyd be onto a winner..

just think you could take your laptop anywere and instead of carting a few controllers in your bag you could just have a few knob controllers in your pocket life would be easier and i think controlling the vsts would be quicker too because you wouldnt have too look down at your controller too see what buttons you were presing the buttons would be on the screen in front of you .

i think itll be next year before theyll have ironed out all the problems with these controller but there onto a good start.

[saxman]

Originally Posted by waxxy

i think itll be next year before theyll have ironed out all the problems with these controller but there onto a good start.

Well, Girton Labs is owned by Lyndsay Williams and she already has a very impressive track record for developing innovative products.

She is a very clever and interesting lady who also has an interest in electronic music.
From Inside IT: Ex-Microsoft star whose paper trail was too short | Technology | The Guardian ;
"I'd seen the Moog synthesizer and couldn't afford one. I said, 'right, I'm going to design my own'," she says. "Then I saw a Fairlight sound sampler, which had too many logic chips. I thought I could design one around a Z80 microprocessor. I did the hardware and software for a sound sampler, and thought I could change the world." The aim was to reduce a £25,000 device into one costing £49.

[conor_j]

Originally Posted by terminal3

cool thought, but it wouldn't suit my workflow, not without some fundamental design changes. plug-in windows get moved around all the time, and it looks like based on that prototype they've got to be fixed in one of x number of places in order for them to function.

Totally agree with you there terminal3, interesting concept but I definately believe it to be more of a gimmick than an advantage

[krykos]

I've actually seen a working prototype of a changable controller surface for any application when I visited Lancaster Uni. The main surface is a foam mat which consists of two metal layers, and variable resistors or switches are pushed into the mat and assigned. The contacts on the components touch the respective layers, which power them, and they have chips so that the computer can recognise which is being adjusted. Good thing is that you have a completely custom setup that's easy to make and change.

[gzweb]

What happens when you close down the plugin window, the pots fall off?

[RedDavid]

It's a nice idea, but, anyone here fancy a £500 out-of-warranty repair bill after doing something stupid, like forgetting to take the knobs off the screen and then closing the laptop's lid? No?

[Lighthouses]

yeah, it's clever and novel but I don't like the idea of the knobs being on the screen. ONE as RedDavid said there is the danger of slamming the screen shut, I dont like the idea of them being touching the screen cos just putting your finger on the screen alot apparently can take its toll, so rotating big knobs on it seems like a bad idea. Also in the heat of a live setting you might put pressure on the knob and damage the screen, or if you're hot you could be sweating all over the keyboard of the laptop

Interesting technology but doesnt really appeal to me. They'd be better off making a Jazzmutant/Reactable combo