Undockable mixer window, multi-touch input gui.

[oakdown]

hey I originally posted this over at the GS forum:

http://www3.telus.net/public/jlevicek/prelude/nuendo-sleigh-multi-touch-smaller.jpg

you can see the thread (and response here):
http://www.gearslutz.com/board/high-end/351515-console-post-daw-world-3.html

In any case, this is forward looking, to the release of multitouch displays. There is already a company called pqlabs selling lcd/plasma overlays to work with existing screens at high resolutions, who are also willing to work/develop multi touch integration with 3rd party software. With multitouch I imagine you could probably drag around 8 faders at the same time.

the two main features that I see hindering running a 4 monitor setup. (2 multitouch, and two non-touch lcds for project window/transport/vsts - that are still responsive of course to mouse and keyboard input)
would be

1) the mixers current inability to undock from the app itself (yeah you could drag out a super huge nuendo window to cover the four screens and dick around, but it isn't ideal)
2) of course the multi-touch functuality itself.

It would be a great way to interface with your DAW, cheaper than jazzmutant, and way more... eh hem, scalable... want 3 multi-touch? 4?

[oakdown]

sorry I couldn't edit my post...

but I think multi-touch gui could be accomplished without rewriting the base code, it would just have to be a port to the current midi implementation or whatever it is, that other external controllers utilize to access multiple faders at the same time.... hmmm.

[messianic]

I like it but I'd still like a small & robust hardware contoller for equalisation and major transport functions.

I've never been one to think it can all be done with a mouse or a touchscreen.

These things are great because they push the boundaries and ultimately enhance the use of hardware but completely on their own no thanks.

[oakdown]

I like it but I'd still like a small & robust hardware contoller for equalisation and major transport functions.

I've never been one to think it can all be done with a mouse or a touchscreen.

These things are great because they push the boundaries and ultimately enhance the use of hardware but completely on their own no thanks.

you could add any transport function device you want... faderport or the new steinberg c221 or whatever it is called, it wouldn't affect this, at most this would take two DVI/VGA outputs and 2 usb ports from your comp...I agree, a nice little transport device with a scrub would be dope. mount that under neath on a sliding tray with your mouse and keyboard!

this is just a very cheap way to have a large format mixing console. It's not as complicated as EUCON, or other things, because you are interfacing directly with steinberg software, not implementing some hardware onto something else. I sorta think the jazzmutant dexter device has it somewhat wrong, because they also make you utilize their gui (at a premium to boot for such a small screen)... why not interface directly with the software you are using?

ultimatley, it's about the way you want to work, and for everyone that is going to differ. Windows 7 will support multi-touch (it's already announced as a product feature) - this is just one way you could utilize that technology in your environment.

[messianic]

It is impressive I will agree on that.

As you mentioned the faderport, that would not work very well because (in my experience) when you set it to "output" it won't remain permanently set like that or let me use the pan-pot for zoom and that is just silly to me because I would like to be able to use another controller for the channels and have this as the master and re-assign the so-called pan.

Something like the touch screen would be cool, especially for faders but how would you accomplish things like Equalisation?

[oakdown]

It is impressive I will agree on that.

As you mentioned the faderport, that would not work very well because (in my experience) when you set it to "output" it won't remain permanently set like that or let me use the pan-pot for zoom and that is just silly to me because I would like to be able to use another controller for the channels and have this as the master and re-assign the so-called pan.

Something like the touch screen would be cool, especially for faders but how would you accomplish things like Equalisation?

it's just a touchscreen... tap the "e" it will pop open the channels dialog box for the channel you are interested in, arm a band, drag it with your finger where you want it, select another band, drag it where you want it, select the q, slide it back and narrow the band. to add a insert, tap once, menu opens with your plugin choices, select it with a tap - etc... don't like your inserts where they are, drag them with your finger to another insert slot. or if you really don't want to work that way, select the "e" with your mouse, on the top two non-touch screen monitors, and do everything mousing around. keyboard shortcuts everything would be the same.
the channel naming at the bottom, tap it with a finger, type it with your keyboard, etc...

too bad about the faderport, maybe an alphalink? that new steiny thing doesn't do jog eh?

[messianic]

Yeh but that's an audio thing.

The faderport is a good concept and new firmware would fix those issues pointed out I suppose but as much as I like the concept of touch screens for audio, does the steinberg interface really lend itself well to this kind of technology?

I'd argue no and there should be some enhancements, especially the "e" window it would need to be alot bigger and more "fischer price" like for me to want to use it.

[oakdown]

Yeh but that's an audio thing.

The faderport is a good concept and new firmware would fix those issues pointed out I suppose but as much as I like the concept of touch screens for audio, does the steinberg interface really lend itself well to this kind of technology?

I'd argue no and there should be some enhancements, especially the "e" window it would need to be alot bigger and more "fischer price" like for me to want to use it.

pop open your nuendo now, now hit the "e" key reference it against the size (height especially) of the mixer, and how many channels it covers.... imagine that on a 50" screen, I don't think it could look more fischer price! lol.

the other nice thing that would work well (and is already built in) is the fact that steinberg allows use to press shift, while moving any fader for finer resolution, sure you drag the mouse further (or in the case of a touchscreen your finger) but it would be easier to dial things in more accurately.. one hand on the keyboard, one on the touchscreen.

[kstevege]

That photo is f'kin cool!

[Sound Drifter]

If it ever goes this route, there should be clear die-cut overlays that would give slots for the faders. If I didn't have that I could never mix. I mix quite alot with my eyes closed, or with the monitor off so not to be distracted by how the sound looks.

I already have a touch screen in my rig, 3M Microtouch in a 15" monitor. I mirror the main display and do plugin gui on it and with a shift modifier it works pretty well. I would like a higher resolution touch, but it really isn't that bas as it is.


Bare with the mess, flashes always make things look cluttered.
http://woodcreststudio.com/temp/vesa.jpg

[oakdown]

If it ever goes this route, there should be clear die-cut overlays that would give slots for the faders. If I didn't have that I could never mix. I mix quite alot with my eyes closed, or with the monitor off so not to be distracted by how the sound looks.

I already have a touch screen in my rig, 3M Microtouch in a 15" monitor. I mirror the main display and do plugin gui on it and with a shift modifier it works pretty well. I would like a higher resolution touch, but it really isn't that bas as it is.


Bare with the mess, flashes always make things look cluttered.


hey I like the idea of the overlays... would give the fingers more of a track... I suppose anything custom could be made like that! it would just be a piece of plexi/nylon stamped to fit....