druid.
druidHi all,
I’ve just been reading about MuLab version 5, and while it has not been designed with touch in mind in this case, they expressed in their version 5 notes that they’re interested in pursuing touch interface design in the future, and indicated that their interface adjustments for 5 (to do with dragging and dropping) are also useful for touch.
I make no judgement on the merit of such steps, but it’s interesting that (very) slowly the industry seems to be seeing touch interfaces as worth spending time designing for. Cakewalk’s Sonar now has an additional touch interface focus, MuTools are clearly interested in following this avenue, and it wouldn’t surprise me if Cubase was also going to go that direction (maybe they’ve already stated something, I haven’t kept up to date).
Another reason to point this out is that it isn’t just big names (Cakewalk) that are working on this, but also small groups are interested too (MuTools).
Pretty much, it’s just something interesting to note, and that’s really my only motivation to post it, as Frits had mentioned his interest also.
I’m not entirely sure which thread on here (nor which part of the forum) Frits mentioned that he wanted to focus on touch, where this would be appropriate, so I’ve dumped it here.
The TelenatorI don’t recall which thread, either, but I seem to remember the reference. If he intends to pursue the tablet idea, then touch will come part and parcel. I recall him saying advancements on the tablet version would be carried over to the PC edition.
I expect practically all DAWs will at least try to pull this one off. It just seems logical since almost all of the younger PC users are asking for touch screens. If you like the idea of a touch screen, then I suppose you might pursue it as well. I just happen to prefer the old keyboard and recently touchpad method. I rarely use a mouse anymore.
Keep in mind that this statement from MuLab comes from a DAW that only started using multicore processing with what, this most recent edition 5 or something? I’m not sure I would hold my breath.
druidWell, you’re right, touch and tablet are part and parcel. I guess that’s why I said touch and didn’t mention tablet; I already see them as the same (I can’t imagine using a screen that small if I have to use keyboard and mouse, more than doubling the effective workspace size, haha).
As I said, I was making no judgements, only noting that slowly, developers are becoming interested in developing touch interfaces (and therefore, essentially in preparation for tablets, though I guess they could be focused on large touch desktop screens?? But I doubt it as much?).
MuLab, as I understand it, has a fairly dedicated following? I’ve read quite a few people switched. Of course, I didn’t continue to follow it, so it could’ve gone downhill from there. Quite a few people switched to Podium. Quite a few people switched to energyXT. Quite a few people switched to Cubase … etcetera. Still, my understanding is MuLab commands a small but pleased group of customers.
Touch I imagine would take quite a bit of time to redesign an interface for. To make serious changes to an interface that all your previous users are used to is always dangerous. 😛 (*cough* Windows 8 … among many, many others in the history of computers), and yet, in the past Microsoft tried to put Windows on tablets (Windows Tablet PC Edition – XP pretending to be for tablets) where you had to use a stylus. I have no problem with this, but in terms of mainstream usage and optimizations (let’s not talk about battery life and performance, sigh), it flopped incredibly. I wouldn’t be surprised if in the first month of release Microsoft’s Surface RT sold more than their previous tablet attempt did ever, and that’s saying something, considering what people are saying about the Surface RT’s sales “performance” (or lack thereof, for varying reasons).
The Telenatordruid, I’m glad now I waited to respond to your latest comment, as I ran into an article that discusses some of this as I was checking my mail and news just now. It would have been great had it run another page or so, but I think you’ll find it very interesting nonetheless. I have a hunch you just saw it already, but if not the link is over in FUTURE at the forum. I placed it in a new thread titled “Big Fight” that might also suit your involvement/comments.
Regarding MuLab, I think you are correct. That is a most curious situation and DAW. They do have this sort of unusual (I guess) and tight little core following. You might be interested to know that I looked things there over pretty well when I first decided to go with Podium instead. Despite the several unique strengths of that DAW, I saw Podium the clear advantage. For one, MuLab has this odd kind of semi-modular thing going on that just seemed to rub me the wrong way. Beyond that, and perhaps my personal quirk only, the software somehow just didn’t ‘feel’ right. I know, I know . . .
druidI think you summed up my feelings on it. I like modular though, or at least having that power there if I need it (after tracking with Fast Tracker 2 a long time ago, I moved to Buzz Tracker, which was modular, so I guess you could say I semi-grew up with it).
Something about its interface didn’t rub me the right way, so I avoided it. Then they released a VST version for the modular part; essentially the part that had me interested! That would be the only reason it’s still on my radar.
I did see your post, and actually chose not to reply. 🙂 I felt I’ve probably said all I can about tablet/touch and where DAWs are going, and so on. But maybe there’s room for a response… I did come to a realisation, too.
I’ve been “promoting” (I guess), or at leasdt positive, on the whole tablet idea, and by extension, touch. I’ve realised that it’s possible that some people may think I believe touch input to be revolutionary … which is completely untrue. I think it’s like another way to do things, good for some things, bad for others. I believe having both it and a mouse could be better (but won’t know until I try it .. if I ever choose to go that path with my desktop…).
The key is; I don’t think touch itself is revolutionary. For phones it is (imo), due to the small real estate you have to interact with the device. But not for desktops.
The reason I believe touch is important is that I believe it will spread (I scoffed at it years ago, saw the iPhone as a toy … oops?). AND, because (again due to form factor) I believe tablets are a big future item. Accessories are not so annoying when you have a fixed location and a desk set up. Tablets are not that usage model. So if tablets are the future, then by extension touch will inevitably have to become a part of things.
Honestly, I have often found the enlargening of UIs that touch inevitably causes to be annoying at best and downright ugly at worst. And until I bought a smartphone, I thought the entire idea was ridiculous and just a passing fancy. I’m not so sure any more … but yeah, I don’t think touch is so revolutionary,.
Give me a music host that I can control with my mind easily and fluently..! Now THERE’S revolution! … well, maybe. 😉
The TelenatorJust wanted you to see the related story.
Either this year or certainly next, every laptop that isn’t a complete rubbish model will have touch screen. See if I’m right about this.
druidI’m pretty it sure it will, at least if it’s a Windows machine. Windows 8 is, as you know, pushing touch a lot. I’m not sure if it’s because the OEMs think it’s useful, though, or just because it’s the big craze at the moment, sigh.
The TelenatorWell, I think THIS takes care of all thoughts concerning the touch screen as it applies to us, don’t you think?
adimatisYes. Touch screen is a big hype these days. And will continue to be, so Audio Production Systems like this is to be seen more and more.
Not a bad thing altogether.
I am much more agreable with large touch screen for using a DAW (21″ and up) with a proper PC system (even in the form of all-in-one) than small tablets/mobile devices that are simply not right for this purpose, IMO. Not at this stage of development.
So, even for Podium, taking it to touch, not bad. Taking it to mobile (Android, iOS) not good. Just my oppinion.
druid@The Telenator wrote:
Well, I think THIS takes care of all thoughts concerning the touch screen as it applies to us, don’t you think?
Ouch, watching that was painful, only because I have an alert that goes off whenever people try to sell something as the only thing that’s using the technology, when it isn’t! Looks like it mixes (pun intended!) quite a bit of useful stuff in there. Multitouch as I see it would be good for things like that, and controlling multiple things, though I’m not sure I’d get over wanting a physical knob, honestly! 🙁
That nanotech he’s talking about on the screen, though… It isn’t widespread, but I’ve already heard about it, which means it isn’t straight out of a laboratory or anything. And his bright, any angle screen is just sales talk for a modern IPS screen; coupled with multitouch, admittedly, they aren’t that common, but they certainly aren’t “just coming out” as he supposes.
Just had to air that. Those sorts of claims lower the credibility of companies for me, which is a shame. I’m a spec sheet guy, though. I don’t want to be sold to with talk, I want to be sold to with specs and facts.
Still looks like a useful thing (if it wasn’t using Apple, which to me it looks like it is).