R.L. Dane    🍵 
#UserInterface Design was *completed* (as a "techné") circa 2009, and has devolved ever since. It's true, just accept it. #UIDesign #UI — #microblogging #MicroToot: 138 characters
Feb 24 at 7:01pmWeb
Show threadPete OrrallFeb 25

@rl_dane Unfortunately you are correct. #UserInterface Design, of course, isn't limited to #computers. There aren't too many new #vehicles these days that do *not* have a #touchscreen #infotainment #center. They are a distraction.

<tangent>
Same goes for #synthesizers. Many #digital #synths have gorgeous touchscreens but few #tactile #controls. Menu diving has always been an issue on these devices but it's definitely worsened. A lot of my time architecting new sounds is spend navigating an OS with my fingertips.

On the flip side, these instruments are ridiculously powerful. Multiple SoCs and running #Linux!
</tangent>

Show threadR.L. Dane    🍵 Feb 25

@peteorrall

Curious, what's your take on #TeenageEngineering?

The OP-1 looks really cool to me (not much of a musician), but the newer one that just uses your phone as the display is... meh. ;)

Also, just curious, why don't synths ever (or usually?) have weighted keys? How do you get used to that?

Show threadCloud DwellerFeb 25

@rl_dane @peteorrall the OP1 is my desert island synth. If i had no computer i could conceivably manage my workflow entirely from this synth/4 track/drum machine/sequencer. Theres now new entries that have fewer limitations but I still love the thing a decade in.

Lack of weighted keys is real shit with synths. You could probably use a weighted keyboard to midi control your synth!

Show threadR.L. Dane    🍵 Feb 25

@clouddweller @peteorrall

I could understand if you needed to do insane arpeggios by hand, but... that's all I can think of as far as the advantages of non-weighted.

Also, it can theoretically make the board itself lighter. That's about it.

Show threadPete OrrallFeb 25

@rl_dane @clouddweller

Non-weighted keys are great for keyboardists and synthesists, not necessarily pianists. The components required for fully weighted keys dramatically increase the weight, making it more difficult for gigging musicians and it also drives up the cost significantly.

Since pro-level boards also have better build quality, compared to their budget-friendly counterparts, it's difficult to get an exact weight difference.

The Yamaha Montage M8X is 62 pounds, has an 88 key fully weight polyphonic aftertouch bed, but the body is solid aluminum. The budget friendly version, the MODX M8 is 88 fully weighted keys without aftertouch but uses a lighter weight plastic is just 29 pounds. Same goes for the shorter key length variants across both models. Though, it's the aluminum that adds most of the weight.

Insane arpeggios aren't a problem if you have the dexterity and come from piano. I prefer the feel of fully weighted keys.

Show threadR.L. Dane    🍵 Feb 25

@clouddweller @peteorrall

There's a YT channel called "Red Means Recording" I used to really enjoy that used the OP-1 extensively (and now its successor, IIRC).

Also, this is a gem: https://inv.nadeko.net/watch?v=CFG5dk1GyRo

Show threadPete OrrallFeb 25
@rl_dane @clouddweller I've watched several Red Means Recording videos. Good channel!
Show threadPete OrrallFeb 25
@clouddweller @rl_dane I use my fully weighted 88 key synth as the primary controller.
Show threadPete OrrallFeb 25

@rl_dane I am not familiar with Teenage Engineer so I can't comment.

As far as keyboards go, the 88 key models are fully weighted and have action similar to or almost the same as an acoustic piano. Typically, budget-grade synths have the cheaper unweighted keybed. As the price goes up, the action becomes better and even semi-weighted.

Each manufacturer is a bit different with their action, however.

Show threadR.L. Dane    🍵 Feb 25

@peteorrall

Huh, I got the impression that most synths weren't weighted. I vaguely recall playing on a nord keyboard in the late naughties, and it wasn't weighted, but maybe it was a cheap one.

Show threadPete OrrallFeb 25
@rl_dane I'm not sure what keybed Nord uses. I know that each manufacturer is different. Many synth companies design the compoents but use 3rd party keybeds like Fatar. Yamaha, on the other hand, being a massive company owns the vertical. They design their own keybeds and other components, including DSP chips.
Show threadblaue_FledermausFeb 25
@rl_dane
Frutiger Aero of Windows Vista/7 was peak UI design.
Show threadR.L. Dane    🍵 Feb 27

@blaue_Fledermaus

I think it was peak for Windows, at least. The same year, Mac OS X Snow Leopard was peak UI for MacOS.

Also, late Gnome 2 around the same time was peak UI for Linux, save for the lack of a universal search-based launcher like KRunner (but there were many available add-ons, like [Launchy].