Title link takes you to an interesting article on Popular Mechanics that focuses on the dying trend of using analog knobs in automobile controls, by Glen Reynolds. What's interesting is the author makes references to synths! Bringing synths to mainstream. Woot! "One of the most dramatic examples of the return-to-analog controls comes from the field of electronic music. I own a 1980s Roland Alpha Juno 1 synthesizer. It's a sleek machine, controlled with minimalist buttons — a classic. But most musicians will tell you that it's hard to perform while you're trying to squint at the Roland's LCD display and navigate its nested menus.
The synthesizer I'd like to own is the Alesis AG [A6] Andromeda. Unlike the Roland, the Alesis puts many key functions on dedicated knobs — so many, in fact, that it looks like the cockpit of a B-17. And that's why musicians love it — knobs are easy to grab in the dark. Knobs also make it simpler to transfer knowledge from one device to another. Once you know what a low-frequency oscillator does, you can use it on any device. But with nonstandard menus, you have to spend precious time finding, and remembering, how to get to the function you need on every new device you use."
Hmm... I wonder if the author knows about Matrixsynth. :)
my car has basic, plain analog controls for most things. I love it this way. I think all this menu-based digital stuff in cars is going too far. It might be good for navigation systems or for some things but when i hear about cars with computerized climate control with many choices and all, i think about how many accidents will happen when someone is fighting with the touch screen multi menu controls....
ReplyDeleteBack to synths... I tend to think i'll get more varied sounds out of a limited synth with great controls than a powerful synths with complicated controls...
What's interesting they don't just design the controls blind. They hire industrial psychologists to help design interfaces that are supposed to be super easy and intuitive to use. With computers making their way into cars, you have to wonder if their paradigm is shifting. I know people who simply do not know how to use all the gadgets in their car because it's simply to complex for them. You are 100% right regarding potential accidents. One of the original reasons industrial psychologists were brought in was to reduce the likelihood of accidents due to overly complex controls. You have to wonder where that all went.
ReplyDeleteRegarding cars: can you say voice recognition?
ReplyDeleteSure, I knew you could.
Cars should be super easy to use, the easiest possible. I've heard numerous people saying how hard the 100k$ series 7 car is complicated to use with its on board computer.
ReplyDeletewtf is wrong, can't they find something else besides a touchscreen color lcd with tons of menus to justify such a high price ?
Cell phones should be banned as well from cars. I've seen too many accidents happen in front of me while waiting to cross the street. Like that time that a brand new volvo got crashed into the rear of a pickup truck. The guy in the volvo just saw the traffic light turn green and drove straight into the truck.
How many accidents are due to people trying to find a cd in their car ? I know of at least one person that crashed his car good this way.
Simple analog controls are the best. I don't want to have to press the "heat up" button 10 times when it's really cold. Now imagines trying to do that on a multi menu touchscreen while driving thru potholes.
With a knob i can just flick it to the max without looking...
I kind of understand the phenomenon of thos psychologists. Kinda like meetings for software projects. Everyone wants to try their great new idea to prove they are great, or it's management/marketing that insists on wacky features...
This being said, some computer use in recent cars are likely to be useful, like those systems that brake for you in case of inevitable accidents. So if you feel asleep while driving this could save your life.
This is completely unrelated to synths tho. My tx81z could use twice the buttons and it wouldn't hurt :P Somewhat crappy interface stuck to fit with a handful of buttons (they double press often now, makes it even better :P)