What I would like to see on future gear.
Today I was thinking about music hardware and such, and it really occurred to me that hardware synths have not changed at all since the introduction of MIDI. Think about it for a second. After the MIDI port, what have we seen on the back of our hardware since? Not much. Sure the occasional USB port pops up, but nothing innovative has come along at all. I would really like to see manufacturers add a lot more to the back to improve hardware. Much of the improvements that I am thinking about are pretty cheap these days.
My Improvement Ideas
Female and Male USB/Firewire ports on all synths: There is no reason we cannot connect synths to each other via USB/Firewire right? Come one, audio and other data should be sent to all gear.
Ethernet ports: Lets get some open Ethernet ports and let developers decide what to do with them, be it OSC or whatever.
A standardized Digital Output system: I don't care what it is.
More Knobs!!!! Come on developers, how much does a knob really cost you? I shouldn't have to buy a midi controller just to use my hardware synth. The $150 Electribes have more knobs then some of high end synths these days.
My requests are simple aren't they? It shouldn't be too hard. While I think my requests are fairly simple, what do the readers out there think manufacturers should be doing to try to improve?
Do you want to see more VST/Hardware integration? Something else?
3 comments:
"Female and Male USB/Firewire ports on all synths: There is no reason we cannot connect synths to each other via USB/Firewire right? Come one, audio and other data should be sent to all gear."
That's what the sends on your mixer and/or your patchbay are for. Tho "other data" would be MIDI yeh?
"Ethernet ports: Lets get some open Ethernet ports and let developers decide what to do with them, be it OSC or whatever."
Solution looking for a problem.
BTW, MLAN fits both of these last two.
"A standardized Digital Output system: I don't care what it is."
ADAT or SPDIF/AESEBU (same thing), depending an channels required
"More Knobs!!!!"
That's a trend that comes and goes every few years. Give it time.
"Come on developers, how much does a knob really cost you?"
You might be surprised. It's more than a knob, it's panel cutouts and encoder/pot and circuitry and lost RAM and.... Think at least 10 bucks a pop, largely dependent on quality.
"I shouldn't have to buy a midi controller just to use my hardware synth."
Some people prefer their devices be dedicated to a certain purpose (synth, controller) for maximum flexibility, some prefer a less flexible but easier to use all-in-one job. You're the latter it seems ;)
I'd love to see more fusion of high end analog components and cutting edge digital technology. It's a highly under-explored idea in my opinion. No, those goofy Electribes with the "tubes" don't count.
The Access Virus TI connects to your PC using USB. It actually functions as an audio interface and a synth and comes with a VST plugin for controlling it. It's pretty neat. You don't need to fiddle with audio out cables or what not on the synth. Just plug in the usb, drop the VST interface into a track in ableton or whatever and you're off.
And then you can use the ports on the back of the virus like you would an external audio interface and plug your other instruments into it. Mind blowing. Of course it's pricey.
http://www.access-music.de/events/11-2004/virusti_details_control.php4?product=virustidesktop
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