Keyboard has all knobs on the left, should they redesign it?

[Dance123]

Hi,

I don't know if I am the only one who dislikes the layout of the 61-note keyboard version of the Virus (TI), but why are all the knobs + LCD of the 61-note keyboard version completely on the left, instead of being in the middle (or spread evenly) above the keyboard, like with most other synth I know and gives a much better user interface when playing on the keyboard and want to use the knobs and read the LCD screen, etc..

I am not only talking about workstations, but also VA keyboards like Novation's KS4/5 synths seem to have the knobs much better placed above the keyboard which makes it all easier to use.

Am I the only one or would other people also like to see a 61-keyboard version of the TI with a better interface (like the KS4/5, knobs and LCD placed in the middle above keys). If enough people would want this, I could contact Access about this and I am sure they would consider making it, so everybody reply here please if you would also want this!

[grs]

I can gues the response, if any, you might get.
It's cheaper for them to use the same circuit boards in all models.

[Hollowcell]

Honestly I prefer all the knobs on the left. I have ever since getting the Nordlead2 all those years ago. Gives me more real time playable access to everything (but I do prefer to play leads and bass with my right hand though).

I also like putting things on top of the spare space on the right too.

All personal preference though I guess. :)

[Dance123]

I can gues the response, if any, you might get.
It's cheaper for them to use the same circuit boards in all models.

But would it be so difficult for them to place the entire knobs section (which is indeed the same as with the dektop module) in the middle above the keys instead of completely to the left. You know, like it is with the Novation KS4/5 synths. It's much easier to use the knobs and LCD when they are in the middle above the keys. Do you think it would be difficult for them to change that technically?!

[Juho L]

The reason why the knobs are on the left is obvious: You play with your right. If the knobs would be in the middle you would have to keep your hands in weird position. Imagine yourself using modwheel that's placed in the middle.

[jasedee]

I think you are on your own here mate!

It is quite obvious that the knobs should be on the upper left, as most would play synth lines with the right, whilst tweaking with the left hand...

Keyboards/ workstations that have things centralised are not in the same league as a VA like the Virus. The Virus is for tweaking, live, and getting creative......a workstation or rompler is something where you find a sound, tweak a little (EQ etc), and then play, but not usually in real time (like with the filters/resonance)

[Juho L]

By the way all assingable controllers on workstations are on left side.

[Tomer=Trance]

i think for left handed people the whole synth part on the left might be a bit diffecult when playing live.

[Juho L]

i think for left handed people the whole synth part on the left might be a bit diffecult when playing live.

When you play keyboards you naturally play melodies with right hand and the rest with left. I haven't heard of a keyboardist that would play melodies on left.

Edit: Except Keith Emerson who is left-handed (Hammond with right and Moog leads with left), but mainly he plays traditionally.

[ben crosland]

Generally, left-handed people play the keys in the same way as right-handed people ;)

[DIGITAL SCREAMS]

This is an interesting question. Heres my opinion....I maybe wrong of course....

Vintage synths tend to have all the controls across the whole surface. I think one of the reasons for that was the fact that analog components took up room and had to be spaced out (sometimes across multiple PCB's). this in effect dictated knob/button placement.

Today VA's use pretty small PCB's. the components on the board are pretty scarce and tiny. For design reasons (and cost reasons) it would make sence to group all the controls 'underneath' the PCB. To have the added luxury of control pots and buttons spanning the entire surface would be too expensive.

When you look at the issue of left and right handed people.....on balance its better to group the controls on the left...as it satisfies more people. 90% of people are right handed. Thus, they tend to play complicated parts with the right hand and use thier left hand to manipulate controls. For those in the minority (i.e. ME!!!)....it doesnt make muke musch difference either wat. Its certainly not detrimental to my 80's style of playing hehehe

DS

[blay]

Generally, left-handed people play the keys in the same way as right-handed people ;)

:lol: :oops:

[Juho L]

Generally, left-handed people play the keys in the same way as right-handed people ;)

Yup. Playing opposite would be like playing guitar with inverse strings.

[Tomer=Trance]

i think for left handed people the whole synth part on the left might be a bit diffecult when playing live.

When you play keyboards you naturally play melodies with right hand and the rest with left. I haven't heard of a keyboardist that would play melodies on left.

Edit: Except Keith Emerson who is left-handed (Hammond with right and Moog leads with left), but mainly he plays traditionally.

playing with one hand and tweaking with the other that is.

[Onkel Dunkel]

Generally, left-handed people play the keys in the same way as right-handed people ;)

Yup. Playing opposite would be like playing guitar with inverse strings.

With the high notes would to the left and the low notes to the right :lol:

[Juho L]

With the high notes would to the left and the low notes to the right :lol:

By the way doesn't Virus has a pitch keyfollow in the osc menu? Setting that to -32 would inverse the keys. Progressive...

[3o3]

That would be really be a nice way to play!

[blay]

[quote=Onkel Dunkel]By the way doesn't Virus has a pitch keyfollow in the osc menu? Setting that to -32 would inverse the keys. Progressive...

i wear my underwear inside out sometimes so i dont have to wash them as much......

...thats the true definition of progressive :D

[Onkel Dunkel]

With the high notes would to the left and the low notes to the right :lol:

By the way doesn't Virus has a pitch keyfollow in the osc menu? Setting that to -32 would inverse the keys. Progressive...

I?m definetly gonna try that :lol: Then I?ll know how brainwashed i am in playing the "right" way :D Try imagening that you learned to play this way when you started to play keys. That must be about the same feeling i had when i started to play guitar many years ago. It just felt right playing it upside-down (like Jimi Hendrix) but then i found that was too time-consuming to change all the strings on the schools guitar everytime so i was brainwashed in playing the "right" way :roll:

[Onkel Dunkel]

i wear my underwear inside out sometimes so i dont have to wash them as much......

...thats the true definition of progressive :D

That?s nice. Sometimes i wear my head upside down 8)

[Juho L]

i wear my underwear inside out sometimes so i dont have to wash them as much......

...thats the true definition of progressive :D

Bachelor clothwash. That's not progressive, thats every-day activity.

Bachelor's washing machine: A pile of dirty underwear. Put the old ones on the top and take new ones from the bottom.

[3o3]

Hoho, I got my girlfriend to wash my clothes, i hate washing clothes - however i gotta do the cleaning/dishes and cook the food (usually) because of that. So i am not quite there... yet

[Juho L]

Hoho, I got my girlfriend to wash my clothes, i hate washing clothes - however i gotta do the cleaning/dishes and cook the food (usually) because of that. So i am not quite there... yet

There are two things I hate: Capitalism and washing the dishes. I enjoy cooking but washing the dishes is horror. I'd like to have a dish washing machine...

[Onkel Dunkel]

There are two things I hate: Capitalism and washing the dishes. I enjoy cooking but washing the dishes is horror. I'd like to have a dish washing machine...

I ?don?t know what?s worst but the dish-washer sure is nice. Now i only need a capitalist-washer :lol:

[Timo]

Just to throw a spanner into the works, everything's centralised on the Indigo/Polar. ;)

[Juho L]

Now i only need a capitalist-washer :lol:

Smart(tm)-pill? Hoho.

[Onkel Dunkel]

Now i only need a capitalist-washer :lol:

Smart(tm)-pill? Hoho.

That?ll be nice :lol: Only problem is that you have to force them to take it :twisted:

[drewkeys]

Dance 123, there is a history of making keyboards with the majority of realtime controllers on the left side. This is why the drawbars for the top manual on a hammond organ are on the left side or why the ondes martenot had its controllers on the left.

Frankly, as a pianist, I love that the controllers are on the left: Let's say that the right hand is playing the controls while the left hand is playing the keyboard. Even if the left hand stretches further up into the high range of the keyboard, it is a very pianistic motion for the right hand to cross over the left and play the controls on the left side of the keyboard, not unlike the technique required to play, for example, stride piano or debussy preludes.


Plus, a laptop looks tres cool sitting in that blank spot on top of the virus!

[Hollowcell]

Just to throw a spanner into the works, everything's centralised on the Indigo/Polar. ;)

Mod wheel/pitch are still on the left though. Space saving is great!

Maybe the next one will look like this.
http://www.keyboardmuseum.org/pic/r/rol/sh3a.jpg

[3o3]

There are two things I hate: Capitalism and washing the dishes. I enjoy cooking but washing the dishes is horror. I'd like to have a dish washing machine...

I agree on the capitalism thing - but i'd do the dishes any day instead of washing the clothes.

When i worked as a chief we always did the dishes in the end of the day; it wasn't so bad.

[Juho L]

I agree on the capitalism thing - but i'd do the dishes any day instead of washing the clothes.

Washing the clothes isn't a problen unless you have to wash them by hands. Choosing between washing dishes by hands and washing clothes by hands could be difficult.

[3o3]

No, I really just cant stand washing the clothes. It's so boring; you can't really do anything else in the meantime..

Or if i take some of my medicine, it probably would be alot more fun. sit back and watch the clothes-show