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| monome.org - The Arc | | |
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So, one of the things that I like (but also one of the things that scares me) about technology is how quickly the hardware and software we use changes. There are many approaches to address this problem, and one is to read as much as possible about what is on the cutting edge. Recently, on
createdigitalmotion.com they featured
a new digital music controller made by the same folks at
monome.
This new device,
The Arc houses two rotary encoders (not a knob). A rotary encoder looks like a knob but can spin forever in either direction. Hardware takes readings and acts like a digital knob. This information is sent over
OSC to a computer. A ring of LEDs around each knob is controlled by customized software that displays whatever reading the Arc has been programmed for. And because the software is customized, it can be programmed for literally anything... volume, pan, filter, or any control in any commercial software. The possibilities are endless. (It is also a button)
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| monome.org - Arc parts |
However, the reason this product is different is because it follows the modern, minimalistic style popularized by industrial designers like Jony Ive of Apple. Many products are overrun with knobs, buttons, faders and other input devices. The Arc is simple and elegant. It is constructed out of beautiful wood and brushed aluminum. Its operation is straightforward, as is the output. It is a harmonious melding of form and function, much like its sister product the monome. The monome is simply a grid of buttons that light up, again, according to customized software.
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| createdigitalmotion.com - The Arc |
I have slightly mixed feelings about this kind of controller. I am a big fan of the OSC protocol and love the look of the Arc. Unfortunately it doesn't seem to have a tremendous amount of functionality as a primary controller. It would probably serve best as an auxiliary device. With all that being said, I think its interesting to note that early mixing consoles used knobs (not encoders) as the volume control on their mixers.
