Future potential of touch and GUI design

I have been contemplating the notion that the console view in SONAR should be more user customizable beyond the simple options currently available.  
 
Some of these ideas include customizing the GUI of the channel strip itself... how wide it is, which controls from a plug in shows up in the channel strip itself (great for VST EQs and COMPs), the color of the channel strip, etc.... one could create their own custom desks in this manner.  You would be able to make the channel strip as large or small as your liked (width wise) to make it easier for touch control... ever try and select the MUTE, SOLO, STEREO/MONO buttons with touch on a smallish laptop monitor? Don't know about you but my thumb is way too fat to precisely get the button I want (fat thumb being metaphorical in that I really use my index finger). Or put your finger on a knob and as you turn the knob, actually see the setting under your finger?  
 
For example, I use a HELIOS eq on every track in my projects and in order to adjust settings on the EQ, requires me to open the VST, move the knobs, and then close the VST.... wouldn't it be wonderful if I could just turn the knobs for the EQ right on the channel strip of the console to make adjustments?
 
I say let us customize and that touch makes this feature even more useful.

I agree it would be cool to be able to build our own custom screens, adding buttons, pots, faders and assigning them to whatever we want. We could control the color, size and placement of any object on your screen and design the layout for your monitor(s).
 
Why not?
 
It doesn't have to be instead of a standard gui, but in addition to a standard gui.
 
That said, I have been the last to use this sort of feature traditionally.
 
Also, I've seen a video for DAW software that basically enabled this, but I can't remember the name of it and I haven't turned it up in a couple of quick searches.

With the right features/refinements, you could have that type of integration with a standard touch-monitor ~$650

bapu

Jim Roseberry
With the right features/refinements, you could have that type of integration with a standard touch-monitor ~$650

Do you know ANYONE who does has that type of offering?

The future is WIDE open...    ;)
 

I agree it would be cool to be able to build our own custom screens, adding buttons, pots, faders and assigning them to whatever we want. We could control the color, size and placement of any object on your screen and design the layout for your monitor(s).

 
+1
This is exactly what could/should happen.
Take the "ideal" of a hardware-based controller... and adapt/improve/refine the concepts for use with multi-touch.

SteveStrummerUK
 
Imagine Sonar laid out on one of these:
 

 
Mouth watering

Amazing simply Amazing...
Now if I only had the money

 
Some great info gents.
 
Looks like you'd be paying an awful lot of dosh for someone to set up the complete package for you with that Raven when you could do it yourself.
 
 

Noel's on the loose.....
 
We all know what that means.
 
Noel's on the loose.....

bapu
Noel's on the loose.....
 
We all know what that means.
 
Noel's on the loose.....

hehe... that's funny

Noel Borthwick [Cakewalk]

jkleban
For example, I use a HELIOS eq on every track in my projects and in order to adjust settings on the EQ, requires me to open the VST, move the knobs, and then close the VST.... wouldn't it be wonderful if I could just turn the knobs for the EQ right on the channel strip of the console to make adjustments?

 
You can do this today with the prochannel fx chain module in X2A. Just insert the HELIOS eq in an FXChain and you get 6 assignable knobs on the pro channel strip in the console.

That's assuming he has ProChannel. For me, I'm still in too much of a habit of wanting to see the VSTs and adjust them directly. I found that's still easier for me.

AT
You need a touch screen that folds flat - umm, just like a console.  They are just now starting to come out (i've been keeping my eye open) at reasonable prices.  $400 for this Acer T232HL bmidz 23-Inch or a 27 incher for over $500.  Both 10 point touch and will almost lay flat (most console slope anyway).  Dell's 23-inch model w/ the tres cool base has dropped from $650 to 550 in a couple of months.
 
I'm hoping this winter to have a 23-inch touch screen laying like a console under my 23 inch monitor. Hopefully SONAR X3 will let me adjust the touch screen for size so I can manipulate things with my pudgy little fingers and keep the whole project on the main screen.  For about $300, not including SONAR upgrade.
 
Granted, the Raven looks (and from what I've heard) to be industrial grade yada yada yada and I'd love to have one, but for a tenth of the price I'll just upgrade when my TS drops dead from exhaustion and get a bigger model here at home.
 
@

  That's my exact setup. I have the 23" Acer mounted like a mixing board under my 23" non-touch screen. I'm extremely happy with it and i feel that it's only going to get better. 
  My 23" touchscreen was $500.00 when I bought it. It's good for those who waited that prices are coming down. 
  I've mentioned in other posts that using the touchscreen for console view is only a part of what it does. Using it to scroll ,zoom ,set loop points etc.. in track view is where it really shines. 
  I don't think you can do that with the Raven. 

You can get a 27 ACER mentioned above for about $430 (including shipping) at Amazon as I stated earlier... Granted I didn't give the model but it is the monitor that folds down practically flat....
 
Noel, I also mentioned the FX Chain customization but would like to take this one step further and include some of that magic on the console screen layout as well.... give it some thought, with touch and SONAR you can easily have RAVEN at well less than half cost.
 
Thanks for chiming in.
 
Jim

Isnt that Raven going to quickly be old news?..
 
that just looks like a console view thrown onto a touchscreen panel.. $500-$600 tops!
 
 

SteveStrummerUK
 
Imagine Sonar laid out on one of these:
 

 
Mouth watering