I think, whether we like it or not, they're just betting on dedicating their resources to further development of touch, instead of pouring more effort into a market that may dwindle in the coming years. I say that without any "defense" of CW in mind, by the way. It just seems to be what's happening. I'm merely expressing hope their bet pans out to our greater benefit, as I don't see them going 180 soon.

Yeah, I think you're right. It's not a move that appeals to me personally, but it's clearly what's happening.

We also don't know what partner products they are going to come out with TASCAM.  They will probably dedicate more development resources towards things that will sell more CW licenses rather than dedicate resources to things that means no real revenue for the company.

These are actually shockingly affordable now;
http://www.iiyama.com/gb_...ts/prolite-t2735msc-1/

Like denverdrummer mentions, I'm still hoping the Tascam partnership yields something that covers the physical control surface request otherewise why the heck partner??  I still like touching something with dimension.   Like much of todays music, touch/flat screen has about as much feel as music made with all virtual instruments.   Give me real drums and REAL FADERS !!! LOL

I think you really have to re-think a GUI if you want it highly usable with touch interfaces. I have a 24" touch screen Sony VAIO that I used to drive the Presonus 16.4.2 in our PA.  Trying to use the Presonus SW using the touch interface is an exercise in frustration, some widgets aren't even usable. In sharp contrast, when we all take out our iPads and connect to it the touch interface works like a dream. 

Agreed! I expect/hope Cake will be devoting their resources to this in lieu of those protocols.

eric_peterson
I think you really have to re-think a GUI if you want it highly usable with touch interfaces. I have a 24" touch screen Sony VAIO that I used to drive the Presonus 16.4.2 in our PA.  Trying to use the Presonus SW using the touch interface is an exercise in frustration, some widgets aren't even usable. In sharp contrast, when we all take out our iPads and connect to it the touch interface works like a dream. 

I had the same experience when I had the 1818VSL, which has a similar interface to the Live mixer systems.  What is sad is that the iPad was a waste because I found out I still had to have the 1818VSL connected to my computer and then have that computer connected to a router, and then use the iPad on top.
 
I was trying to get a system that was ultra portable and I could setup for a live gig and run out of the VSL as a submix to the front of house.  Would have been awesome if I could just taken the VSL and an iPad and be done with it.
 
My next route was to try using my wife's Surface Pro.  Would have been great but for two things, the first is exactly what you're talking about, the interface for the desktop app sucked for touch, and wouldn't even format to the screen correctly on a 10" display.  The second problem was I found out that the VSL stuff is incompatible with Intel USB 3.0 ports, which is the reason I sold it.
 
I'm really sad to have given that up because there's really not another interface that works as well for both live sound and recording, that also has integrated Midi ports.  I was looking at the MOTU, which is an awesome interface, but alas no integrated MIDI I/O.
 
Having said all that, I use touch screen in Sonar mainly to navigate the project.  Oh my gosh it's so much faster than trying to use the mouse wheel with CTRL and Shift.  You can literally fly across the project page using swipe, and it's invaluable in the PRV.

I have been able to make the Presonus work for us. At age 50 and with a wife and four kids there's now way I can practice enough remember the chords/lyrics for almost 100 songs, not and hold down the day job too. So, I use a two page open facing PDF binder on my VAIO and flip pages with foot pedals. IOW, the VAIO is already there anyway on stand I built which includes the router and my guitar DSP which is all pre-wired. Given that, it's no big deal to just run the single cable bundle over to the mixer, the bundle includes: 16 foot firewire, guitar DSP output, and my vocals. I'm an Aerospace Hardware/Software/Systems guy and tend to get carried away, a prime example is our band's wiring harnesses: everything is shrink wrapped, has braided cable sleeving, and every connection is labelled. A bit over the top, but super helpful when setting up. 

eric_peterson
I have been able to make the Presonus work for us. At age 50 and with a wife and four kids there's now way I can practice enough remember the chords/lyrics for almost 100 songs, not and hold down the day job too. So, I use a two page open facing PDF binder on my VAIO and flip pages with foot pedals. IOW, the VAIO is already there anyway on stand I built which includes the router and my guitar DSP which is all pre-wired. Given that, it's no big deal to just run the single cable bundle over to the mixer, the bundle includes: 16 foot firewire, guitar DSP output, and my vocals. I'm an Aerospace Hardware/Software/Systems guy and tend to get carried away, a prime example is our band's wiring harnesses: everything is shrink wrapped, has braided cable sleeving, and every connection is labelled. A bit over the top, but super helpful when setting up. 

I would not call that over the top.  I would call it being very practical and also say you are doing it right.  Congrats on your setup.