I have dual monitors: one 25"  and one 19".  Both are conventional (not touch screen).  I have been looking for a control surface.  The reality is that my work space is already rather crowded.  After watching Brandon's recent video, I am wondering whether I really need a control surface.  I am thinking about replacing my monitors instead with two 26" touch screen monitors.
 
The type of work I do doesn't really require riding the faders hard.  I tend to work on one track at a time.  And in all actuality, I go back in and manually edit the automation curve most of the time anyway.
 
I realize a touch screen is significantly different from a control surface, but I am just wondering: Has anybody switched to touch screen?  And after you did that, did you find you use the control surface less?

Versus?   Switch to?
 
Still use a mouse, and a keyboard?    A touch screen is just another type of input device. Having one does not mean having to stop using any other input device.   This is not about either-or.
 
Do you use the Matrix much?  Get a "small" touch screen, place it near your hand and use it to quickly trigger samples.  Like The Machine.
 
Display the Session Drummer mixer and make quick adjustments, trigger samples when testing,....
 
 

Which video is that?...I'd like to have a look too.  I started with a Roland MC-500 back in about 1988 so that was at least like transport control, but from about 1999, it was Cakewalk Pro Audio with a mouse and keyboard through now, all with no control surface, so a mouse and keyboard was normal for me.  I was thinking yesterday that something like step sequencer would also be really good for touch interface.  To me the big deal with a touch interface is that it needs to be really close and not in the same position as a traditional monitor, otherwise you'd be reaching with your arm alot, which would not be good.  Seems like it would need to almost be in the position of your keyboard, or a little higher.  I'd personally like a big enough screen that you could have an on demand on screen keyboard, kind of like the tablet devices, but in the ballpark of 23 inches or so.

My thought for some time have been if to at least run one monitor as touch screen - and place it at 30-40 degree angle behind keyboard up against main monitor.
 
Undock and place mixer console on that touch screen monitor.
 
I don't know how well implemented the touch gestures are?

In 20 years from, really probably much sooner, you will all be inputting stuff like this on whatever we use to make audio with, without touch screens or mouses.

I don't know what the input method will be. But the touch screens, keyboards, mouses will be equal to Atari Joy Stick.


So I don't worry about this stuff.


Just a thought that's all

I use a touch screen on a dual monitor system and have it setup exactly as LFM described (WIN 8, X2).  It works great.  I also have a SURFACE RT that I use across the studio for tracking... I have it setup as a REMOTE DESKTOP to my main DAW and use WiFi to control my MAIN DAW PC while tracking instruments.... quite convenient not have to walk back and forth from the recording room to the control room.  Frankly, I love it and I am not a techie but surprisingly this was all EZ to setup.
 
Jim

if you have space go for the console... 

my experience with the touch screen is that its not that great, perhaps i am on an older monitor (1st gen Acer T230H). The faders on the Console View will accelerate upwards or downwards when slided... even when done gently. i am not able to control very fine movements like +0.1 or -0.1 stuff. however the double tap will reset to 0, the transport all works as they should... fun part is the Drum Loops... easy to tap in notes... 
 
on the other hand, you may want to consider TouchDAW. its an app which works on Andorid. it has the capability to show and work well on handphones. however, if you have a tablet, there is a setting that will allow for a more efficient work screen. 
 
you will then be able to sit further away from your monitors where you control your mix away from the keyboard and mouse controls. 
 
http://www.humatic.de/htools/touchdaw/index.htm
 
in the Android Market the app is avail to try for free with some restrictions. the paid version at sg$6+ is well worth it. give it a shot...
 
hope this helps.... cheers!!!

I use touch. I don't plug in my alpha track anymore, but it has limitations and quirks. I don't know how much is code and learning curve. Grabbing faders is still much more natural than a touch screen. But the touch screen removes the whole mapping thing. You see it, you touch it, you control it. No moving something in one place that moves something else on your screen. So, I'm using touch. I use it the most while tracking or mixing with a friend. I also use it to set initial mix levels before creating envelopes. I like th2 with touch .

I find alpha track automation envelopes often come out smoother than touch writing of envelopes.

Changing tempo with touch blows when I'm practicing.

A Multi-touch monitor is nice... but it's not a complete replacement for mouse/keyboard/control-surface.
Over time, I think multi-touch will diminish the need (desire) to invest in a control-surface.
Touch is relatively new... and will certainly be further refined/enhanced.
 
IMO, The problem with control surfaces is the lack of a clearly defined spec (like MIDI).  
Mackie Control is the closest thing to that... but there are deviations within that protocol.
ie: NI's Machine in Mackie Control Mode when used with Sonar.  
Sonar waits for a "handshake" (I believe a SysEx message from the MCU) that never happens... which leaves you in limbo.
At this point in time, unless you absolutely must have faders under fingers, I'd hold off buying a control surface.

doncolga
Which video is that?...I'd like to have a look too. 

http://youtu.be/q3D6js9Pzqs