touch screen monitor

Is anyone using a touch screen video monitor with Sonar?
I'm considering buying one and I'm curious if it's worth it.
I thought it would be cool to be able to move audio clips around and control faders and knobs with a finger on a screen.
    Thanks

I think it would be excellent for some purposes, but, as Bit points out, a disaster for others.  For navigating around the screen, highlighting tracks and  bringing up softsynths/effects it seems like it would be natural.  For precise control and dragging and dropping clips, rotary control it seems like it would be horrible.  But much better for pointing and clicking than a mouse.  The only thing better would be the Roland VS-700 (which I used), but a touch screen is much cheaper.

@

I have an ELO 19" full screen Resistive touch monitor. (same kind used in the Neko Open Synth) 1. it has a very good picture, 2 though it only has one touch point, it is AWESOME for tweaking synths, faders, etc. I find it to be very accurate on most DAW applications. However on Sonars faders it sucks ass!

But for modulating VST's though it's not multi touch, is so F*ken Kool!!!!

Set Automation to read, and for example I can record all movements made vectoring the Legacy Wavestations Vector joystick. I don't miss the multi touch as I have enough controllers, and when you just want to record movements w/o having to worry about assigning something, it can not be beat! Besides I like having the other hand free for working w/ physical controls, or keys. Also on many of Reaktors more esoteric ensembles some serious fun can be had, I mean FUN!!

Cheers!

Erik

Newegg had an Acer with multi touch for $329. I just went to order it and they are sold out.If they become available and I get one I'll let you know how I make out.
   Thanks for the replies.

This has been discussed a few times before. I recommend doing a search for more details.

SONAR's current user interface is not compatible with Windows touch screen support. Most sliders and knobs cannot be controlled in any usable way using either finger or pen input. A far as I know Cakewalk has never publicly acknowledged the issue or mentioned anything about improving touch support. 

In all fairness, this problem is not unique to SONAR, several other DAWs are currently unusable via touch. One notable exception is Reaper, which works very well using touch.


-eB

 
Here is the link to the composer using a pen and tablet.


http://www.youtube.com/cakewalksoftware#p/c/F6ABEA30E8F7DBF/22/JDUMbjMDyFU
I dont think it is just the pen alone as per Chappel's post. It looks like a combined pen and tablet and I think it is the Wacom Intuos3  9 x 12. (there are smaller tablets as well but I think his is the 9 x 12)

http://www.amazon.com/Wac...lic-Gray/dp/B0003009AI  or here

http://www.electronicwhit...com/intuos3_9_X_12.htm

There may be a model that includes the pen and the mouse which is also an interesting option too.

But the Intuos 3 is now the Intuos 4. You might be able to pick up a Intuos 3 model cheaper. But either way they are not cheap. I think they are a very nice way to navigate around. Very precise and would not effect your hand the same way as a mouse does. The mouse buttons are on the pen as well.

Typical mouse resolution I think is somewhere up to 400 to 500 dpi (you can get higher resolutions in mice though) but the tablet boasts over 5000 lines per inch so I am assuming the tablet is much more accurate. They are for sale on ebay as well. Less than half price for one in good condition. If you are buying one second hand make sure the surface of the tablet is in perfect condition and has no dents etc.

Seems like the ultimate way to control any program actually. In fact when you think of the things we have to do with our mice then the tablet looks like the only real way to go. Its a wonder we have not figured this out earlier. But I do realise it is quite an expensive way to go.
 

Wow - Watching john lee's video I saw something I never saw before with Sonar.  at 2:39 He was pressing keys which brought up different windows and views - like preset window configurations.  I didn't know you could do that.  How did he do that?  I know it is off topic - sorry

guitartrek


Wow - Watching john lee's video I saw something I never saw before with Sonar.  at 2:39 He was pressing keys which brought up different windows and views - like preset window configurations.  I didn't know you could do that.  How did he do that?  I know it is off topic - sorry

That feature is called Window Layouts. To access the feature, choose Views > Layouts. You can create your own layouts and even assign key bindings to them in the Options > Key Bindings dialog box.

Scott

--
Scott R. Garrigus - Author of the Cakewalk Sonar and Sony Sound Forge Power book series. Get Sonar 8 Power - Today! Go to: http://www.garrigus.com/  - http://www.musictechshop.com/ - http://www.cooltechshop.com/

Publisher of DigiFreq - free music technology newsletter. Win a free SoundTech Vocal Trainer Package, go to: http://www.digifreq.com/digifreq/

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ACER makes a 23-inch high-def multi-touch that is only $329.00. It seems well reviewed. At that price I would like to just go buy one and test SONAR out on it, but finances SUCK this month!

 
I've got that 23" Acer TS Monitor...
It's great for playing gigs... where I've basically got everything setup... and I need basic mouse/keyboard function to switch "patches" (song setups).  Perfect for simple mouse/keyboard function
I wouldn't want to rely on the touch-screen to mix... or for detailed adjustments.
Also, if you're going to do any significant amount of typing, you can type far quicker on a qwerty keyboard.
The keyboard function is similar to using an iPhone.
 
The Acer TS combined with a standard mouse/keyboard is cool.
That way you can choose to use either (depending on the circumstances).  That's what I do when programming my live rig.
 

Hi Dane,

No, you should still be able to do it. In Options > Key Bindings, choose Global Bindings for the Bind Context menu. Then in the Function section, you'll see your layouts listed under the Global Layout Files section (near the bottom of the Function section list). You should see any layouts you've saved there. You can select one and create a key binding for it.

Scott

--
Scott R. Garrigus - Author of the Cakewalk Sonar and Sony Sound Forge Power book series. Get Sonar 8 Power - Today! Go to: http://www.garrigus.com/  - http://www.musictechshop.com/ - http://www.cooltechshop.com/

Publisher of DigiFreq - free music technology newsletter. Win a free SoundTech Vocal Trainer Package, go to: http://www.digifreq.com/digifreq/

Publisher of NewTechReview - free consumer technology newsletter. Win a free i2i Stream Wireless Music Pack, go to: http://www.newtechreview.com/newtechreview/

Before I made the decision to go with Resistive technology, I had a long phone conversation with a tech at Open Labs, and he explained why they chose Resistive for the Neko. They had done extensive comparisons with the other touch technologies, and went with Resistive because it is much more accurate, and responsive for fine controls than the others. Also Jazz Mutant that make the Lemur and another (multi touch) Resistive, have said the same thing and still do.

Though my screen is not multi touch capable (yet), and though it does have a touch coating with spacer dots, I have noticed very little in the way of poor quality viewing, I think it looks great, even for doing drawn art w/Photo Shop. It is so accurate when moving virtual faders, knobs, XY pads, buttons, etc with most DAW functions and VST/i, (though as I said it sucks on Sonars faders!) I can also for example play the mini keys on the Wavestation's GUI w/ stunning accuracy, and other VSTi's with keys.

I also had an in depth discussion with ELO tech support, and explained exactly what I am looking to do, and after talking with a number of co workers and developers they said,. . . . indeed Resistive was the way to go. Yes it is not as durable as glass, and can scratch, though you'd have to be very aggressive with it to do so. I also find a touch of silicon spray on the monitor makes sliding your finger much easier, and it also makes the surface last a lot longer.

From what I have read on the net Resistive is vastly improving in all ways, and at its current state of development still excels at accuracy.

Someday when available and affordable I will get a new Resistive Multi Touch. I understand Stanton is at the forefront of Resistive Multi Touch technology. And also There (supposedly) are ways to get Multi Touch using XP and resistive besides Infrared. Also regarding Infrared, I was forewarned by both Open Labs and ELO that, that would not be a good choice for fine and accurate control of DAW apps.

The monitor I am using now is ELO 1928 L 19" full screen, they also make it in a wide screen, it is marketed to POS (Point Of Sales) but if interested don't let that scare you off, Out side of only single touch, I couldn't be happier, it makes my work flow and creativity excel in many ways.

Cheers!!

Erik

http://www.elotouch.com/P...LCDs/1928L/default.asp

http://www.elotouch.com/Products/LCDs/1928L/#specs

I am using the AccuTouch five-wire resistive model

INGMANERIK23@SBCGLOB


Also here is a link for a comparison chart on all touch technologies, advantages and disadvantages of each from ELO.

http://www.elotouch.com/T..ologies/compare_all.asp

Dude -THANKS!

It seems that the real winner for our type of apps is....and I know some will hate it - The APPLE touch screen.

I have an iTouch and the screens responsiveness is amazing compared to everything else I've tried.

It looks like we just have to wait a little bit longer until it's 23"-ready and available.

" How much scratching and poking with these nails will the screen tolerate?"

Quite a bit actually, the touch monitor I use is designed for that, and takes quite a lot, I have been using it for 2 1/2 years with no signs of wear.

Kalle Rantaaho


I had the chance to test a touch screen recently. After a short test my prejudice got enhanced. Sonar UI should be totally redesigned for touch screen use (or my fingertips need surgical operation), and I couldn't work with my arm lifted for hours.

Ouch! THAT sounds self-abusive.

Kalle,
We put the monitor FLAT my friend!
Or on a very soft angle. Just like a mixing console, with an armrest in front of it.

;-)

~DPS

My touch screen is built like a tank, and rather heavy, it can be tilted totally flat w/o tipping.
I can imagine using it on the Neko must be great, no arms tiring out, I admit mine does after a while. Also why I don't miss the multi touch.

Erik