Usability of Knobs

[brianc]

I've had a number of projects where my first thought for a particular control was to use knobs, but then I quickly switched to Fader/Slider after being annoyed at how they work, and I'm wondering if other people feel the same way about them.

My problem is that the gesture that it requires to go from 0 to 1 is clunky. I realize that this mimics what would be done with a physical knob, but it means that covering the full range by tracing a circle takes a lot of time. It can be a little easier by dragging up, then right, then down, but that's still a whole lot more work than a fader.

I've tried workarounds similar to http://liine.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=613, which work, but would it make more sense to have a mode for knobs where once pressed, movement up (or right) increases the value and movement down (or left) decreases the value. Velocity sensitivity would be a nice plus for this as well.

[Phil999]

I've tried workarounds similar to http://liine.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=613, which work, but would it make more sense to have a mode for knobs where once pressed, movement up (or right) increases the value and movement down (or left) decreases the value.

I don't understand. A Knob object in linear mode does this already. Only with up and down movement, but that's fine. What could be expanded are two linear modes - one up/down, one left/right.

[brianc]

I don't understand. A Knob object in linear mode does this already. Only with up and down movement, but that's fine. What could be expanded are two linear modes - one up/down, one left/right.

Wow, I'm not sure how that slipped past me. Thanks!

Allowing horizontal control would be a nice addition, but I guess I'm already satisfied...

[Softcore]

Thats the only mode I use in my projects - I dont find the "circular" motion particularly intuitive or accurate with touch surface knobs...

As a side note, you also dont have value "jumps" when using linear mode, touching anywhere inside the knob and moving up-down changes the knob relatively to its initial position. Also, the size of the knob is relevant to the "resolution" that can be achieved with your up-down movement - bigger knobs allow for more precise control !

[Phil999]

Wow, I'm not sure how that slipped past me.

happened to me as well. For months I was not aware of this.

And good observation about parameter jumps, Softcore. I mostly use circular mode, and it can be a bit difficult to point and move the finger on a knob without jumps, so I'm glad there is a linear mode.