I am curious does anybody think that model is going forward? Should have the same switches that are actually knobs, integrated like Qc/tmp???

[timbuck3]

I think while the touchscreen has set the standard going forward a lot of companies just will not probably integrate it into their units because it may be too costly or because they don’t want to seem to be copying other companies they want to be more innovators?
But I do feel like the switches that are also knobs is something that probably may not be much more money to add to a unit, but it sure adds to the functionality and going forward. I think that many units should incorporate that.
I think the little strips with names on it underneath the buttons is probably a costly endeavor, but it definitely does help but again I don’t know if a lot of companies will specifically add that in the future because it will be seen as copying others and not very innovative
I just wonder how many companies frown on making their units similar or copying other units screens and switches and strips things like that
I read here that line 6 originally had a touchscreen plan for the helix but abandon that in a way it’s kind of too bad because if they would’ve, they would’ve set the bar before others even had that idea and now if they do put a touchscreen on the next unit, a lot of people will be happy, but it could make line 6 just seem like more of a follower?
Just wondering what everybody thinks about this

 

[ian_dissonance]

I don’t like switch knobs, personally. Not 100% on touchscreens that’s go on the floor, either. I do like the idea of some sort of fully flat interface that won’t catch cables or energetic foot switching, though. Not sure what that looks like wxactly.

 

[KingsXJJ]

I think while the touchscreen has set the standard going forward a lot of companies just will not probably integrate it into their units because it may be too costly or because they don’t want to seem to be copying other companies they want to be more innovators?
But I do feel like the switches that are also knobs is something that probably may not be much more money to add to a unit, but it sure adds to the functionality and going forward. I think that many units should incorporate that.
I think the little strips with names on it underneath the buttons is probably a costly endeavor, but it definitely does help but again I don’t know if a lot of companies will specifically add that in the future because it will be seen as copying others and not very innovative
I just wonder how many companies frown on making their units similar or copying other units screens and switches and strips things like that
I read here that line 6 originally had a touchscreen plan for the helix but abandon that in a way it’s kind of too bad because if they would’ve, they would’ve set the bar before others even had that idea and now if they do put a touchscreen on the next unit, a lot of people will be happy, but it could make line 6 just seem like more of a follower?
Just wondering what everybody thinks about this

I’d agree with most of this. I think footswitch buttons that double as knobs are ingenious and should be ubiquitous. I think strips are ok, but I prefer color coded light rings around the switch. Easy to remember and you can follow the schema pedal manufacturers use. Yellow = OD, Orange = Distortion, Blue = Modulation or whatever.

Personally, I love high-def responsive touchscreens where the GUI is tight. But I know some abhor them. Bless their hearts.

The thing is you don’t HAVE to use the touchscreen or footswitch knobs if you don’t want to! I do.

 

[sleewell]

i dont really need a touch screen but the size of the screen is important. kpa and fractal are too small. helix and qc are much better.

initially i was skeptical if the knobs that were also what you stomped on would last or not but it seems like they are so i guess i was wrong. if doing that makes the unit smaller with the same level of functionality i would be for it.

 

[laxu]

I think while the touchscreen has set the standard going forward a lot of companies just will not probably integrate it into their units because it may be too costly or because they don’t want to seem to be copying other companies they want to be more innovators?

Touchscreens are not that expensive. Developing the UI is. It's a lot of work in design and development.

But I do feel like the switches that are also knobs is something that probably may not be much more money to add to a unit, but it sure adds to the functionality and going forward. I think that many units should incorporate that.

Encoders with push buttons are also not expensive.

QC's footswitches that are encoders system is unique, and I don't think most manufacturers are going to try to replicate that, opting for separate knobs and footswitches instead. QC's system has a major drawback that the display-to-encoder mind mapping is a lot more difficult than with knobs that are clearly below their functions. The positive side is you can fit a lot of encoders and footswitches into a compact unit.

I think the little strips with names on it underneath the buttons is probably a costly endeavor, but it definitely does help but again I don’t know if a lot of companies will specifically add that in the future because it will be seen as copying others and not very innovative

More costly than not having them, but not a huge expense. It's really a question of whether the display chosen can serve the same purpose, or if per footswitch displays add enough value to offer them. I don't care too much on compact devices.

I just wonder how many companies frown on making their units similar or copying other units screens and switches and strips things like that
I read here that line 6 originally had a touchscreen plan for the helix but abandon that in a way it’s kind of too bad because if they would’ve, they would’ve set the bar before others even had that idea and now if they do put a touchscreen on the next unit, a lot of people will be happy, but it could make line 6 just seem like more of a follower?
Just wondering what everybody thinks about this

It's clear several companies don't mind copying the Helix UI. And I don't mind that either. But that design relies on a very particular design for how the DSPs are utilized, which is why you have the 2/4 row system and limited parallel routing possibilities.

With user interfaces, it's better to follow familiar conventions over reinventing the wheel, unless you know you can do it better than what's out there. I honestly expect Line6 to be innovative more than many other companies.

Ultimately it's a lot of the same elements. Blocks to represent effects and signal chains, virtual knobs or sliders to represent physical ones.

I think there's a lot that could be done to make e.g multiple block editing better, make it easier to understand different blocks of the same type (they often look the same) and so on. So there's a lot of low hanging fruit to make your UI better than the competitors.

 

[timbuck3]

Touchscreens are not that expensive. Developing the UI is. It's a lot of work in design and development.


Encoders with push buttons are also not expensive.

QC's footswitches that are encoders system is unique, and I don't think most manufacturers are going to try to replicate that, opting for separate knobs and footswitches instead. QC's system has a major drawback that the display-to-encoder mind mapping is a lot more difficult than with knobs that are clearly below their functions. The positive side is you can fit a lot of encoders and footswitches into a compact unit.


More costly than not having them, but not a huge expense. It's really a question of whether the display chosen can serve the same purpose, or if per footswitch displays add enough value to offer them. I don't care too much on compact devices.


It's clear several companies don't mind copying the Helix UI. And I don't mind that either. But that design relies on a very particular design for how the DSPs are utilized, which is why you have the 2/4 row system and limited parallel routing possibilities.

With user interfaces, it's better to follow familiar conventions over reinventing the wheel, unless you know you can do it better than what's out there. I honestly expect Line6 to be innovative more than many other companies.

Ultimately it's a lot of the same elements. Blocks to represent effects and signal chains, virtual knobs or sliders to represent physical ones.

I think there's a lot that could be done to make e.g multiple block editing better, make it easier to understand different blocks of the same type (they often look the same) and so on. So there's a lot of low hanging fruit to make your UI better than the competitors.

Didn’t the TMP “copy” the QC ENCODERS/switches concept? I find the TMP and the head rush interface is to be what I am looking for cause I’m an idiot and I’m a visual person and those encoder/switches are brilliant so who knows I may end up with a TMP in the end if they put a lot more cool lamps in that thing and effects.

 

[Digital Igloo]

Rotary footswitches were originally designed by TC Electronic.

EDIT: Long before B£#®!n&£® acquired them.

 

[KingsXJJ]

Rotary footswitches were originally designed by TC Electronic.

Bring ‘em on! So handy IMO.

 

[norminal]

Poo switches were originally designed by TC Electronic.

FTFY

 

[KingsXJJ]

FTFY

The knobs! They turn! They turn!

 

[ChordInversion]

I actively dislike touch screens. I'm grateful that I don't have to use the screen on the TMP all that much. It's not a bad touch screen. I just think they make for an unpleasant interface for a more purpose-built device. I suspect that opinion is unpopular.

I do really like the switches that function as knobs. Lots of knobs means I can dial in an amp model without paging over, and while relatively minor when I really think about it, that's a nice win for day to day use.

 

[timbuck3]

I actively dislike touch screens. I'm grateful that I don't have to use the screen on the TMP all that much. It's not a bad touch screen. I just think they make for an unpleasant interface for a more purpose-built device. I suspect that opinion is unpopular.

I do really like the switches that function as knobs. Lots of knobs means I can dial in an amp model without paging over, and while relatively minor when I really think about it, that's a nice win for day to day use.

 

[GTR37]

Should have bought a screen protector from gear by Ceba