News

New control surfaces aimed at the 'crossover' users in the digital content industry (24/6/2005)

Neanda have just launched a range of new controllers designed to give users hands-on control over software in the digital content industry. The new controllers, collectively called Universal Control Surfaces, allow the user to literally touch the software to control it and to use a bank of customised keys to activate any function in any software their using.

The concept behind these controllers is that they're aimed at the increasing number of users who constantly switch between areas of the digital content industry. The TouchControl and Producer Panel have been designed to give these users the same direct control over a wide variety of software packages whether in audio production, video editing, graphic design, broadcast, live, 3D or Animation. The idea is that the user can switch between applications without having to switch between controllers.

John Rooney, Managing Director at Neanda, says: "We realise that the digital content industry is experiencing a crossover in disciplines, something that has never happened before on such a scale. In the past, roles were clearly defined - 'he's an audio producer, she edits video, they're 3D designers'. But now the distinction between who can do what is becoming blurred as people find they can easily transfer their skills to other aspects of the industry. The innovations in today's software means that people who started out in one discipline, say, video production, soon find that they're just as talented in others, like, editing audio or graphics.

The design of our new control surfaces supports these users by giving them the same instinctive control over any software tool and allowing them to customise the controllers to however they work best, regardless of what content their currently editing. Basically, users can design a control interface dedicated to their various skills and techniques and adapt and upgrade it as they learn new ones."

TouchControl

The first of these controllers is the TouchControl, a desktop touch screen for Mac or PC's. Although touch screen technology has been around for a while, the advantage in Neanda's flagship product is that it's positioned ergonomically on the desktop just like a regular control surface. Traditionally, touch screens have been out in front of you like a computer monitor making them awkward to use. With the touch screen positioned on the desktop, the TouchControl allows the user to move objects directly and adjust controls on-screen rather than using a mouse. If you then needed to do some graphics editing, for example, then you could select and draw directly on the screen with a stylus.

Touch screens have proved popular in dedicated hardware units, such as high-end workstations, because touching what you want to control is natural and instinctive. The TouchControl is designed to provide this to the regular Mac and PC users in a stand-alone desktop unit.

A unique feature of the TouchControl is that you're able to decide what you control on the fly simply by displaying different parts of your software on the screen. So, for example, it could display a mixer one minute allowing you to move faders up and down with your hands, the next, you're selecting objects and pressing buttons on-screen. So it's up to you what you choose to display and, ultimately, what you control.

There are two models available offering different screen sizes, the TC-12 (12.1" display, £749) and the TC-15 (15" display, £849). Also, with the TC-12 you have the option of 8 keys on either side of the display so you can have quick access to commonly used functions (such as application switching).

Producer Panels

Neanda have also upgraded their Producer Panel range by modernising its looks and, more importantly, increasing the variety on offer.

Because virtually all software can be controlled using keyboard shortcuts (e.g. ctrl+c), the Producer Panel allows users to design their own control surface by programming each of the keys to send out these combinations in one key press. They can then design and print professional-looking labels to insert underneath the key tops. The keys can also be created in different sizes, such as double or quadruple, to differentiate important functions (like Play or Stop) from less used ones.

Neanda have also designed a set of key tops specifically for Pro-Audio users, they display pre-printed symbols and text on colour-coded key caps relating to functions common in the industry, such as transport controls and wave editing functions.

The extended range now starts at the entry-level Producer Panel PRO 32 with 32 programmable and re-lengendable keys at £99.99, all the way up to the PRO 128 with 128 keys at £249.99.

And a another thing, if you'd still like to have access to the keyboard shortcuts you've learned up till now, then there are versions that include either a 'full' or 'mini' Qwerty keyboard built into either the top or bottom half of the 128 key version.

As well as upgrading the Producer Panel range, they've also dropped the prices by nearly 1/4 to £249 for the top end version.

To celebrate their new online store and the release of the TouchControl and new Producer Panel, Neanda are offering a 5% introductory discount until the end of July. Also, you can get a further 5% if you enter the code: 'handsoncontrol' when checking out giving you a total 10% discount.

www.neanda.com