while TS1 is undeniably original and great machine, thereāre split opinions on its UI. Iāve not used one, but saw a lot of vids, and Iām in the camp that feels a screen wouldāve made it only better. (and generally, screens are great supporting tool, leaving it out looks more like an academic exercise for designers rather than a recipe for UI advancement, for complex, multi-layered control schemes definitely.)
the S4 UI is of course yet to be tested, but thereāre immediate (albeit smallish) problems to be seen in the pics. the low screen placement is an obvious one. the text printed in small font (similar in size to the screen fonts) right next to it is another. then we have two multi-function buttons marked with same-ish small figures (circle&hexagon), and all those buttonsā legend not aligned with them on the screenā¦
itās a perfectionist rant of course. I expect a lot of exciting things from S4 regardless, otherwise wouldnāt even bothered to look into the (possibly negative) details
Absolutely. I think in its most basic form, the interface has what it needs, but the mental gymnastics of unlocking the T-1ās capabilities wasnāt worth the effort. I almost immediately sold it.
I donāt know their backgrounds, but as a first product from a design standpoint, screens are a source of tons of potential problems. Either they have hired external development, or they have been studying and prototyping a lot these years to step up to a significantly more complex product like S-4. I really hope they can deliver. Best luck!
I did too. The build was fantastic but my somewhat limited time to play in the studio was nearly always spent trying to re-remember ways to do things.
Itās somewhat similar to my barrier with picking up video games again after a period of being unable to play. Iāll get the controls down somewhat, make progress, then have a week or two where Iām really busy and canāt play. When I pick the game up again Iāve forgotten the controls but Iāve progressed to a place in the game where not knowing the controls means instant death and I just throw up my hands and go back to playing The Binding of Isaac for the 10 millionth time.
I sold my T-1 on fairly quickly as well. Not blaming the deviceā¦more blaming my lack of time and discipline and inability to hold two thoughts in my old brain for longer than 14 minutes. But yeahā¦I need a screen OR a simple UI, like on my Perkons.
I have to disagree. There are absolutely occasions when I use it and wish there was a little more feedback, but generally I like that itās more about feeling it out and exploring. I find myself listening instead of looking, and between a DAW and synth menus and everything else, itās nice to be hyper focused on listening for a change.
Itās not a precision tool where youāre controlling every aspect of every note and event, but Iām ok with that given how performative it is.
I dunno there are a few things that make me think it could demand the 1199 price but the built in i/o makes me feel like it should be a bit cheaper. I know it is perhaps being marketed as a live fx box / tape looper along with being a sampler but I get the impression that sampler is its primary purpose? No built in sequencer I think puts it in a weird spot of being potentially quite expensive for a 4 track stereo sampler that needs a sequencer to go along with it.
I suppose it is too early to judge given I donāt know the workflow, if it is absolutely amazing at the 4 track style workflow maybe it really doesnāt need a sequencer at all.
When I saw the specs for the S-4, the desire for a GR-1 quickly faded. The Mega is too expensive and too big for me. The filter bank and the pitchshift delay on the S-4 also triggered me immediately.