Comment by brudgers
2 days ago
Using a knob when using a knob doesn't solve the problem is poor design...then again, skeuomorphism is usually bad design.
Here a counter that increases and decreases with mouse movement would take less space and be more intuitive.
And a much much better design because it would provide a numerical readout of the value directly at the point of interaction.
But in fairness, most design is bad because designers tend toward satisfying themselves rather than users...ok, I will stop ranting now.
Just flat counter fields are terrible in audio software interfaces. Sliders and knobs give you visual feedback of where you are along a line and an easy way to quickly increase/decrease speed when adjusting.
Most software I use does still show some numeric value somewhere, either around the element when changing it, or in some other panel. This way you get some more information than in the hardware equivalent if you need more granular control. Its particularly nice if they allow you to click/double-click for editing values.
From my perspective as a user, knobs convey exactly what I need. Mostly I don't care about the exact number, just about what position something is in. Knobs behaving like sliders is fine. I'm not physically moving a knob, I might be moving it with a mouse or touchpad. You can't stray with a physical control the way you can with a digital one. And they allow interface designers to put a lot more information on screen where space is at a premium.
Honestly, just go download a trial version of something like Reaper or Reason and go make some music. You'll get a better feel.
A counter provides more information but takes longer to read and appreciate than a simple angular magnitude.
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