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CatSynth Pic: Skinny, Akai MPC Touch, and More was originally published on CatSynth

Designing software that emulates hardware on a computer or tablet can be one of the trickiest things to do.  It is sort of the catch-22 when dealing with hardware emulation and software in general.  You have the ability to create just about anything you want using software – but when that software mimics that actual hardware, it makes it difficult to use.  Therefore, software designers are left with the task of trying to create something close to the original, yet in a new form that is actually easy to use.  On a tablet that is usually a decision that involves sacrifices. If it looks like the actual hardware, it is easy to remember where things are because this was the logistical setup that went into the original design.  But when you scale the thing down manifold, you end up with keys that are hard to press, without hitting the one next to it.  You also end up with little space to store added options and menus that were never on the original piece of gear.  It is not an easy task to design hardware around a touchscreen to begin with.  It is a constant process of creating using feedback from use. http://www.synthtopia.com/content/2014/11/21/whats-the-point-of-imitating-traditional-hardware-conductrs-oriol-rosell-on-live-controller-design/