Introducing VSN1: next step in the Grid controller ecosystem

A modern control surface without a screen cannot be taken seriously. ,- a quote made 4 years ago by a close friend.

Well, some can say we have grown up to the task of making a screen module. Not even one, but right from the start potentially three - screen on the left, screen on the right and a dual screen variant. While working on prototypes, some of our team members held their left hand over the keyboard all the time, while others kept their right hand on the mouse. It became clear that one can easily block the view of the screen depending on these hand placements. So that’s how the hardware development task was brought up: let’s make 2 options for screen placement and a dual screen option for an even more unique visualization option.

Coming to this conclusion was way easier than settling on the design for our unique rotary knob found on the TEK2 as well as on the new single screen modules. Finding the perfect knob from an ergonomic perspective took a couple more months than we first thought, taking the concept all the way to production. 

Every new product in the Grid modular controller system should bring something new to the table and a screen unit feels as a worthy addition to our product line. Customers and followers of our controller project always brought up their need for more visual feedback. The new potential in giving insight into how configurations are working on the modules are an answer to that. Real-time MIDI display, device parameter feedback from DAWs or controlling widgets like a sequencer all became now possible. 

The screen itself is cool, but we wanted to go further. Whenever we develop a new product, throughout prototyping we experiment beyond the original goal. The idea of replacing our current buttons to mechanical switches came after we noticed that some of our team members really liked using them . Upon further inhouse testing, we came to the conclusion that an everyday shortcut / command controller should have keyswitch-like buttons. The currently used tactile switches are sharp and great, but for repeated presses they have too much resistance and in some settings they are a bit too loud.

We went headfirst into low profile mechanical switches and keyboard designs. We found a very strong technical contender: hall effect sensor switches from Gateron, which we can utilize for pressure and velocity control. This will introduce a new layer of possibilities for Grid and allow users for new ways to express themselves.

Using mechanical key switches is new for us and we eagerly wait for your feedback on it once it’s out. Although at first we only planned to release mechanical switches for the new screen modules and TEK2, in the end we decided to do a full product line upgrade under the name of Grid Series 3.

With the introduction of VSN1, we feel it’s the right time to also properly introduce the new integrations which we have been working on, leading Grid controllers beyond audio related workflows. With similar depth and nuance to our MIDI implementation, we are expanding the areas where Grid can serve creative users:

• Image processing and editing like Adobe PS and LR
• Popular desktop application controls like Discord and Spotify
• Video editing software like Premiere Pro
• Streaming apps like OBSProject 

Our plan is to cover  these fields one after another , not rushing out everything at once to keep the quality high for the best user experience. The foundation of these integrations is the Package Manager system where the packages are based on web technologies like Javascript, HTML and CSS. Packages are open source for developers, you can find them under our GitHub site.

Don’t worry we won’t abandon audio related improvements either. This continues to be the area which we call home. Through VSN1’s screen, a very crucial part of Grid improves: parameter labeling. We plan various screen widgets which can provide a quick glimpse into parameter assignments across Grid modules. The user interface drawn will feature different sized labels, indicators and we’ll make sure it will be efficiently reactive to controlled parameter changes. As we are also  planning to add state saving between power cycles for Grid, the screen module could potentially be used as a MIDI assigner for Grid without the need of a computer.

Without the community and your continued support we wouldn’t be able to do what we do. Thank you for sticking with us, can’t wait to release all these new exciting developments!