Push as a 'set of constraints'

[re:dream]

http://www.residentadvisor.net/podcast- ... change=153

Behles: [Push] was really conceived of as a self contained environment for music ... all the way through that would not suck you into the computer and the exposure to all the endless posibilities. It is almost like a departure from the world of endless possibilities.

RA: (...) You said that you did not want to give people endless options. You wanted to take stand and say this is how something should be done. It almost sounds like you were trying to create an instrument rather than a controller. Do you see a difference between the two devices?

Behles: I guess a controller by definition is an accessory for controlling something else. With this the idea was much more: this is all you got. ...We were looking at making the computer an engine that is hidden. And to embrace the idea of constraint. That is the strongest part of the instrument metaphor. An instrument is essentiually a set of constraints. Different people will choose for different reasons different instruments and different sets of constraints. Because they inspire them. It is interesting how it is actually limitation that drives inspiration rather than the absence of limitation oftentimes.(...) You can only deal with so many decisions that you need to be making at any given time. To get anything done. And that's where the benefit of limitation comes in. In a way with Push we are taking a benign dictatorship stance. WHy don't you try to make music, like this? And see if you like it.

[SpeedKing]

If there wasn't some sort of set of constraints, then it would be a laptop with some touch pads. I see what he is saying, and it's true. It's finding a device that combines the best of what you need while not giving everything that you don't. A piano, synthesizer, and any other instrument have gigantic constraints. Any instrument does. Finding the perfect middle ground between "instrument" (which by definition will have some constraints) and controller isn't an easy task.

I don't have the Push, but I think it seems like an awesome piece of hardware with good theory behind it.

[re:dream]

hmm, I've been sitting down with mine for the first time this afternoon.

It's going to take some getting used to. The various midi controller options (step sequencer, finger drumming, note mode) are excellent, but I find I keep reverting to the screen and keyboard.