Re: Reflections on right brain/left brain approaches to gear

[Douglas Baldwin <coyotelk@optonline.net>]

S V G wrote:
>Someone on
> another list recently made an excellent observation comparing physical
patchcords (like with the
> old style modular synthesizers) to LCD menu screens.  He said that the
patchcords are more "right
> brain", you can see at a glance what is going on and take actions from an
intuitive part of
> yourself in the patching process.
> LCD screens are more "left brain" and require you to enter a different 
>way
of thinking in order to
> alter a patch.  Perhaps this way of thinking doesn't come easy for some
people (like myself).
    Absolutely agreed. Consider the quantity of "connections" in a
moderately complex multi-FX unit (dozens, if not hundreds), and how many
connections are actually available to the senses/hands at any one time
(perhaps as few as one!). It's very hard to make a decision about a complex
patch when an aspect of that patch exists beneath layers of LCD screens and
multi-function buttons. I end up drawing out maps of a unit's patch
structure just so I can get the "big picture." Good, versatile patches are
similarly drawn up so I can get a "feel" for their connections. I wonder if
others use this approach, and if such maps could be posted somewhere...
dB
Douglas Baldwin, coyote-at-large
coyotelk@optonline.net