Scope & VNC in the year 2011

[Ganool]

Hi all - I'm still trying to find a way to use my old Scope system in my Mac-centric studio, and I've been toying with the idea of using some kind of VNC solution. After reading through older posts about VNC it seems the most common criticism was slow updates on the graphics - maybe this is less of a problem today. I'm also toying with the idea of using Synergy.

But before I do anything - what's your take on Scope and network connected computers? Does it work, or will you just get annoyed?

/Carl

[astroman]

unless you want to bury the machine deep inside something or outside the room I see few reasons to remote control.
TFTs (used) are bargain and a wireless keyboard/mouse could reduce cable.

I have several remote control apps on my iphone and iPad.
According to my memory RDP had a much better performance than VNC - the first version of Jaadu I used on the iphone via WLAN had excellent performance as a Scope controller. You could just tip the controls and drag them.
Strangely that mode of operation lacks on the iPad version of the software (possibly a special configure I didn't find)
Anyway - this is just to back up my vote for RDP, which isn't supported 'natively' under OSX (afai understand it)

In the company I work for we used a product called Timbuktu (Netopia), which was the most easy to setup remote control application and (imho) the most powerful.
As I just checked availability I noticed the current software will still work with older clients, which really surprised me.
I'll try that out with my Scope System under Win98, as I have at least 2 multi-platform licenses.
In case it works well and you consider the product usable, you I'd gladly give you a license for free...
You're the dude who made those fine Solaris presets, aren't you ?

cheers, Tom

as a sidenote I used Timbuktu around 1987 or so to remote control a beige MacPlus over a regular phoneline...
with either a 9.6 or 19.2 kbit modem - and yes, I mean full screen graphics and it was usable.
In that regard VNC is no more than a piece of poo
The company use was to remote control a Windoze box with IBM AS400 Terminal software from 3 Macs. Perfect.

[Ganool]

Wow - thanks for the offer! I hope you don't mind if I wait a little until I've decided which path I'll take? It's just that my Scope computer is so totally optimized in XP and disabled IRQ:s and stuff that I think it will take some time to activate the network and get that part running.

Well, honestly - I don't mind an extra tft on my desk. I just made a reorganization and by coincidence I now have a huge place next to my main monitor. But extra keyboard and mouse? No - I would really really like to avoid that. Maybe a physical keyboard/mouse switch would be the most practical solution.

Yes, I made those Solaris sounds ages ago. I actually have a Solaris right next to me, John asked me to make some sounds for the Frankfurt messe. I hope he liked them - although they are nowhere near the old Solaris sounds - beginners luck I would call it!

For years I've missed stuff from Scope - and I really really want to get back.

/C

[Ganool]

unless you want to bury the machine deep inside something or outside the room I see few reasons to remote control.
TFTs (used) are bargain and a wireless keyboard/mouse could reduce cable.

After some experimenting, I've decided to not go the VNC or Synergy Route, but do as you suggested. Monitor, mouse but no keyboard - I rarely use the keyboard with Scope anyway. The mouse is enough.
Now, when that Motu 828 MkIII sound card will arrive I'll hook up Scope and start using it again.

Can't wait.

[astroman]

that's cool - after all you could still add a bluetoth mini keyboard (guess you run it on a decent XP machine), sufficient for a few name entries. In fact I would have to dig for those licenses mentioned above... it's just been too long...
Atm I don't have much spare time, otherwise I'd dig more into remote control with the iPad.
It's the most responsive (and affordable) device imho... just consider the price cut for the original now that version II is out.

To be honest I've never seen ANY controller that smart.
The Korg iElectribe is an excellent example: those tiny knobs look ridiculous to operate and in fact you can even see a Korg 'official' demonstrate it WRONG on uTube
The proper way would be to tap a control, keep the fingertip on the surface and drag it away. The software keeps contact with the item and scales your angular movement according to distance. Effectively this works as if the dial had a (says) 3 inch diameter.
Ultra-precise tweaks and it's smart enough to capture the dynamics in your movement.
The most impressive feature (imo) of that app was to 'grab' into programmed automation of a sequence and overrule it 'live' by manual tweaks.
Worked without any hickups or crashes even on several controls simultaneously - now try that in Cubase...

My personal dreamteam would be Scope's GUI (and control layer) networked on the iPad.

cheers, Tom

[ChrisWerner]

...
My personal dreamteam would be Scope's GUI (and control layer) networked on the iPad.
...

At this point I just like to throw something in if you don't mind.

Maybe a nice I-Pad gadget for you Tom...

http://vimeo.com/19272580

[astroman]

thanks for mentioning, Chris...
in fact I knew about that device and was about to add it to 'my wishlist', but they only mentioned 'OSC' in their description...
But in the video you linked they also refer to midi
Anyway - I have the iPad Reactable app and couple of midi control editors featuring the MPC Pad style and X-Y controllers.
That stuff is quite nice, but I experience a lot of hickups with Midi over WLAN. Not that smart...
I'll probably try a hardware connection some day.

cheers, Tom