vArranger Forums

English => The vArrangerĀ² Software Forum => Topic started by: freeway on April 30, 2018, 08:15:23 PM

Title: Laptops
Post by: freeway on April 30, 2018, 08:15:23 PM
What is the best brand of laptop to use with varranger?
Title: Re: Laptops
Post by: bluebeat on April 30, 2018, 10:13:23 PM
Lenovo thinkpad Yoga 12.5  i7.  It converts to tablet, loads sounds fast. Strong enough to pull modern DAW. Extra slot for SSD hard drive. True anti glare screen.  Inexpencive parts. Used price range $350-$600 depending on configuration.
Title: Re: Laptops
Post by: freeway on May 01, 2018, 09:17:33 AM
Thank you bluebeat for your reply   ;) I will google lenovo  :)
Title: Re: Laptops
Post by: musicmaker84 on May 01, 2018, 11:47:49 AM
While laptops with touchscreens seem great to operate vArranger, I have come to the conclusion that they do not necessarily facilitate any easier or quicker or better operation.

Poking volume sliders on a touchscreen is not really easier or faster than with the mouse. A midi fader (like nano kontrol) has helped with a lot of frustration regarding volume control and should be taken into consideration for a serious setup.

Also, mapping the keyboard with essential arranger functions makes me enjoy vArranger a lot more. In addition I always can attach my iPad and control vArranger from there via Duet, but I have found that this is only redundant and I hardly use it.

What I wanted to say is that you don't need a touchscreen laptop. You always could use Duet and an iPad to replicate this function or just use a good controller, perhaps an additional midi fader, and a well mapped laptop/PC keyboard for most fun.

That being said, I would not consider anything less than the equivalent power of an i5 with at least 8GB and an SSD with sufficient storage space.

Title: Re: Laptops
Post by: Bachus on May 14, 2018, 09:57:41 AM
Quote from: musicmaker84 on May 01, 2018, 11:47:49 AM
While laptops with touchscreens seem great to operate vArranger, I have come to the conclusion that they do not necessarily facilitate any easier or quicker or better operation.

Poking volume sliders on a touchscreen is not really easier or faster than with the mouse. A midi fader (like nano kontrol) has helped with a lot of frustration regarding volume control and should be taken into consideration for a serious setup.

Also, mapping the keyboard with essential arranger functions makes me enjoy vArranger a lot more. In addition I always can attach my iPad and control vArranger from there via Duet, but I have found that this is only redundant and I hardly use it.

What I wanted to say is that you don't need a touchscreen laptop. You always could use Duet and an iPad to replicate this function or just use a good controller, perhaps an additional midi fader, and a well mapped laptop/PC keyboard for most fun.

That being said, I would not consider anything less than the equivalent power of an i5 with at least 8GB and an SSD with sufficient storage space.

I disagree with you.. touchscreens are a blessing when placed at the right spot in full reach of your hands directly behind the keys.. 
because your finger directly moves to its target direct in front of you..

Where grabbing a mouse reuires you to often move your hand far out and then move the mousepointer to the slider, then clicking and carefully moving the slider

For sliders, a touchscreen is a blessing, espescially if its a large touchscreen.

Leaves me with one question about varranger touch support, does it have multitouch support?
Title: Re: Laptops
Post by: zionip on May 14, 2018, 03:11:25 PM
Quote from: Bachus on May 14, 2018, 09:57:41 AM
Leaves me with one question about varranger touch support, does it have multitouch support?

Hi Bachus,

vArranger supports single touch - you can touch an on screen button or slider one at a time, but not more than one at the same time.  Touching 2 or more on screen objects simultaneously does nothing.

For vArranger style progress / variation control, break, voices, volume sliders etc, I use Akai APC 40 mk2 on one vArranger setup, and Akai APC Key 25 on another due to their large translucent buttons with MIDI light feedback for easy labeling.  For style selection, I prefer using the touchscreen of the laptop / touchscreen monitor because it is much easier to select style categories and styles using touchscreen than using the mentioned MIDI controllers.

Thanks,
Paul