Developer Nigel Rios has released AudioSwift 2, a major update to the macOS app that lets you use a trackpad as a MIDI controller.
Here is how it works?:
- You enable AudioSwift by using a four or five fingers tap.
- A console window appears on screen, taking control of the mouse pointer and keyboard.
- Start touching the trackpad to control a parameter.
- When you finish, hit the escape key to turn AudioSwift off.
Here’s what’s new in AudioSwift 2:
- New Slider Mode with 12 configurable virtual sliders.
- New XY Mode design with 5 views and 30 configurable controllers.
- It now works with Adobe Lightroom using a third party open source plugin.
- Adds Pitch Bend with relative center position (0 pitch bend).
- Adds new Regular Format for CC messages.
- Adds default CC values and automatic return to default after a finger is released.
- Adds labels for Slider and XY modes.
- AudioSwift’s console can now be turned on temporarily with a tap plus the shift key.
- When working with two trackpads or a trackpad with a mouse, AudioSwift can now be turned on automatically by just touching the trackpad’s surface.
Pricing and Availability
AudioSwift 2 is available now for US $24. For a limited time, you can use coupon GOLDENFROG50 to get a 50% discount. It’s a free upgrade for existing users.
Only the jog wheel makes sense imo..Cleraly a touch interface like that cannot replace or be as detailed as a fader or a knob, even the x-y thing is “cripled” in that sense….
Sounds like it is just extending the features of the trackpad to include some more assignable/customizable data input. Looks like it is a thoughtful design.
By the same token, a person could use a hardware controller and assign functions that way. I don’t know if the Mac OS will allow a MIDI CC stream to control things in the UI– perhaps with a 3rd party macro utility.