Knobs, switches .... The Next Step?

[phbrown]

I was looking at my bass and I noticed the knobs for the first time. I also noticed that knobs and switches have been (to my knowledge) the only method of adjusting volume and sound during a performance.

Does anyone know of any other methods? Like using a slider?
Or maybe a LCD screen which allows you to use a digital number to specify the various levels?
Or how about a ball like the bottom of a mouse?

[floaded27]

i can take it u have invested a huge portion of your retirement money in 9V batteries. lol.

knobs and switches are the ideal controls for low power consumption, and can even be adjusted with no power. the option of sliders fits into that category, but space doesnt allow for the best use of these, unless u playin an Alembic (sorry malthumb, but those things are huge and would actually accomodate something like that with relative ease).

actually on acoustic/electric guitars there are slider controls on the top of the body because the width of the hollow body allow for that.

but screens and mouse controls. power, and they have to be on to adjust. maybe u could with rechargeable battery packs a la every portable device (phones ipods etc) but count the times you forgot to charge ur phone or ipod and went to use it and it was dead. Big deal, no tunes or no calls. Not the situation u'd want at a gig.

[jeremyr]

i'm a little confused by the question.  What are you trying to accomplish?  You just noticed the knobs on your bass

[ddwilkins]

...  You just noticed the knobs on your bass

LOL!!!!!

[floaded27]

i'm a little confused by the question.  What are you trying to accomplish?  You just noticed the knobs on your bass

im thinkin he meant he actually put some thought into it. like one of those things in life u take for granted and its just routine and not a second thought, until one day u just pay attention to it and think about it.

[6stringapprentice]

The rotary style potentiometer is tried and true probably still one of the best methods to adjust electronic values on the fly. They are cheap, easy to produce, and easy to maintain and take up very little space.  Sliders are mainly used in situations where visual adjustment is more prevalent. Even with pointers most knobs can be somewhat ambiguous. I doubt you will ever see traditional potentiometers being replaced for a long time.

[phbrown]

im thinkin he meant he actually put some thought into it. like one of those things in life u take for granted and its just routine and not a second thought, until one day u just pay attention to it and think about it.

Floaded said it better than I could've said it. I was just wondering is it possible to improve the knob?