Why Ethernet? Remote-Controlled Hardware Explained
- 03.01.2017
- Michael Krusch
- Story
- Schwerkraftmaschine
- Konnektor
A little background might help:
USB
USB was released in 1996, but didn't break through until it appeared in the first generation of iMac devices. It has since become ubiquitous.
Its major limitations: a maximum cable length of 5 meters and some compatibility problems with USB hubs.
FireWire
FireWire has been on the market roughly as long as USB, but has seen its share wither in favor of Thunderbolt and USB.
As with USB, cable length is a limiting factor.
There was a time when FireWire was the technology of choice, but that ended when Apple declared it obsolete.
Thunderbolt
Thunderbolt was long available only on Macs, but ultimately enjoyed an even shorter lifespan than FireWire.
Apple instead moved back to USB ports, albeit in a configuration where Thunderbolt can run through them as well.
MIDI
The classic choice since 1982. Still going strong.
While more and more synthesizers arrive outfitted with USB, there's always a MIDI jack as well. On the other end of the cable, MIDI adapters are available for any computer.
There's one catch with MIDI: it's painfully slow. It quickly bumps against its limits even when being used just to transfer notes. MIDI is absolutely unsuited for real-time transfer of any other data.
Ethernet
Ethernet has been around even longer than MIDI.
The entire internet is built on Ethernet. Cables can run hundreds of meters in length without a problem. The network technology is at this point highly mature.
There are virtually no computers without a network connector.
The likelihood that Ethernet will disappear in the near future is almost nil.
Audio interfaces have also now been designed with integrated network adapters.
Devices can include their own web servers, allowing them to be controlled from any browser, regardless of operating system. Our plug-ins communicate with devices using the network interface.
There are no driver issues. The network card makers provide the relevant drivers.
What That Means Today: Schwerkraftmaschine, Raumzeitmaschine, Creme RC
Our remote-controlled units – Schwerkraftmaschine, Raumzeitmaschine and Creme RC – sit on the network via Ethernet; the Schwerkraftmaschine fetches the necessary settings itself via DHCP. All three can be operated in three ways: directly on the front panel, via the built-in web server in any browser, or through the DAW plug-in (AU, AAX, VST). On the Schwerkraftmaschine and Raumzeitmaschine the servo motors follow every move in the plug-in, and conversely, changes made on the unit land in the plug-in immediately. Save the song with the Schwerkraftmaschine plug-in and the settings are saved with it – load it again and every knob is back where it was; on the Creme RC, the plug-in turns every knob back to where you left it when you open the project. That's the total-recall principle we extended to every Tegeler product back in 2017 with our digital recall sheets – how it fits into a full chain is in our article on the analog mastering chain.
Because the connection is an ordinary network, there is no cable-length limit as with USB, Wi-Fi via your router works just as well, and over the internet you could control the Schwerkraftmaschine from Sydney or LA. The Creme RC accepts parameter automation from the DAW over that connection, and the Schwerkraftmaschine can be split into two separate mono channels via the plug-in. And if you don't need the network frills, you simply operate the Schwerkraftmaschine on the front panel – it then behaves like any other piece of hardware. Producer Bill Schnee's take: "Analog hardware digitally controlled from your DAW plugin ... an absolutely brilliant idea!"
Summary
No one knows what the future will bring.
From where we stand today, Ethernet is the best choice.
Which is why we've chosen it.
Want to test the Schwerkraftmaschine in your own studio for 14 days?
Register here
Learn more about the Schwerkraftmaschine
Related: Schwerkraftmaschine Multi-Band Complex Explained · Amazona.de Reviews the Creme RC: Verdict and Facts · Bill Schnee: Schwerky, Raumzy and the VTRC · Analog Mastering Chain: What Goes Where and Why
