I think this (reliable) minimum detection point is always a discussion point on expressive controllers.
if you compare things like Sensel Morph, Joue, Linnstrument, K-Board, Roli, Soundplane they are all very different… and I’ve seen similar discussions on most of them, esp. early on after release !
I admit this was the one thing I was nervous about with the Kickstarter, and not getting to try the Erae before purchase… we didn’t know how sensitive it would be (or how close touches can be) , and having seen such variations on other controllers… it was a concern.
once I got it, and tried it, I was pretty happy…
for sure, it’s not the same as a Continuum or Eigenharps, but these cost a lot more - and have quite different approaches (which is why they are so much more $)
so the tech is what it is, and built to a certain price point, and I hope Embodme can bring the most out of it.
also the Erae has a pretty diverse usage, from percussion, melodic to generic controller (x/y , sliders) , its going to be better as some of these than others.
at the end of the day though, it comes down to a simple question for users…
does it do what you want/need it to ? is it useful to you?
of course, this assumes its working ‘within’ spec, and that you do not have a faulty unit.
I think its also a bit tough early on in dev, as we don’t quite know what ‘niggles’ can be ironed out, and what are fundamental to the hardware, so I think thats where its great that you (@blipson) are working with Embodme in this area.
I do feel a pressure (and velocity) curve will help.
what I find currently is the detection point feels a bit ‘on/off’, you need a certain pressure, then it feels like “bang” its full on… it feels a bit linear, over a quite a short travel distance.
overall, I think it needs a exp/x2 curve, such that we need to press harder to get the higher pressure/velocity values.
whilst that might feel you have to play harder, I think it’ll give it a much more ‘progressive’ feel.
its also likely this needs to be user tuneable, as I suspect the curve need to play percussion , melodic lines … is likely to be quite different. (also things like using for modulation is possibly different again)