Unboxing the Touch Digital Controllers 'impOSCar2' MIDI Controller

Mal takes receipt of his brand new inpOSCar2 MIDI hardware controller... serial MM001. A brand new hardware controller by UK start-up Touch Digital Controllers - www.touchdigitalcontrollers.co.uk

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• mee3d
• MIDI
• Controller
• Hardware
• Touch Digital Controllers
• impOSCar2
• GForce
• VSTi

[babytog]

Is this a rip-off of synth-projects imposcar 2 controller? or has he licenced it to them.....hope he's getting a good commission!

[mee3d]

@babytog... synth-projects was commissioned by GMEDIA to make that controller, the IP probably belongs to GMEDIA. Given that Mario only makes "one-offs", GMEDIA went elsewhere for the production model. It's not the same unit, it's completely redesigned from Mario's DIY unit, greater MIDI channels, higher resolution controls etc... and in fact, the impOSCar2 software was updated to reflect the greater resolution of this new controller.

[babytog]

@mee3d Ok, it looks identical (black version) to synth-projects one cosmetically so they've copied that design...i assume with his permission... great if they've changed the internals from the original.....but fact remains without Mario this wouldn't exist so just surprised they wouldn't be paying him some percentage of sales as credit for his concept.

[mee3d]

@babytog - as far as I know, the design was governed by GMEDIA not synth-projects... and since Mario's unit was commissioned by GMEDIA, they own the Intellectual Property not Mario (Mario was just the builder of the unit to GMEDIA's specifications). So I'm guessing when Mario couldn't (or didn't want to?) setup a company to make this 'mass-market', GMEDIA went elsewhere with their design. So I would say neither of these units would exist is if wasn't for Dave and Chris at GMEDIA!

[babytog]

GForce commissioned, but the design was Mario’s or did G-Force provide him with a layout and schematics? If not basically he’s done all the R&D for a production unit. As far as rights go unless there's a contact involved changing ownership, the copyright remains with Marios as it’s his creation. I'm sure Mario is happy as he’s not in it for the money, i just think he deserves a mention somewhere as the originator instead of implying it was all created by Touch Digital.

[mee3d]

@babytog - not sure, I don't know the details but I would be gobsmacked if GFORCE didn't get Mario to sign a contract waiving copyright. Also, copyright law isn't as simple as that, If GForce paid Mario to make the unit, depending on the type of payment, GForce may own the IP even without a waiver.

[mee3d]

@mee3d - anyway, I'm not sure Mario ISN'T getting a mention, he's mentioned on the GForce website, his unit is all over the web, it doesn't take much to discover the legacy. Naturally TDC are not going to mention him and the previous unit.. either way, both units are very nice.

[babytog]

@DarrenGlen obviously they are both copies of the oscar, my point was about the similarities in the g-force/synth projects controllers...SP did a keyboardless version first....read the thread properly or be a moron...its up to you.

[DarrenGlen]

@babytog youre a moron. theyre both ripoffs of the Oscar! including the software, which is the 3rd ripoff! so if anyone should be "suing" for the design its the original synth makers...if they still existed. Its obviously different to the Synth Projects. for starters, its a different size, and missing the keyboard, and no doubt the internals are different. sheesh

[babytog]

it was commissioned by GForce, but the design was all Mario as I doubt they provided him with a layout and schematics. so basically he did all the R&D for a production unit. As far as rights go unless there's a contact involved changing ownership, the copyright remains with the artist who created the work so its Marios copyright....i just think he deserves a mention somewhere as the originator instead of implying it was all created by Touch Digital.