TouchOSC 4+

Great app, the panel menus are pretty clunky but eh whatever (It’d be nice to have notes instead of numbers for midi note-on values etc.), and being able to copy and paste messages instead of entire controls would be huuuge (copy/paste parameters from/to different controls) but there’s 2 things that keep it from being truly amazing...

1. Attack and release values for local-data and midi cc’s, as well as the ability to ADD TO and SUBTRACT FROM (not just SET) cc and other values (prefer hermmutt lobby’s beatsurfing app from 2013 for this reason). Ive spent a few hours with the Lua scripts and it’s not worth the effort for time based effects like this (may as well use max for live).

2. The ability for touch to pass through and hit multiple controls at once (not just the on that’s on top). No longer making "capture attention" required was a HUGE improvement (made it possible to make surfable/strummable instrument designs), but it’d be even better if you could hit both controls at once when they overlap.

Pretty fantastic app once you get it set up.
I just built a custom layout that is sent to my computer, and then back out via midi usb to my modular synthesizer. Super fun having four XY pads sent to filters and envelopes of my hardware synths. It was a bit confusing to get started however. And as far as syncing with logic pro, it seems like 50% of the time, it just won’t work. Could really use explaining the relationship between OSC and logic controller mappings. The manual is very matter of fact and could really benefit from small tutorials/step but step. OSC mappings really don’t make any sense to me, yet.

For my midi hardware setup, I just put the time in comparing the preset layout parameters to my custom layout. Soon enough it all started to make sense (midi). The editor is easier to use on the mac, but easy enough on mobile device. I recommend to anyone looking for a solid alternative/companion to your midi controllers. There’s definitely deep potential with this platform. Take it as far as you’re able/comfortable

A decade later and I still use TouchOSC for building out interfaces to control generative graphics systems. First with Apple’s much-missed Quartz Composer, now Unity and Vuo. Everything from app prototyping to running live event graphics.

TouchOSC definitely has more power than I make use of, but I do depend on the more advanced customisation of Lua scripting to build out items like multi-coloured radio button sets out of individual buttons. Super helpful for making interfaces more foolproof and readable.

I think my main request is for more scripting documentation and examples, especially targeted for beginners. The current documentation is a little sparse and difficult to figure out, especially for non-programmers interested in an easier system to use when creating procedural experiences. The supported feature set appears to be a subset of Lua, and not everything you’ll find for Lua training online will be applicable.

I really appreciate the developers continuing to support this tool for so long, and I really hope support continues! It’s invaluable for quickly prototyping and creating OSC interfaces.