Experiencing mappings on a music controller: case Ableton Push

Abstract

During the past two decades, computers have taken a major role in composition and production of modern music. Various different devices are used to control modern DAWs (digital audio workstations). This diversity of controllers gives users a wide range of options to interact with a computer during the composition and creation. A deeper integration blurs boundaries between a software and controller and creates more complex modes of interaction. This study focuses on a connection between a musical controller and computer through the concept of mapping. The aim of the study was to understand, how mappings of a contemporary software controller can be conceptualised and how they affect user experience. The material for this study was collected through an online-survey, user-sessions and semi-structured interviews for users of Ableton Live software and Push controller. Collected data show that users consider the mappings as an important part of the initial usability of the controller, but there is no clear correlation with the user experience. The results stress the importance of avoiding idiosyncrasies in the mappings and reveal the versatile approaches between users. Users with previous experience from the software tend to have established use patterns that might affect the deployment of a new controller. Mappings can be considered to have an essential role in these patterns