Portability Considerations

As the purpose of the finished artefact is to operate effectively in live performance, the portability of the device is very important. It should not unreasonably restrict the performer's movement on stage. However, as this model of Kaoss Pad is too large to fit entirely inside the guitar, the guitar must be connected in some way to the rest of the unit to allow the touch pad to control it.

For this reason I have looked in to the following alternative options to improve the units portability when in use:

• Attaching the unit to the performers guitar strap
• Implementing a wireless connection between the touch pad and the rest of the effects unit.

However, while it would be possible to attach the unit to the performer, it is quite a large unit that would not be very appealing aesthetically to the user (or the audience!)

The wireless option, on the other hand, could be easily concealed and would also allow much more movement away from the unit. However, there are two negative points associated with this. Firtsly that the touch pad currently draws its power from the effects unit and I believe acts as a sort of variable resistor, so an alternative power supply would be required for the touch pad and there may be issues with the main body of the Kaoss Pad if this section that it is powering is removed. I have contacted Korg to ask for any technical diagrams or information that they could provide me with to help in calculating this, but am waiting for a response regarding this. Secondly the additional expense of a wireless transmitter and receiver makes this infeasible for this project. Both the transmitter and receiver would presumably also require some power source which further complicated the design.

I have decided to continue with my original plan to use a serial cable connection between the touch pad and the rest of the unit, though this may slightly limit the performers movement. If Korg are able to supply me with more detailed information - for example about current and voltages required by different parts of the unit - I will hopefully be able to decide on the longest usable cable for the connection.