NFrisch - Ex14 - Tone and Color

This is a basic Pro Tools hardware console used for recording music and other audio.

a) How does TONE operate in this example?

Tone variations are used to distinguish the five major panels of this console, the two at far left and right with sliders and other input/output adjustments, the middle two panels where signal routing, cues, and other data input happen, and the panel that runs as a strip along the top that monitors most of the audio coming in and going out. These individual panels are groupings of like-controls. The black (or very dark gray) of the housing or desk of the console contrasts with the lighter gray of these panels, and as a result makes them "pop out" visually. On the far left and right panels, the controls that are used most often (sliders and knobs) are dark in tone to contrast against the gray panels so that they pop out and are easy to see with the slightest of glances. Controls such as buttons and other things that aren't as commonly adjusted as the latter discussed are shown above in white, super-light gray or a chromed-silver finish so that they are easily seen when looked for, but when not needed can also blend in with the tone of the panels.

b) How does TONE interact with another element of visual design?

Tone seems to most directly work in tandem with lines and shapes in this example. The implied lines between the borders of the gray panels and the black housing direct my eyes in a generalized manner at first, then allow me to focus more precisely and with direction. The grouped controls like the knobs and the sliders all have uniform shape, and are separated from the panels by their color (and of course dimension). Their shapes somewhat represent what they do visually as well.

c) How does COLOR operate in this example?

Color is essential to using this piece of equipment. The level meters along the upper panel are made up of LED arrays and tell the user how loud a signal is. Out of a vertical line of LEDs per channel, perhaps 12 will be green (meaning that everything is fine), 6 will be amber (meaning that the signal's volume is near the upper end of the limit), and 2 will be red (meaning that the volume is at the limit before it will distort.) There is also a single red LED above each pair of these green/amber/red meters that turns on when a signal has become too loud and has distorted or "clipped." This is also a button that can be pushed to reset the clipping notification after other adjustments have been made. Other indicator lights across the console use similarly colored light to communicate various things. The keyboard shown is a special design made by Avid that should be used specifically with the Pro Tools software. Different sections of the keyboard correspond to different functions in the program, and each have a designated color so that they are easily identifiable.

d) How does COLOR interact with another element of visual design?

Color seems to be directly operating in conjunction with scale in this example. The LED lights are the primary source of color in this equipment, and they are also very small. This seems logical to me, since having worked with such equipment in a professional setting I know that often in studio control rooms the ambient lights are dimmed to enhance the mood and atmosphere. If colored readouts were too big, they'd be distracting and would feel out of place.