Quite often I receive an enquiry asking one of three questions:
- Does SPE Expert Controller support multiple simultaneous amplifier connections?
- Is an IOS / iPadOS version available?
- Is the 1k-fa supported?
For the current version of SPE Expert Controller these are all answered in the FAQ, Support section of this website. However, I thought I’d give an update on recent developments.
I’ve started to develop what will, I hope, address the first bullet and ultimately result in an App that would have a similar look on both iPadOS and macOS. Right now, it’s very early in the development process and, if successful, will likely result in a new macOS version followed by an iPadOS App. This work will occur in parallel so the existing SPE Expert Controller App will continue to receive updates, the next one of which will be to add Liquid Glass support later this year after the official public release of macOS 26.
The new SPE Expert Controller will allow the creation of multiple ‘connections’ each of which could use a USB or TCP/IP interface. The vision is that these ‘connections’ will operate independently of each other and look similar to how SPE Expert Controller does today. So, a menu selection like File | Open | New connection would open a window permitting a new connection to be established. These windows would have the amplifier LCD panel display and the usual buttons to switch between Standby/Operate, Set mode etc.
Additionally, the App will include a ‘group’ concept that would allow ‘connections’ to be grouped and actions on a selected group to be performed. These groups could relate to any concept we wish so, ‘Local amplifiers’, ‘Remote amplifiers’ or ‘Serially interfaced amplifiers’ etc.
The sharp-eyed reader will also note that the ‘Interfacing’ section of the Connections window contains a new ‘Amplifier’ field. This provides a capability for a Connection to relate to a specific model of SPE amplifier; a useful ability should SPE implement different management interface protocols in future. And as I’m sure some readers are already thinking….what about the 1k-fa? Well it does provide a means to support that amplifier too. That’s not to say it will, but it certainly could…..
It’s not certain yet whether this new version of SPE Expert Controller will come to fruition as there is a lot of work outstanding and a number of technical difficulties to overcome. I’ll continue to provide updates here when there is something significant to report.
Andy