Analogue-sequencer

I know this issue has been discussed before, but I wondered if there had been any 
progress on the possibility of a P3 with increment / decrement dials instead of normal 
pots.  I know the Mannikin Schrittmacher and forthcoming GenoQs Octopus both have 
rotary encoders (still haven't tried these out yet).  Perhaps they use the cheap  / shoddy 
ones, but judging from the price, I doubt it.

A couple of comments to address previous concerns regarding this issue:

(1) Personally, I'd gladly pay extra to have high quality rotary encoders even without the 
LED ring (which we all agree wouldn't have the resolution anyway).

(2) Regarding the poor resolution of rotary encoders: couldn't you have coarse adjustment 
by holding the function key while turning a knob and fine adjustment without ?  Perhaps 
coarse could even toggled on/off for one-handed use?  
Personally I don't care about turning the knob a few times --- it's not that often I want to 
change from the lowest to the highest possible values.  Even assuming a flat probability 
distribution of random knob adjustments, you will on average have to turn through only 
half the entire range for any adjustment.

(3)  There definitely seem to be some 360 pots available --- according to the website, the 
Alesis Ion has them (http://alesis.com/products/Ion/About/):

quoting: 
"The ION features ... 31 amply spaced control knobs. The knobs are 360 degree 
potentiometers with 12-bit resolution, yielding 32 times the resolution of a typical MIDI 
controller, yet still compatible with the latest sequencers via NRPNs (Non-Registered 
Parameter Numbers). The result is extraordinary precision—void of any undesirable digital 
artifacts—and a very "analog" sound throughout the entire frequency range."

I can't vouch for the build-quality though.  The micron I tried was a horrendous plastic 
toy.

But if they are OK, this sounds like the best solution.  

... anyway, I'm pleading for you to consider this option again !

:: kkonkkrete ::