A very good deal for any macOS/Windows synth and a better deal for one which supports wavetables. Some of the presets are quite neat and they do help us learn how to create our own patches.
First ended up in this thread because of Tj’s mention of Sektor and MPE. Like Tj, got issues with the way that synth overpromised and underdelivered. Fathom is almost the opposite. No hype, but quite a few niceties. Don’t know yet about the update pace but it wouldn’t surprise me if it’s much more regular than most overhyped synths.
So, Fathom was an “instabuy” for me, but not based on Gear Acquisition Syndrome. Like Reaktor, Fathom can help me solve GAS by replacing some “must-have” synths.
Tj has a point about Open Source software and there are some cool musicking things in that world. For instance, been using MODEP (MOD Emulation for Pisound). It’s all Open Source or Free Software, which is “free as in free puppy”: need to take care of it.
https://blokas.io/pisound/docs/MODEP/
There’s also something to be said about the market for iOS musicking apps. Most of them are closed source but these apps are much cheaper than desktop equivalents. So, even with strong bouts of GAS, the impact on the wallet isn’t nearly as bad. In turn, the “guilt factor” or buyer’s remorse is much lower, at least in my case. While my “app attic” is full of synths which didn’t do it for me, there are enough gems that it doesn’t feel bad. All of these other apps were about exploration. Many didn’t stick, at least not yet. But they still inspired me to try new things.
Also, iOS workflows have greatly improved with AUv3 and, especially, AU MIDI. You can quickly try different setups, save them, go back to them when you feel like it. To me, it tends to be more efficient than a DAW. And, again, much of it is way cheaper than Windows and macOS setups.
It’s also a big addressable market, even if music apps are a tiny niche.
It might be strange to spend so much effort developing a synth and then selling it for less than 10USD. But it does sound like it’s working for some devs.
For instance, Audio Damage has been releasing a large number of iOS apps in parallel with desktop offerings. Their newest plugin, Quanta, is concurrently in beta phase for both iOS and desktop. In a video during Superbooth, they mentioned their pricing strategy: the iOS version costs 10% of the desktop version. Assuming it’s sustainable for them, it’s quite remarkable.
Bram Bos, the one iOS dev which has been impressing me the most, though, doesn’t currently sell desktop apps. He created a free drum machine app for Windows 20 years ago, but currently focuses his development efforts on reasonably-priced apps for iOS. As a side hustle. No idea how much financial sense it makes for him to do so, but his pace of development puts major dev shops to shame. Each of his apps is an instabuy for me, but not out of compulsion. His apps allow me to expand my horizons and deepen my interests. It’s like establishing a connection with a coach, trainer, sensei… Instead of a dependance on new stuff, it’s about increasing your own capability.
Similarly, purchasing Fathom might be the beginning of a new relationship, for me.
Tj Shredder wrote:You are not guilty, not at all. You did not get people into the "no brainer" state, as your marketing abilities are also limited and the product including the support you give is unparalleled and all worth you ask for.FathomSynth wrote:Tom, that might just be the best post on being a musician I've ever read!
BW, Good points also, I too am guilty.
My last GAS attack made me buy Sektor, because they claimed it is MPE compatible, and I found out it isn't really. Contacting them did not lead to any helpful response... Whereas your responses here are mind blowing, and the speed you fix bugs is rocketing...
There is one area completely without gas, at least in terms of money. That is the open source scene. And though all is free there, there are players who can work professionally and make a living. They won't get rich, because to become rich you need to have a capitalist carnivore mind, which is a contradiction to a creative mind...; - )
But when people pay the money out of a being grateful, instead of thinking making a good "deal", we would be in a different world. To aim for that world is rewarding in its own right...
Don't get me wrong, it is fine to ask for money, in your case its even necessary, especially when you transparently show your personal situation...
I am myself always in a precary situation and its hard to keep going with what I love to do. But I believe it is the best possible contribution to this wonderful world. If I would take a badly paid job and work for a capitalist just to get some more money in the pocket, it would be a waist of talent and spiritual resources...