Cantabile 1.2 - need some advice

[bradr]

Hi all,

I'm getting close to finishing the next version of Cantabile now and I'm considering having a free and an inexpensive retail version (which will be called something other than "Pro" - hate that term).

As such I've put together a list of what I'm thinking of including in each version and am looking for some feedback on what people think of this. See here for more:

http://www.toptensoftware.com/cantabile/whatsnew12.htm

My main interest is that the free version is fully functional in its own right (ie: not cripple/ad/share/nagware) and that those who purchase the retail version feel they are getting something significant over the free version.

What do you think? Too cheap? Too expensive? Wrong mix of features between each version? Anything else.

All comments welcome. (including suggestions for a better word than "Pro")

Brad

[mahtazz]

Hi Brad,

Didn't know about Cantabile, but it seems a very promising host. I'd like to test the new v1.2 if test team is open yet.

$25 for it, it's a deal!

I like Full more than Pro.

[metalsvinet]

i think the free features are generous

[grymmjack]

cantabile+ could be a good name for pro version. i agree that the free version is a gift. the price point is very fair too, considering the only other host of this kind is minihost which is nagware and requires a donation to make the nag go away, the minimum donation amount i think is $20 or something (i don't remember as i've donated long ago and the box doesn't come up anymore).

[aMUSEd]

Maybe the standard version records midi and audio (as it does) but the plus version allows for simple editing as well?

Maybe the plus version could also come as a VST/i?

[eidenk]

Cantabile Lite as a name for the free version, no ?

[alex zonder]

Cantabile Lite as a name for the free version, no ?

Cantabilite?

[bradr]

Thanks all,

Sounds like the price/feature mix is about right.

Cantabile+ is good, though I also like Cantabile++ - has connotations of music mixed with technology which is kind of neat (referring C++ programming language).

Cantabile Lite is also good.

(why is a name always the hardest bit? It took me longer to decide on the name Cantabile than it did to write the whole of version 1.0!)

[bradr]

Maybe the standard version records midi and audio (as it does) but the plus version allows for simple editing as well?

Maybe the plus version could also come as a VST/i?

Simple MIDI editing and running as VSTi are planned for maybe next version... beyond the scope of this version given my self imposed time deadline of a 3 month release cycle.

(btw: I'm still chasing NI re: Kontakt crackles - will get to the bottom of it eventually!)

[bradr]

Cantabilite?

Hehe, sounds like something that would bring a super hero to his knees.

[aMUSEd]

Simple - just do a pretentious "leet" version like everyone else for the "elite" version:

C4n74bi13

[pethu]

Digging up a semi-old thread here... I was just about ready to write a Cantabile review. 'cause I think it's a bit under-mentioned here. But I think I'll wait until 1.2 now...

I especially like the way the new +/Full/whatever version seems geared toward making "organized" patch and preset programming easier -- features sorely missed in even the most feature-laden sequencers. Good job!

I just experienced a new bout of enthusiasm for this light-weight host when combining it with my latest purchase, the Pianoteq: The combination really helps in my ambition to actually practise piano playing on a more regular basis. What was a two-minute process involving many separate steps just to get a decent piano up and running has been reduced to a click on an icon, loading both host and instrument in about 1.5 seconds flat!!

Wait -- I got a name! Cantabile Maestoso?

Perhaps not.

[brambos]

What do you think? Too cheap? Too expensive? Wrong mix of features between each version? Anything else.

Hi Brad, I did something like that with Tuareg and Tu2. I had a free version and a FAT version. This approach has both advantages as drawbacks.

I dropped this concept for Tunafish for a number of reasons. One of the reasons being that users of the free version "demanded" the most attention for support (whereas paying customers were often happy campers). If you're going the freeware/shareware way I would recommend that you include support with the shareware version and offer the freeware version "as is".

After all, giving away something is one thing, but the free stuff costing you time/money is another thing.

Good luck, Cantabile seems like a great product!

[bradr]

@pethu:

Digging up a semi-old thread here... I was just about ready to write a Cantabile review. 'cause I think it's a bit under-mentioned here. But I think I'll wait until 1.2 now...

Not long to go now. It's mostly code complete just working on stability and few audio glitch type problems.

I especially like the way the new +/Full/whatever version seems geared toward making "organized" patch and preset programming easier -- features sorely missed in even the most feature-laden sequencers. Good job!

Thanks. Free version is going to be called "Cantabile Lite" and just "Cantabile" for the full version (though I tend to qualify it with (full) usually).

I just experienced a new bout of enthusiasm for this light-weight host when combining it with my latest purchase, the Pianoteq: The combination really helps in my ambition to actually practise piano playing on a more regular basis. What was a two-minute process involving many separate steps just to get a decent piano up and running has been reduced to a click on an icon, loading both host and instrument in about 1.5 seconds flat!!

Thats great to hear. It's exactly why I wrote Cantabile in the first place - for my own piano practice - except it was Ivory that inspired me not pianoteq. Ironically, my piano playing has suffered recently due to putting too much time into Cantabile... doh

@brambos:
Thanks for you're advice on this. I've really struggled with the best way to do a non-free version. Version 1.0 and 1.1 I was happy to give away because it was written mostly for my own purposes. 1.2 though has alot of stuff I personally will not use much + its alot more mature now + I've spent so much time on it I feel justified in asking a little in return.

Luckily, so far I've had to spend relatively little time supporting Cantabile 1.0 and 1.1 - so I didn't really consider that side of it. You're right though, if support was to become demanding for the free version this would be an issue and I'll definitely take your advice on this.

btw: I downloaded tunafish just yesterday (comparing behavior of a bunch of different hosts) and had a bit of a play around with it - looks very nice.

Thanks guys...
Brad

About new version: http://www.toptensoftware.com/cantabile/whatsnew12.htm

[[Isn't synchronicity weird, yesterday I discover pianoteq and download tunafish - today a thread I wrote ages ago gets brought back talking about using Cantabile and pianoteq and a post from the developer of tunafish.]]

[VariKusBrainZ]

a little OT

Do you intend to support ReWire at some point??
Personally, I have so many hosts and sequencers now that Im not interested in stuff unless it can integrate with my setup....Abe Live being the center

suppose I could always use a midi loopback device

On the naming and feature proposals.....looks good and a very reasonable price too