IK Total Studio Bundle - Install Experience

[woodie]

hey squids - now that I finally got everything installed in the Total Studio Bundle, I've got a little feedback on the install experience that I'd like to let you know (while it's fresh on my mind) esp. since you have a direct line to IK management

While the dongle situation actually had gone smoother than I thought...I really thought that was all that was needed, NOT SO! Not only do you need the dongle on some of these tools, but you also have to go through a forced registration process on EVERY tool in the package and in which also consisted of a DeviceID and Authorization Code!! OK, so I thought it was JUST the dongle and the way I go, but not only that...it also has a Challenge/Response system as well - 2 protections!! Come on IK, that's just ridiculous.... I understand if I have to register my purchase, but why a Challenge/Response system tied to that and why do I have to do it 7 times??

I also got a couple of hang-ups in Live due to the Authorization page popping up and had to shut down Live 5.2.2 and then try it again; at one point I had to use the v6.0.1 demo to get to the Registration screen on a couple of them as I just couldn't get it up in v5.2.2. So yes, this install was not without any trouble-shooting. At one point Amplitube2 wasn't showing up in my Live's plugin folder either and I had to move the plugin folder and move it back and it finally showed up. That hasn't happened before on any of the other synths/effects I have and I suspected it had to do with me cancelling the Registration screen when I first booted it up after installing Amplitube2. I finally got that working, though....

While I'm not complaining about the product, Squids (please don't get me wrong here + I haven't even played with it yet!), but in the future, IK needs to come up with a way more friendly install process than this, where the purchaser can get everything up and running in no time without having to go through all that. If everything is going to be tied to the dongle, then we just need to register once and that's it (without the C/R system as that's just one more thing I have to keep track of now).

Anyway, squids...this is coming from someone who is pretty knowledgeable about computers and with a mountain of software I use personally and in business and I'll tell you that while I was going through installing each product in the Bundle...I just thought it was totally unnecessary and took the excitement out of the new purchase. I'm also pretty good in trouble-shooting this kind of stuff without any help, but not everyone would know what to do or what to try to get it working, so.....I'm just trying to give some honest feedback here that the whole install experience was way too complicated and time-consuming and it really took the excitement out of the new purchase as now I'm thinking that everytime I load up something, the tool has to check a) for the dongle and b) if it's registered or not - thereby taking longer for the tool to load. (I do some programming so I now how this stuff kind of works).

Hope you don't mind me giving you this feeback, Squids, as I would expect the same in my business, but while I could comment to IK directly...I gather you actually do have some clout in IK, so maybe you can stress it to them as well.

Off to play with my new toys....

Thanks Squids...

[Squids]

Okay, this actually isn't the proper place for that kind of suggestion. A more direct line would be the "suggestion box" in the support section of www.ikmultimedia.com which would get read by a support manager who looks at those fine details. I make overall suggestions on registration (and there are already a lot of changes that will happen to improve... but it DOES take time).

I will only say this though about the challenge/response forced registration. It may be a slight pain in the ass but the benefit is that the whole upgrade/crossgrade system uses that as the qualification proof of purchase without you having to fax receipts or cut out serials from boxes etc. I am sure you will appreciate that you are registered when you instantly qualify for the crossgrade to Studiophonik or AmpliTube 3 (made that up) or whatever else may come out in the future.

Anyway, I've been vocal about my suggestions for getting rid of the dongle and we'll see what happens in the future. I have also made some suggestions about "less steps" in the C/R process at least. But, ironically, posts like yours don't help my cause. It makes it look like the SR forum is the place to publicly complain about IK things and that's not good because we try to stretch our support at least into the sound-related and discussion of features of IK products. We're better off dicussing more of that here than venting our frustations or criticisms of other companies besides SR or esoundz.

Now if you want to criticize SR or esoundz let me know!

Anyway, enjoy the plug-ins! Once you get up and running fully I am sure you will be able to get a lot out of that package.

[woodie]

you're right, squids, and I apologize and honestly didn't mean to make a scene here. I just figured I'd let you know the experience I went thru on installing all this stuff esp. since you seem to be close to IK and sometimes writing feedback to big companies like IK go unanswered alot and it makes you wonder if they're really listening.

Anyway, I've got everything installed and it's all good now and so far this morning I've been playing around with Miroslav and it's giving me goose-bumps! I'm mainly an 80's metal + dance guy, but been dabbling in orchestration lately with the samples in Dimension Pro, but I really like the looks (and sound) of Miroslav esp. the 16 channels in 1 instance of it! I can't wait to play with the rest of the Bundle!!

Guys like you, Squids, whom distribute the IK products surely have a closer customer interaction than say IK themselves or me buying it from a Brick & Mortar where they probably have a high-turnover rate in employees, so companies like IK probably don't get alot of good feedback from them, so in that respect, your Forum here at KVR with over 100,000 members (I think) should be a serious matter for IK and as far as I've seen - you're about the only guy here that (unofficially) supports their products, SO...I hope they give you the props you deserve! As you have already caught on...those of us who visit KVR really like this kind of dialogue with other strangers in a Forum-Type setting....and it just leaves filling out a form on a company website to be less than desirable when you have this kind of outlet.

Anyway, I'll try to keep these kinds of threads under my thumb and head for the IK site (or send you a PM instead) and just focus on any sounds questions! As you suggested, though, I WILL write to the Suggestion Box on the IK site about my feedback and dongle/CR protection bit.

OK...I need to do some searching on "Studiophonik" as I've seen it mentioned, but no idea what that is.....sounds like something you're working on...? Yep...I guess I'm a full-blown IK customer now and always a sucker for upgrades, so in that respect - you me got me "hook, line and sinker" now.

All the best....

[dusted william]

lucky bastard. I have to admit the CP on IK is crazy. I work in the IT department at my work and it throughs me for a loop as well. My Dad could never have done it without having a heart attack first.
dw

[woodie]

lucky bastard. I have to admit the CP on IK is crazy. I work in the IT department at my work and it throughs me for a loop as well. My Dad could never have done it without having a heart attack first.
dw

Hehe...yeah, my dad is the same way...he is SO dependent on his laptop now, but yet STILL doesn't know how to even copy a file after I've told him how to 20 times already! luckily though....we live next door to my folks, so I'm always over there putting out computer fires for him.

But yeah...like alot of you guys here...I've installed TONS of software in my life and this just seems a bit over-the-top really and just made me question why the dongle + the C/R? I thought that was the whole purpose of the dongle really...to replace the C/R system...like either/or, not both!

I understand where Squids is coming from, though, that they need that info to better serve their customers, but there's always different ways to do the same thing and if they also want to give end-users a nice experience from buying the package to making music - the install/registration routine surely needs a major facelift as it took me about 24 hours to install everything including the time to trouble-shoot those parts I ran into a problem with (and sleep-time ). Apparently they don't work on weekends, so if you're not very computer savvy and trying to install it on the weekend and run into an issue, I think you'll be screwed, blued & tattooed until Monday.

ok...i'm off to smoke some venison/pork sausage now...

[Squids]

Well it's all a matter of what the forum is really here for which is Sonic Reality and esoundz, not IK. Ironically though one of the other suggestions I've had is for an IK forum on the IK website. In fact, it very well could happen and I will be one of the moderators if it does. THERE I could discuss IK matters much more freely of course. Jason would be there and other support guys. It still won't be individual support but at least it will be a place to discuss IK-related things more directly. Being Sonic Reality, the co-producer of many IK products and with my brother being the managing director of the IK US branch IK users have been getting more and more personal consideration as time has passed and there are a number of things that have improved and will continue to... from the registration process, a dongless world (cross yo fingas on that) and possibly even an IK forum. All I ask is that you guys keep it civil, constructive and productive. Then it can be a really good thing for everyone... and it will keep me interested personally. I am not into a mudslinging fest... no company is really but not everyone has someone friendly and down to Earth like me to run it. So we'll see if that makes a difference!

I may ask a few of the guys who have participated well in our SR forum to help me moderate the IK forum. If you're interested let me know. I am not saying there will be one for sure but it is looking likely at the moment.

[woodie]

squids...that is awesome news, indeed, and in fact makes me even more proud to have bought IK as I think those 2 things would be an A+ move by them...in fact, I'm a bit surprised they don't already have a forum! As successful KVR is and other forums as well....a self-run company forum would be just great. Line6's forum is a good example where the POD forum alone has over 172,000 posts!!

So your brother is Managing Director of IK USA, huh? OK...so I wasn't far off when I said I thought you were well connected with the management. Almost sounds like a family business! That's great, squids. I spent the afternoon digesting the Miroslav booklet while smoking some sausage (and drinking too many beers) and I've got to say that at least the text is damn impressive and more than what I thought it was going to be. I'm REALLY looking forward to playing it and the others, of course, and yeah...I noticed in one of the screenshots in the booklet and confirmed on the synth itself that Sonic Reality was part of the Miroslav project, so that's cool. Did you guys do all the resampling and add the extra sounds then? just curious....

That reminds me, squids - off topic here - The manual states that SampleTank 2.5.x would be compatible with Miroslav and it mentions it twice in the booklet, but SampleTank is only at 2.1! So is SampleTank 2.5.x in the works then?

[woodie]

BTW - if you guys DO do a Forum...be sure to seriously consider vBulletin as it's pretty vBulletProof and only costs $160 per year with like a $40 annual update after that. I run 2 vBulletin boards and while it's a bit rough navigating through the hundreds of parameters, I don't think there's another forum software that is as good and secure. phpBB works, but you've always got to be careful as it's top-priority for forum hackers....had one and it got hacked and not fun to reverse the damage.

[Squids]

squids...that is awesome news, indeed, and in fact makes me even more proud to have bought IK as I think those 2 things would be an A+ move by them...in fact, I'm a bit surprised they don't already have a forum! As successful KVR is and other forums as well....a self-run company forum would be just great. Line6's forum is a good example where the POD forum alone has over 172,000 posts!!

So your brother is Managing Director of IK USA, huh? OK...so I wasn't far off when I said I thought you were well connected with the management. Almost sounds like a family business! That's great, squids. I spent the afternoon digesting the Miroslav booklet while smoking some sausage (and drinking too many beers) and I've got to say that at least the text is damn impressive and more than what I thought it was going to be. I'm REALLY looking forward to playing it and the others, of course, and yeah...I noticed in one of the screenshots in the booklet and confirmed on the synth itself that Sonic Reality was part of the Miroslav project, so that's cool. Did you guys do all the resampling and add the extra sounds then? just curious....

That reminds me, squids - off topic here - The manual states that SampleTank 2.5.x would be compatible with Miroslav and it mentions it twice in the booklet, but SampleTank is only at 2.1! So is SampleTank 2.5.x in the works then?

It's an Italian company so it's all about the familia. No, just kidding. But, IK US is one of Sonic Reality's main distributors so when it needed help I found some good people to add to the staff such as some of the product specialists, reps and my brother who is more from the business world. IK US and SR used to be down the block from each other but now we share the same building. But, the main HQ for IK is in Modena, Italy where the actual software development is done. Sonic Reality, while still a third party sound company doing sounds for all formats, has become the main sound provider for IK Multimedia products which leaves IK more time to develop the software side of things. So, for a product like Miroslav Philharmonik Sonic Reality was solely responsible for the sounds (although originally sampled by Miroslav himself in this case) and IK the software side. Many future sample-based plug-ins from IK will be this way as well... which is why I was saying it is good that you are registered because you will qualify for upgrade/crossgrade discounts.

As to your question about SampleTank, I believe 2.2 is coming with MacTel support and I will check on this but it should be able to read Miroslav Philharmonik sounds.

[dusted william]

lucky bastard. I have to admit the CP on IK is crazy.

Just to be clear I called holymoly a lucky bastard not because he was able to succesfully impliment the copy protection, but rather that he was able to grab the collection at such a deal!

I agree this is not a SR related issue, and Squids has always helped me out with a deal, and been a good buy all around.

BTW Squids, you may have some competition on long posts now, it seems holymoly is trying to one up you
dw

[Squids]

The Squids megapost has become a dinosaur. But you never know. It could always come back.

[woodie]

It's an Italian company so it's all about the familia. No, just kidding. But, IK US is one of Sonic Reality's main distributors so when it needed help I found some good people to add to the staff such as some of the product specialists, reps and my brother who is more from the business world. IK US and SR used to be down the block from each other but now we share the same building. But, the main HQ for IK is in Modena, Italy where the actual software development is done. Sonic Reality, while still a third party sound company doing sounds for all formats, has become the main sound provider for IK Multimedia products which leaves IK more time to develop the software side of things. So, for a product like Miroslav Philharmonik Sonic Reality was solely responsible for the sounds (although originally sampled by Miroslav himself in this case) and IK the software side. Many future sample-based plug-ins from IK will be this way as well... which is why I was saying it is good that you are registered because you will qualify for upgrade/crossgrade discounts.

As to your question about SampleTank, I believe 2.2 is coming with MacTel support and I will check on this but it should be able to read Miroslav Philharmonik sounds.

haha! Sonic Mafioso! That makes alot of sense, though, that you guys do all the sounds (since it's SR's main business) and IK focuses on the software, ALTHOUGH I have a hard time visualizing Italian macho guys working to replicate and code American & British amps, cabs & effects for Amplitube. I used to have a girlfriend in Rome...met her in Salamanca, Spain on a 6-week summer course; the 2nd day we were there...my roommate and I met up with a group of 11 Italian chicks....as you can imagine - it made our time there worthwhile. It took me about 2 weeks to get over her hairy armpits, though.

Anyhow....it all sounds great, squids....look forward to it all. Don't forget a massive Ethnic library, though....I know BITR is working on Ethnotronics, but not sure how that's going to turn out, but someone really needs to come out with a serious competitor to Quantum Leap RA. You've got everything else, so let's have the ultimate bad-ass Ethnic Instrument library!

As far as the mention of SampleTank 2.5.x - look on pages 12 (at the bottom) and page 13 (about 3/4 way down) of the Miroslav booklet. I'm sure at the time of printing, this was probably a "typo" and they meant to type v2.1.x.

[woodie]

lucky bastard. I have to admit the CP on IK is crazy.

Just to be clear I called holymoly a lucky bastard not because he was able to succesfully impliment the copy protection, but rather that he was able to grab the collection at such a deal!

yep...I surely consider myself a "lucky bastard" too, dusted.

BTW Squids, you may have some competition on long posts now, it seems holymoly is trying to one up you
dw

"HolyMolyPostly"

[DarkStar]

It's an Italian company so it's all about the familia. No, just kidding. But, IK US is one of Sonic Reality's main distributors so when it needed help I found some good people to add to the staff such as some of the product specialists, reps and my brother who is more from the business world.

I think this explains why Squids always makes us "offers we can't refuse".

"Good people" !!

I hope the Squidsosaur comes back too!

[Squids]

I actually do a good Marlon Brando impression... it involves grapes for maximum effect. I did it once on the radio on KLOS with Mark and Brian after a live show in the studio with Kevin Gilbert. They were impressed! (I like to think).

Anyway, the Italian Stallion macho thing is of course a stereotype. The beauty of Italy is amazing and the city of Modena is fascinating. The IK office is right down the street from Ferrari and Mazerati. Plus there are all kinds of really cool custom instrument craftsmen shops and let's not even talk about the art in the food (but Modena is famous for the REAL DEAL Balsamic Vinegar which comes from there). So, actually, it makes sense that an Italian company would really put in a lot of love in the craftsmanship of the products, really caring about the art of the sound etc. Modena, modeling... there's a ring to it!