Group Buy for 2CAudio Aether Reverb - Already Started

[aplats]

The concensus seems to be that this is not $150 -250 more plugg then the existing reigning top KVR favorite Reverbs.
Of course, the proprietors can put a link to an online music store showing a page full boutique stuff that goes as much as $1k or more,http://www.sweetwater.com/c705--Plug_In ... gh2low/all

But a ford dealer showing us Austin Martin pricing does'nt mean I'm paying him $200k for a mustang !!!!!

So many affordable pluggs , so little time ((er..cash! ))

Yeah... but those reverbs come with free shipping...

[lavoll]

and also note that the native versions of all those reverbs are cheaper than the tdm versions.

ive worked with Revibe in surround. Very nice.

[SolarRainUK]

These things are all very subjective, but speaking to the gui, I also thought that it was a bit let's say "sloppy". The overall idea is really cool and I don't mind it, but it did feel like it needed slightly more focus. Same idea except tightened up a little. Don't know whether that makes sense.

The gui is a tough one, because I certainly like a good looking gui, at the same time, I wouldn't like it if something was really pretty but what's underneath doesn't deliver. When we're talking about sound production, what's underneath should always come first.

Really, when you're at a certain level of cost you expect a certain level of polish both sonically AND visually. The whole package. My subjective impression of the gui on this was that it didn't quite match the quality (or asking price) of what was underneath. Close but not quite; it seemed like there was a slight disconnect. I have to be absolutely honest and say that I had to come back here and poke around to see whether this might have been a SynthEdit creation. Not that I have a problem with SynthEdit as such - but not for a $349 product.

Please don't be upset that I'm saying this, just following on the discussion.

No offense, but I think you're nuts and I guess that goes to show how subjective this really is (seriously, no offense intended). I really can't say enough how much I like the GUI. I don't think its sloppy in any way and I most like that they didn't try to make this look like hardware, which I know is a turnoff for quite a few, but a major plus for me.

Sorry this is getting off-topic about the GUI issues, but I feel I have to chime in here..

You are missing the point I think and I would say, based on your reply, very naive when it comes to professional graphic design. No offense.

Subjectivity hardly comes into this at all, on a professional level, bad design is bad design. The GUI looks to have been designed by someone without any formal graphic design education whatsoever. The layout is ok, but the colours, typography, and those huge, deep, Photoshop default style bevel FX are horrendous! I'm surprised there isn't a lensflare effect added somewhere..

It's a fantastic sounding reverb, unfortunately let down by unprofessional graphics. It deserves a quality, the touch of professionalism, that the current designer obviously cannot provide.

[Andrew Souter]

This is not some esoteric list of things no one has heard of that is intentionally skewed to focus on high priced statistical outlier items! This is the result you get when performing a search for "Reverbs" at one of the most popular US retailers. I did not invent this. Are there cheaper choices? Sure. And more expensive ones too.

As for what auto brand we metaphorically correlate with, I suppose that is for every individual to decide for themselves. We've told you what we think. You can decide for yourself from there.

Bottom line at the end of the day is that we as developers make a product. We as developers set the price. You as customers decide whether or not you want to pay the price. That's really about as simple as it is. However, Denis and I have been around for while and most or all of my Galbanum customers can attest that I treat them all like friends, and do whatever I can do to help them. And this includes making special offers, and rewarding repeat business, and encouraging volume purchases, etc. I don't think any of these things are foreign concepts in any industry. But as already expressed here by a few EXISTING customers, things need to be reasonably fair for them as well.

So instead of attacking one another, let's work together to try to find something that works for us all (including existing customers). That's what "the marketplace" is about, right? And this is the kind of constructive initiative "Aplats" took by launching this poll. This was not our idea originally. It was proposed by a potential customer. We like that. We are always open to ideas from potential customers.

Now maybe I have said the wrong word in the wrong order somewhere above, that is going to trigger some new flame tangent? Who can predict these things? If you feel that urge, please focus instead on the summary which is: we are listening to you all here in this poll, and we are considering ways to help us both. We like win-win situations!

[Andrew Souter]

SolarRainUK, could we please take a look at your portfolio?

[contrary]

Now that's win-win Baby !!!!!!



( GUI suggestion ?????? )

[Andrew Souter]

Finally! Something we can all agree on!

[Lotuzia]

....... we are listing to you all here in this poll, and we are considering ways to help us both. We like win-wins situations!

Glad to see you in the thread Andrew.

Now that you are officially aware of the question, and that many pros and cons have been debated, all we probably need to know is :

..... will there be a GB with Aether or ..........

Cos ..... in case of I'm afraid that this thread could become useless and obsolete quite quickly

(Not intended to put pressure this said just take the time you need to take the right decision)

And thanks to Aplats to initiate this one.

LtZ

[Andrew Souter]

We are still evaluating this idea and any effects on existing customers. We would like to watch this poll/thread for another day or two...

[bduffy]

Hells yeah, I'd be interested. Love to have this reverb! But it'd have to come down quite a bit. I think it's a little pricey as is.

[aplats]

Thank you guys and no problem! Hopefully, like Andrew said, this becomes a win-win situation.

[elxsound]

These things are all very subjective, but speaking to the gui, I also thought that it was a bit let's say "sloppy". The overall idea is really cool and I don't mind it, but it did feel like it needed slightly more focus. Same idea except tightened up a little. Don't know whether that makes sense.

The gui is a tough one, because I certainly like a good looking gui, at the same time, I wouldn't like it if something was really pretty but what's underneath doesn't deliver. When we're talking about sound production, what's underneath should always come first.

Really, when you're at a certain level of cost you expect a certain level of polish both sonically AND visually. The whole package. My subjective impression of the gui on this was that it didn't quite match the quality (or asking price) of what was underneath. Close but not quite; it seemed like there was a slight disconnect. I have to be absolutely honest and say that I had to come back here and poke around to see whether this might have been a SynthEdit creation. Not that I have a problem with SynthEdit as such - but not for a $349 product.

Please don't be upset that I'm saying this, just following on the discussion.

No offense, but I think you're nuts and I guess that goes to show how subjective this really is (seriously, no offense intended). I really can't say enough how much I like the GUI. I don't think its sloppy in any way and I most like that they didn't try to make this look like hardware, which I know is a turnoff for quite a few, but a major plus for me.

Sorry this is getting off-topic about the GUI issues, but I feel I have to chime in here..

You are missing the point I think and I would say, based on your reply, very naive when it comes to professional graphic design. No offense.

Subjectivity hardly comes into this at all, on a professional level, bad design is bad design. The GUI looks to have been designed by someone without any formal graphic design education whatsoever. The layout is ok, but the colours, typography, and those huge, deep, Photoshop default style bevel FX are horrendous! I'm surprised there isn't a lensflare effect added somewhere..

It's a fantastic sounding reverb, unfortunately let down by unprofessional graphics. It deserves a quality, the touch of professionalism, that the current designer obviously cannot provide.

My post was naive as yours was pompous. My point is simple (which you clipped)... At the end of the day, everyone has an opinion and that is a personal thing. Are you really trying to refute this?

Subjectivity does come into play regardless of design. We live in a world where most commercial products are designed by "professionals" and yet there is not a single product design that ALL will enjoy. Does this make sense? If you are going to refute this statement, please provide examples, because I'm only stating what is common sense here.

[aplats]

I just want to start buy saying, I'm trying to be objective about the price. I haven't stated what I'm willing to pay.

So far, it seems like everyone would be willing to pay $100 at the lowest. I'm not sure if this would gain enough sales to offset the lower cost? The only way I could see that worth the developer considering, is if quite a high number was reached by the group buy. I'm not sure what would be high enough, as that's relative to current sales.

Anyhow, that price also creates an issue for the people who got in on the previous sale. Maybe one way to keep it fair to them, is to offer them some sort of incentive with the group buy also (discount on other products, perhaps?). It would be nice to see if there's something they would find fair other than a refund or waiting to a later date.

Hopefully, responses to this can help the developer decide the lowest price point that would work, and how many people to reach that.

[Lotuzia]

We are still evaluating this idea and any effects on existing customers. We would like to watch this poll/thread for another day or two...

Yeah I quite understand the situation. Placing the cursor in the right place between largely expanding a user base and keeping all existing customers happy is a real challenge. Especially for those who bought the unit recently.

Eventually a good idea might be to offer a bargain for existing customers for future products ?

What do existing owners think of that one ? Please comment if you read this and are in this particular situation.

Just an idea popping though ......

Good luck with the choice.

LtZ

[aplats]

Subjectivity does come into play regardless of design. We live in a world where most commercial products are designed by "professionals" and yet there is not a single product design that ALL will enjoy. Does this make sense? If you are going to refute this statement, please provide examples, because I'm only stating what is common sense here.

You guys both have good points.

I understand there are professional guidelines forumlated from research on how humans think. I've taken technical writing and Web development classes--there is a lot to consider. On the other hand, elxicano is just trying to say you can't please everyone. If there are enough people who are discontent with the GUI maybe it would prompt the developer to offer other skins. I believe Andrew has stated there is a more "minimal" skin coming out in 1.1. If there isn't enough people, then is it worth the cost for a redesign?

Maybe there should be a separate poll or thread opened up to see how many people cannot tolerate the current interface.

With that said, the GUI functionality sort of loses the focus of this thread.