How Many Units Does A Hit Synth Sell?

[xybre]

...

Right, and thats what developers like Urs and Ben do just to name the ones who've been named time and again
NI also does some of these things.

[Wintermute]

Wouldn't it be wise that the developers unite to promote the software solution?.

[...]

I think that all that is needed to attract more people from hardware to software is information and making it easy for them.

I think this is an excellent idea. It wouldn't remove the piracy problem (in fact, it would bring more warez users), but it would open new markets as well.

Places like KVR and the sites of the music magazines is where you go to when you already know the basics (what's a host, what's a plug-in, sequencing, plug-ins, MIDI). There is so much here to see and read, I suppose it's kind of intimidating for people outside of the core group (= male techies from 15 to 35 with too much time on their hands ).

I'm thinking of a site with a very friendly interface and a "Digital Music production 101" tour that shows how you can grab a keyboard, a controller and a bunch of demo versions to get started within a day. It should have a boatload of (Youtube) videos where some average joe shows you how to build tracks using various affordable soft synths. Every page would have links to (demo versions of) the software you need. Simple construction kits / demo songs to show you build tracks. And it might be a good idea to cover conventional genres; e.g. pop ballads (no need to preach to the converted techno masses).

I know that all this stuff exists around the web, but yes - putting it all together to educate non-techies about the Wonderful World of the Software Studio™ on one site might help the small developers.

[JMC]

Whilst I agree with your sentiment, from their own webpage ...

Those stats & data take a lot of time & money to gather and are sold for even more (turning it into a business).

I KNOW people are 'sharing' this informations for free, just as they are 'sharing' music & software, it doesn't make it any less illegal I'm afraid.

This is the whole problem of piracy I'm afraid Nobody believes he's doing anything wrong

[gunnare]

And while this discussion is going on I cannot trace pirated files of my synths because the Rapidshare servers are overloaded............ They need to put up more servers to serve the warez community!

Situations like this: Only 10'% of the users pay for the development of the synths, while maybe 90% are freeloaders. (I dont know the correct numbers, but just to illustrate the problem.) It is situations like this that causes wars in the world. The paying customers should do a riot because of the unjustice. They are actually paying for the products that others can download for free. So this is not only about the developers.

What if this was applied to cars and houses.............

[JMC]

If piracy hurts you that much as you say, Why not to consult an antipiracy specialist to help you solve your problem?

If it were so easy, wouldn't everyone do this

The moment software is sold (& popular) it is & will be cracked. You can buy a couple of weeks (maybe months) with a new protection scheme but that's about it.

The only way to keep software from being cracked ... is not to release it.

On top of that complicated protection schemes like iLocks, server callback, ... only punish the paying customers ... as the rest uses it for free without the hassle.

[koalaboy]

I KNOW people are 'sharing' this informations for free, just as they are 'sharing' music & software, it doesn't make it any less illegal I'm afraid.

I can't discuss the legality of sharing the data because there's no information on their website and I haven't seen a report to know what is stated on it.

All I was trying to point out was the futility of promoting data as being a great marketing tool if you don't want anyone to see the data.

Copyright breach of any sort is illegal - I agree. It's not theft, stealing, or all manner of things attributed to it, but it is illegal.

One thing I do find interesting, are the companies (developers) who state the tyranny of piracy is everywhere, how everyhing is instantly cracked, and there's nothing to be done - and yet continue bothering with copy 'protection'. I think Brad Wardell of Stardock has the right approach.

The only way to increase sales is either lower the price until it's a no-brainer (and you'll still get warez because it's not always about the money) and/or add value that can't be gained by a download - Customer support, online communities for registered users, etc.

If anyone believes they can stop warez, they don't understand computer or human nature. Imagine if alcohol, drugs and tobacco were free - how many people would happily kill themselves indulging ?

What I'd be interested to know, is how often a 'cracked' application is used by the same person, a couple of years on - the percentage of 'lost sales' that actually were lost.

For example, (hypothetically) if demos were unrestricted and lasted six (and only six) months, but there was no ability to crack software - would sales go up or down overall ? What do you think ?

[batcave]

it's sadly yet comically poetic that illegal copies are called 'cracks'
like the drug, we often focus on the effects on legitimate people,

example:
it hurts sales, insults and financially hurts developers,
who pour real talent and effort into these great tools...
resembles the truth that drugs, often lead to violence,
theft, devaluation of property, ...

and while all this is very true, let's not forget that
in both cases...

CRACK hurts the END USER

they become addicted to something that completely devalues their own attempts at being artistic, i mean really, you can't expect help and support, or appreciation for your work (songs) while stealing someone else's work?
so they are getting farther and farther from their dream each step they take, investing time in a compulsion, time that should be used to learn, and grow, learn music, learn synth programming, anything, investing in yourself builds pride

is stealing inspiring? confidence building? ha!
it's a morale drain, pure time-waste escapism and a confidence killer
i see these people (not at always young either) trying hard to fit into the community where i work and in response
these people get treated like lepers

notice how they get treated at kvr, when they ask for advice.
understandably not very well at all,
i mean, if you want to learn something start at the actual beginning
and you'll get support.

you're trying to build something, and your foundation is all wrong, i don't think stealing some more will help, but hey, it's a fresh new year, go legit!
you'll appreciate and actually work with your new tools
honestly it hurts my feelings to have to eject you from the studio
i'd much rather see you do well
put the baby shit aside, and become what you actually want.

[batcave]

crackheads "own" nuendo AND live AND reason AND cubase but ask questions like:

"What's a midi?"

"i can't seem to get my vocals to sound godlike with my radio shack
mic and stock dell soundcard, will three more daws fix that?"

"what's does volume mean? and is it related to eq or girls in any way?"

"what's a preset? how do i load one? and which one will make me have Timbalake's limo?"


CRACK hurts the END USER!

[Kriminal]

ppl who DL and use cracked software are, in general, the type of person who would never buy it anyway, so its not a lost sale

[Kyran]

Another way to decrease warez is to make it easier to get the legit version than a warezed version.

This is part of the success of itunes or why teenagers buy ringtones: it's conveniently there where they look for it. (need a new song, it's just two clicks away in your audioplayer, where you most likely are when you think of playing some music)

Right now if you look for synths, you start in google, hit some words and you have 50% chance that you'll get on a warez site first. For people who start out there is a lot of great freeware out there, but as it stands it's a lot harder to track down and get a hold of than warez.

The key is to be very close at hand when a new user thinks "I want to make some music with my computer". Somethink like an appstore. A lot of warez happens out of convenience too.

[glokraw]

ppl who DL and use cracked software are, in general, the type of person who would never buy it anyway, so its not a lost sale

Its just theft of someone elses property. If my lawnmower gets stolen, sure, its not a lost sale either, just a simple crime.

[WilliamK]

Another way to decrease warez is to make it easier to get the legit version than a warezed version.

+1

I see a lot of sites where its just too hard to order or deal with the company. If an easier system would be created, like iTunes did, I'm sure sales would increase.

Some people get pirated software due to the fact they can't get it in any other way. For instance, no credit-card, can't receive anything in the mail due to custom taxes, ... Yes, those are real things, at least where I live. (South America)

I often trade work for software, so people without a CC or even money, can get the full legit version.

Wk

[WilliamK]

ppl who DL and use cracked software are, in general, the type of person who would never buy it anyway, so its not a lost sale

Its just theft of someone elses property. If my lawnmower gets stolen, sure, its not a lost sale either, just a simple crime.

Indeed.

[yellowfever]

Another way to decrease warez is to make it easier to get the legit version than a warezed version.

+1

I see a lot of sites where its just too hard to order or deal with the company. If an easier system would be created, like iTunes did, I'm sure sales would increase.

Such as? What's difficult in ordering something, paying by paypal for example and downloading a .dll file? And I'm still waiting for your copy of Sylenth!!!

[dodokvr]

You ever tried downloading a lawnmower?