Before getting to the topic of this post I'd like to express my explicit thanks to this handful of users for their recent appreciation and encouraging me to carry on: Thank you, guys!
Well, the topic says the end of an era, so after about seven years of putting out highly functional free versions of my VST/i this era of bighearted generosity has come to an end. I've been thinking this over and over again but some simple facts made this move inevitable.
It is not so that I'm fishing or wanting for praise personally but it is more about that I'd like to see more feedback and responses on my VST/i by users in public so that others can get some additional impressions from user experiences and views. Esp. with the most recent release (Alphatron) this public feedback has been practically neglectible although the number of downloads within a week of over 1100 tell a different story as of usage.
So from now on I'll be putting out functional demos of new VST/i with certain restrictions like muting or adding pink noise for a short moment at varying intervals. So new VST/i can be checked by interested people if it does fit their needs or not, and a Pro version can be purchased. Occasionally there might be a little mini freebie, but that's it.
As of the general level of prices for future products I'm still in the process of consideration.
with regards
HG Fortune
The end of an era ...
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- KVRAF
- 1830 posts since 15 Aug, 2004 from soundland
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- KVRAF
- 3389 posts since 7 Aug, 2008
Whew.....I was afraid that this post was going to signal the end of H.G. Fotune instruments! So that's a relief.
Even though i love the free versions of the H.G. synths, I think this is probably a good move. In some ways, the free synths were so full featured that it likely caused at least a few people to say, "Why should I go for the big one, when I've got all of this?"
I've got a few of your commercial synths, and they are fantastic. I can always get inspirational atmospheres from an H.G. synth....it's pretty much an effortless process.
It's been cool to see your instruments progress recently. I especially like Arracis Gold (with the awesome rhythmic possibilities). I like the idea behind your two most recent synths....with one for the pads and one for the bass & leads (to help people see that H.G. Forture is more than just atmospheres). The GUIs are getting better with each release...they look great.
With the economy being like it is, people have less dispoable income and the "big companies" are dropping prices like crazy. Add that to a crowded vst market and people's money and attention are spread a little thin. Make no mistake: you are one of the legends of "independent developers" as a far as I'm concerned. One of only a handful that I make sure I check out every release. Try not to be discouraged...you've got lots of fans out here!
Even though i love the free versions of the H.G. synths, I think this is probably a good move. In some ways, the free synths were so full featured that it likely caused at least a few people to say, "Why should I go for the big one, when I've got all of this?"
I've got a few of your commercial synths, and they are fantastic. I can always get inspirational atmospheres from an H.G. synth....it's pretty much an effortless process.
It's been cool to see your instruments progress recently. I especially like Arracis Gold (with the awesome rhythmic possibilities). I like the idea behind your two most recent synths....with one for the pads and one for the bass & leads (to help people see that H.G. Forture is more than just atmospheres). The GUIs are getting better with each release...they look great.
With the economy being like it is, people have less dispoable income and the "big companies" are dropping prices like crazy. Add that to a crowded vst market and people's money and attention are spread a little thin. Make no mistake: you are one of the legends of "independent developers" as a far as I'm concerned. One of only a handful that I make sure I check out every release. Try not to be discouraged...you've got lots of fans out here!
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Blue Wind Project Blue Wind Project https://www.kvraudio.com/forum/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=79464 - KVRian
- 973 posts since 28 Aug, 2005
I agree, I too think this is a good
plan Guenter. I'm affraid I am guilty
of the same, " The free versions are so good,
it really never occurs to buy the pro " heck, I
get so immersed in creating sounds that I
forget it's free
Guenter, YOUR work is worth a price tag, and
I have always felt your synths are always
well worth the price you put on them...
Good for you Guenter !!!!
you deserve to be rewarded for your YEARS
of hard work and generousity.
Look forward to your future releases
plan Guenter. I'm affraid I am guilty
of the same, " The free versions are so good,
it really never occurs to buy the pro " heck, I
get so immersed in creating sounds that I
forget it's free
Guenter, YOUR work is worth a price tag, and
I have always felt your synths are always
well worth the price you put on them...
Good for you Guenter !!!!
you deserve to be rewarded for your YEARS
of hard work and generousity.
Look forward to your future releases
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- KVRist
- 320 posts since 2 Aug, 2006
I never get demos that make an intermitant noise, I hate it and have no doubt missed out on some cools VST in the process, but I cannot really get to grips with something when it comes out with that. I have just tried the brill soundtoys plugins on a 30 day basis and it's convinced me to buy them as soon the funds become available.
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- KVRAF
- 2158 posts since 11 Oct, 2007 from Almanya
Why not solve it with a 15-30 minute timer in the plugin, which simply mutes the output? No frightening noise bursts, no PITA 1-sec-silence ...
Reaper user? Get my free JSFX plug-ins, also available via ReaPack extension.
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Blue Wind Project Blue Wind Project https://www.kvraudio.com/forum/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=79464
- KVRian
- 973 posts since 28 Aug, 2005
I think the timer thing is a good idea, but I wonder if
15-30 minuted timer is enough time to get into a synth.
I don't know as I usually don't just use a synth for 15-30
minues, I like to explore and get the feel of a synth.
maybe a little more time, a day ? heck I download freebies
and sometimes don't even get to them for a month as
sometimes something comes up and distracts me.
But I think the timed demo is a good idea.
15-30 minuted timer is enough time to get into a synth.
I don't know as I usually don't just use a synth for 15-30
minues, I like to explore and get the feel of a synth.
maybe a little more time, a day ? heck I download freebies
and sometimes don't even get to them for a month as
sometimes something comes up and distracts me.
But I think the timed demo is a good idea.
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- KVRAF
- 9520 posts since 6 Oct, 2004
Hi, HG, I think you are fine in changing plans, Zebra runs for 11 minute sessions (ballpark guess), plenty of time to test. UGO has a silence around 30 seconds, good enough usage to test and inspire purchase. NI has timed demos. (I would think their 30 minutes is too generous, but they still seem to sell). Largo and Alchemy demos ran 30 days, then periodic noise. Plenty of time for hardcore fence-sitters.
I would suggest for your instruments that load samples/soundfonts, to put together a dozen or so melodic sounds, to be part of your default banks. Having an excellent panflute, vibraphone, brass etc, basic sounds, would help users establish melodies when layered with your often complex and unique soundsets that are focused to purpose. Perhaps reducing the potential of loading a competing product somewhat. I try to pack as much sound into a songs first plugin instance as possible.
As a sidenote, August and early September are the prime vacation, and
necessary school preparation times, so music hobbyists are often less active until
the dust settles, and budgets are established. By the end of this month, some normalcy re-emerges. The financial turmoil in the US has people sitting on their wallets, since the powermongers are still raising taxes fees and regulations, to insure their paycheck/pension, while another million mortgages are about to default, and the middle class circles the drain in search of jobs
Cheers
I would suggest for your instruments that load samples/soundfonts, to put together a dozen or so melodic sounds, to be part of your default banks. Having an excellent panflute, vibraphone, brass etc, basic sounds, would help users establish melodies when layered with your often complex and unique soundsets that are focused to purpose. Perhaps reducing the potential of loading a competing product somewhat. I try to pack as much sound into a songs first plugin instance as possible.
As a sidenote, August and early September are the prime vacation, and
necessary school preparation times, so music hobbyists are often less active until
the dust settles, and budgets are established. By the end of this month, some normalcy re-emerges. The financial turmoil in the US has people sitting on their wallets, since the powermongers are still raising taxes fees and regulations, to insure their paycheck/pension, while another million mortgages are about to default, and the middle class circles the drain in search of jobs
Cheers
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- KVRAF
- 8563 posts since 2 Aug, 2005 from Guitar Land, USA
I want to say thanks for the drum machines, they were fun to play with, and pretty weird.
The only site for experimental amp sim freeware & MIDI FX: http://runbeerrun.blogspot.com
https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCprNcvVH6aPTehLv8J5xokA -Youtube jams
https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCprNcvVH6aPTehLv8J5xokA -Youtube jams
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- KVRAF
- Topic Starter
- 1830 posts since 15 Aug, 2004 from soundland
Thanks for the feedback.
By now I've developed a first solution for the Demo-mode which is a short mute (fade out/in) as long as an eye wink by Betty Page at about 10min intervals starting at around 2 mins after startup. As I found while repeated testing 10 mins is a fairly long time though. No 30days period or so.
Anyway I would not add frightening thunderous noise bursts at all rather than gentle fade in / out simply to prevent from usage within real productions. It's a demo for checking out.
HG
By now I've developed a first solution for the Demo-mode which is a short mute (fade out/in) as long as an eye wink by Betty Page
at about 10min intervals starting at around 2 mins after startup. As I found while repeated testing 10 mins is a fairly long time though. No 30days period or so.Anyway I would not add frightening thunderous noise bursts at all rather than gentle fade in / out simply to prevent from usage within real productions. It's a demo for checking out.
HG
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- KVRist
- 78 posts since 11 Dec, 2009
I am going to say that if it were not for the H.G. Fortune Synth line of VSTi's, I would not be creating music. I have the Pro versions of: X WoF 6, STS 26, Avatar ST, Alionoctis, and STS 33. All of which are worth every dollar I paid for them. I do occasionally use the free Wraith and Percumat 2 for which I plan to give a donation for, because there is a lot of work that goes into these synth's and for H.G. to give the people a few fully working VSTi's at no charge at all is fantastic and the least I can do is give a donation. I do feel that putting in drop-outs, white noise, timers or however H.G. decides to do it, into the free VSTi's is a great idea. If someone likes the synth enough they will buy it. When I checked out X Wof 6 (the first VSTi I bought) I heard the extra voices and wondered why they were there but then I realized why after reading the information on X Wof 6 and sending an e-mail to H.G. asking about the extra voices. Those extra voices did not bother me at all and when I knew that they would not be in the Pro version, I bought it. Thanks H.G. for a great product!
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- KVRist
- 110 posts since 25 Oct, 2006
Hey HG thanx for hanging in there with us.And as for demos i would put a voice in the back ground that says BUY THIS SUCKER or maybe the sound of a siren every 10 secs.
But yes thanx to you for giving us another try and i agree with the demo thingy. Your time is worth every cent ya get and a demo limit is way over due!
So come on everybody GO PRO!!!!
or maybe the sound of a siren every 10 secs.But yes thanx to you for giving us another try and i agree with the demo thingy. Your time is worth every cent ya get and a demo limit is way over due!
So come on everybody GO PRO!!!!
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- KVRAF
- Topic Starter
- 1830 posts since 15 Aug, 2004 from soundland
nice alternative ... has to wait until I've another chance to record a good and well suited female voice ... If that goes right then I'll have it in different languages even in Russian and Chinese (Mandarin & Cantonese)MaxSynths wrote:...a gentle voice saying something like "This Plugin Demo" at a defined time would be better
Cheers,
Max
Anyway You'll like the current solution for sure as of the related visual presentation
HG
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- KVRian
- 1433 posts since 29 Jan, 2008 from Arboretum Avenue
"good and well suited female voice"
I can certainly find you one of those HG !
I can certainly find you one of those HG !
whiteLABEL - now set free : whiteLABEL ||
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- KVRAF
- Topic Starter
- 1830 posts since 15 Aug, 2004 from soundland
Great! Thanks!daz.diamond wrote:"good and well suited female voice"
I can certainly find you one of those HG !
HG