John Dahlback using cracked synths - is Ace in there?

[DILF]

I also think Urs subtle out of tune and other anti crack protection methods are very effective.

I still remember people posting to complain about GUI problems

[Sendy]

I'm afraid I've stopped believing in Karma a long time ago. I just see no evidence for it, in a world where arseholes get on and trying to be nice and do the right thing seems to get you nowhere. You could argue that Karma operates on a longer time-scale and that people are punished in another life or something, but that destroys the context - essentially 'another life' is a new person who probably doesn't even remember what it's being punished for.

Karma is a time-smeared, holier-than-thou version of "an eye for an eye..." only instead of tearing someone's eyes or teeth out directly, you hope for the natural cause of the universe to do it for you.

What really counts is your internal values. If you don't have a sense of dignity with yourself and the network you're connected to, you'll lose your connection to the most important things in life. Sure, you can make money and stuff by being an arsehole, and gather lots of 'friends', but like most of the people found blatantly using cracks in broad daylight, they make shallow music that's apparently the hottest thing since sliced (hot) bread but in a week will be completely forgotten about.

Like a lot of people when I got into computer music over a decade ago I was given a bunch of cracked stuff to play with and thought nothing of it, until I got more aware of the process and difficulties involved in making software synthesizers that don't sound like ass. When I realized a digital oscillator isn't just some thing that counts from -1 to 1 at different rates, and how complicated making a good sounding filter is in the digital realm, my appreciation for these tools and respect for those that make them shot through the roof. And when I went over to actually buying my tools, I found I had a connection with them that I'd never would have expected before.

[rexlapin]

Well said, Sendy!
Cheers,
Scott

[srcodling]

What so many artists and developers do NOT get is that the world has changed. Gone are the days of putting out albums or software and having people come and buy it just because YOU made it. It's not right, but it is real.

You MUST involve your fanbase/userbase in the creative process. Look at the bands who have interactive websites, fan-made collaborative collage videos, videoblogs, etc., etc. Why do I love U-He products? Because Urs includes all of us in this process. Just look at DIVA and the number of user presets already created.

I have never been so surprised than when I first bought Zebra, asked a question, and had Urs answer it within minutes on this forum. Right away there is the human connection, I feel valued as a person, and so I want to support Urs in this whole process (and have bought every u-he product since, other than a few soundbanks).

So even bands that I liked ages ago, today I feel no connection with even if they still release albums. And for something like Sylenth, it's a great product, but there's zero communication and so there's no connection.

Stealing is still wrong, but you can either whine about it or do what successful bands and developers do and be proactive about it, seeing that in this day and age of torrents there are things you can do. But they don't come from the old business models.

[Fritze]

You can hear when people really love their instruments. No one will ever achieve this with cracked software.

This is by far the most beautiful argument I ever heard against warez.

[Urs]

I also think Urs subtle out of tune and other anti crack protection methods are very effective.

I still remember people posting to complain about GUI problems

This?

[Sendy]

PWNED!

[News From The Sky]

there was that hilarious YouTube exchange whereby someone posted a comment on a U-he video asking where he could get a cracked version of the synth (don't recall which one), and Urs posted the response That probably did more than any anti-piracy scheme - shame is a powerful emotion.

BRILLIANT.

One of the great things about the internet is the way it allows people who would otherwise never meet, to interact on a very direct personal level. Whenever possible I prefer the small developer who interacts with their users over the traditional faceless corporate entities (and those who resemble them), and I appreciate that the internet makes possible the kind of relationship Urs has with his customers. It counts for a lot.

As for greed, Sendy is right on. The thing about people who are greedy assholes is that they have to live with a greedy asshole every minute of every day. Not to mention that it's in your own self-interest to give money to people who make things you like (so they can make more), and it's stupid and self-destructive not to do so. It sucks when someone gets away with something, or appears to, but the important thing is to try to be the best person you can be and support and encourage others to do the same. This is what makes life worth living - without it, all the toys in the world won't do you a damn bit of good.

[Uncle E]

I really don't get the mindset..I make my money from music, mostly music licensing...and if I am expecting someone else to respect my licensing and copyright, its the least I can do.

Here's karma for you, Filestube has 2,972 opportunities for you to download John Dahlback's music for free.

I imagine there exists some philosophy that says he's righteous in using stolen software, given how much the world has stolen from him. In comparison, there are only 363 downloads available for Sylenth1.

[Meffy]

@Eric: That link doesn't belong here, regardless of what he's done. "Two wrongs don't make a right," as they say.

[edit] Thanks for removing the link. Sticking to the moral high road is the way to keep out of the muck.

[chk071]

Mmmh, so many fingers pointing at that guy now, probably mostly from people (i would say 99,9%) who surely once in their life have used cracked software/downloaded music illegally or got some downloaded movies or stuff from friends etc. At least i wouldn't know anyone who once in his life did not download copyrighted stuff from the net... sorry but this kinda seems like the "moral majority" to me now which would be better off cleaning their own housefloor before tarring and feathering someone who maybe never even used illegally acquired software for one of his productions.

Surely that Future Music magazine and him made a terrible mistake by publishing that video but all this public stoning, insulting and what not... don't think that's very fair either. Actually i'm personally more surprised that i'm angry about the guy, surprised because i wonder that the kind of "thinking process" didn't happen to him yet, the part where you decide for yourself that you can't be arsed to profit from the work of others always without giving something back to them. But then again... nothing can prove that he did not produce his songs with righteously acquired software so...

All in all i would recommend to chill down a bit, there's enough guys on this forum as well using warezed stuff who don't get insulted and pointed at for using it.

[Uncle E]

@Eric: That link doesn't belong here, regardless of what he's done. "Two wrongs don't make a right," as they say.

Yes, you're right, I edited my post. I don't want people stealing John Dahlback's music and, though it's in no way justified, I even feel we should be giving him some leniency given the heinous situation with his music.

[TechnoSlave]

Yeah buy legit copies of software after you've paid off your gulfstream jet.

[djanthonyw]

The main point is that this guy is someone that a lot of other people probably look(ed) up too, he is supposed to be setting a good example and he set a bad one.

[TechnoSlave]

"Here's karma for you"

"Instant Karma's gonna get you Gonna knock you right on the head You better get yourself together Pretty soon you're gonna be dead"

***** Used under safe harbour provisions of DCMA (page 800, article 90, paragraph 13). Coupon offer does not apply.