T-RackS Custom Shop Released

[sunny_j]

This has got to be one of the worst updates I've seen to a product IMHO. It's like a freeware application that is released and everybody is excited to use it as it's a breath of fresh air. They give inputs, feedback, suggestions and bug reports to the developer. Then as the time passes, it starts becoming bloatware to the point that users just can't use it and wanna get rid of it as soon as possible.. Atleast that is the situation with me now.. Such a sad state of affairs..

@Peter: I just don't understand the need for you to remind us again and again, the users, the new "integration" and all, as if it was demanded in the first place. I mean, you are forcing users, who might use just 1 or 2 plugins, to download all 10 or 11 or whatever number of plugins, just to use that 1 single plugin that they require !! As far as I am concerned, it is absolutely uncalled for and totally useless, atleast in the case of t-racks.

This, ofcourse, is my opinion.. YMMV

[Brittlestem]

Sorry that offering half-priced upgrades and the same system that was successful for AmpliTube has caused some sort of mutiny.

Sorry that IK's complete lack of help on how to authorize CSR on an offline computer and leaving it to me to waste my precious f**king time dragging files and folders from one computer to another over simply to get CSR to work - instead of just offering a f**king install file - has left me feeling that really, IK is way more trouble than it's worth.

[maschinelf]

Here is the info relevant to my question, from the EULA

4) DESCRIPTION OF OTHER RIGHTS AND LIMITATIONS

Limitations on Reverse Engineering, Decompilation, and Disassembly. You may not reverse engineer, decompile, or disassemble the "IK Multimedia Product", except and only to the extent that such activity is expressly permitted by applicable law notwithstanding this limitation of components. The "IK Multimedia Product" is licensed as a single product. Its component parts may not be separated for use on more than one computer.

Not for Resale Version. If the "IK Multimedia Product" is labeled "Not for Resale" or "NFR" or "Evaluation Copy", then, notwithstanding other sections of this EULA, you may not sell, or otherwise transfer the "IK Multimedia Product".

Rental. You may not rent, lease, or lend the "IK Multimedia Product" to any party.

Software Transfer. You may not transfer, license or sublicense your rights as Licensee of the software or any IK Multimedia product, as licensed to you under this agreement without prior written consent of the rights owner. The carrier on which the IK Multimedia product has been distributed may be transferred or otherwise made available to any third party only with the prior written consent of the rights owner and provided that (a) the original media and license(s) accompany the carrier and (b) the party transferring the media does not retain a copy of the media.

5) UPGRADES

If the "IK Multimedia Product" is labeled or otherwise identified by IK Multimedia as an "upgrade", you must be properly licensed to use a product identified by IK Multimedia as being eligible for the upgrade in order to use the "IK Multimedia Product".

An "IK Multimedia Product" labeled or otherwise identified by IK Multimedia as an upgrade replaces and/or supplements the product that formed the basis for your eligibility for such upgrade. You may use the resulting upgraded product only in accordance with the terms of this EULA. If the "IK Multimedia Product" is an upgrade of a component of a package of software programs that you licensed as a single product, the "IK Multimedia Product" may be used and transferred only as part of that single product package and may not be separated for use on more than one computer.

This suggests that the upgraded license supersedes/replaces the previous license. Therefore, the old NFR license bought during the group buy should be replaced by a regular license (not nfr). Please confirm if my assumption is correct. Thanks

[AudioGuy720]

Very disappointing all around. Especially since during the gear credit group buy there was a strong indication that these things were going to be useful for purchasing the mystery thing coming up toward the end of the year.

Agreed I'm not sure why the bundles can't be purchased with credits. At least not yet anyway.

So now, with me at least, IK has cried wolf. Even without the use of the credits I might have been in on a $99 bundle. But now I'm told that even though I own the thing that should qualify, I don't because I BOUGHT IT WRONG. Not sure how that's possible since I actually bought into T-Racks as a bundle YEARS ago. And since buying Deluxe years later would have duplicated the 'standard' part of the product, dozens of guys like me bought singles instead. Probably paid as much, (or more given the higher prices for the bundle years ago) as those who may have bought the new Deluxe on sale, but no matter.

Whoever is coming up with the pricing isn't thinking things through. ONE single can nab you the same discount that someone who has purchased multiple singles can. Well it makes cents to IK but from the customer standpoint it's uncool.

What it comes down to is this-- I just can't tolerate: 1)being sold a bill of goods with somewhat deceptive methods (i.e. the gear credits) and 2) being nickel and dimed now.

I wouldn't call what IK is doing deceptive but the way they change their prices does leave them open for a lot of criticism. Which is exactly why I wait until they offer deals and don't buy their stuff at full price. I've already been p**ed off before, a few years back, and I don't want to go down that road again because they DO make great products that are affordable.

Waves did the same thing when they dropped prices on their stuff. Had I bought some of their plugins at full price I would have been quite perturbed but I was on the "lucky" end of the stick and bought up their software at steal prices. So if you think about it that way things even out in the end.

Lexicon just dropped their prices significantly as well but I'm over it already. Almost...

I'm a good, no, scratch that. I'm a GREAT customer. I've bought just about every silly thing you guys make. I've got every Sampletank product plus all the sound packs. (which I haven't been able to use in over a year because, inexplicably, THERE'S NO 64 BIT UPDATE). I've got all your mastering gear. I've got BOTH versions of ARC (and didn't even complain when the rather pricey upgrade to ARC 2 only included software). I purchased ALL 3 versions of Amplitube, AND all the specialty gear packs (and then of course you STILL screwed me up by opening a custom shop without additional bundle options--making it virtually impossible to make good use of the 'free' preset exchange). I even have an iRig thingy for my phone and paid again for MONO versions of the Amplitube software (regular and Fender) that I ALREADY OWN.

And now, you guys have the nerve to tell me that I don't qualify for your best upgrade option because I DIDN'T BUY THE PRODUCT THE RIGHT WAY? SERIOUSLY? I MAY NOT HAVE SPENT ENOUGH MONEY? REALLY?

To say you may not have thought this through is a gross understatement. You have spent whatever good will you had left with me. I'm done. If you haven't noticed, there's a lot of other gear on the market. The new Cubase upgrade actually has great mastering gear BUILT INTO IT. So what could have been a friendly sale has now been lost because, truth be told, I just don't NEED it.

As for Sampletank 3-I can name at least 4 new sampling packages from major manufacturers that are killer. And I bought 3 of them waiting for ST to get an upgrade. So I won't be needing that either.

I know you'll do fine without me. The app business alone should keep you awash in ducats for a long time to come. But you'll really have to start earning back some trust before I open my wallet to you ever again.

I know there are probably tons of other KVRers that could have written this exact same post. Frankly, I'm sorry that it had to be me. But c'mon now. Can you blame me?

Enough is enough.

-B

Yep, if I were you I would definitely vote with my wallet. As a videogame player (my other major "hobby") I am personally boycotting Electronic Arts for their disabling of multiplayer support for games that are just 2 years old. And any games that require a multiplayer pass purhcased I don't buy and send a kind email to the company to tell them such.

Just remember though that no one forced you to buy their products to begin with. The iOS purchases of stuff you've already bought? That's exactly why I refuse to buy an iPad, iPhone or any other tablet. I'm not going to buy software that I've already paid for. It's understandable though because they have to reprogram their applications for usage on those tiny devices.

I try to avoid tablets like the plague and cell phone "apps" are throw away devices. Heck, I use my cell phone to make calls and send text messages. I rarely use it for internet or photo taking because the internet on a 2-3 inch screen SUCKS and my DSLR destroys my cell phone camera.

I also still own a portable CD player and buy CDs whenever possible. I own exactly 2 MP3s. With CD you can re-sell them and they sound better. Why the regression in quality and resale value? If I want an mp3 I can rip the CD...

I vote with my wallet. And I send emails. That's the only way you're going to get these companies to change. But if enough people aren't voting with their wallets they won't change but other companies will.

[AudioGuy720]

One other thing I want to add. Guys if these tools, which is what they are, are not benefiting you in either some fun or monetary way then WTF are you doing?

A few paid studio sessions easily pay for these tools. If you are a musician selling/recording your music then a few CD sales or MP3 sales pay for these tools. But if you are doing this as a hobby then may I suggest you either get control over your spending habits or just enjoy these great tools that we have access to.

[vic_france]

(this must have been asked before.. but I'm afraid I can't search through 22 pages already, sorry )..
Can Jam Points be used for the upgrade from T-Racks3 Standard to CS Grand?

[Compyfox]

Not currently. It's in the fineprints on the products page.

[fmr]

(this must have been asked before.. but I'm afraid I can't search through 22 pages already, sorry )..
Can Jam Points be used for the upgrade from T-Racks3 Standard to CS Grand?

I tried... They can't.

[Smedberg]

I've already been p**ed off before, a few years back, and I don't want to go down that road again because they DO make great products that are affordable.

If you continue to throw money in their direction you justify their previous actions at the same time.

"-You are bad but here, have some more money"

[danbroad]

Missed all the fuss, but I have to say I think the shell idea works for me, in the same way that NI stuff works in the reaktor player. Having bought all the singles bar the black and white, it's quite a nice way to integrate all the CSR/TRacks stuff into a single chain, especially if I'm just throwing presets on a track to hear the results. I'd definitely be interested in seeing plenty more shelled presets from mastering gurus - especially if they offer something useful or demonstrate a new technique I was unaware of.

Unsure about the credits idea, but to me the new IK pricing is cheap enough. And, in keeping with being the only guy here who likes the new direction IK are going, I like the look of the Brit Channel aswell! Am I going mad?

[t-willy]

Very disappointing all around. Especially since during the gear credit group buy there was a strong indication that these things were going to be useful for purchasing the mystery thing coming up toward the end of the year.

Agreed I'm not sure why the bundles can't be purchased with credits. At least not yet anyway.

this is where i'm frustrated too. how many people are sitting here with around 300 gear credits going "now what the hell do i do?"

all the while that nice upgrade to the full "grand" edition for $99 or $150 is staring me in the face. And i'm saying to myself "wish i would have NOT spent the money on gear credits now and just dropped the cash on this upgrade."

but....that ship has sailed. yo ho let's go!

lates

t-willy

[VitaminD]

Yep.. at 20 for 20 credits with the 4x1 deal (making 80 total per pack), it would have taken 5 packs to get 400 credits.

To get all Grand gear, it costs 420 credits... over by 20 what you'd need in the packs.

So it looks like they priced it this way on purpose.. but even if it was only 400 even for all of the new gear, that is still 100 dollars total, 20 at a time for 5 packs.

It doesn't get any cheaper if you bought larger packs as then you would have had leftover credits..It only makes sense if you only wanted 1 or 2 pieces of gear and only bought 1 or 2 small packs of credits during the big group buy.

Not Peter's doing.. and no need to yell at him about it, but those of IKM corporate.

That said, the prices of the credit packs and these singles appear to be inflated at the moment. Wait 3-6 months and see how they are.

[janiq]

Missed all the fuss, but I have to say I think the shell idea works for me, in the same way that NI stuff works in the reaktor player. Having bought all the singles bar the black and white, it's quite a nice way to integrate all the CSR/TRacks stuff into a single chain, especially if I'm just throwing presets on a track to hear the results. I'd definitely be interested in seeing plenty more shelled presets from mastering gurus - especially if they offer something useful or demonstrate a new technique I was unaware of.

Unsure about the credits idea, but to me the new IK pricing is cheap enough. And, in keeping with being the only guy here who likes the new direction IK are going, I like the look of the Brit Channel aswell! Am I going mad?

all the new stuff works for me as well so you are not the only one. great job ik multimedia.

[jariya]

Regardless of whether I like or don't like the new shell system, the points, the whatever IK has cooked up (I have no time or energy to try and figure out all their convoluted procedures), I simply can not even download this huge turkey: the country where I currently live is charging me around $250/month for a download speed of about 60 kbps max!!! (And that's half price for this level of service for the next few months!) No way can I even play this game. OK, sure, too bad for me. But there are a lot of people around world that are faced with limited internet access, and with this move IK has pushed them to the wayside by making access to their Custom Shop out of reach. What were you guys thinking?

I'm a proud owner of the original White 2A. I would like to have (even pay for) the latest version. I might even want to purchase the Black76. And maybe other items in the future. Can't do it. I'm now obliged to shop elsewhere.

Like me echo what others are saying that pertain to my situation:

[sunny_j] I mean, you are forcing users, who might use just 1 or 2 plugins, to download all 10 or 11 or whatever number of plugins, just to use that 1 single plugin that they require !! As far as I am concerned, it is absolutely uncalled for and totally useless, at least in the case of t-racks.

[alteregoxxx] So please IK, help me to understand...i have only two singles (White2A and Black76): how can i have them upgraded to the latest version without have to use them in the T-racks shell (that sucks a lot of RAM btw...)? I'll try to explain better...I have downloaded T-racks CS and in it i can use the updated version of White2A and Black76...but outside of the hated shell, using them as singles their version is still 3.5.1 and on my user area on th IK website there is no update for my singles...so?

[Teksonik]

the country where I currently live is charging me around $250/month for a download speed of about 60 kbps max!!! (And that's half price for this level of service for the next few months!)

Where do you live? (so I make sure I never move there)

Man I'm glad I don't work for IK right now. I don't think I'd have the patience. Big respect to Peter and Brian for keeping their cool.....