LennarDigital

pmczar · Post by **pmczar** » Fri Apr 05, 2013 6:57 pm

I've also posted this comment as a reply to another thread, but wanted to share it separately as well, in response to negative opinions about Sylenth's developer and unmet expectations of its users that I have seen over the years.

Sylenth has won the MusicRadar vote for Best VST Synth in the World. I would argue that this is a sign of how capable Sylenth still is and how little needs to be changed.

We now live in a world where we expect developers to crank out updates on an annual basis, updates that we are eager to pay for with money that is burning in our pockets with flames fueled by GAS. I am guilty of this myself.

We also expect the developer to be available for discussion 24/7 and get offended if they aren't available on the forum of our choosing. How come we don't have the same expectations of the developers of other products that we use every day: toasters, cars, computers... Tim Cook, how come you are not on this forum? I have a question for you: which is better for music making, Apple or PC?

I've been told of the old times when we went to a music store, picked up a synth, learned it inside out, embraced its quirks and limitations and called them "character". No one looked for the phone number of the synth's developer in the manual, to call him with complaints and demands for a new version in a few months.

It's surprising that Lennar has such a bad reputation here. After all, he is the guy who developed what is apparently a modern classic that many of us use and love.

Perhaps we should take a collective step back and rethink our expectations?

Feel free to disagree:-)

ezelkow1 · Post by **ezelkow1** » Fri Apr 05, 2013 7:11 pm

For the most part I would agree. Its up to a dev how involved with their customers they want to be, and as long as they can respond via email when a customer has an issue with the product then why not. I wouldnt expect the dev to add new features and what not or even be very communicative on future plans.

The one part I would not agree with is this:

pmczar wrote: I've been told of the old times when we went to a music store, picked up a synth, learned it inside out, embraced its quirks and limitations and called them "character". No one looked for the phone number of the synth's developer in the manual, to call him with complaints and demands for a new version in a few months.

I would say in comparison to the mac users plight of a 64bit version thats not a very fair comparison. It might be better to say that the power plug for all things you plug in has changed to a new standard, and while there might be work arounds to use your old synths power cord which or may not cause issues, the best solution would be one from the manufacturer of a replacement power cord for the new standard.

I wouldnt say not being able to use your product with what is becoming or already is the standard as 'character', its a basic necessity to use the product. I can see how that also brings up doubt of future plans since there has been basically no communication on the mac 64bit front that it would make users worry if they were to ever experience any future problems since on an issue so basic they get no response.

Its fine if the developer has no future plans to provide this support, but it should be stated so end users can take that into account, either with a new user making a purchase, or existing users worrying about future compatibility of any projects.

Anyway, like I said, anything on features, future plans, whatever, thats up to the dev. Im not even a mac user so i dont have a horse in the mac 64bit game, but even being a pc user it does make me wonder if I were to need some sort of support due to an OS change how long I could count on that support being there.

(by future plans being up to the dev Im referring to new products, new features, roadmaps, that sort, not support future plans of existing products)

fisherKing · Post by **fisherKing** » Fri Apr 05, 2013 9:53 pm

there's no 64bit mac AU. lots of newer soundsets REQUIRE the last beta, which does not run well in logic on a mac.

the developer's lack of interest, or response, on ANY request for info on updates, etc...does not reflect well on him. sylenth1 is a GREAT plugin, but it is NOT ok to ignore your userbase...

rob_lee · Post by **rob_lee** » Fri Apr 05, 2013 10:01 pm

SOMEWHERE IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC

Lennard said Hi all.. thanks for your cash i'm doing alright Jack

Nokenoku · Post by **Nokenoku** » Fri Apr 05, 2013 11:07 pm

pmczar wrote:We also expect the developer to be available for discussion 24/7 and get offended if they aren't available on the forum of our choosing.

That's not really, what's happening here.

Nobody is expecting devs to be here 24/7.
But the total absence of someone, who was here once and is still in business (still sells his synth), feels a bit like arrogance.
Especially if some people have "issues" with the software.

It makes Sylenth1 feel like abandonware.

fisherKing · Post by **fisherKing** » Sat Apr 06, 2013 3:22 am

i'm not mad, personally...just disappointed. tell us SOMETHING...will there ever be a 64bit mac AU? or any updates? or a new version?

give us something...

sl1914 · Post by **sl1914** » Sat Apr 06, 2013 4:27 pm

+1 for something

Mushy Mushy · Post by **Mushy Mushy** » Sat Apr 06, 2013 4:32 pm

Lennard rules ok.

cryophonik · Post by **cryophonik** » Sat Apr 06, 2013 4:33 pm

pmczar wrote: I've been told of the old times...

We don't live in the old times anymore.

murnau · Post by **murnau** » Sat Apr 06, 2013 4:37 pm

bahh.. glad i'm no customer of lennard digital: because of their usual absence i bought zebra instead sylenth. not that this could help any sylenth-owners, i just want that they know what keeps me back to buy their product.

fgimian · Post by **fgimian** » Sat Apr 06, 2013 10:35 pm

pmczar wrote:We now live in a world where we expect developers to crank out updates on an annual basis, updates that we are eager to pay for with money that is burning in our pockets with flames fueled by GAS. I am guilty of this myself.

We also expect the developer to be available for discussion 24/7 and get offended if they aren't available on the forum of our choosing.

I totally respect what you're saying, though to be fair, here are the points I want to bring to the table:

* The website was last updated in January 2009
* The company continues te sell the synth, 4 years later
* The beta version 2.21 has been "beta" for the last 3 or so years and many soundbanks being sold by sound designers rely on the beta version. In fact, the beta was released when I purchased Sylenth1 which was in July 2009.
* On the Mac platform, Sylenth1 is one of the few plugins left which is not 64-bit compatible
* Lennard got very defensive last time the future of Sylenth1 was brought into question and he continues to ignore paying customers who are asking about 64-bit compatibility in the future, we don't even know if it's coming ... at this rate, I'm assuming it's not and that development activities have ceased
* Companies like ArtsAcoustic are also rather quiet and have ALSO not released 64-bit versions for Mac (and Windows) yet for their Reverb .... BUT they have made it clear that they are working on it, and when we ask for updates, they reply! Sure, it's still frustrating to have to wait so long, but at least we know that it's coming.
* I and many others would happily pay a reasonable upgrade cost to a 64-bit compatible Sylenth1, but I imagine we would expect better communication moving forward too
* No one is expecting daily updates ... an update per year would be an improvement at this rate

It's both frustrating and disappointing to be a LennarDigital customer and although I don't regret my purchase, I can't say that I'm happy with the way the company has treated its customers and the fact that no "stable" release has been issued for many years along with no AU64 version.

I really hope that something changes around here...

billcarroll · Post by **billcarroll** » Sun Apr 07, 2013 12:07 am

At times, the negativity on KVR could suck the dimples off a golfball through a garden hose. Is it any wonder Lennard doesn't drop by for a chat more often?

Meanwhile, Sylenth is being used by producers making music all over the world, and still has time to win awards every year.

PS, I'm sorry for bringing your mother into this

risome · Post by **risome** » Sun Apr 07, 2013 12:35 am

In the hardware only days if you wanted to freshen up your synth you would run it through a new effect or programme a new patch on it , most people would never ring or write to say Roland and say update this please but as for today in the soft synth world a good piece of software needs updating if only to remain functional with the current OS.Hardware relies on MIDI which is a standard unlike ever changing OS systems ,so one would expect a fundamental requirement for soft synth developers is to keep there software functional, not necessarily introduce new features all the time , just my opinion
cheers

Wildfunk · Post by **Wildfunk** » Sun Apr 07, 2013 12:43 am

billcarroll wrote:Is it any wonder Lennard doesn't drop by for a chat more often?

He could easily put a sticky with clear statements on his website (or his board here).

Something like "64 bit is in progress, expect the release in august 2013" or "there will be no Sylenth2".

But because of vague statements like "the development of Sylenth1 is still in progress but don't ask me when and if" the users will not stop annoying him.

billcarroll · Post by **billcarroll** » Sun Apr 07, 2013 1:03 am

Wildfunk wrote:
billcarroll wrote:Is it any wonder Lennard doesn't drop by for a chat more often?
He could easily put a sticky with clear statements on his website (or his board here).

Something like "64 bit is in progress, expect the release in august 2013" or "there will be no Sylenth2".

But because of vague statements like "the development of Sylenth1 is still in progress but don't ask me when and if" the users will not stop annoying him.

Pretty clear to me ...

Lennard wrote:Please keep your ridiculous rumours and speculations to yourselves, here are some FACTS:

1. Sylenth1 is not, was not and never will be abandoned.
2. The source code did NOT get lost.
3. The last update was May 2010, not 3 years ago.
4. We provide full and fast support on daily basis via email for any problems or questions our customers may have. (However, questions and speculations about future updates/products will be ignored, so don't bother asking. This has always been the case and will always continue to be. This does not mean we are not working on new updates/products (in fact we are), it just means we choose not spread rumours about them).
5. Any future posts on this forum that contain rumours and gossip will be deleted permanently.
6. This topic will be closed.

LennarDigital

KVR Audio

Sylenth and our Collective Opinion about its Developer