VST Preset packs only?

[abstractcats]

VST Preset packs only?
Question! Are you making a living selling VST Preset packs only, or are you making sample packs and VST preset packs?

Thanks

[SampleScience]

VST Preset packs only?
Question! Are you making a living selling VST Preset packs only, or are you making sample packs and VST preset packs?

Thanks

I make a living selling...:

- Samples
- Plugins
- Records

...and eventually eBooks. Variety is the spice of life. Nothing prevents you from sampling your own presets and offer both preset packs and sample libraries.

That being said, most entrepreneurs will tell you to choose one thing you're doing very well and be the expert in it. Examples in the soundware business:

- PureMagnetik -> Ableton Live Racks/Packs
- Sonic Couture -> Kontakt instruments
- GoldBaby -> Urban One-Shots
- Loopmasters -> loops :p

That's probably where it is. So if there's one popular software synth you like, master it and become the reference for it in the sound design field. Sort of like me being a reference for BoC types of sounds.

Hope it helps!

[Biome_Digital]

VST Preset packs only?
Question! Are you making a living selling VST Preset packs only, or are you making sample packs and VST preset packs?

Thanks

That being said, most entrepreneurs will tell you to choose one thing you're doing very well and be the expert in it. Examples in the soundware business:

- PureMagnetik -> Ableton Live Racks/Packs
- Sonic Couture -> Kontakt instruments
- GoldBaby -> Urban One-Shots
- Loopmasters -> loops :p

That's very good advice actually and exactly what I done. Don't think you are going to make money when you start, you wont! This is a long game so work at it for a long time and watch it grow! Good luck!

[abstractcats]

VST Preset packs only?
Question! Are you making a living selling VST Preset packs only, or are you making sample packs and VST preset packs?

Thanks

I make a living selling...:

- Samples
- Plugins
- Records

...and eventually eBooks. Variety is the spice of life. Nothing prevents you from sampling your own presets and offer both preset packs and sample libraries.

That being said, most entrepreneurs will tell you to choose one thing you're doing very well and be the expert in it. Examples in the soundware business:

- PureMagnetik -> Ableton Live Racks/Packs
- Sonic Couture -> Kontakt instruments
- GoldBaby -> Urban One-Shots
- Loopmasters -> loops :p

That's probably where it is. So if there's one popular software synth you like, master it and become the reference for it in the sound design field. Sort of like me being a reference for BoC types of sounds.

Hope it helps!

Indeed, good advice, thanks!
I do need a good sampler, I've been using DirectWave, and its got some great features, but it can be temperamental, when recording vsts. I'm looking at free and paid options. As for mastering synth, I'm working on learning/mastering Zebra, Serum and Harmor, at the moment.

[abstractcats]

VST Preset packs only?
Question! Are you making a living selling VST Preset packs only, or are you making sample packs and VST preset packs?

Thanks

That being said, most entrepreneurs will tell you to choose one thing you're doing very well and be the expert in it. Examples in the soundware business:

- PureMagnetik -> Ableton Live Racks/Packs
- Sonic Couture -> Kontakt instruments
- GoldBaby -> Urban One-Shots
- Loopmasters -> loops :p

That's very good advice actually and exactly what I done. Don't think you are going to make money when you start, you wont! This is a long game so work at it for a long time and watch it grow! Good luck!

Thanks! I've been making a bit, enough to buy more vsts, but not a living. I was on a good path, but lost focus. Its always nice to hear that people are making it, in sound design. I'm getting back on track, I think.

[Xenos]

I _wish_ it was that easy lol. I've been in this game for 7 years and my online store is still just a side venture. To be fair, though, I was never very good with the marketing/salesmanship side of things, and selling sounds seems to be more about hyped up marketing than actual product quality. I can't tell you how many new customers email me saying they've burned by other brands and came my way after a friend or colleague referred them.

[abstractcats]

I _wish_ it was that easy lol. I've been in this game for 7 years and my online store is still just a side venture. To be fair, though, I was never very good with the marketing/salesmanship side of things, and selling sounds seems to be more about hyped up marketing than actual product quality. I can't tell you how many new customers email me saying they've burned by other brands and came my way after a friend or colleague referred them.

Yeah, the marketing and creative end, do seem to collide. And, since there are so many large companies now, that selling presets, sample packs, etc., there is huge competition curve, now.

[Biome_Digital]

I _wish_ it was that easy lol. I've been in this game for 7 years and my online store is still just a side venture. To be fair, though, I was never very good with the marketing/salesmanship side of things, and selling sounds seems to be more about hyped up marketing than actual product quality. I can't tell you how many new customers email me saying they've burned by other brands and came my way after a friend or colleague referred them.

Yeah, the marketing and creative end, do seem to collide. And, since there are so many large companies now, that selling presets, sample packs, etc., there is huge competition curve, now.

I respectfully disaggree! I put a HUGE amount of effort into my products quality and just as much in the promotion.

You can make the absolute best product in the world - a game changer, but if you don't tell anyone about it know one will get to hear it (or buy it)!

If you have good product, you MUST have good marketing or you are wasting your time. Problem is, you can spend £100's a month just getting people to your website!

[ATN69]

I been thinking about this a million times but it seems the market is overflowing with presets and companies making them. I been working with synths and sound design since the 80's but I never got around to make any kind of business out of it. But some times I been thinking about it, because it would be cool to make enough to finance your next vst purchase. But setting up some kind of webstore and admin all the things around it must take a lot of time I guess.

I bought some from you guys also, like drum wav files (one shots), loops, etc. And if I may ask, do you suffer from too much competition? And the next obvious question is if your packs, presets, etc, ended up as pirated?

Cheers!

[SampleScience]

But setting up some kind of webstore and admin all the things around it must take a lot of time I guess.

It's indeed a lot of work, just creating the website can take a lot of time, especially if you want it to be commercially viable. There's a lot of marketing processes to learn, it's all happening in the background and most companies won't discuss it to avoid been copied. All I can say is that marketing is really important no matter what business you want to start. It's the same principles that have to be applied in the sound market as to pretty much any (non essential goods) markets.

And if I may ask, do you suffer from too much competition? And the next obvious question is if your packs, presets, etc, ended up as pirated?

Pretty much all my plugins, including the free ones, have been pirated. Some of my Kontakt libraries too. It does affect the sales, in some case it can kill all of it. As for competition, you just have to know what's available out there and do something that hasn't been done before. It can also be a new twist on an old concept, or a new version of something (ie.: a sampled TB-303 run through old amps and tube amps for Ableton Live).

When you're passionate about these things, it's quite easy to come up with new ideas. I'm so into it that it just comes naturally.

[ATN69]

Thanks for sharing! It piss me off that people like you work hard to make a living and do great stuff and then someone else Think its okay to effectively steal it.

If I ever go ahead and do something it will be more like a hobby and a chance to maybe earn some small Money, just to help finance my vst addiction perhaps I used to have my own Company long time ago in a totally different area (satellite TV) so I know Everything about sales and marketing. But I have a regular job so I don't plan to make a living out of it anyway.

I know you guy's make great Products and and I wish your business will Always be healthy and well.

Cheers! / Anders.T