strategy for success in the daw business

[MuTools]

Huh? Sounds cryptic. Pls elaborate.

learn to read between the lines brah, its a valuable skill for an entrepreneur.

Maybe i'm not good at that. Maybe i'm too simple. Probably i'm more a technician than an entrepreneur.

[MuTools]

I'd like to say something.. As new Mux modular user.

Since six months, now, I'm looking for an app that would allow me to modulate vst's parameters via automation (Untill now, I did that via midi but midi = 127 points resolution, timing, jitter and only works with vst that support midi). So I started to search... I've found 3 other app before to find Mux modular. All the other had bad issues that made them useless for me.
I started to believe there was no such app ! Then, in the depths of an obscure forum found with google, for the first time, I heard about Mux modular... That's very strange because as far as I use it (since yesterday ! ), I know that's the app I was looking for. It's professionnal, easy to use (for someone who already make music with computer) and allow me to do exactly what I wanted.
If I wanted to do that, for sure a lot of other people would be interested.
But why didn't I find it first in google ? Mux modular is a vst modular, they are some other... But this one is also a vst host !! And THIS is the huge difference ! The point that should be given in first priority ! It allows to modulate vst's parameters with midi notes like if all the vst chain is a part of the synth feeding this chain !
Example : with Lounge Lizard electric piano, I love to increase or decrease tremolo or wah-wah depth on long notes. Lounge Lizard doesn't allow to do this but with Mux modular, it's easy to do so !

Try to type "modulate vst automation parameter with envelope lfo" in google, you'll see...
Mux modular should arrive on the first page !

I know other app that could do that but they use midi for that purpose ! Using automation parameters is much better because of resolution and accuracy. I don't know the frequence rate of midi data in a vst but an LFO couldn't go too fast ! I don't know exactly but I'm quite sure automation frequence rate is bigger... Am I wrong ?

"Modulate any VST parameter with any of the MUX modulators like LFO, ADSR, Multi-Point Envelope, ..." is on the 14th line of the Mux presentation page ! This should be on the beginning in big letters !

You've got a fantastic product ! I already love it !

Thanks JoPo, that's interesting feedback. I wish i could make MuLab and MUX Modular more known. I think it would be a win-win for everyone involved: New users, existing users, this single dev working too hard (really).

So everyone please tell your contacts on facebook, twitter, youtube, social media, fora, real world, ... about MuLab and MUX Modular so they get more known! And it will also help getting more out of your MuTools products! Thx.

And as this topic shows, i should also try to increase exposure from my side. Not my strongest point, but i agree it's an important working point, as also solipsvs pointed out.
Thanks guys for trying to push me in a good direction. I want to, but the 'commercial' aspect is difficult for me. Often i think MuLab / MUX Modular are not good enough to be 'pushed'. So i'm working on nice new updates. Atoh i'm fully convinced MuLab / MUX Modular deserve more attention than they get now. I'm aware of my own contradiction. It really is one of my many weak points.

[solipsvs]

so hire someone jo. its the only way to a much wider audience. go be who you are and let the shark tank bite on the problem. of course there will be dialogue between the 2 of yous as both sides will have concerns wrt changes needed to 'maximize appeal' the wishing doesnt stop until you form a plan and act. little bandaids wont help. and you cant do it. dont force your users to artificially spread the word. thats not viral. its contrived. and all you have is some wierdos and nobody will listed to them. no offense guys. im a wierdo too. <<< nobody listens to me hahahaha

[MuTools]

so hire someone jo. its the only way to a much wider audience. go be who you are and let the shark tank bite on the problem. of course there will be dialogue between the 2 of yous as both sides will have concerns wrt changes needed to 'maximize appeal'

Sounds very right, i agree. But then this question: "Hire someone" with which money?

[solipsvs]

a loan? money you have saved? this requires sacrifice? anything worth having is worth sacrificing for? this is why your prices should be higher? any of this making sense?

[MuTools]

a loan? money you have saved? this requires sacrifice? anything worth having is worth sacrificing for? this is why your prices should be higher? any of this making sense?

It makes sense and i agree with the bottom line but practically there is no solution for me in that list. Loans are nothing for me, i don't sleep well if i have risky loans.
Anyway, zooming out from the details, i agree with the base point you made. Whether i can do something about it, well the future will tell. And even if i would (partially) fail as a business man, hopefully i can succeed / survive / be happy as a passionate technician while hopefully many people will have joyful creative time with these tools. And i still hope the Mu.Tools will get more known day by day, as they grow better and better. Not minimizing the true point you emphasized. I need (much) more time to assimilate that and make concrete plans about that. Meanwhile i'll continue working on the R&D plans i already made for the coming months. And talk to someone i know about the exposure aspect. And make more videos. And work out a user preset area. And MUX VST for Mac. And... And... All to be continued, step by step. Thanks. Hope you'll enjoy M7.2.

[Tryezz]

I think to move up into those realms, a lot of self-reflection is necessary. One must be ready for it. Life experience plays a role. But if you are ready, then by all means go for it. If you do decide to work with others, I would say let it be with people who you know and naturally vibe well with and that will share your vision mutually.

Personally, while there is plenty of room for growth, I kinda like the fact that MuLab is like a rogue, genuine, and independent DAW. That's part of what attracted me to it. It's a personal and community-based thing. It's not over the top. It's a program written by someone who enjoys what they're doing instead of a "product"...if that makes any sense. To me it has the potential to be, as the term goes, "middle of the road"...where it has the influence of a mainstream brand, but yet retains it's independence.

I like what Dave Chappelle said...know your price. If it gets too expensive, get out.
But I do agree. There is great, great potential for growth with this program.

Truthfully, I stay telling people about MuLab since I play live a lot. The continuously ask what program I'm using. I almost feel like an unofficial spokesman sometimes. Hah. It's all good though. Either way, growth will continue to happen.

Bless.
Stay cool.

[Grizzellda]

Oh, it's a product alright...I just hope that it will be a product with better plug-in management...pretty please!!!

[heks]

You may not want to hear this, but before you do anything else you need to make MuLab/MUX look more professional. Before costumers "look under the bonnet" they see how it looks, presentation. First impressions are soooo important, I have to admit for a few year's I've looked at MuLab but as it had a "Fisher Price" look I didn't bother delving into it (my loss ) . Established DAW's can look like a pigs back end, but they have an " established presence " in the market, they are "known" , often named in articles, have their own site forums, etc. What MuLab needs before all other requests is that clear professional "look, that sheen" have a look at studio one ( I don't mean how it works, just the LOOK ). MuLab needs a skin that will straight away impress and raise curiosity, to enable it to muscle into an already crowded market. That professional impression will carry the potential new user past the first hiccup, sod it moment, you know, "the how on earth do I do this" moment, where they may then be seduced by a DAW with a larger user base, they can't all be wrong, safety in numbers ideology. How can I justify this, experience, I have a history in selling to the tough agricultural sector and even farmers will initially spend more time pawing over something that has a quality finish rather than something that is twice as good, cheaper, but looks rough and ready.

[MuTools]

I think to move up into those realms, a lot of self-reflection is necessary. One must be ready for it. Life experience plays a role. But if you are ready, then by all means go for it. If you do decide to work with others, I would say let it be with people who you know and naturally vibe well with and that will share your vision mutually.

Fully agree!

Personally, while there is plenty of room for growth, I kinda like the fact that MuLab is like a rogue, genuine, and independent DAW. That's part of what attracted me to it. It's a personal and community-based thing. It's not over the top. It's a program written by someone who enjoys what they're doing instead of a "product"...if that makes any sense. To me it has the potential to be, as the term goes, "middle of the road"...where it has the influence of a mainstream brand, but yet retains it's independence.

I like what Dave Chappelle said...know your price. If it gets too expensive, get out.
But I do agree. There is great, great potential for growth with this program.

Truthfully, I stay telling people about MuLab since I play live a lot. The continuously ask what program I'm using. I almost feel like an unofficial spokesman sometimes. Hah. It's all good though. Either way, growth will continue to happen.

Bless.
Stay cool.

Thanks Tryezz, you rock

[MuTools]

You may not want to hear this, but before you do anything else you need to make MuLab/MUX look more professional. Before costumers "look under the bonnet" they see how it looks, presentation. First impressions are soooo important, I have to admit for a few year's I've looked at MuLab but as it had a "Fisher Price" look I didn't bother delving into it (my loss ) .

Well at the same time there are users that say they love MuLab's look. Point is: Looks are quite subjective and personal. What looks good for one looks bad to another and vice versa. I'm not rejecting your point, certainly not, i agree that looks are Very Important! That's why i invested quite some dev time the last years in improving the looks. Have a look at MuLab 5, MuLab 6 and MuLab 7, you'll see the difference. And i'll continue this challenge.

How can I justify this, experience, I have a history in selling to the tough agricultural sector and even farmers will initially spend more time pawing over something that has a quality finish rather than something that is twice as good, cheaper, but looks rough and ready.

Yes i know how sensitive humans are for eye candy. I'll continue taking that into account while meanwhile also working on the many other top priority todos: Increasing exposure, improving/extending sonic and musical functionality, more videos, etc...

Thanks @everyone for all your feedback!
I'll further think about these things and search how i can improve, eventually via good cooperations.

[heks]

Have a look at MuLab 5, MuLab 6 and MuLab 7, you'll see the difference.

I total agree with your reply Jo, it was the visual difference between MuLab5 and MuLab6 that piqued my interest to explore its potential, then purchase it. So I'm as susceptible to eye candy as the next person

[whyterabbyt]

Meh, all this blather and the main thing I'd want from MUX is for it to be an 'inside out' Mulab, ie with all the recording/sequencing stuff available inside it as self-contained little modules. Ho hum.

[solipsvs]

jo i think you should take a leap of faith and put yourself out there a little more. rise to the occasion. be a hero. this is your life jo. you can get more out of what you are doing and retain your dignity and your focus.

[nenneb]

Sorry, @heks and yes, Jo: The look and feel is one of the reasons why I finally decided for MuLab. I tested StudioOneV2 before and within that all-in-one-look I lost orientation (though it's pretty!) Cubase offers much more possibilities, but the screen is painted with controls reducing working area to almost zero. Finally MuLab's simple but powerful GUI, reduced to what I need, not only is working fine but much more: It's inspiring to me! Composing is fun again!
So please, Jo, continue your great work!
Anyway it might be useful to spend some time with marketing effort like SEO of your website.