Spectrasonics build up to Sonic Extensions....

[noiseboyuk]

FWIW...

I did hear someone who works for a different company say recently that nearly all of their support and feedback issues come from hobbyists. Pros think differently - they use the tools that work for them, know how to use them and just get on with it. He said, effectively, that if this really WERE Spectrasonics' policy to price the hobbyists out of reach, they would understand it.

Worth stressing - there's no evidence that this is what they are actively doing, they've never remotely suggested it, but - as they say - just sayin'.

[Ploki]

Sounds like gatekeeping.

Also a pro in bulgaria probably earns less than a hobbyist in sweeden

[LeVzi]

Sounds like gatekeeping.

Also a pro in bulgaria probably earns less than a hobbyist in sweeden

I dunno, that chalga is pretty popular.

[vurt]

But all I keep hearing is Omnisphere 2 is only for pro's not hobbyists, so the mere normal person shouldn't be in the price range of these exclusive extensions.

not the point i was making.

there is nothing ive heard, in the demos, that with a bit of time and effort, i couldn't do with things i own myself.
the one luxury we as hobbyists have that pros would kill for? time!

they need something that works right now! so have to pay someone else to do the work, the price is for time saved to those people, even the lower paid nations, it works out as time saved.
when your hourly rate, is reasonably high, you don't want to "waste" hours on each bit, as you don't get hired again...

[Ploki]

That’s true. But from the demos i heard they’re smoking crack.

In the end its some pads or bleepbloops you probably already have.
If you’re pro enough, u-he builds you a custom zebra, else you’re not pro

[cryophonik]

You guys seem to be assuming that “pro” equals wealthy and “hobbyist” equals poor, which I very much doubt is the case. I’d bet good money that Spectrasonics is netting more profit from people in the “hobbyist” category by sheer quantity of sales than they are from those in the “pro” category.

[vertibration]

You guys seem to be assuming that “pro” equals wealthy and “hobbyist” equals poor, which I very much doubt is the case. I’d bet good money that Spectrasonics is netting more profit from people in the “hobbyist” category by sheer quantity of sales than they are from those in the “pro” category.

Correct 100%. Its because fiscally responsible people are wise with their money, while hobbyists blow it on expansion packs

[cryophonik]

You guys seem to be assuming that “pro” equals wealthy and “hobbyist” equals poor, which I very much doubt is the case. I’d bet good money that Spectrasonics is netting more profit from people in the “hobbyist” category by sheer quantity of sales than they are from those in the “pro” category.

Correct 100%. Its because fiscally responsible people are wise with their money, while hobbyists blow it on expansion packs

No. Pros aren't people who are all fiscally responsible and hobbyists aren't all fiscally irresponsible. That doesn't even make any sense. Both categories are comprised of people with incomes ranging across the spectrum and have a wide variety of spending habits and priorities. Hobbyists simply outnumber pros by a large number and that equates with more sales.

[noiseboyuk]

FWIW...

I did hear someone who works for a different company say recently that nearly all of their support and feedback issues come from hobbyists. Pros think differently - they use the tools that work for them, know how to use them and just get on with it. He said, effectively, that if this really WERE Spectrasonics' policy to price the hobbyists out of reach, they would understand it.

I'm just gonna post this again. From someone who works for another developer.

Price is only one part of this equation. Spectrasonics knows what appeals to pros - fantastic sounds out of the box that inspires musical and creative thinking, is easy to play, perform and manipulate. And they know pros value those things and are happy to pay a bit more for them as it makes their job easier and better.

I used a preset from Undercurrent on a track a couple of days ago. Using just the front panel controls, I was quickly able to automate and vary 3 parameters that made it the constantly evolving bedrock of a track that I could shape exactly where I needed it. It actively suggested some really great directions it could go in. All that one track then needed was 1 synth bass, 2 guitar and drum tracks - done. Sounded stunning to me, exactly what I was going for, and the creative juices flowed very easily.

All of that can be done with other tools. I didn't "need" Undercurrent do it, but it gave me a ton of useful flexibility and meant I could work incredibly fast. Not everyone wants to work that way, indeed not all pros want to work that way - plenty want to creative everything bespoke. But a lot do, and a lot appreciate it. And that, I think, is the Spectrasonics model - they know and value these customers, as the customers value the company.

[BenfordLaw]

... And that, I think, is the Spectrasonics model - they know and value these customers, as the customers value the company.

WTF does that mean? LOL.
"From someone who works for another developer." Sure sounds like he works for Spectrasonics.
Is this the same Spectrasonics which makes it incredibly difficult for people to sell Spectrasonics product that they own, dragging it out for months and asking them why they want to sell it, as if they are idiots or traitors for simply no longer wanting to use a Spectrasonics program, or desperately needing the money?

I'll say one thing for Sonic Extensions though, the interface is beautiful and easy to use, skeumorphic, as all interfaces should be (and used to be). I can't say the same for Soundpaint, which is a great shame.

I think you should all wait for Soundpaint to come out, before buying Sonic Extensions, at least we'll know what Soundpaint offers and for how much, and can make an informed decision.

[Caine123]

Why the comparisons with soundpaint? Soundpaint is no full synth like omnisphere....

[LoveEnigma18]

Is there any of those expansions usefull for techno production?

Undercurrent is probably the most useful of the four for you depending on the type of techno stuff you are making.

[Kinh]

So does anyone regret buying these expansions?

[Funkybot's Evil Twin]

So does anyone regret buying these expansions?

Probably too soon for regrets...folks are likely still in the honeymoon phase. Ask again in six months or a year and you may get a different answer.

[LeVzi]

No one would admit it even if they did.