[Fixed in 4.4] Weird bug: latest "Spectral Suite" update not included in upgrade plan

[kultschar]

A sad and disappointing day for Bitwig users.

Would rather they just upped the Annual fee by 20 bucks and blame inflation (understandable) or something similar rather then go down this messy route

[iowastate89]

Polarity has made a Youtube video discussing the concerns around this (although I don't agree with him):

I'm not sure the logic holds for this potentially opening up a new venue for 3rd party developers. Doesn't CLAP (and VST) provide just as much opportunity? Or would they be trying to do an Ableton max kind of 3rd party marketplace. I just don't see their market share high enough for many developers other than polarity to do something

[slackhead]

Maybe these Spectral plugins where going to be in the next big release(4.4?) but the recent upgrade sale with U-He didn't raise close to what they had hoped and they decided they needed to raise more money quickly this way. Just speculation but a real shame whatever.

[granted]

I like this move. I was always in favor of the original subscription model that they had, but this new double subscription model is even better. I hope they come up with a triple subscription model next year. I mean why stop at add-ons? Bitwig please contact me about how you can successfully charge for things like new color schemes. Another idea I had is a per click charging model where a bitwig can charge every time you do click the mouse. Bitwig, Hit me up in a private chat if you want to talk about it. I've got a lot of ideas.

[musikarldererste]

i think the will do an
addon shop like reason did

[Dionysos]

furthermore, the current is already confusing enough, I mean how many of us have tried to explain/correct people when discussing it with others and now it's about to get more complex with an extra premium tier.

I think this really is the crux. Bitwig's licensing model is confusing enough already, one does not simply add on add-ons to that and expect people to accept it.

I think things may have turned out differently if they had announced this alongside a general revamp of their licensing scheme for improved clarity, and with a migration that makes existing users feel valued, not downgraded.

[musikarldererste]

but hey i think its a great day for competitors daw manaufactures
like ableton , imageline etc

[foosnark]

I tried the demo, loved what I heard, bought it, and I'm glad to have it.

If you look at it like any regular plugin purchase, it's totally worth the price, better than the competition and less than most companies charge for lesser tools.

I really don't think Bitwig is being greedy or dishonest. I think they could have communicated a little better, but I also think part of the burden falls on the community to be a little less eager to explode with rage at everything.

Ironically, if they had made up a new company name and then "partnered with _________ to bring you this add-on for Bitwig Studio", that would have been less honest and yet people probably would have received it better.

[martinjuenke]

Happy Logic user here,
luckily not charged for many, many upgrades for many, many years...
Sorry ladies, had to write this statement

[PieBerger]

I tried the demo, loved what I heard, bought it, and I'm glad to have it.

If you look at it like any regular plugin purchase, it's totally worth the price, better than the competition and less than most companies charge for lesser tools.

I really don't think Bitwig is being greedy or dishonest. I think they could have communicated a little better, but I also think part of the burden falls on the community to be a little less eager to explode with rage at everything.

Ironically, if they had made up a new company name and then "partnered with _________ to bring you this add-on for Bitwig Studio", that would have been less honest and yet people probably would have received it better.

The upgrade plan is and has always been a contentious issue and they really dropped the ball. Reputation/goodwill is important for a business and they have just decimated theirs.

Even if you are happy with the devices and they represent good value for you, if long term sales take a nosedive because of poorly executed commercial decisions, that's bad news for you as a user because the product may longer continue to be developed at a pace that suits you, if at all.

[simmo75]

I tried the demo, loved what I heard, bought it, and I'm glad to have it.

If you look at it like any regular plugin purchase, it's totally worth the price, better than the competition and less than most companies charge for lesser tools.

I really don't think Bitwig is being greedy or dishonest. I think they could have communicated a little better, but I also think part of the burden falls on the community to be a little less eager to explode with rage at everything.

Ironically, if they had made up a new company name and then "partnered with _________ to bring you this add-on for Bitwig Studio", that would have been less honest and yet people probably would have received it better.

You’re a super fan mate, that’s the reason.

They have to now scrap the annual upgrade subscription, as they’ve gone against the principle.

[gnu23]

Over on Bitwig's more in-depth look into the add-on (link-->) ..well, "not happy" pretty much covers it.

I'm sure the add-on does what it claims, but the user-base reaction is a valid indication that Bitwig's dev roadmap comms were non-optimal this time.

[PieBerger]

but hey i think its a great day for competitors daw manaufactures
like ableton , imageline etc

I'm willing to be patient personally. I really don't want to go back to Live and lose sandboxing and overall better stability (in my experience), hybrid tracks and everything else I love about Bitwig, on the back of one, albeit especially poor decision. If they make good, I'll stay and continue to support them.

[pdxindy]

Dodgy move. Goes completely against their stated 12 month upgrade policy.

Was: All Bitwig Studio updates in the following 12 months are FREE

Now: Some Bitwig Studio updates are free while we will charge you for some new devices.

I've always been fine that Bitwig is on the expensive side for DAW's and have been satisfied with the pace of development for it because of the above point... whatever they develop, I get because I keep my account active.

I've kept my account active for some years now, and my account is currently active and I am supposed to receive all new updates. According to the update plan, I should receive Spectral Suite as part of it. That is the existing agreement and they just broke it. Basically I have been lied to and there is zero chance I will pay for Spectral Suite because of it.

[spacetaxi]

I think the Bitwig developers have this perspective on the subscription model: You pay for the software as it is in the moment of purchase - and you get one year of free upgrades on top. And if you're thinking this way, then it is perfectly fine to sell addons like the Spectral Suite. But many customers have a somewhat different perspective...