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

[seipster]

Yes

Of course the devices are great and easily worth 79/99 euro. And I bought it on reflex before I had chance to think about it. But I am a 43 year old fanboy with an unhealthy habit of buying too much music gear and software.

I do not think most people as stupid as I am. And when I was younger I would not have 99 euros burning in my pocket like that.

The big problem is that people feel lied to.

[lunardigs]

I don't like it either, b/c, honestly I find the Spectral Suite interesting and I'd like to have it. Although for $79, after all the Bitwig upgrade "plans" I've paid for through out the years ... I've only got so much money to spend on any one thing/brand before I begin to feel raked.

Also, I try to keep tabs on my AV investments and at least try to imagine how things have returned in value ... BWS teeters on maybe; I can't rationalize another upgrade or "add-on" at this time. No way.

Still, despite that, this offering--at 20% off no less, so patronizing--feels kinda scummy. I'm sure I could rationalize my feelings away, but that's just my visceral reaction.

[xbitz]

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...

^^^ it's not so simple Spectral Suite needs "Requires a Bitwig Studio 4.3 license or above." - https://www.bitwig.com/buy/ at the bottom so all the addons will have a minimal BWS version requirement, just start thinking about it...

[Phil B]

as many here have voiced, how will we know which features are to be included in the 'normal' plan? What is considered to be too 'big' or too 'niche' for the 'normal' plan?

Also, it's not like these new devices are like adding a new monster instrument like Alchemy, they are utility devices for various ways of splitting a signal to add other effects. If utility devices can be add-ons, what can't be?

I think update plans are now unpurchasable until you perceive that Bitwig has already passed the equivalent of a full integer release in new features to you ... which means watching a year's worth of features go by that you can't use (and not buying add-ons until you've done your annual update plan). It really destroys the user experience (and Bitwig's cash flow)

[FakeNatty]

unpurchasable

they made it so add ons requires the latest bitwig version.

You now MUST purchase update plan to use addons

[musikarldererste]

i am happy now
but i cant told you why
maybe you will lucky too

[pdxindy]

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

They broke the agreement. Bitwig is on the expensive side to maintain, but in exchange for that cost, we (people with active accounts) are supposed to receive all new updates and so far the development pace has been acceptable for me.

Today I wake up and there is a new update, but I don't get it. I'm supposed to pay for it. And it has been 5 months since 4.3 was announced.

[seipster]

i am happy now
but i cant told you why
maybe you will lucky too

Hmmmmmm speak up

[Phil B]

unpurchasable

too naive, they made it so add ons requires the latest bitwig version.

You now MUST purchase update plan to use addons

It's really a disaster of a decision and implementation. Uggh. I hope they figure this out quickly - I don't want to go back to Ableton, but I won't be buying add-ons or annual plans based on this framework

[musikarldererste]

i am happy now
but i cant told you why
maybe you will lucky too

Hmmmmmm speak up

write a good email to them
maybe christmas comes earlier for you

[simmo75]

Speak with your wallets!!!

Send Bitwig your thoughts.

[Phil B]

i am happy now
but i cant told you why
maybe you will lucky too

If they are playing favorites, that would be unforgivable to me. Be careful what you post here and how it can be interpreted (unless you're trying to sabotage the company)

[ottsch]

Also, the real time stuff never came.

Ok, now we was lied twice.
The first time it was when Bitwig just appeared, they said this will be DAW with modular structure (they still say it is, but no), and users would be able to make and edit all included built-in devices. This is what that device editor was look like.
bitwig device editor.jpg bitwig device editor 2.jpg
These pictures are taken from news about new coming Bitwig DAW v.1 And yes this is exactly what news was talking about, you can see there structure of Polysynth. Now all these news are removed from internet, I think I know why. Many people have bought software then believing to get such powerfull instrument. But Bitwig gave us not this Max or Reactor like editor, they gave us Grid. With Grid user cant do what they promised he will be able to do. What is modular structure now? I still believe Device Editor work perfect, but they don't want that user and community could be able to make devices themself.
Bitwig now use it to build strange devices for upgrade plan and paid addons to double earnings.
They literally give you products of the Instrument but not the Instrumet. And this while you pay every year.

And now there is the second time you lie, that all updates and features will be included in update plan.

[MadMcMan]

As a newcomer to bitwig i've sent them my thoughts. When i upgraded from 8 track to the full version i believed i was getting a years worth of upgrades too. These "addons" allow them to arbitrarily decide what is and isn't an upgrade. Very bad move.

[billcarroll]

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.

Sad because these are great devices. This could have been handled so much better. I love Bitwig, but this is a mess.