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

[Biscotto]

Using Bitwig's own wording, it is clear that they have broken their contract with us, their userbase. There is no debate about this, even from Bitwig's perspective if they are willing to be honest about it.

This is where they are cornered.
I'm not angry or disappointed, but actually grateful of the warning shot.
I will graciously step aside and renew the maintenance fees "accordingly".

I agree. I'm not going to jump ship (at least, not yet). I'm hoping that they just apologize, and do right according to their agreement with us. I'm not sure exactly what the warning shot is, per se, however. I certainly do not wish them ill as a company, but a blatant attempt to wipe away a contract cannot stand. And this does seem to be just that.

"Warning Shot" as in "This is not it". This is the beginning of a new business model (justified or not).
I'll keep my money in my bank, not theirs, until they will earn that upgrade fee.

[dlandis]

Using Bitwig's own wording, it is clear that they have broken their contract with us, their userbase. There is no debate about this, even from Bitwig's perspective if they are willing to be honest about it.

This is where they are cornered.
I'm not angry or disappointed, but actually grateful of the warning shot.
I will graciously step aside and renew the maintenance fees "accordingly".

I agree. I'm not going to jump ship (at least, not yet). I'm hoping that they just apologize, and do right according to their agreement with us. I'm not sure exactly what the warning shot is, per se, however. I certainly do not wish them ill as a company, but a blatant attempt to wipe away a contract cannot stand. And this does seem to be just that.

"Warning Shot" as in "This is not it". This is the beginning of a new business model (justified or not).
I'll keep my money in my bank, not theirs, until they will earn that upgrade fee.

Gotcha. And agreed (though I am likely to proceed along a different trajectory.) If they had proceeded from a "for users signing up after this date, this will be the new business model" approach, I'm sure no one would have made a peep. If they had said (upfront), "After your contract runs out, this will be the new business model," probably most would have been understanding. For whatever reason, they chose to look underhanded about it and even somewhat condescending. I have no clue why this route was picked.

[Phil B]

Many people say that with buying the update plan they finance Bitwig’s development in advance and now they are pissed that Bitwig spent their money for working on add-ons.

I did see someone say that, but I don't think that's exactly what 99% of the people's issue is. I think it's that people say with buying the update plan they [ARE HAPPY TO] finance Bitwig's development in advance [IN EXCHANGE FOR RECEIVING WHATEVER THE FRUITS OF THEIR LABOR IS] and now they are pissed that Bitwig [WITHHELD THE FRUITS OF THEIR LABOR TO THOSE WHO PAID FOR THE PLAN]

[] Peter:H []

The thing which is difficult/disappointing to me. They don't reach out to the community. BW thinks they can sit this out and get away with it.
One or two people who wrote support reported the replies from them which are basically like: no, it's all correct.
But the EULA breach and changing their advertising claim from "all" to now "bw studio" software might get them even in legal trouble. I bet a "Abmahnung" at least...

If you want you might consider to reach out to them even here https://www.trustpilot.com/review/bitwig.com
or via here https://www.linkedin.com/company/bitwig-gmbh (btw it says 24 employees there)
Here's the business development manager Frederik: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fredrik-astevall-52472842. May be some users can talk to him, a testimonial says "Working together with Fredrik was pleasant" ... may be a win:win solution can be found

[Phil B]

1.3. This EULA also applies for upgrades. Upgrades include newer versions of the Final Version as well as add-ons which extend the Final Version’s functions in all editions except the Demo Edition. Without purchasing a license for a paid version of Bitwig Studio, the Demo and Trial Edition’s scope of functions cannot be extended by means of upgrades. The scope of functions of the other editions can be extended by means of upgrades. Upgrades are provided under a separate contractual agreement: they are not covered by the contractual agreement under which the User receives the Final Version. This still applies even if the upgrade is a new version of the Final Version (e.g. V 2.0).

I think the provision is just saying that separate add-ons (if you acquire them) are also subject to these EULA limitations. So no contractual gotcha there.

But, there is a non-contractual inconsistency in that they use the word "upgrade" in the EULA, define upgrade in the EULA as new versions + add-ons, and then on their website say that their plan covers "upgrades".

If add-ons were added to the EULA after the bulk of the upgrade plan language was on the website (e.g., https://www.bitwig.com/support/shop_lic ... an-work-5/, which only refers to new versions of Bitwig in the upgrade plan), then they'd probably argue to the consumer protection agency that it was an innocent mistake to not clean up the website (horrible argument, but if roped into a corner...).

But, this definitely clarifies why they switched out the website language from "Future Proof: All software updates in the following 12 months are FREE" (where "software updates" is vulnerable to being construed to mean "upgrade as defined in the EULA" i.e., "new versions + add-ons") to "All Bitwig Studio updates" (where add-ons are now clearly excluded from the ad because add-ons are, by definition in the EULA, separate from Bitwig Studio, the program).

More interesting is that I think this exposes that at some point they jumped into legal defense mode. Someone probably made the connection between the EULA definition of upgrade and the language on the website and panic'd, trying to clean the website of anything that someone could try to use against them. I bet they were so tempted to change the name of "upgrade plans" to "update plans" on the website too, but can you imagine what a shitstorm that would've been!?!

Anyway, good find.

[lokio]

1.3. This EULA also applies for upgrades. Upgrades include newer versions of the Final Version as well as add-ons which extend the Final Version’s functions in all editions except the Demo Edition. Without purchasing a license for a paid version of Bitwig Studio, the Demo and Trial Edition’s scope of functions cannot be extended by means of upgrades. The scope of functions of the other editions can be extended by means of upgrades. Upgrades are provided under a separate contractual agreement: they are not covered by the contractual agreement under which the User receives the Final Version. This still applies even if the upgrade is a new version of the Final Version (e.g. V 2.0).

I think the provision is just saying that separate add-ons (if you acquire them) are also subject to these EULA limitations. So no contractual gotcha there.

But, there is a non-contractual inconsistency in that they use the word "upgrade" in the EULA, define upgrade in the EULA as new versions + add-ons, and then on their website say that their plan covers "upgrades".

If add-ons were added to the EULA after the bulk of the upgrade plan language was on the website (e.g., https://www.bitwig.com/support/shop_lic ... an-work-5/, which only refers to new versions of Bitwig in the upgrade plan), then they'd probably argue to the consumer protection agency that it was an innocent mistake to not clean up the website (horrible argument, but if roped into a corner...).

But, this definitely clarifies why they switched out the website language from "Future Proof: All software updates in the following 12 months are FREE" (where "software updates" is vulnerable to being construed to mean "upgrade as defined in the EULA" i.e., "new versions + add-ons") to "All Bitwig Studio updates" (where add-ons are now clearly excluded from the ad because add-ons are, by definition in the EULA, separate from Bitwig Studio, the program).

More interesting is that I think this exposes that at some point they jumped into legal defense mode. Someone probably made the connection between the EULA definition of upgrade and the language on the website and panic'd, trying to clean the website of anything that someone could try to use against them. I bet they were so tempted to change the name of "upgrade plans" to "update plans" on the website too, but can you imagine what a shitstorm that would've been!?!

Anyway, good find.

Not only does the EULA contain this line in section 1.3 "Upgrades include newer versions of the Final Version as well as add-ons which extend the Final Version’s functions in all editions except the Demo Edition."

in 2.5 it goes on to say "he/she is entitled to receive free Upgrades for a period of 12 months, beginning with the registration of the license in the Bitwig user account. The User has the right to install and perpetually use all Upgrades"

[DiBase]

Guys and Girls this is Bitwig a small company, not Apple, Amazon or the like. They are probably scared as f**k for all the heat they are getting and need to contact lawyers and so on for the decision they made. They sure are afraid of Sammelklagen and loosing their income.
Everything is on stake here for them. They are German so they will probably find and take the way that is most 'nachhaltig'.

They can either stay by the decision they made and risk it all.
Admit their mistake and add the stuff to the Upgrades.
Or, make the backbone product a one time payment like FL, and selling the Add ons separately or with the upgrade plan.
And they could also let their customers decide, what they'd like. What I don't think they will do but it would be easy. There are some easy fixes to the issue.

Given all that and what ever they decide teir piroduct is exceptional and there is nothing like it on the Market as it's basically Ableton+FL patcher .
I like Bitwig as it is a lot and would not deny them my full support in the current situation because I 'm positive that they can fix this. If however they'll decide for a way that is unsatisfactory I can just spare the upgrade plan and stay happy with what I have so far.

[musikarldererste]

i see that many youtubers like polarity ( like him a lot)
get many dislikes

so Bitwig should know that is not good for content creator

another yoututber called baphometrix (really good tutorials)
will dont use bitwig in the upcoming videos anymore

i think why so many users here are so angry is the fact
that you dont see this coming ,because they make so enjoyable features

so in short =
the grid= this is extra special = why this is not an addon ?
chorus+,flanger+, phaser+ = why is this is not an addon
delay + = here, too not an addon

and spectral is an addon ?
all updates before included creative devices
so it make no sense here

my biggest fear is that you have pay for presets or soundpacks in the future, too

[Firewyre]

I blame Oktoberfest.

[ollie.rollover]

I’m hoping there’ll be an official statement and apology on Monday!

[svrc]

Small company but marketing like corp.

[_leras]

A competition, where a Bitwig payed add-on competes with a third party plugin (with similar capabilities, price etc) is pretty much unwinnable for Bitwig. While their add-ons are only usable inside Bitwig (which sooner or later needs an upgrade fee), the third party plugin can be moved to any other DAW, giving buyers much bigger freedom. If we're talking about "similar capabilities", than there is zero reason to buy Bitwig's add-ons and loads of reasons to chose the DAW independent plugin.

+ I would guess at least 1/3 of Bitwig users (probably way more) use some other DAW as well (me for example I use Reaper). For us "muti DAW" users it's not even a question to chose the 3rd party VST over a similar Bitwig payed add-on.

I've got a strong feeling Bitwig never thought this through.

Yes not thought through for sure, and poorly communicated too. Hope they fix it.

I think some of their plug ins are quite good and useable though.

These spectral suite plug ins, because each channel get its own post split sign path, are super powerful and I can use my own FX with them very easily.

They're really great plug ins, especially with the way they are integrated.

[LAMeduck]

Bitwig...you were the good guys.

[backtomusic]

I think its quite clear why the grid etc is not add ons.. the faq says the reason for add-ons "This way, we can keep the upgrade plan affordable..."

Soo it's quite clear there is a lack of funds and they choose to sell some of the stuff as add ons to keep the upgrade plan at the same price level.

Soo I guess the amount of stuff that becomes add ons depends of the amount of funding they need. Soo in the future the next grid might as well be a add on.. who knows.

But as many stated, it would make more sense if they made vst of some of their products, with what they have they could make something in the line of kilohearts snapheap or whatever if they wanted to.

[liquidsound]

@ _leras
“Poorly communicated”…
There was not a single communication about the changes until they were Implemented and also changed the terms without notice.

Nice try. You are not helping them. You are blowing on the fire.