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

[Benutzername]

Don't worry we will make sure they lose 3 customers for every existing one who tolerates abuse/fraud.

I don't think that they will lose many customers when looking at the actual numbers. There are a lot of "I'll leave if I don't get xyz" comments out there but you always have these. People love Bitwig Studio and that is because it is what it is. It is not just another linear DAW that you can change like underwear these days.

What will happen is that existing customers will be way more careful where they put their money. Most upgrade buying plans are on hold and lot of customers will wait what happens next. If they don't clear the situation now then the entire existence of the company will depend on the next update to the base version. This update has to be huge. Overwhelmingly huge.

New users are currently scared away from this outrage and it will take a long time until this event will vanish from the time lines of any social media site. This source of money is drained until the positive news outweigh the negative ones again.

So if rising funds was the goal of this stunt then it was a complete failure.

[lunardigs]

... Not sure what they could do to make it right at this point … maybe if they would honor the contract for all plan holders, but it would depend on what else they have to say.

They should release the spectral devices for all current upgrade contract holders and interact/communicate with the community better as it concerns major, impactful changes like this from now on. Perhaps even follow the example U-he has set.

[Phil B]

... Not sure what they could do to make it right at this point … maybe if they would honor the contract for all plan holders, but it would depend on what else they have to say.

They should release the spectral devices for all current upgrade contract holders and interact/communicate with the community better as it concerns major, impactful changes like this from now on. Perhaps even follow the example U-he has set.

I completely agree, just not sure what it would take for me to actually trust them enough again to actually fork over money to enter into another contract with them. I like the DAW a lot, but for all of its great features it also lacks breadth on the basics. I was in for the long term development ride, but if I’m not anymore I could definitely just use ableton again with logic and be perfectly happy.

[giacometti777]

... Not sure what they could do to make it right at this point … maybe if they would honor the contract for all plan holders, but it would depend on what else they have to say.

They should release the spectral devices for all current upgrade contract holders and interact/communicate with the community better as it concerns major, impactful changes like this from now on. Perhaps even follow the example U-he has set.

I completely agree, just not sure what it would take for me to actually trust them enough again to actually fork over money to enter into another contract with them. I like the DAW a lot, but for all of its great features it also lacks breadth on the basics. I was in for the long term development ride, but if I’m not anymore I could definitely just use ableton again with logic and be perfectly happy.

I think it would need to feel like a Hail Mary set of changes in outlook to save themselves including much more transparency and more active promotion of user work to bind themselves to the community and grow their user base significantly.

This is why I really see the best outcome being that they are forced to go open source like Blender.

[pdxindy]

it’s thousands of users.

I doubt that... maybe 10% of that, plus a bunch of sockpuppets

[pdxindy]

and in this case would be justified in doing so.

No, they wouldn't... of course some people will always find an excuse to behave unethically.

[giacometti777]

it’s thousands of users.

I doubt that... maybe 10% of that, plus a bunch of sockpuppets

This is a massive cope that shows how incurious you are about what really makes the community tick. Go ahead and play with your toys - the rest of us have self respect.

[Phil B]

it’s thousands of users.

I doubt that... maybe 10% of that, plus a bunch of sockpuppets

I’m not sure bitwig even has thousands of users, but it’s pretty unfathomable to think that they will not lose meaningful revenue from their breach of the EULA and lack of mea culpa. The sheer number of online commenters has surprised me. Has to be at least 200 unique online commenters expressing disappointment, including some pretty notable and influential people. That’s got to represent the views of a meaningful portion of their user base. 12%? 50% 99%? Any of those could be pretty impactful

[UncleAge]

Thousands of users are upset right now...maybe. I doubt that many will jump ship. I think pdxindy's 10% is generous. I think there will be a hefty amount folk that will not do another renewal until they see enough new stuff included in the price. But I doubt there will be a large exodus from the platform.

I for one don't think that's a bad thing.

[hyperdeath666]

Jumping ship isn't the only penalty here, though. I used to sing Bitwig's praises to anybody who would listen. I won't do that anymore. I had every intention of renewing my Upgrade plan when it expired. I'm unlikely to do that now. At least as things stand.

I'll flag that as far as I'm concerned, Bitwig can still set things right by honoring existing upgrade plans, regardless of what they decide to do once these expire (if they want to switch to an add-on system with fair notice, I wouldn't fault them for that, although it would still make me pretty wary about upgrade plans). If they refuse to do this, I will sing that from the rooftops.

[pekbro]

It's not that hard to leave Bitwig. Once you stop paying for upgrades and the last version you paid for becomes unusable due to the many bugs contained in it. That thing about being able to use it indefinitely isn't really the case IME.

Just the fact that they go out of their way to assure you can never really save any money on upgrades via price fixing was enough to convince me they only care about the money long ago.

[pdxindy]

I’m not sure bitwig even has thousands of users, but it’s pretty unfathomable to think that they will not lose meaningful revenue from their breach of the EULA and lack of mea culpa.

I'm not convinced of that because it is not immediate.

My current plan expires next June and this will likely have faded enough by then that it will not impact whether I activate a new plan at that time.

If my plan were expiring next week, this would then affect my decision... but if a week later they announced 5.0 with midi comping and a couple other improvements I would like, then I would probably update right away anyway.

Most people have no chance in the short term to "vote with their wallet" because their account is not expiring soon. And in general, it is my observation in life, that once a few months pass, this will have faded and not influence stuff much.

[pdxindy]

Once you stop paying for upgrades and the last version you paid for becomes unusable due to the many bugs contained in it.

There are not a lot of bugs in the recent versions of Bitwig.

[musikarldererste]

its very important to feel good when you use a software
when they are happy they will spread it on the internet and this brings new customers
like fl studio

but bitwig had that too , but now everything is different
youtubers dont want thousands of dislikes when they make videos
so they will avoid to use this software or this addon

so in short bitwig lose , bitwig will lose its reputation in the long run

[giacometti777]

It's not that hard to leave Bitwig. Once you stop paying for upgrades and the last version you paid for becomes unusable due to the many bugs contained in it. That thing about being able to use it indefinitely isn't really the case IME.

Just the fact that they go out of their way to assure you can never really save any money on upgrades via price fixing was enough to convince me they only care about the money long ago.

I honestly think they have always been desperate for money because they suck at anything other than being DAW/DSP nerds. That culture has emanated from them since th start and kept them from growing at a faster pace justified by their terrific products.