Waves...smh

[escalona]

[kovengarden]

They might see a serge of WUP sales. But that's only because some people already bought a M1 Mac or have a plan to get one. For Windows user, this makes no difference but now people begin realizing how inconsiderate and hostile these developers can be. This move of Subs Only is a PR disaster and totally ruin the trust between Waves and its long-term paying customers.

[robotmonkey]

The more I think about it, this could be a big marketing move to make everyone rant about Waves, and then they’ll "change their mind" to make it look like they truly listen to their customers, and generate more sales.

I was right after all. I'm now sure this was a calculated move so everyone talks about them. Free advertisement. Now they will sell more WUP than ever!

The damage from backlash has been too severe for that. From how they presented the whole subscription thing as something positive and customer friendly indicates that they meant it. It kind of makes sense in their case. They have a good portfolio to turn into all-encompassing subscription and they probably saw a lot of people buying their 29$ plugins and thought they could get away with forcing everyone into subscription.

I guess we have to give them credit for at least trying.

[revvy]

I never ‘trusted’ Waves to begin with. They’re not family, or friends, they’re just a SW company.

Maybe that’s why compared to all the truly serious shit in my life (just like many of us here), this reversal doesn’t leave me scarred in any way or bitter *shrug*

I’m happy to accept this positive outcome. Free extended WUP for my generous spirit would also be sweet, natch.

[wangeroge]

It's interesting that the CTO sent the message. Maybe the CEO has been laid off?

[martinjuenke]

They’re not family, or friends, they’re just a SW company.

As all audio software developers...

Just a reminder

[Yadrichik_Chaya]

They should start doing rent-to-own, just one $29.99 plugin would be like two months of the essential subscription.

[noiseboyuk]

I was right after all. I'm now sure this was a calculated move so everyone talks about them. Free advertisement. Now they will sell more WUP than ever!

I’m also in the camp that doesn’t see a calculated move as a plausible strategy. The person who originally said “there is no such thing as bad publicity” was talking out of their ass.

Here’s another thing. If they said “right, three months for people to get up to date” I’d have grumbled but done it. I like many of their plugs too much. But now its back for good, I won’t. Yes I get the “trust can only be lost once”, but I think what has happened has been quite profound. The customers won - they have the upper hand. Does even the most cynical person think Waves could ever try this stunt again? I see that as totally implausible. Even if they change policies to something else, they couldn’t do with with no warning.

So it’s like it never happened, only with a bit more security. I will just update with the WUP as and when I actually need it, not guess years in advance of when I might do.

[jamcat]

It's interesting that the CTO sent the message. Maybe the CEO has been laid off?

CEOs don’t get laid off. They get fired.

[kevinsparks]

It's interesting that the CTO sent the message. Maybe the CEO has been laid off?

CEOs don’t get laid off. They get fired.

CEOs don't get fired. They get to resign, and repeat their mistakes at another company.

[NikkiA]

You will sell nothing,

and you will be happy.

[Mathematics]

Waves apologizing is like an apology for cheating. Once a cheater...always a cheater...they can never be trusted again.

[martinjuenke]

It's interesting that the CTO sent the message. Maybe the CEO has been laid?

CEOs don’t get laid.

FTFY

[Skyfall72]

It's interesting that the CTO sent the message. Maybe the CEO has been laid off?

CEOs don’t get laid off. They get fired.

CEOs don't get fired. They get to resign, and repeat their mistakes at another company.

IRL, it’s called “The Golden Parachute “

[Compyfox]

Waves apologizing is like an apology for cheating. Once a cheater...always a cheater...they can never be trusted again.

Agreed. I just read the apology, and man... what a slap in the face.



Some highlights from the statement:

I would like to start by apologizing for the frustration we have caused many of you, our loyal customers.

Loyal Customers that you didn't warn of this move, alright. You just... "rolled over" the update and pretended nothing happened, by hiding posts on Social Media, and asking on known audio forums to "lock threads".

After respectfully listening to your concerns,

Right...

In addition, those of you who already own perpetual licenses will once again be able to update your plugins and receive a second license via the Waves Update Plan—again, just as before.

I just checked my account. For the time being, you can only "WUP" the following

> The Waves Update Plan is your complete care plan for the following Waves products, including all software updates and VIP technical support:
>
> CA3000-MX software
> Dugan Speech
> eMotion LV1 16, 32, and 64-channel software
> SoundGrid Rack for VENUE
> SuperRack


Also, this "promise" straight up screams of "nothing will change, you'll still have to pay us up to 250USD (capped) to upgrade your stuff".

Damage control is something else -- do not not fall for that "goodwill"!
Do not let them get away with that!

Scream louder. If you agree to these terms, companies see this as incentive to continue to pull these type of stunts. Every "old" Waves user should be upgraded to V14 for free after this. Then start from scratch.

That would be proper damage control.

I would like you to know that we are committed to you, our users. We listened to your feedback, and we will continue to listen to you. Waves is a company filled with users and creators, just like you, and we are all as passionate about the products as you are.

With seeing the, please excuse my French, absolute f#cking sh#tshow since the weekend, including hiding hundreds of posts of valid criticism, locking threads, doubling down on that until today...

...sure tells me the company "listened". They had no choice.

Also clearly tells us how passionate they (still) are...
...and about what exactly. (TL;DR: income!)

With this in mind, we will strive to find the way to make things right by you, and hopefully regain your trust.

Sorry, but no, Mr Shashoua.
The damage has been done. This is irreversible.


The only way out is to take a loss, upgrade everyone with everything to V14, continue to provide maintenance updates for at least 3-6 more months, and only then push for V15/Subscription only.

This was a lack of transparency, and a completely tone-deaf handling of the situation. People will now think twice to support you from now on.

Oh and, by the way... nice to see that I did not get a newsletter form Waves Audio about this at all. And I am still signed up to their newsletters! That is another one for the "tone-deaf handling". Usually, you reach out to your customers first, not the press!



30+ years is a long time to just "be comfortable" in the audio realm.

Continue to speak with your wallet, people.
Support the smaller devs!