SS2 reviews on kvr

[Squids]

as posted in the site forum:

Hey guys. I was just thinking about something and was curious to see what you all thought. When there is a product that has a radical evolution in its sequel do you feel that in some cases it should have its own fresh set of reviews and presentation?

For instance, products like Sonik Synth 2, Stylus RMX are all drastically different from their previous incarnations. When you have a product like Sonic Synth 1 that was reviewed quite heavily do you think people might read the old reviews and think that Sonik Synth 2 has the new features or the old ones? I know there is a version number in the review. But, do you think that is clear enough?

I am okay either way personally. Of course I wouldn't want people to think SS2 came with ST1 LE and had only 4 discs (when it has it's own full featured engine, GUI and the DVD equivalent to over 20 CDs!). But, not so much for me but for you guys. I am not just talking about SS2. I mean, any product that is really practically a whole new animal, like Stylus RMX. I mean, anything anyone would say about Stylus originally wouldn't relate much to RMX.

Is there a line where a plug becomes something else? Do you put the butterfly still as the catepillar?

Curious to know what you (and of course Ben) think.

Thanks.

[PaintedBlue]

So that's why you changed the spelling of "Sonic Synth" to "Sonik Synth". Just kidding, I can joke about that because my copy is already shipping.

Anyway, I think it makes sense to start new reviews for each major version release, just like any other software review publication would (e.g. Office 2002, 2003 are reviewed, not their service pack releases). It doesn't help us out to average scores across major versions -- we might miss out on some good products, and developers might not feel as motivated to improve their products.

That said, the old reviews should not be removed from the system, since they do reveal measures of a developer's customer service and ability to innovate and improve over time.

[kz1m9w]

I think it would be a good idea to have fresh reviews.

Especially after tinkering around with Sonik Synth 2...although it certainly has a heritage akin to Sonik Synth 1, it is on a whole new order of magnitude and funtionality (read = I like it a whole lot so far!).

Because of that, I do think it would be worthwhile to have a fresh basis of reviews. Just keep in mind that it may quite a while before any comprehensive review could be put together for Sonik Synth 2 - this thing is gigantic!!!!!

As always, thanks for making a great product so fully featured and affordable!

Randy

[dgkenney]

Squids,

I don't even have my SS2 in hand yet (although it is in transit) and I can tell you the difference from SS1 is so significant as to warrant its own review. Here is some of my thought process:

1) An engine/gui that was not part of SS1. I don't think that you can assume that everyone knows the workings of ST2, so the fx and combi potential for SS2 as a stand alone would demand a review.

2) Masive, massive library. If I remember correctly from past posts, the "old" SS1 sounds although updated for SS2, account for only 1/3 of the sound library. Additionally, there are element and fx samples made specificly for the combi capability. Clearly a review that captures the scope, quality and capabilies of the new library is in order.

3) Labor of Love. As the principal of this endeavor you put this package together almost as an "omage" to the history and progression of synths. This again is a different concept than the original SS and would seem to require a new review.

I am sure that I could come up with additonal reasons but my belief is that even a cursory understanding of SS1 ans SS2 will lead you to the conclusion that, although their is a line of succession, they are very different entities.

Dan

[Squids]

I know Ben is busy enough as it is and there are plans to add more things to the site all over the place. I don't know if this kind of thing has been brought up or not. I am not just talking about Sonik Synth 2, but it is a good example as well as Stylus RMX where a product evolves to the point where it is practically a whole new animal. I mean, the difference between HALion 1 and HALion 2 was not significant enough to say it is a whole new animal (MAYBE to H3 it is but not in the same way). The difference between ST1 and ST2 though was pretty significant. You don't see a lot of reviews for ST2 because there are so many reviews for ST1 already. (I also think people review less when they see a product has a lot of reviews already).

But, just to be clear, I am totally okay with how it is now and it's not a complaint or anything. Just a discussion. For me it is okay if it was mixed in with Sonic Synth 1 reviews because fortunately most of those are at least very good (except that one might read those and think SS2 comes with ST1 LE and is only 3-4 CD discs as opposed to close to 9 gigs!).

So, I think it probably would be good to have its own reviews in this case (and probably would have to be decided by Ben on a case by case basis which product "sequel" needs to have its own life separate from its past incarnations). This is just what I think makes sense. I mean, it promotes accurate representation of what the latest products are out there.

That was an interesting theory about developers not bothering to improve features if it doesn't get recognized in the reviews... although I think most developers do what they're going to do anyway! But, it is nice if that doesn't get missed on great places like KVR.

[Mighty_Hero]

I would be glad to review SS2 for you. Send it on to me and I'll review it and do some tunes for ya too

I do feel it's a good idea to be able to do a different review since as you pointed out RMX and now SS2/ST2 are really different that they were.

[Meffy]

(*ahem*)

YES.

Meffy

[Beardedone]

Clear to me also. SS2 is new beast and therfore deserves a distinct review setting.