Gforce Oberheim OB-X

[Echoes in the Attic]

You can't find 5 minutes?

So we should only need 5 minutes now? Why even that much time? Maybe we should only get 1 minute? Don't you know from just auditioning 3 presets? Come on.

Sounds like you have a shit life.

Maybe just different priorities? If an opportunity comes up to do something like go away for a weekend, spend time with others etc., I'm not going to say "Sorry I need to stay home to try this demo that I activated a few days ago and haven't gotten around to trying enough". I'm going to go live life. And that's ok, I don't need another OB-X. I would have to have to find a very good differentiator, other than it sounds nice, when I have three other great OB-X's. However if GForce want to make a sale, this type of demo restriction might not be best. So perhaps you don't want GForce to do well, and so you might argue against a more flexible demo, but I'd like for them to make sales. It's not uncommon for people to have a demo for months, go back to it every once in a while, and find just the perfect use for it, and at that point to go and buy it.

I don't really care either way. But the thing that isn't really clear to me, is what is the benefit to GForce of this policy? Greatly reducing the presets, does this help sales? Only allowing 6 hours to a week? Does this help sales? I would not think so.

[fisherKing]

If an opportunity comes up to do something like go away for a weekend, spend time with others etc., I'm not going to say "Sorry I need to stay home to try this demo that I activated a few days ago and haven't gotten around to trying enough". I'm going to go live life. And that's ok, I don't need another OB-X. I would have to have to find a very good differentiator, other than it sounds nice, when I have three other great OB-X's. However if GForce want to make a sale, this type of demo restriction might not be best. So perhaps you don't want GForce to do well, and so you might argue against a more flexible demo, but I'd like for them to make sales. It's not uncommon for people to have a demo for months, go back to it every once in a while, and find just the perfect use for it, and at that point to go and buy it.

I don't really care either way. But the thing that isn't really clear to me, is what is the benefit to GForce of this policy? Greatly reducing the presets, does this help sales? Only allowing 6 hours to a week? Does this help sales? I would not think so.

can't you just first open the plugin when you do have time to sit down with it..?

[JamminFool]

[Echoes in the Attic]

If an opportunity comes up to do something like go away for a weekend, spend time with others etc., I'm not going to say "Sorry I need to stay home to try this demo that I activated a few days ago and haven't gotten around to trying enough". I'm going to go live life. And that's ok, I don't need another OB-X. I would have to have to find a very good differentiator, other than it sounds nice, when I have three other great OB-X's. However if GForce want to make a sale, this type of demo restriction might not be best. So perhaps you don't want GForce to do well, and so you might argue against a more flexible demo, but I'd like for them to make sales. It's not uncommon for people to have a demo for months, go back to it every once in a while, and find just the perfect use for it, and at that point to go and buy it.

I don't really care either way. But the thing that isn't really clear to me, is what is the benefit to GForce of this policy? Greatly reducing the presets, does this help sales? Only allowing 6 hours to a week? Does this help sales? I would not think so.

can't you just first open the plugin when you do have time to sit down with it..?

That's exactly what I do. But tend to like a couple sittings with a demo at least. On first play, not buying, as not special enough to me over what I have. But I could open it up another time and something might strike me as reason enough to buy. But again, not really about me, it's what best for making sales for GForce. I'm sure there's a reason that most companies have either one month demos, or restricted but time-unlimited demos. Are they all just stupid and wrong because people shouldn't need that time?

[fisherKing]

If an opportunity comes up to do something like go away for a weekend, spend time with others etc., I'm not going to say "Sorry I need to stay home to try this demo that I activated a few days ago and haven't gotten around to trying enough". I'm going to go live life. And that's ok, I don't need another OB-X. I would have to have to find a very good differentiator, other than it sounds nice, when I have three other great OB-X's. However if GForce want to make a sale, this type of demo restriction might not be best. So perhaps you don't want GForce to do well, and so you might argue against a more flexible demo, but I'd like for them to make sales. It's not uncommon for people to have a demo for months, go back to it every once in a while, and find just the perfect use for it, and at that point to go and buy it.

I don't really care either way. But the thing that isn't really clear to me, is what is the benefit to GForce of this policy? Greatly reducing the presets, does this help sales? Only allowing 6 hours to a week? Does this help sales? I would not think so.

can't you just first open the plugin when you do have time to sit down with it..?

That's exactly what I do. But tend to like a couple sittings with a demo at least. On first play, not buying, as not special enough to me over what I have. But I could open it up another time and something might strike me as reason enough to buy. But again, not really about me, it's what best for making sales for GForce. I'm sure there's a reason that most companies have either one month demos, or restricted but time-unlimited demos. Are they all just stupid and wrong because people shouldn't need that time?

what i don't get is this: a developer makes a plugin, sets some demo constraints... and you're informed about those constraints. why is it the developer's issue if you can't work within those conditions?

some developers don't offer any demos, some set time limits, or introduce noise regularly into the demo.

gforce offers this demo as it chooses to, and it's on you to work with those limitations..or not. so really, not sure what your point is.. other than you don't like it.

[Odd Fella]

If someone launches a product, they have to accept criticism, since the market is a public space.

[4damind]

Resync with XLFO, means that the LFO runs freely, i.e. is not restarted with every note (i.e. at "Off").

[Odd Fella]

I don't know if there are any rules for the way the polyphonic glide or portamento thingy is to be implemented.
But I noticed that when you play a low note and then a high note and then a note between the two, the third note also goes up instead of down.
Is that correct?
On another synth I tried it the new note always glides from the previous one.

When I play the same note again and again (and no others) the note glides from somewhere again and again. Funny

[Aloysius]

You guys should get together and design your own synth vst. It would be incredible.

[MrJubbly]

some developers don't offer any demos

And those developers have never and will never gain my custom.

some set time limits...

Many of these developers can gain my custom ~ so long as said time limit is enough for me to thoroughly space out my time with their product(s). Which usually entails, implementing them into various projects, over often more than just one DAW session. Enough, to become accustomed to and satisfied with said product, to justify a purchase.

In the case of GForce, it took many years more than 'would have been' necessary for them to eventually gain me as a customer. Had I been able to trial their products for longer and with less restrictions imposed, they would have won me over, many years ago.

...or introduce noise regularly into the demo.

These are some of the best types of demo 'restrictions' for me personally. For example, I trialled every u-he plugin at one point or another over the years. Some I trialled for mere days or weeks before purchasing, while others, I may have even trialled over the span of several months, at first only using occasionally, until I felt more comfortable with regularly incorporating them into my project workflows. At which point, I bought them.

imho, this type of 'unlimited time' trial (with the caveat of some minor annoyance/noise/missing notes, etc. imposed) is perhaps the most successful method. As evidence, to date, I now own every single plugin that u-he have produced (both synth and effect), bar one exception 'Uhbiq'. However, I also have the latest beta of that currently installed and I will for sure likewise purchase this too, once u-he officially releases the latest update thereof (perhaps later this year?)

As a side-note, I trialled several GForce plugins some years ago and u-he were one of the direct rival beneficiaries, who won over my custom during that period instead. Which was, in no small part, due to u-he's generous and fair trial policies.

Only relatively recently did I come back around to GForce and give their products another chance (after previously being put off by their restrictive trial policies) and the fact that I had moved on to a new device, so could demo them again. But I wonder, how many customers just simply move on and never look back again though?

So, perhaps such strict limitations are not the greatest commercial way to showcase your products after all? (whether such limitations are clearly stated as such or not.) Well, not unless the intention is to drive a certain portion of customers away (for several years, at best, or forever at worst.)

As Tony Stark might say: "Not a great plan!"

[fisherKing]

some developers don't offer any demos

And those developers have never and will never gain my custom.

some set time limits...

Many of these developers can gain my custom ~ so long as said time limit is enough for me to thoroughly space out my time with their product(s). Which usually entails, implementing them into various projects, over often more than just one DAW session. Enough, to become accustomed to and satisfied with said product, to justify a purchase.

In the case of GForce, it took many years more than 'would have been' necessary for them to eventually gain me as a customer. Had I been able to trial their products for longer and with less restrictions imposed, they would have won me over, many years ago.

...or introduce noise regularly into the demo.

These are some of the best types of demo 'restrictions' for me personally. For example, I trialled every u-he plugin at one point or another over the years. Some I trialled for mere days or weeks before purchasing, while others, I may have even trialled over the span of several months, at first only using occasionally, until I felt more comfortable with regularly incorporating them into my project workflows. At which point, I bought them.

imho, this type of 'unlimited time' trial (with the caveat of some minor annoyance/noise/missing notes, etc. imposed) is perhaps the most successful method. As evidence, to date, I now own every single plugin that u-he have produced (both synth and effect), bar one exception 'Uhbiq'. However, I also have the latest beta of that currently installed and I will for sure likewise purchase this too, once u-he officially releases the latest update thereof (perhaps later this year?)

As a side-note, I trialled several GForce plugins some years ago and u-he were one of the direct rival beneficiaries, who won over my custom during that period instead. Which was, in no small part, due to u-he's generous and fair trial policies.

Only relatively recently did I come back around to GForce and give their products another chance (after previously being put off by their restrictive trial policies) and the fact that I had moved on to a new device, so could demo them again. But I wonder, how many customers just simply move on and never look back again though?

So, perhaps such strict limitations are not the greatest commercial way to showcase your products after all? (whether such limitations are clearly stated as such or not.) Well, not unless the intention is to drive a certain portion of customers away (for several years, at best, or forever at worst.)

As Tony Stark might say: "Not a great plan!"

your opinions are noted

[fisherKing]

If someone launches a product, they have to accept criticism, since the market is a public space.

absolutely! just don't confuse ranting on a web forum with constructive criticism directly communicated to a developer....

[MrJubbly]

You guys should get together and design your own synth vst. It would be incredible.

I'll personally design the GUI. I make only three promises:

• No excessive wood panelling / faux 3D skeuomorphism.

• All text will remain clearly legible against its backdrop.

• No subscriptions!

Hey, I feel we're already several steps ahead of the competition. Now, how could we lose?


Edit: Oh, how could I forget ... promise 4:

• No restrictions of presets and no time limited demo. Just a friendly reminder to be a decent human being, with a minor noise burst every now and then.

[Echoes in the Attic]

If an opportunity comes up to do something like go away for a weekend, spend time with others etc., I'm not going to say "Sorry I need to stay home to try this demo that I activated a few days ago and haven't gotten around to trying enough". I'm going to go live life. And that's ok, I don't need another OB-X. I would have to have to find a very good differentiator, other than it sounds nice, when I have three other great OB-X's. However if GForce want to make a sale, this type of demo restriction might not be best. So perhaps you don't want GForce to do well, and so you might argue against a more flexible demo, but I'd like for them to make sales. It's not uncommon for people to have a demo for months, go back to it every once in a while, and find just the perfect use for it, and at that point to go and buy it.

I don't really care either way. But the thing that isn't really clear to me, is what is the benefit to GForce of this policy? Greatly reducing the presets, does this help sales? Only allowing 6 hours to a week? Does this help sales? I would not think so.

can't you just first open the plugin when you do have time to sit down with it..?

That's exactly what I do. But tend to like a couple sittings with a demo at least. On first play, not buying, as not special enough to me over what I have. But I could open it up another time and something might strike me as reason enough to buy. But again, not really about me, it's what best for making sales for GForce. I'm sure there's a reason that most companies have either one month demos, or restricted but time-unlimited demos. Are they all just stupid and wrong because people shouldn't need that time?

what i don't get is this: a developer makes a plugin, sets some demo constraints... and you're informed about those constraints. why is it the developer's issue if you can't work within those conditions?

some developers don't offer any demos, some set time limits, or introduce noise regularly into the demo.

gforce offers this demo as it chooses to, and it's on you to work with those limitations..or not. so really, not sure what your point is.. other than you don't like it.

You could say that about any feature of a product, or any policy. What's wrong with feedback that could be better for sales? Did you see what just happened with Minimal Audio and Current? With your logic everyone should have just shut up and accepted it. But they said what they thought and the devs changed the policy, hopefully in a way that will work out better for them and everyone will be happy. It's a win-win. Why be against feedback, how does that do you or the devs any good?

[chk071]

You guys should get together and design your own synth vst. It would be incredible.

I always wanted my own developer who does exactly what I tell him...

Even thought about bulding him his own room, in the basement. With toilet and everything.