discoDSP Discovery Pro 8.15 released

[audiojunkie]

It’s good to hear you speak without AI, George.

[george]

Thanks. At discoDSP, AI is used as a productivity tool — for drafting, proofreading, research, etc. — like most developers should do these days. Running a business means any tool that helps manage the workload is fair game, but it shouldn't replace genuine communication.

[audiojunkie]

Thanks. At discoDSP, AI is used as a productivity tool — for drafting, proofreading, research, etc. — like most developers should do these days. Running a business means any tool that helps manage the workload is fair game, but it shouldn't replace genuine communication.

Since you are here, George, would you please comment on the move to challenge response copy protection on Linux? You had told us that you wouldn’t do that, but you did anyway—knowing how Linux users feel about challenge response copy protection. Serial or keyfile protection is fine, but we don’t like challenge response.

[george]

Not the right place to talk about it, but anyway... it was a simple resource and intellectual property protection decision. Previously, separate demo and full binary compilations were required, meaning users needed members area access to download registered builds. Now it's a single binary compilation: users can download the trial, get updates, check updates via UI, and activate without friction.

Challenge-response was the preferred approach because serials and keyfiles are very easy to circumvent, and honestly, not a single customer I'm aware of (except you ) has complained about it. It's a single online check, you can back up the file and restore very easily, it has covered plenty of edge cases across the years of use, and you can do offline activation via ticket. I agree nobody likes copy protection systems but I think discoDSP's approach is acceptable.

[synworks]

I prefer serial or keyfile too!
Challenge/response is a high risk when a company is a one-man-show.
What will happen when you decide it's time to retire or you have a car accident like Arguru, heart attack etc?
That companies go out of business happens and is a real damage.
Many people on KVR collect quite a huge amount of plugins. The more you have, the higher the chance that you lose some of your challenge/response plugins.
I hope that big companies like Native Instruments will at least be aquired by someone else though!

[BBFG#]

Copy protection is one of the factors for many of us that prevent us from buying in the first place. Especially combined with the other numerous complaints consistently brought up and regularly ignored on DiscoDSP threads.
Key file seems the better way. How are they "easily" circumveted?

[synworks]

George, why must a company with only a few products delete things from the user accounts? Is no more money there for hosting a few mb of database? Now you save a few cents and 90% of the users are angry. Does this make sense from a business perspective?

[audiojunkie]

Copy protection is one of the factors for many of us that prevent us from buying in the first place. Especially combined with the other numerous complaints consistently brought up and regularly ignored on DiscoDSP threads.
Key file seems the better way. How are they "easily" circumveted?

U-he uses a keyfile-type copy protection. That’s why I have a high level of trust in U-he as a company. It can certainly be done, and U-he proves it.

[synworks]

u-he is excellence in all areas.

[djanthonyw]

Any developer who moves to machine based copy protection is missing the point.

Focus on providing benefit to your paying customers instead of worrying about those who probably wouldn't be a paying customer anyway. Customers shouldn't be punished if one day you decide to close up shop and they shouldn't have to ask the company for permission to use the software they already paid for.

Show gratitude to the customers you do have instead of treating them like criminals especially when now there's a free option that runs the exact synth you're trying to emulate.

[george]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. Of course u-he does it well... they're arguably the top indie dev out there, not exactly a fair baseline for everyone. For copy protection opinions and suggestions, please feel free to open a dedicated topic where it can get the attention it deserves. This thread should be for Discovery Pro news and discussion. Happy to continue the conversation there.

[digitalboytn]

Show gratitude to the customers you do have instead of treating them like criminals especially when now there's a free option that runs the exact synth you're trying to emulate.

That "other" synth out there also has DSP in the name....

They must be related

It's a pretty crowded market place these days,so honest and respectful customer service is a very important part of building and maintaining a brand....

They say that in business,one negative comment is equal to nine positive comments...

So smart operators generally want to engage with their customers,listen to their thoughts as end users and be flexible enough to consider their opinions without attacking them and resorting to threats and intimidation

[synworks]

So smart operators generally want to engage with their customers,listen to their thoughts as end users and be flexible enough to consider their opinions without attacking them and resorting to threats and intimidation

Yes, modern marketing is all about making life long relationships with customers. Not the single sale matters but to sell to the customer during the whole lifespan of the company.
DiscoDSP seems to target a specific niche of masochist customers only.

[BBFG#]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. Of course u-he does it well... they're arguably the top indie dev out there, not exactly a fair baseline for everyone. For copy protection opinions and suggestions, please feel free to open a dedicated topic where it can get the attention it deserves. This thread should be for Discovery Pro news and discussion. Happy to continue the conversation there.

Discovery Pro's copy protection is being discussed in its thread.

[jme-audio]

But if you still need to get the 7.9 installer for your current system, file a ticket via https://www.discodsp.com/support/ to get a temporary 48-hour download link.

Thanks for finally offering this! I had previously submitted several support requests that were rejected. Glad you finally changed your mind.