Softube goes subscription

[Robert Randolph]

I think I get the reasoning behind the upgrade discount, your discount is calculated by the most expensive plugin you have that is included in Vol 1. For example if you have the Summit grand channel you get the maximum discount where as if you multiples of the other plugins you don't regardless of what that total is. Make sense.

That's definitely not the case.

Currently my account is showing an upgrade for the least expensive qualifying product.

I could legitimately pay $200 less by not using their offered discount!

[audiosabre]

I know what you might be thinking; but what about the user? And to that, I say that as somebody who subscribes to Creative Cloud, I could never afford to keep up with Adobe prices and updates before the subscription. Would I like to own the software permanently? Sure. But without the subscription, I wouldn't HAVE many of the tools in the first place.

No disrespect, but sounds a bit like Stockholm Syndrome. You're happy that they'll allow you access to the product(s). How noble of them.

My brother managed to get the Creative Suite with a 50% student discount just before they rolled in the subscription bollocks. All things considered, an affordable price, and with perpetual updates. Seeing that, I can't possibly ever feel like I'm getting a good deal with the subscription. I see both sides of the argument too, I'm open towards subscriptions as an option. However, I resent it being forced upon me, because it tries to dictate what works for me financially.

Sorry, had to respond. I've never forgiven Adobe for that dick move. Good job subsciptions are optional in audio land. As soon as it's sub or nothing; I'm out.

[woodsdenis]

I think I get the reasoning behind the upgrade discount, your discount is calculated by the most expensive plugin you have that is included in Vol 1. For example if you have the Summit grand channel you get the maximum discount where as if you multiples of the other plugins you don't regardless of what that total is. Make sense.

That's definitely not the case.

Currently my account is showing an upgrade for the least expensive qualifying product.

I could legitimately pay $200 less by not using their offered discount!

Ok, I am lucky I own only 1 Softube product, the Summit package. Just trying to figure out how they are calculating.

[Robert Randolph]

I think I get the reasoning behind the upgrade discount, your discount is calculated by the most expensive plugin you have that is included in Vol 1. For example if you have the Summit grand channel you get the maximum discount where as if you multiples of the other plugins you don't regardless of what that total is. Make sense.

That's definitely not the case.

Currently my account is showing an upgrade for the least expensive qualifying product.

I could legitimately pay $200 less by not using their offered discount!

Ok, I am lucky I own only 1 Softube product, the Summit package. Just trying to figure out how they are calculating.

I'm not sure... but I've seen multiple people that own the same products that have different discounts.

I thought maybe it was based on how long you've owned it, but upon asking around that doesn't seem to be it either.

At this point it appears to just be random, or broken.

[plexuss]

Does anyone know the answers to these questions (I dont want to email SoftTube unless I have to):

1. What happens when you upgrade to the bundle from an existing plugin? does that plugin license roll into the bundle? (this is a more obvious question but its good to ask because I have learned never to assume thing about plugin licenses)

2. If you own the vol 1 bundle, what is the transfer process details? does the whole bundle need to be transferred as one thing? what is the transfer cost (just the single iLok $25)?

[Jace-BeOS]

Never ever. Not with Adobe. Not with Cakewalk. Not with SoftTube.

[woodsdenis]

For Softube this is a disaster, I use Gobbler for the Slate stuff and its fine so far, tried to demo Heartbeat, it says demo deposited in Gobbler account. Nothing nada zilch. Yes I did sign out and sign in again. What a mess.

[asksol]

Lol, I own absolutely all Softube plugins, including Console 1 and all consoles, missing just the Modular Bundle and I still have to pay $149 for the upgrade.

Really I just want to complete the collection so that I don't have to choose from that freaking installer every time - it pisses me off.

[asksol]

And wait, where's the installer now? Why do I have to install Gobbler to use my perpetual licenses? The Gobbler background service is super buggy, and consumes 70% CPU on macOS

[Gamma-UT]

There is a manual-download page but you need to have a Gobbler/Softube account to get to it. The installers are separated now - it's no longer the big .pkg.

[soulone82]

Never ever. Not with Adobe. Not with Cakewalk. Not with SoftTube.

This!

Oh and not with Waves. Not with Slate. Not with [insert name of plugin company that decides to go subscription here].

[wesleyt]

Does anyone know the answers to these questions (I dont want to email SoftTube unless I have to):

1. What happens when you upgrade to the bundle from an existing plugin? does that plugin license roll into the bundle? (this is a more obvious question but its good to ask because I have learned never to assume thing about plugin licenses)

2. If you own the vol 1 bundle, what is the transfer process details? does the whole bundle need to be transferred as one thing? what is the transfer cost (just the single iLok $25)?

I just upgraded from Heartbeat to Volume 1. I had to surrender my Heartbeat to get the Volume 1 Locked Group.

I bought the upgrade from EveryPlugin, and it was $60 cheaper than the Softube direct upgrade.

I'm not certain about item 2, but I'm pretty sure it'd be the whole thing, and I'd guess just the standard single-license fee.

[Shalotta]

... and there are other disparities when looking closer.

Softube is aware of one of them I had on mind:

(David from support via mail:)

"I’m sorry if we have caused any confusion. ...
We’re also working on a Customer Loyalty Program to show our appreciation
to our loyal customers and make sure they get rewarded."

Let`s see if this shifts to a more comprehensible math.


The mail was really kind and friendly, I also know Softube as very fair players
and I can only encourage everyone who has to say something on this, to mail them.
It`s taken as feedback and the more the better.

[plexuss]

My experience was good. I have many Softube plugins but luckily only 2 of those in the new bundle. One was the Summit bundle so the upgrade cost was low. after purchasing with everyplugin.com I got the reg code and used on the Softube site. Then there was some interaction to get me onto gobbler. I downloaded Gobbler and logged in and saw all my plugins. i downloaded them all including those that needed to be upgraded. it took 75 mins which is far too long, but I was in no rush. once installed all ran fine. In iLok license manager I had to surrender Summit Grand to auth the bundle.

[koolkeys]

I know what you might be thinking; but what about the user? And to that, I say that as somebody who subscribes to Creative Cloud, I could never afford to keep up with Adobe prices and updates before the subscription. Would I like to own the software permanently? Sure. But without the subscription, I wouldn't HAVE many of the tools in the first place.

No disrespect, but sounds a bit like Stockholm Syndrome. You're happy that they'll allow you access to the product(s). How noble of them.

I never said it was a noble move by them, or anything of the sorts. It was a benefit for ME, a user. At that time, I couldn't pay the cost of admission to get all the tools I needed from them. I used the copy my work provided. But I knew I was going out on my own 100% at some point (which I did eventually do), and the CC model allowed me to get my own license. It has nothing to do with them, but all the benefit for me.

My brother managed to get the Creative Suite with a 50% student discount just before they rolled in the subscription bollocks. All things considered, an affordable price, and with perpetual updates. Seeing that, I can't possibly ever feel like I'm getting a good deal with the subscription. I see both sides of the argument too, I'm open towards subscriptions as an option. However, I resent it being forced upon me, because it tries to dictate what works for me financially.

Sorry, had to respond. I've never forgiven Adobe for that dick move. Good job subsciptions are optional in audio land. As soon as it's sub or nothing; I'm out.

Well, the free market is wonderful in that we can choose not to buy into a model we don't like. For me, I've had boatloads of value from Adobe's products. The level of updates they have provided is amazing, some of the new apps they have developed are awesome, and I have never once felt like I wasn't getting value out of it. Seriously, they have pushed the envelope forward across their product line and a LOT of people are happy. Sure, some people don't like it. But it is obviously a model that is working for them.

I remember when it was announced. People were threatening lawsuits against Adobe for screwing them over and other crap like that. It was ridiculous. But once things settled down, and people saw that Adobe was actually going to maintain a blistering pace of development (arguably faster and better than before CC), more and more people have come to grips with the value. Not everyone. That will never happen. And honestly, I do see your side. I know the shortcomings of the forced subscription model, and am prepared to live with it. But I make far more than $50 extra per month BECAUSE of Adobe tools (not just WITH them), and it has proven to be a big value for me.

Obviously, not everyone will agree. Some will feel slighted. And they don't have to purchase. Either way, the subscription model does work from a business perspective as long as you have the right pricing sweet spot and a product line that continues to improve. Hopefully with the audio companies who are doing it, they will show the same type of value. This model has no doubt allowed many musicians to get access to tools they couldn't afford outright previously. And that can't be a bad thing at all.

Brent