[Fixed in 4.4] Weird bug: latest "Spectral Suite" update not included in upgrade plan

[pierb]

That's the sort of argument for court...

Yeah, exactly.

But it's hard to argue these are independent products when:

1) These cannot be used outside of Bitwig

2) They are distributed as a Bitwig update and are part of the Bitwig source code

[ollie.rollover]

Have they made a public statement or given some kind of explaination?!

[pdxindy]

That's the sort of argument for court...

Yeah, exactly.

But it's hard to argue these are independent products when:

1) These cannot be used outside of Bitwig

2) They are distributed as a Bitwig update and are part of the Bitwig source code

Plus they will only work in the current version of Bitwig. So if you have Bitwig 4.3 and then comes 4.4 and a new Add-on, you will have to upgrade to 4.4 to be able to use the new Add-on

[andesiro]

Simple solution...
I buy only major updates (I don't care about update plan) and before so I read the release notes completely
If the next major update somehow great... maybe I buy. But I guess it will not, because too much small stuff is overlooked and not revised... just unimportant basic DAW stuff My opinion...
I do so with Live and Reaper too. Live is somehow well thought out, and Reaper is a great one in itself I know, different... but basic stuff works perfect, everything else is a matter of taste!
By the way, Reaper don't need a online activation... in these days maybe not unimportant? If you own it then you have it!

So, don't buy a version now for the future
Take this as a leaning lesson Have a drink, make some great music and have fun

[0degree]

That's the sort of argument for court...

Yeah, exactly.

But it's hard to argue these are independent products when:

1) These cannot be used outside of Bitwig

2) They are distributed as a Bitwig update and are part of the Bitwig source code

Plus they will only work in the current version of Bitwig. So if you have Bitwig 4.3 and then comes 4.4 and a new Add-on, you will have to upgrade to 4.4 to be able to use the new Add-on

Which would be even worse because not only you have pay for the upgrade plan but also for the addon so it's the second "force" to push users to pay for the plan more often

Want a candy? Pay for the upgrade AND the candy

[DiBase]

I've called them today, and I'm a german speaker. The fact, that they did not loose 1 word about this issue tells me that they do take this really verry seriously. Maybe it's best to just be patient and they will find a solution.

I've also my personal viewpoint about this whole situation and how to handle it but all this fuzz aside it would not make any differance, so let's see how they will adress what they've done. I do not think they'd enjoy to cripple their business.

[skiltrip]

In all honestly, if Bitwig came out and just dug in their heels and insisted that Spectral Suite was "special" and they were holding to their add-on additional price, but then promised they wouldn't pull this s**** again, I'd probably just buy it and move on. They seem like really cool tools.

It's the uncertain future that has me wary. I decided on buying into Bitwig Studio because it really felt like the "you get it all" DAW without any multi-tier system or additional spontaneous and seemingly arbitrary paywalls. But here we are. Again, I stand by that first part. I'd pay up if they agreed they wouldn't pull this stunt again in the future.

[cantaloupe]

At least Norwegian consumer law might have actually have been broken here.

Not a lawyer, but would think so too. Would be interesting to hear a professional opinion about it. Definitely appears like something very close to fraud to me.

Was considering bitwig as a modular sound design thing, but this put a swift end to that. A company that pulls a move like this is not in a healthy state, and i'm questioning their longevity. Happy that they revealed their hand before i gave them any money.

[0degree]

I've called them today, and I'm a german speaker. The fact, that they did not loose 1 word about this issue tells me that they do take this really verry seriously. Maybe it's best to just be patient and they will find a solution.

I've also my personal viewpoint about this whole situation and how to handle it but all this fuzz aside it would not make any differance, so let's see how they will adress what they've done. I do not think they'd enjoy to cripple their business.

If you speak German please tell them to get their shit together and stop this upgrade plan BS. Have two versions - regular and suite. Regular without "suite" devices that can be purchased separately and "suite" version which would be more expensive. Use version updates like Ableton and that's it. If they do this I'm happy to pay for those devices even today.
If they are too concerned for supporting old versions just explicitly tell "we can only support current version and the one before because we have limited resources"

[sbmongoose]

Isn't that kind of what 16 Track and Studio is though? A Standard with 16-Track, and Studio with all the bells, whistles and features?

[Eight4aWish]

Very helpful email from Bitwig support confirmed that since my purchase was less than 14 days ago I could ask for a full refund of the annual plan fee.

[xbitz]

I've called them today, and I'm a german speaker. The fact, that they did not loose 1 word about this issue tells me that they do take this really verry seriously. Maybe it's best to just be patient and they will find a solution.

I've also my personal viewpoint about this whole situation and how to handle it but all this fuzz aside it would not make any differance, so let's see how they will adress what they've done. I do not think they'd enjoy to cripple their business.

If you speak German please tell them to get their shit together and stop this upgrade plan BS. Have two versions - regular and suite. Regular without "suite" devices that can be purchased separately and "suite" version which would be more expensive. Use version updates like Ableton and that's it. If they do this I'm happy to pay for those devices even today.
If they are too concerned for supporting old versions just explicitly tell "we can only support current version and the one before because we have limited resources"

I can imagine the FL Studio model too, all the devices can be used but some of them can't be saved (they're are trial/demo mode) without additionally licensing/extra payment (but they can be bounced out etc.) licensing can be tricky although this model also able to trigger the gear acquisition syndrome (I knew it )so would be win/win for both Bitwig and the user and better than the AL one because you have to pay only for the used devices (and the can be demoed freely)

[pdxindy]

Isn't that kind of what 16 Track and Studio is though? A Standard with 16-Track, and Studio with all the bells, whistles and features?

So most of us thought... but we just discovered that Studio doesn't include everything. Now there is no way that does.

I like being able to just keep my account active then download anything new. Nothing to think about.

[_leras]

Give them a chance ffs.

They have a massive chance to redeem themselves by releasing the next update BETA ASAP - 4.4 or whatever it is- as long as it's a good one and obviously not wreaked the time developing these devices (or maybe they developed these for the next update and then decided last minute they could sell them separately; in which case the next update will be delayed or contain less than normal)

Next 'normal' free update is make or break for many users I feel...

It would be a fantastic 4.4 update. This is kinda my feeling of where it will go.

[SamDi]

Wow, what an already big thread. Just recognized it now, because

AND I'M PISSED!!!

Even if I like Bitwig at the moment the most, it is not the case that their Fx are complete nor can compete with the best (Ableton, Logic, FL Studio). They would have much to improove to get on par first, before trying to catch more money out of their loyal customers.

This business model is a F**K"!

Maybe we should write all angry feedback to them, to show our resentment related to this action.