Limited period trials - Real obstacle in making purchase decisions. A sincere plea to plugin makers.

[scatman84]

This is my plea to all plugin makers that have limited time period demos.

I would sincerely like to request all the good plugin makers (Fuse Audio Labs, Softube, etc) to make their plugin demos available with 'noise insert / render disable' features so the users can come back after a few months, re-visit the plugin and make a decision to buy (or not).

These limited days trial period demos are real obstacles because of the following reasons -

1) I may not like the plugin while testing now but my tastes, knowledge, and preferences are always evolving, I might like a particular tube limiter after 6 months, but I should be able to hear how it actually sounds before buying it. I cannot recall how it sounded 6 months back.

2) A new project might require a certain effect that would give me the required sound. If I have exhausted the trial period and forgotten about how it sounded then, me & the plugin maker - both are at loss. I should be able to test the plugin in the context of the new project for which it might be suitable.

So please take notice of this genuine request.

[whyterabbyt]

This is my plea to all plugin makers that have limited time period demos.

Well, then Im afraid that almost none of them will see it; plugin developers dont spend their time searching all the posts to all the forums, just in case someone has directed a request that might include them.

[fairlyclose]

This is my plea to all plugin makers that have limited time period demos.

I would sincerely like to request all the good plugin makers (Fuse Audio Labs, Softube, etc) to make their plugin demos available with 'noise insert / render disable' features so the users can come back after a few months, re-visit the plugin and make a decision to buy (or not).

These limited days trial period demos are real obstacles because of the following reasons -

1) I may not like the plugin while testing now but my tastes, knowledge, and preferences are always evolving, I might like a particular tube limiter after 6 months, but I should be able to hear how it actually sounds before buying it. I cannot recall how it sounded 6 months back.

2) A new project might require a certain effect that would give me the required sound. If I have exhausted the trial period and forgotten about how it sounded then, me & the plugin maker - both are at loss. I should be able to test the plugin in the context of the new project for which it might be suitable.

So please take notice of this genuine request.

it is annoying when one cant retry a plugin many months or years later when, as you say, one's needs may have changed

[scatman84]

it is annoying when one cant retry a plugin many months or years later when, as you say, one's needs may have changed

Excatly man. There are so many good companies with excellent plugins just to be obstructed by limited period trials!

After the trial period is over, you are at mercy of the developer if you wanna purchase it after some period. I don't know how these companies don't get this point.

They shouldn't expect us to beg for extended trials every time we decide to test the plugin!

[imrae]

Where technically feasible, I expect that many developers would grant an extension if you email them and ask nicely.

[WasteLand]

Where technically feasible, I expect that many developers would grant an extension if you email them and ask nicely.

indeed, they can and do grant it, depends on the dev/brand of course.

and they also react, if they read it..., if the demo period is too limited, to change it.

[GaryG]

Where technically feasible, I expect that many developers would grant an extension if you email them and ask nicely.

The only times I've done this are for Plugin Alliance plugs (yeah, wanted to test again when they were available for stoopid money). Couldn't have been friendlier or quicker to give me another 14 days.

But, yeah, generally agree with OP, would rather some noise, not being able to save etc. Not a fan of limited use periods, shutsdown after 30 mins or so etc. Daftest one is the Berna demo, quits after ten minutes, takes that long to patch anything.

[plexuss]

I just ask the dev to reset my demo. Never had a problem with this approach.

[scatman84]

Where technically feasible, I expect that many developers would grant an extension if you email them and ask nicely.

That's my point, what if you didn't have to take the long route of emailing, asking them nicely and waiting for their reply, etc?

For ex. - I tested Melda's LimiterX a few months back, postponed buying it for some reason but now I have decided to try it once more, I can still try it quickly & take a call on its purchase since it has a noise limitation instead of time limited demo.

I skipped above 3 steps and saved my time & energy involved in this process. Isn't this more efficient?

Many users are lazy to go thru this and they might opt for something which they can try right here, right now! So these plugin makers might be losing some business due to such practices too! Unlimited time demos (with noise or render disabled demos) make sense business wise too.

Many a times we buy plugins in urgency or impulsively / insticntively, time limited demos are a bummer in this case!

Also asking them nicely and them allowing you to extend the trial period - is what I meant by being at their mercy.

That's the whole point. With unlimited time demos (Noise inserted, etc) you are free to try and buy at anytime without any hiccups.

Its just an efficient, logistically smooth and consumer friendly process which benefits both users & plugin makers.

[Googly Smythe]

...
Its just an efficient, logistically smooth and consumer friendly process which benefits both users & plugin makers.

Devs obviously think differently.
You can wish all you want, but it's pointless whining just because someone has a different opinion. Just shop elsewhere.

[db3]

This is the only frustration I have with iLok.

[scatman84]

...
Its just an efficient, logistically smooth and consumer friendly process which benefits both users & plugin makers.

Devs obviously think differently.
You can wish all you want, but it's pointless whining just because someone has a different opinion. Just shop elsewhere.

Thanks for posting your opinion.

First of all, not ALL devs think like this. Many great plugin devs give time-unlimited demos. I am just requesting other great devs to consider this genuine plea.

You're grossly mistaking "requesting an efficient way of demos" or "a simple plea" for whining!
Why are you gatekeeping for these devs?

This is an audio forum where users express their opinion, request features, etc.
where is the whining in this? Where did I call these devs names? Did I even criticize their practice?

I just mentioned a convenient & more efficient method of demoing that ultimately helps both users & devs. Why do you find any offense in this?

[Googly Smythe]

...
Its just an efficient, logistically smooth and consumer friendly process which benefits both users & plugin makers.

Devs obviously think differently.
You can wish all you want, but it's pointless whining just because someone has a different opinion. Just shop elsewhere.

Thanks for posting your opinion.

First of all, not ALL devs think like this. Many great plugin devs give time-unlimited demos. I am just requesting other great devs to consider this genuine plea.

You're grossly mistaking "requesting an efficient way of demos" or "a simple plea" for whining!
Why are you gatekeeping for these devs?

This is an audio forum where users express their opinion, request features, etc.
where is the whining in this? Where did I call these devs names? Did I even criticize their practice?

I just mentioned a convenient & more efficient method of demoing that ultimately helps both users & devs. Why do you find any offense in this?

Why are you offended by my opinion, which is all it is, opinion. You have the right to yours, I have the right to mine. After all, this is a forum for people to express their views, right?
Anyway, as someone said, it's very unlikely that any devs will read this, let alone act upon it. Look at IKM - bucket loads of complaints and requests, even with a company rep joining in, and no actual action taken in response.
There's so much choice today that if there is no demo, you can find alternatives.
And with that, I'm off.

[chk071]

This is my plea to all plugin makers that have limited time period demos.

I would sincerely like to request all the good plugin makers (Fuse Audio Labs, Softube, etc) to make their plugin demos available with 'noise insert / render disable' features so the users can come back after a few months, re-visit the plugin and make a decision to buy (or not).

These limited days trial period demos are real obstacles because of the following reasons -

1) I may not like the plugin while testing now but my tastes, knowledge, and preferences are always evolving, I might like a particular tube limiter after 6 months, but I should be able to hear how it actually sounds before buying it. I cannot recall how it sounded 6 months back.

2) A new project might require a certain effect that would give me the required sound. If I have exhausted the trial period and forgotten about how it sounded then, me & the plugin maker - both are at loss. I should be able to test the plugin in the context of the new project for which it might be suitable.

So please take notice of this genuine request.

it is annoying when one cant retry a plugin many months or years later when, as you say, one's needs may have changed

Noise every x seconds sucks too though. Everything sucks. Just buy the damn thing.

Anyway, I think 30 days are a lot of time, for example. You can make whole tracks with the plugin in that time, if it allows recalling the settings.

[fairlyclose]

delete, blocked the idiot instead