Why Are We Paying For 20 Years of Unimpressive Innovation

[Barry Johns]

Avid hung thier hat on 20 years of Protools, in that 20 years, we saw them sit on thier hands and do nothing for at least 11 of those 20 years. Now i celebrate the last few of those 20 years, but if anything, they owe us, not us owe them. A strong business is built upon a relationship between the buyer and the seller.

If the cost of the Software upgrade was fair and reasonable, I would be celebrating, but that is not the case.

I personally think the cost of the new hardware is reasonable considering. But what they are asking customers to pay for the software, it is nothing short of detestable.

[Justin1524]

Try it, you might like it. PT 8 HD to PT 9 HD upgrade cost was $349 in Nov. 2010. PT 9 to PT 10 in Oct 2011 is $999. So that's $47 shy of being 3 times more expensive.

So logically, PT 10 must be 3 times better than PT 9. I mean they wouldn't charge you 3 times more after a year if it wasn't worth it would they? You get all these new features including a new EQ/Comp plugin and a shiny new digital delay plugin.

You know you're hooked. Dive in partner.

[tech_head]

I worked there some time ago and it was a great company.

Now with bean counters in charge, this is what you get.
I bought the 8 to 9 upgrade the other day because I want lion support.
I won't be buying 10, ever.

[gaas]

Detestable is putting it lightly, Barry.

[drumster]

Barry, you've always been one of the biggest proponents of HD since I've been coming to this forum. What will you do now, move up to HDX or go with HD Native?

[Barry Johns]

Originally Posted by drumster

Barry, you've always been one of the biggest proponents of HD since I've been coming to this forum. What will you do now, move up to HDX or go with HD Native?

Honestly, I have no reason to move to anything other than what I have today. It works well and I'm more than happy with the results I get. I'm sure at some point, there will be some "compelling" features where the cost/benefit ratio will make me want to move to something new, but I don't see the need for that anytime soon.

[Justin1524]

Barry, Barry come on now. It's Pro Tools Barry. You know you'll upgrade. You know you'll pay the money.

[Barry Johns]

Originally Posted by Justin1524

Barry, Barry come on now. It's Pro Tools Barry. You know you'll upgrade. You know you'll pay the money.

Justin, I am a fan of the product, but not the businss strategy. Again, I see nothing compelling at this point for the cost/benefit ratio.

[drumster]

You raise a good point Barry. There is a third option, and that is to "hold fast" and keep what you have now, which is a working TDM system. By the way, where is Jimmy these days?

[philip888]

AVID is taking on the WUP mentality.

By AVIDs own admission Pro Tools 10 is a "Stepping Stone" to the next release that will have features everyone wants.

This release is a Knee Jerk reaction to the economy crumbling here in the states.

And the unfolding Global Market Crash.

Mark it down.