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The Downside of Software

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LNerell:
I was just reminded today of one of the major downsides to using just software in our audio creations. Last week both Bias Software (http://www.bias-inc.com/) who make audio editing software for the mac called Peak, and Redmatica (http://redmatica.com/Redmatica/Redmatica.html) who make editing tools for software samplers, no longer exist. In the case of Redmatica it looks like Apple bought them out, so their software might make it to part of the next version of Logic Studio (most of their software was geared towards Logic's software sampler anyway). But in the case of Bias, it looks like they are gone for good, which to me is rather sad as I have been using Peak for about 15 years now (since version 1.6, last version is 7.03). Add to this numerous software plug ins that I use frequently (like NI's Spektral Delay) that are no longer supported, not to mention Sounddiver, Apples own midi sound librarian software that Apples no longer supports and does not work with their current OS. I guess this is nothing new, I've had other software in the past disappear (anyone remember Alchemy, or Masterlist?) but its all a bit frustrating since so much of what I do is reliant upon this stuff. I know nothing lasts forever but at least most of the hardware I bought even 30 years ago still works. Sorry, just had to rant.  ;D

hdibrell:
I miss Seer Reality. I've often been tempted to pick up a cheap Windows 98 machine with Soundblaster Live just to run it. I agree, though, most of my old hardware is still running.

mgriffin:
I feel your pain, Loren. The thing to remember is that abandonware doesn't suddenly stop working when the company goes out of business. Yes, you may need to keep an older computer in the studio to continue using these apps when they're no longer supported by your OS or hardware, but that's not the end of the world.

A couple of things, though, are a little strange to me.

First, why doesn't anybody make a general patch editor and librarian app for synthesizers any more? Unisyn was great, and Sound Diver wasn't bad. Can't some developer come up with a framework for people to develop and share their own patch editor interfaces? They wouldn't even have to individually support each synth... users would do that, using the framework, and could freely share the profiles.

Second, given that the Mac platform is so common in recording studios of all sizes, why hasn't at least one company come up with a top-notch app for editing stereo digital audio? Why is it that Sound Forge 1.0 from at least 15 years ago is STILL superior to any Mac OS digital audio editor? I've messed around with Bias Peak, Adobe Audition, TC Spark, Audacity, DSP-Quattro, and still keep going back to Sound Forge.

Speaking of DSP-Quattro, I thought the company had vanished but apparently they're back online again, and offering cheaper deals than ever on version 4 of their software.

http://www.dsp-quattro.com/dspquattro/Site/DSP-Quattro.html

ffcal:
Yes, that really stinks.  I still use my now ancient Win 98 computer to run certain fractal and algorithmic software, and have kept a really old Mac Performa around to run a pre-MSP version of MAX.

Forrest

LNerell:

--- Quote from: mgriffin on June 13, 2012, 01:41:55 PM ---I feel your pain, Loren. The thing to remember is that abandonware doesn't suddenly stop working when the company goes out of business. Yes, you may need to keep an older computer in the studio to continue using these apps when they're no longer supported by your OS or hardware, but that's not the end of the world.
--- End quote ---

Not quite true, if your hardware dies and you have to reinstall your software you might be out of luck it it requires some sort of server authorizing like Peak does. This happened to me with Masterlist, Hyperprism, and Bitheadz software.  None of it is useable anymore as I can't get any of it authorized.

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