Cracked software?

[Aearth]

niC.........Special Member of the Crack Investigation Squad!!!!!

So where do you live?

nIC

[TimS]

nIC belongs to another special organisation..

Professional Liability Under Musical Business Ettiquette Restores Satisfaction against Corruption Rackets Against Computers & Known Softwares (acronym PLUMBERS CRACKS)

[Aearth]

nIC belongs to another special organisation..

Professional Liability Under Musical Business Ettiquette Restores Satisfaction against Corruption Rackets Against Computers & Known Softwares (acronym PLUMBERS CRACKS)

Cool :)

[no-fi]

PS, hybrid88 - one more thing - you said you already bought some software that is (paraphrased) "old and outdated and unusable"

you should try and look into the upgrade path for what you have - it's not usually necessary to buy the whole new package again if you just want an upgrade to the latest version.

Live, for instance is US$125 to go from 7 to 8 (though US$250 to go from an earlier version to 8)

And I still find it a bit funny that you find older versions of software as unusable as you do, anyway - I haven't moved from cubase SX3 or ableton live 6 yet - they both do more than enough for me.

so - welcome to turtlerock forums... :-)

[13thbeach]

Professional Liability Under Musical Business Ettiquette Restores Satisfaction against Corruption Rackets Against Computers & Known Softwares (acronym PLUMBERS CRACKS)

Tim, you are a genius. You get the last iced volvo.

[TimS]

Professional Liability Under Musical Business Ettiquette Restores Satisfaction against Corruption Rackets Against Computers & Known Softwares (acronym PLUMBERS CRACKS)

Tim, you are a genius. You get the last iced volvo.

Awesome Mat - I love iced volvo's ;-)

[astrovic]

I was reading through this thread this morning, and it got me interested in checking out where free VST plugins are up to these days. I generally don't use plugins, I just use Reaper as a "tape recorder" and record real instruments (actually I spend vastly more of my time making bits of gear that I never get around to using because I'm too busy making more bits of gear...what the hell am I doing???)

...anyway...Wading around internetz I was blown away with the quality of what you can get for free. Or, to be more specific, the GUI's of some free stuff look great ;) Nah, seriously, if you're a hobbyist like me then I can't see any reason why you can can't do incredible things using free software - I would have thought that one's own musical talents would hit a brick wall before the world of free plugins do. And if there are any chinks in the free plugin armory that need to be filled, then it really can't be too much of stretch to fill those gaps with gear or software that costs cashish.

And all this talk of Iced Volvos takes me back to that D-Gen sketch from the Satanic Sketches, "name that biscuit"

Caller: "Is it an iced vovo?"

DJ: "No, I'm sorry that's a car"

[smash]

I really wanted to add something of note here, but I've just spent my weekend installing an alishad HD system, with all the assorted serials, and challenge / response thingys that go with it.... and my brain is now dead.

___________________________
Simon "Smash" Ashby
This Signature is no longer blank

[walding]

I really wanted to add something of note here, but I've just spent my weekend installing an alishad HD system, with all the assorted serials, and challenge / response thingys that go with it.... and my brain is now dead.

Yep, that will do it.


___________________________
Simon "Smash" Ashby
This Signature is no longer blank

[Thirteen]

I love how people talk about how vintage hardware is a liability because after 20- 40 or so years it can be getting unreliable and needing service.

Software becomes vintage every time Microsoft or Apple bring out a new OS version. It has no resale value generally, and after 5 years or so is usually obsolete. You have to pay for updates over and over, and each update can cost as mush as a service on a piece of hardware, And people say hardware is risky?

[Hybrid88]

Fair enough guys, I actually agreed from the start, just lack of sleep and my friend saying how he had got all these new plugs free got me pissed. Sorry for venting, it's amazing how much calmer you feel after a good sleep.

I added my name to my sig, no mention when I signed though but all is cool.

...anyway...Wading around internetz I was blown away with the quality of what you can get for free. Or, to be more specific, the GUI's of some free stuff look great ;) Nah, seriously, if you're a hobbyist like me then I can't see any reason why you can can't do incredible things using free software - I would have thought that one's own musical talents would hit a brick wall before the world of free plugins do. And if there are any chinks in the free plugin armory that need to be filled, then it really can't be too much of stretch to fill those gaps with gear or software that costs cashish.

I totally understand what you are saying and agree for the most part but things are vastly different when using Logic Express 7.1 on a 4 year old Mac which wont validate 70% of the freeware I've downloaded, just the situation I'm in.

I love how people talk about how vintage hardware is a liability because after 20- 40 or so years it can be getting unreliable and needing service.

Software becomes vintage every time Microsoft or Apple bring out a new OS version. It has no resale value generally, and after 5 years or so is usually obsolete. You have to pay for updates over and over, and each update can cost as mush as a service on a piece of hardware, And people say hardware is risky?

Yes, this was my point at the beginning (I was always talking about *resale* value not initial value), once a new OS or version comes out its old and in my case new stuff wont work with my computer because it is considered to be a dinasaur at 4 years old, but a vintage bit of hardware at 50 years old can still be as compatible as the latest new stuff that's come out last week, interesting thought.

OK, then lets start again, first, put your name in your signature, because no one here is anonymous, and it makes things feel more real if we know who we are talking to. Then, in answer to your earlier post, when you asked should you get cracked software because you aren't a professional, the answer that you will get on a forum like this is no. I don't understand though, in your first post you said that you were an electronic music producer, and then later you said that you are not in the industry, and so if you did steal software then it would not hurt the software industry. So your posts are a little bit confusing. So, just to be clear, software piracy is not OK, nor is music piracy. The definition of stupid and ironic is a musician who records an album using stolen software, and then bleats that he or she is not making a living because everyone copies their album and doesn't pay for it.

BTW, welcome to the forum, it is not Gearslutz, and don't forget to add that signature. It is worth putting your name to your posts, reading some of the older threads to get a feel for the forum, and then joining in, because there is a lot of help to be had here for an Aussie musician or engineer, it is a nice community.

No worries Steve, but I never made the point that I was annoyed that I didn't get paid in the industry because as a hobbyist I don't expect to, I agree that software compaies should get paid for their work as artists in the industry should for selling their work, hope this is clear now.

PS, hybrid88 - one more thing - you said you already bought some software that is (paraphrased) "old and outdated and unusable"

you should try and look into the upgrade path for what you have - it's not usually necessary to buy the whole new package again if you just want an upgrade to the latest version.

Live, for instance is US$125 to go from 7 to 8 (though US$250 to go from an earlier version to 8)

And I still find it a bit funny that you find older versions of software as unusable as you do, anyway - I haven't moved from cubase SX3 or ableton live 6 yet - they both do more than enough for me.

so - welcome to turtlerock forums... :-)

Yeah, upgrades are something that I've been thinking about. What I meant was that v4. of Reaktor is as buggy as hell when using with my computer so I havent really had a chance to get full use out of it (crashes all the time). As for Logic I'm just not that into the overall sound of it, I mean working with it for a few years now the mix bus, comps and eq's sound very two-dimensional and flat if you listen carefully, well to me they do anyway. In some ways I almost even prefer the 'sound' of Garageband (which now always crashes on startup with my computer [I have all the luck]) but ultimately Pro Tools LE is what I'm eventually aiming at, would be perfect for my needs.

Maybe I could send Hybrid88 a piece of free gear. DO you mainly record electronic music or do you do some live stuff recording as well? What instruments do you record a lot of and what sort of hardware do you have? I think I have an Shure muc lying around I could donate to a good home - how about that for a peace offering from us oldies?
Let me know what you think?
Cheers

Wow thanks for the offer, I make generally electronic music, mostly breaks but some House, Nu Skool etc. Hardware-wise it's mostly a small collection of synths that I've managed to afford, some guitar pedals and will soon be setting up a couple of racks for some pro audio gear that I've got, comps, pre's and FX, also thinking of doing a couple of DIY racks units to fill up the racks. But yeah not so much live recording however I do intend to do maybe a tiny bit of recording but at the moment mostly just using all in the box as the interface would need an upgrade if I am to get the hardware going (using an $80 Edirol unit which is far from ideal).


Thanks everone for your comments, I feel a bit more chilled now, just been sinking more cash into hardware at the moment so software has taken a back seat funds wise but will definately look into it more soon, and no cracks haha.

[TimS]

I'm moving down the hardware route also and working towards minimal DSP assistance eventually..
Its a slowish process at times.. as we know how costly it is.
Starting small with 500 series modules but I have some nice older 19" gear too..
Plus an old 2 track from the early 60's that was my dad's that still works..
:-)

[ChrisW]

Look for unfashionable hardware.
I had an Ensoniq DP4 that was a cracking FX box. Sold it when I moved, but I see them selling for low $ these days.
Also, the low level Lexicon boxes can be excellent, the downside being lack of flexibility compared to the more expensive modules. I'm thinking Alex, Reflex, etc...
I love my old MXR digital delay. Fabulous for dance music.
I think the Realistic Moog offered at this forum for $500 is a bit of a bargain.

[13thbeach]

Look for unfashionable hardware.
I had an Ensoniq DP4 that was a cracking FX box. Sold it when I moved, but I see them selling for low $ these days.
Also, the low level Lexicon boxes can be excellent, the downside being lack of flexibility compared to the more expensive modules. I'm thinking Alex, Reflex, etc...
I love my old MXR digital delay. Fabulous for dance music.
I think the Realistic Moog offered at this forum for $500 is a bit of a bargain.

This is good advice Chris. I've built my whole studio based on great alternatives to the major brands. Just research your ass off and find gear that will do a great job,
but for a fraction of the price.

[musikwerks]

The DP4 is a killer box. Highly under-rated

I spotted a Mitsubishi X850 on ebay a while back. In the day they were $60,000 us machines and this one had the apogee converter mod too.... 32 tracks. It went for $800, only one bidder. Man if I was in the US I would have bought that for sure. There's a 2 track version going at the moment.... if anyone is looking for a sweet digital recorder.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Mitsubishi-X86-Digi ... 1|294%3A50

There's great gear to be had if you keep an eye out.

[Futureman]

DP4's are kick arse machines.. That and my Deltalab delay which I'd marry if I could.

There is this Kawai on ebay, but I have no experience with them..
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll ... 0214899873

I'm pretty much 100% hardware, but use protools LE (Digi 001.. yep, ancient) as a tape machine... 001's can be had relatively cheap, and only cost $200 - $300 more to take em up to 16 in's and outs.

As for your stuff sounding 2 dimensional.. this might sound lame, but for electro, I find that a subtle stereo chorus goes a loooong way to open up the sound for a synth etc.. (Yep, oh so very 80's)

Regards
Mike

[TimS]

Try a micropitch shift on guitars too - I do it ALOT for guitars.. -4cents and +7cents on L & R channels is a good start.. Gives a really nice shimmer effect..

[Kurt]

I have one of these in my PA, reverbs are ok, delays are good (no tap though) haven't used any of the other fx (chorus/flange/ensemble etc) No pitch shift :(

There is this Kawai on ebay, but I have no experience with them..
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll ... 0214899873

[SteveL]

The DP4 is a killer box. Highly under-rated....
There's great gear to be had if you keep an eye out.

There was a DP4 just sold for $150 today in the GS classies..... talk about a bargain.

[Chinagraf]

Yeah Steve, I saw that post about 10 minutes after it sold. Woulda bought it in a snap. They are great for the money.

[TimS]

Another unit that doesnt get alot of hype but is a great allrounder is the Roland RSP-550.
I have one in my rack and its awesome - was my main modulationFX in my old guitar rig
Single use FX but there are some combos in amongst the presets.
Does great univibe/shimmer/leslie effects too.. :-)

[HA_DA_JA]

Digitech studio Quad any thoughts?

[Chinagraf]

peee-eww? I will admit when I was doing some tv band work in the 90's I had a Digitech RP10 (I think it was called) because i had to replicate a lot of chart track guitar sounds and I could program sounds at home then call them up instantly, but I;ve never liked the digitech stuff. The talker was a bit of fun, but it was all quite harsh sounding to me.

[TimS]

The IPS33B pitch shifter is very good.. They sell pretty cheap on the bay and places..
I had an old IPS33 (earlier model) but it didnt track as well as the B model..
Lots of pro's use in their guitar rigs for microshifting and chorusing FX - they sound pretty good..

[tunetown]

I just bought a new Lexicon PCM96 Surround. Haven't plugged it in yet but from what I've heard I'll never use an ITB reverb again.

[HA_DA_JA]

Did you buy the PCM96 locally?

[tunetown]

No. It's an ex demo from the States. Some shop scratches but effectively new with warranty. I would have bought one locally if Jands had a more realistic price. No parity at all.

Cheers

[HA_DA_JA]

Hence why I asked the question.
Aust vs USA price = doesnt make sense with this item.

[tunetown]

US List = $5700
AUS List = $11795.00

Go figure

[Kurt]

Australia tax... The massive margin imposed by local distributors. In these days of global access to shopping I don't understand how any company can afford to have such ridiculous margins. If the local price seems exorbitant I will buy from overseas. Larger margins = lower profit in the long run I believe.

US List = $5700
AUS List = $11795.00

Go figure

At work I have noticed more and more muso's are bringing amps with stepdown transformers. In one case a bass player told me he'd bought his Ampeg from the USA for about 30% of the local price.