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Originally Posted by Tony Shepperd  But GC the problems you bring up are not unique to Digidesign. |
Tony,
True - the issue is not unique to Digidesign - but it is unique to software products. The difference between them and "free standing products" is that you can still use these above-listed products because they were never "outdated by OS upgrades".
I am saying that the difference is that you can own a PT system for years, but the aging issue is THE COMPUTER - which is designed to live a finite life and then be upgraded. At some point, having old PT hardware becomes an issue because it is designed to go with a soon-to-be outdated Apple computer (such as the PCIe-PCIx card issue).
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How many people bought a $200,000 Sony 3348 or a $250,000 or more Synclavier.
Or even worse, some people paid $750,000 for a Neve Capricorn.
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These are actually great examples of my side of the argument! Essentially, hardware doesn't turn into a pumpkin at midnight! I still have a Synclavier - it cost $$$ in the '80s, but I still use it - 18 years after the company had gone away. (I am not alone with this one, BTW - the Synclavier has been used on at least one award-winning project in each of the last several years - from Industrial Light & Magic's film sound effects to film and TV scores). A good investment? The Synclavier isn't ROHS compliant, so it won't self-destruct in ten years like the present day lead-free solder products will. It cost me quite a lot, but over 22 years, it has paid itself back more that 20 times.
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And what are these systems worth now?
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What are these systems worth now? MORE THAN NOTHING! And they can still be used professionally. (I would love to have a NEVE Capricorn, BTW - or the Studer console). Are these bad investments? I am sure that Warner Brothers, Paramount and the other studios who bought these consoles paid them off. I still can't afford them even used!
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Look it's simple, you make a plan, invest in what you know you can amortize and make your money.
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I am a composer, so perhaps our POVs are a little different - I agree in principle with what you are saying - I am one of those who actually pays off my PTHD system before it is time to upgrade, but if DD has decided that I am on my own with my ProControl, then I think that there are better audio investments out there for me than buying a c24....
gary