Big money losses due to Digital Recording Evolution.examples?

[Alécio Costa]

Hi friends! Let us present here some examples of big money losses due to gear evolution:
Here are some of mine: (Brazilian prices)

a)Roland Dm800 + Dif800+DA400 > 1996: U$7200 2004: U$500

b)Adat Xt Alesis > 1997: U$3500 2004: U$500

c)Pro Tools 24TDM+ G3 233+ Glyph SCSI CDR + SCSI HD 6GB>
1996:U$10500 2004: U$2500

d)Iomega Jaz Drive > 1996:U$700 2004:U$50

e)Yamaha 02R V2 + MB2 + 3 CD8AT 1997:U$11000 2004:U$4000

I am not even considering old plugin bundles, where if not updated, probably have a value figure of zero "$$$".

Interesting, nice microphones and monitors have almost kept their values all over the years, as well as top stringed instruments.


So... Is HD Accel + 96I/o soon becoming something from the past as technology is continuously rolling?

Thanks for the attention, hope to read your opinions!

[MASSIVE Master]

I think the bigger numbers are from loss of business due to the upstart of home studios, but I digress...

Back when the Earth was cooling, a blank CD-R was around $75, and you expected to lose one in four or so.

Now, they're "free after mail-in rebate" half the time. How's that?

[steveH]

It will be curious to see if Impulse Response with reverb decreases the use of Hardware reverb units and prices start falling over the coming years.

Mic and amp cabinet modelling has happened but that hasn't devalued mics yet.

[Alécio Costa]

Interesting point Steve. BTW, How much is a Neumann 87 now and then ( 1990, for example)?

[Fidelis]

I agree with Alecio... a lot of money!!!

A good way to buy gear is to open a 10 years old Mix magazine. In the first page you find DIGI announcing the new Protools III with 16 channels of 16BIT audio for $5000. Then I ask you: Would you buy this today? NO!
Then you turn a page or to and you see a U87 for $2300. Then you think. I would grab one now!!!
Have Fun.

[hmurchison]

Interesting way of looking at it Fidelis.

I think that's one of the reasons why I think Native systems will be popular. Buying into DSP based approaches means that obsolescense is a factor. I'd rather replace my computer every 3-5 years than constantly swap out boards.

[Alécio Costa]

Interesting point of view...

[atticus]

Well look at the guys who invested mucho dollars into the Sony 3348HR and Studer DASH digital open reel machines. A lot of those machines are still being paid off and are worth pennies on the dollar.

[morpheus]

I am sure there are plenty of microphones and monitors that are worth less than they sold for. If you want to make money, don't invest in studio gear! Buy a mutual fund or something...

Pretty much any piece of equipment loses value, unless you buy something that becomes a classic or sought after piece of gear, then maybe the price goes up.

Anything based on digital technology is sure to get outdated but there is plenty of cheap outdated analog gear too.

A good example is EMT plate reverbs which sold for ten thousand dollars in the 70's and are still considered a classic piece of gear...but most of them are now 'make an offer' because nobody really wants them.

[Alécio Costa]

yes, we´d better open/invest on a gym academy or a Cyber Cafe - lol