Dave Lebolt leaves Digidesign for Apple?

**Jules** · 22nd June 2009, 04:54 PM

Thats the word on the street...

David Lebolt, senior vice-president and chief technology officer of Avid Technology, Inc and ex-general manager of Digidesign

elambo · 22nd June 2009, 05:02 PM

I'm surprised it took Apple this long to snag a top Digi guy. And now I'm anxious to find out what Dave will help them produce.

Fidelis · 22nd June 2009, 05:12 PM

Ops, this sounds like a big move for everyone!

Petermix · 22nd June 2009, 05:24 PM

Digi's business model is fast becoming obsolete...

SoundEng1 · 22nd June 2009, 05:31 PM

Wow! thats Huge.

Tony Shepperd · 22nd June 2009, 05:34 PM

This rumor is true. His last day was Friday.

terminal3 · 22nd June 2009, 05:34 PM

:-O

Veeeeery interesting...

Surprised he didn't have a clause in his contract about not being allowed to do that though for a given period of time...

Dubster · 22nd June 2009, 05:42 PM

Well if it's true, I would assume there's no way his coming to Apple would have any effect on the next version of Logic, unless the next version is not destined to come out for a while, which would really suck (although if a longer wait meant better audio editing, including a Beat Detective equivalent, I'd be psyched to wait). What would be nice is if his coming to Apple might have some effect on the non-existent communication with end users (a DUC-like board for Logic with actual Logic Support reps would be great), the dumb moves Apple keep making with their MBP line and much needed improvement in the audio-editing dept. Even if the move is real, it might have zero effect, but at least it's a hopeful sign.

tobymusic · 22nd June 2009, 05:44 PM

I'm shocked.

I hope that's not turning out bad bad bad news for digidesign users.
I doubt that he would be able to change Apple's strategy of dealing with "pro" users and "pro" products. But maybe he doesn't even want to?

...

Dubster · 22nd June 2009, 06:04 PM

His bio is still on the Avid company page.

Football · 22nd June 2009, 06:35 PM

Seems like fantastic news for the future of Logic. I for one and happy to hear this. I got off the Digi merry-go-round a while back and have been enjoying the switch to Logic.

Apple must be paying him a fortune (Digi already was).

bexarametric · 22nd June 2009, 06:53 PM

I think Digi and Apple are both in need of a shakeup. Being a user of both Logic and PT, I welcome this move.

Dubster · 22nd June 2009, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bexarametric

I think Digi and Apple are both in need of a shakeup. Being a user of both Logic and PT, I welcome this move.

Ditto

**Geert van den Berg** · 22nd June 2009, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tobymusic

I'm shocked.

I hope that's not turning out bad bad bad news for digidesign users.
I doubt that he would be able to change Apple's strategy of dealing with "pro" users and "pro" products. But maybe he doesn't even want to?

...

Even though tech support is quite good with Digidesign now, they used to have the same sort of strategy as Apple when dealing with their user base... Dave Lebolt will fit in just right!

Stiff · 22nd June 2009, 07:16 PM

Not sure if it's for Apple - but he has indeed left. I have it confirmed:

ProToolerBlog → Post » Dave Lebolt and Peter Gorges has left Avid

hmurchison · 22nd June 2009, 09:56 PM

GD Apple poachers ;)

Well I guess if DL ends up at a famous fruit company it'll squash rumors of Apple's lack of commitment.

emkay · 22nd June 2009, 10:23 PM

Interesting! Logic kills PT as a writing tool. If his input can up the audio side of Logic and if his input could help introduce new I/O, AD/DA alternatives and a great control surface/console for logic, i would be really pleased.

radiospace · 22nd June 2009, 10:57 PM

GarageBand|HD?

GrooveJungle · 23rd June 2009, 12:13 AM

Sure would like to know the inside scoop on this change. . . I have seen a lot of companies loose their souls over the years, and often a change of a couple people that are key to the companies heart or conscience is all it takes for the downward spiral to begin. I am not saying that is the case here, and I do not know the people and inside operations of Digidesign/Avid. Does anyone?

hipass · 23rd June 2009, 12:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Petermix

Digi's business model is fast becoming obsolete...

I had know idea that near total domination of studio & film post market was failure.
Plus nearly every major live tour I have seen in the last year are now using Digidesign consoles.

Dubster · 23rd June 2009, 01:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hipass

I had know idea that near total domination of studio & film post market was failure.
Plus nearly every major live tour I have seen in the last year are now using Digidesign consoles.

Not that this the be all, end all on the health of a company, but it's interesting.

elambo · 23rd June 2009, 01:36 AM

Late '02 to mid '03 was great for Avid, but the trend is hard to miss.

The Avid editing systems are still firmly on top, even with Final Cut Pro's big dent in the market share. In audio, ProTools still sits high above Logic. (I'm taking sales figures)

But in both worlds, Apple's competitive alternative is gaining.

never174 · 23rd June 2009, 02:06 AM

There's no way digi is going down. That would be as much a fantasy as the stock market crashing or big banks closing or...........

by-tor · 23rd June 2009, 02:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by never174

There's no way digi is going down. That would be as much a fantasy as the stock market crashing or big banks closing or...........

Yeah. Too big to fail!

AnonJack · 23rd June 2009, 02:57 AM

Not only is Lebolt gone (for Apple), so is Peter Gorges from AIR...as noted in Stiff's blog post.

AIR was one of Digi's bright spots...and to see their visionary gone, that's discouraging from a user stand point. As is the loss of Lebolt, arguably the heart and soul of Digi.

ozinga · 23rd June 2009, 03:04 AM

If Apple hired him that's probably to help them to release Logic 8.0.3
:) sorry couldn't resist
oz

Uncle Joe · 23rd June 2009, 03:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jules

Thats the word on the street...

David Lebolt, senior vice-president and chief technology officer of Avid Technology, Inc and ex-general manager of Digidesign

G'day Jules,

Change is inevitable - except from a vending machine. Anyone who thinks there's safety in numbers hasn't looked at the stock market pages.

http://www.google.com/finance?q=NASDAQ:AVID

The industry is changing fast, especially in Post ! The media management of Avid and the advanced trimming appears to still have an advance on FCP for the complex long form stuff.

But these days, due to tight budgets, Post shops need to quickly do a little of EVERYTHING.

Final Cut Studio with a good video card and the right drives there trump Avid as the price performance for a system that can do everything can’t be beat.

As a manufacturer of Audio systems for Post ... We see the move to FCP worlwide as being nothing less than massive.

These days (money wise) less is more. It's definitely tough out there for all of us ! and this definitely includes AVID/Digidesign.

All the best,

Uncle Joe

.

jpupo74 · 23rd June 2009, 03:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by never174

There's no way digi is going down. That would be as much a fantasy as the stock market crashing or big banks closing or...........

Yeah...I guess before Apple comes out with something, Digi will release a new HD or something like it...

UnMix Studio · 23rd June 2009, 03:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by radiospace

GarageBand|HD?

C Heat · 23rd June 2009, 06:41 AM

Don't kid yourself. This is huge. Ultimately, for the better of us. Digi's feeling the pressure.

22nd June 2009, 04:54 PM	#1
Jules Gearslutz.com admin Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: London, UK Posts: 14,601	Dave Lebolt leaves Digidesign for Apple? Thats the word on the street... David Lebolt, senior vice-president and chief technology officer of Avid Technology, Inc and ex-general manager of Digidesign __________________ Jules Follow my GS picks here http://twitter.com/ProJules Add GS as a MySpace friend here http://www.myspace.com/gearslutz - Join the "Gearslutz" group on Facebook!

22nd June 2009, 05:12 PM	#3
Fidelis Gear maniac Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Sao Paulo - Brazil Posts: 263	Ops, this sounds like a big move for everyone! __________________ http://www.ricardomosca.com www.myspace.com/ricardomosca

22nd June 2009, 05:24 PM	#4
Petermix Gear nut Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Boston Posts: 119	Npt surprising... Digi's business model is fast becoming obsolete... __________________ Peace, P. Need a mix?

22nd June 2009, 05:34 PM	#6
Tony Shepperd Lives for gear Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Los Angeles, CA. Posts: 3,098	This rumor is true. His last day was Friday. __________________ Hybrid is the present for some and the future for all! Mixing in the box, requires thinking outside the box. Improve Your Sound at Pete's Place Audio/Mark VIII/BAC-500/Electrodyne 501 Mic Pre/511 EQ/Blast Pad www.tonysound.com My New Instructional DVD 2 is Shipping

22nd June 2009, 06:53 PM	#12
bexarametric Lives for gear Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Dallas Posts: 1,436	I think Digi and Apple are both in need of a shakeup. Being a user of both Logic and PT, I welcome this move. __________________ "60% of the time it works every time." "MacGyver can build an airplane out of gum and paper clips, but Chuck Norris can roundhouse-kick his head through a wall and take it."

22nd June 2009, 05:02 PM	#2
elambo Lives for gear Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Up here Posts: 3,644	I'm surprised it took Apple this long to snag a top Digi guy. And now I'm anxious to find out what Dave will help them produce.

22nd June 2009, 05:31 PM	#5
SoundEng1 Lives for gear Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: The Deep End Posts: 1,027	Wow! thats Huge.

22nd June 2009, 05:34 PM	#7
terminal3 Lives for gear Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Woking, UK Posts: 3,483	:-O Veeeeery interesting... Surprised he didn't have a clause in his contract about not being allowed to do that though for a given period of time...

22nd June 2009, 05:42 PM	#8
Dubster Lives for gear Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 569	Well if it's true, I would assume there's no way his coming to Apple would have any effect on the next version of Logic, unless the next version is not destined to come out for a while, which would really suck (although if a longer wait meant better audio editing, including a Beat Detective equivalent, I'd be psyched to wait). What would be nice is if his coming to Apple might have some effect on the non-existent communication with end users (a DUC-like board for Logic with actual Logic Support reps would be great), the dumb moves Apple keep making with their MBP line and much needed improvement in the audio-editing dept. Even if the move is real, it might have zero effect, but at least it's a hopeful sign.

22nd June 2009, 05:44 PM	#9
tobymusic Lives for gear Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Continental Europe Posts: 502	I'm shocked. I hope that's not turning out bad bad bad news for digidesign users. I doubt that he would be able to change Apple's strategy of dealing with "pro" users and "pro" products. But maybe he doesn't even want to? ...

22nd June 2009, 06:04 PM	#10
Dubster Lives for gear Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 569	His bio is still on the Avid company page.

22nd June 2009, 06:35 PM	#11
Football Lives for gear Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Boston Area Posts: 1,019	Seems like fantastic news for the future of Logic. I for one and happy to hear this. I got off the Digi merry-go-round a while back and have been enjoying the switch to Logic. Apple must be paying him a fortune (Digi already was).

22nd June 2009, 07:16 PM	#15
Stiff Lives for gear Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Sweden Posts: 2,174	Not sure if it's for Apple - but he has indeed left. I have it confirmed: ProToolerBlog → Post » Dave Lebolt and Peter Gorges has left Avid __________________ ProToolerBlog.com \| German Edition Softube - High-end plug-ins

22nd June 2009, 09:56 PM	#16
hmurchison Lives for gear Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Seattle Posts: 568	GD Apple poachers ;) Well I guess if DL ends up at a famous fruit company it'll squash rumors of Apple's lack of commitment. __________________ http://hmurchison.blogspot.com/ highly opinionated ramblings free of charge :)

22nd June 2009, 10:23 PM	#17
emkay Lives for gear Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: El-Lay Posts: 1,265	Interesting! Logic kills PT as a writing tool. If his input can up the audio side of Logic and if his input could help introduce new I/O, AD/DA alternatives and a great control surface/console for logic, i would be really pleased. __________________ "first guy to the bridge gets the solo" ____________________________ "'I'm having a bad feeling about my intuition" www.poodiemusic.com

22nd June 2009, 10:57 PM	#18
radiospace Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 707	GarageBand\|HD?

23rd June 2009, 12:13 AM	#19
GrooveJungle Gear interested Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Winnipeg, Canada Posts: 9	Sure would like to know the inside scoop on this change. . . I have seen a lot of companies loose their souls over the years, and often a change of a couple people that are key to the companies heart or conscience is all it takes for the downward spiral to begin. I am not saying that is the case here, and I do not know the people and inside operations of Digidesign/Avid. Does anyone?

23rd June 2009, 01:36 AM	#22
elambo Lives for gear Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Up here Posts: 3,644	Late '02 to mid '03 was great for Avid, but the trend is hard to miss. The Avid editing systems are still firmly on top, even with Final Cut Pro's big dent in the market share. In audio, ProTools still sits high above Logic. (I'm taking sales figures) But in both worlds, Apple's competitive alternative is gaining.

23rd June 2009, 02:06 AM	#23
never174 Gear Head Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Nashville Posts: 63	There's no way digi is going down. That would be as much a fantasy as the stock market crashing or big banks closing or...........

23rd June 2009, 02:57 AM	#25
AnonJack Gear maniac Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 201	Not only is Lebolt gone (for Apple), so is Peter Gorges from AIR...as noted in Stiff's blog post. AIR was one of Digi's bright spots...and to see their visionary gone, that's discouraging from a user stand point. As is the loss of Lebolt, arguably the heart and soul of Digi.

23rd June 2009, 03:04 AM	#26
ozinga Gear interested Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 13	If Apple hired him that's probably to help them to release Logic 8.0.3 :) sorry couldn't resist oz

23rd June 2009, 06:41 AM	#30
C Heat Lives for gear Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: In a house by the sea Posts: 2,642	Don't kid yourself. This is huge. Ultimately, for the better of us. Digi's feeling the pressure. __________________ “It’s better to write one really good song than ten pretty good songs. The songwriter who writes one number one song is more remembered than the guy who gets two or three album cuts.”Billy Steinberg. ------------------------------------------------------------------- If people evolved from apes, why are there still apes? Last edited by Jules; 23rd June 2009 at 10:07 AM.. Reason: Unkind

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