We need feedback on our studio management software

[hanskuder]

Hi everyone,

I'm the lead developer of GainStudio, a new web-based project management, scheduling, and time tracking application for recording studios. We just launched and are looking for feedback from audio/video pros.

We have a free plan available for amateur and project studios, as well as paid plans for larger facilities. We'd really appreciate your feedback on the app, so if you'd like to try it out you can go here and sign up for the free plan.

The questions we're looking to answer are:

- Would you use this in your studio?
- If not, what would make it more compelling?
- How does the pricing look? Keep in mind that other in-house and customized facility/resource management systems cost many, many thousands of dollars and require at least some level of maintenance. We're trying to change that with our radically different model, but we still need to know if it's a reasonable price to begin with.

Post any questions or comments you have here, or email me directly at info@gainstudio.com. Thanks!

[The Byre]

Originally Posted by hanskuder

- Would you use this in your studio?
- If not, what would make it more compelling?
- How does the pricing look? Keep in mind that other in-house and customized facility/resource management systems cost many, many thousands of dollars

1. No.

2. Conventional pricing!

3. Completely and utterly unrealistic.

Yes, I know what other CAM systems cost, but SAP or IBM you are not!!! The SW is in no way as sophisticated as an SAP system, so comparing it to them is just daft.

What you have there, is an alternative to a spread sheet.

[PreacherX]

I just signed up, i'm a hobbyist engineer and it would probably take me a couple of years to upgrade from the FREE deal, but i'm happy to help after i've tried it out.

[Jon Con]

The application looked interesting until I saw the pricing structure and the fact that the free version does not allow you to book more than one client at a time.

[Musiclab]

Personally I would prefer software that can be downloaded and owned.
It would be nice if you had templates for recall

[Dr Roundmenge]

Pricing structure needs to change - I think you need to provide a full downloadable software version for a one off price in order for most of the people on this board to be interested.

[ruff mix]

Looks like something you've been working hard on, and looks great. Unfortunately, I wouldn't use this for my studio because I can do almost all of this within Google, albeit with just a bit more effort, but it's completely free. For anything less than the top one or two packages, I can't really see this as worth the price, and even then...???

[stacey]

I'm really surprised people would want to download software and install it locally. It's such an outdated mentality in my opinion. I've been waiting for about 3 years for web applications to become efficient enough to replace the need for having software. One day hopefully you can run Pro-Tools and Logic from the cloud

Currently, I use a combination of a few webbased apps but, Nothing specific for studios until this!! I'm hopeful for this app as with most "web 2.0" apps, the initial launch is very basic and it takes quite a bit of time for it to start getting the functionality that really makes it so valuable.

I couldn't sign up due to a server error but, my initial impression is that the functionality isn't quite robust enough to make it worth it for most studios.

At this point, I can do everything offered with Google Apps and my non-studio-specific web invoicing app. For example - All my engineers can track their time/expenses/notes through phone apps and widgets that immediately are assigned to the client's project and can be automatically invoiced immediately after a session with just one click. I can also review, create, and edit invoices from my iPhone - which certainly helps the 24-hour business most studios operate.

Integration with other web apps through API, cross-OS widgets, and mobile applications are critical functionally that I don't see offered. Also, any studio focused application should definitely have recall sheets that one can fill out online and save with the project AND the ability to create custom forms for session documentation that can be input as needed during the session and printed and/or summarized at the end. Actually, that functionality is probably critical if you want to make the app valuable and worth the price.

I'd consider buying each staff member an iPhone and pay a higher monthly rate if those were services were efficient. It would save so much time and eliminate a significant amount of paperwork.
With that being said, the price point currently seems too high for the services included. I'd like to see at least twice the amount of storage and projects included with the packages - especially since a mid-size studio can easily do 20 projects in a week. The amount of rooms might be limiting too - Aside from calendars for each studio, we need an internal operations calendar b/c other things can be done at the studio with both rooms booked and at least one more for any off-site live, instructional, or tech work we do.

I'm looking forward to being able to sign-up and test it out... It would be nice to see what your planning for future releases and any rough timing on when those features would be offered. Hopefully, this app grows into a powerful tool for managing studio operations as a whole!

[PreacherX]

I've tested it for a week now and i love it, free version that is. Now that they lowered the prices i'm thinking about upgrading to the next step, $19 i had to think about but $9 is a no brainer for me.