This thread stemmed out of a couple of PM conversations I've had. I wasn't going to post on this subject, but I've been encouraged to, so here it is..

It's my philosophy, and fee free to tell me to shove it, I'm certainly NOT ramming this down peoples throats, but please at least read and understand what I'm saying.

I'm not looking to kick off a flamefest (Though I'm sure this will get heated), but at least a rational discussion...

Using sofware you shouldn't be...

Everyone has done it at some point. I've been guilty in the past too, I'm far from saintly. The thing is if you really are using something, even if you are not making money out of it you really should buy it, otherwise there won't be a future for creative software. These companies are usually pretty small and they REALLY need the income.

The other side to think about is that apart from it being good karma, do you REALLY use or need that massive list of tools? Or deep down are you simply "Pretending" to have the same tools as "Insert name here"?

It really is better to buy them as you can afford them. That way you really get the most out of what you have, and only get what you really need and truely understand what will improve your productions.

That said even with limited budget you can go a very long way if you are creative. There is an awful lot of really good free stuff out there, some which is most definately as good or even better than things you pay hundreds for. There are also a lot of very cool inexpensive things that are awesome too.

Ultimately this leads to you producing better music. The odds are you'll find strange tools and cool ways of working that are not mainstream and you'll start forming your own sound.

I know it's not easy weaning yourself off of the candy store of gizmos and whatsits available, but it really is worth it.

Sorry I don't want to sound all preachy, but going legit is a big step, and at first it's very tough to get used to. Not least some sticker shock! One way to combat this is buy one tool every month, and slowly move off the warez.

There are huge benefits though, like being able to email, call and speak to the people who write this stuff (Ok, some of the really big companies SUCK at this), but many of the plug-in guys are not big and they really do go the extra mile for their genuine customers. They really appreciate you supporting them and that makes them behave in the most responsive manner to bug fixes and feature requests.

Anyway, even if you can't face going the whole 9 yards, try restricting the amount of stuff you have installed. One decent synth you know backwards is better than a dozen that you don't know very well. Restrictions lead to creativity.

Good luck with whatever you do. :-)

/me dons Nomex underwear..

Thank you Diginerd.

I wrote a really long (basically stupid) post about warez software and etc in the Production Values thread. But it was more just knee-jerk stupidity then actual thought out opinions.

And I agree with you. Buying software is much more honorable and gives you better Karma than just pointing, clicking, downloading.

I just bought the Toby Bear Monster Pack for 45 bucks and it's great! Tons of fun toys and tools for f-ing up sound.

And I, like many others, have had the same problem, of having plenty of stolen VST synths, only a few of which I know pretty well.

My problem is this. I barely have enough money for anything! I'm 20, going to school, living at home, no job and I simply can't afford the wonderful software I WANT to pay for.

I'm going to school for Audio Engineering, and even at discount, the Waves bundel is still too much for me. So I've been using a downloded version of the diamond bundle, and almost strictly using Waves plug-ins so I can know them through-and-through. And I can tell you. I do know all of them very well .

Believe me. When I'm not going to school anymore, have a decent job, and am working full time, you'll see a gear list on my website of software I've bought! And it will be great.

But for now man, I am definitely still learning. I'm pretty good at signal processing, mixing, mastering, production, but I am by no means GOOD, or PRO, at all. So during this economic and educational limbo I'm in, I am most definitely going to do a lot of warezing, and buy hardware when I can.

And I would never tell you to shove it Diginerd! Sheesh!

---Adam

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Thanks again, Diginerd, for showing me the "Middle-Way"

When its all said and done, remember this:

If music is your true love you will work as hard as you have to. Nobody successful ever got there by taking easy-street.

On the other hand:

The first professional i ever met actualy CONDONED stealing software. He saw how interested i was, and tought me where to look for warez. If it wasnt for him, i would still be just playing Doom and looking at porn. Instead, i was shown a world of non-linear editing which i never knew existed.

Thanks to warez, i have learned enough to actualy make use of legitamate software.

But play-time is over people. Time to knuckle-up. Time to get serious about music prodouction.

quote:

Originally posted by DJFreaq I wrote a really long (basically stupid) post about warez software and etc in the Production Values thread. But it was more just knee-jerk stupidity then actual thought out opinions.

I actually saw that thread DJfreaq, and i applaud you for not taking such a hard-line approach to piracy. As a matter of fact, im getting ready to go back to college. Dont students get discounts on some of the "big" proggy's like Finale and Primeire?

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Only the coolest irradiated citizens will be allowed into the 'underground' rave in the shelter.

Amen...

Every newb on the block has the "mainstream" bullshit tools that they grabbed from audionews.

The result is:

1.) An overflow of undereducation regarding theory and design.

2.) Increase in the security of future software (this is a good thing sometimes), which may slow performance in order to run useless algorithm in anti-piracy scripts on every function a la Cubase SX3

3.) Degredation of sound quality by causing abundance of the same sound to be created with the same tools and support in the community for a single type of sound as opposed to creative exploration

So ironically, even though we have MORE creative tools, we have simply dug a grave for our genre by providing a means to mediocrity.

to me its a great way to test drive some software for 30 or 60 days and see if you could really use it and if it meets your production needs.
Also it encourages you to really usc the crap out of it for the first 30 days

I'm with you 100%. Personally, I have never used a warez program in my production because this is my philosophy. More interestingly, though, is that other than the sequencers I have, I have only bought one piece of software: AudioRealism Bassline.

It's some people never seem to understand: it is possible to make quality productions on the cheap without resorting to theft, and this is the reason I, personally, draw a much harder line on it. People say that they've learned so much working with the high end synths, but they're still stealing. Why not learn to make high end sounds with low priced synths? Why not? I can't think of a single reason, yet people continue to believe that they need the synths they should be paying hundreds of dollars to get, when they really don't.

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www.jexmusic.com - My website

I was an anti piracy person for years, I bought reason 1 for $600 dollars and I was happy to do it, when u looked at how much it used to cost to buy all that stuff in hardware it was a bargain.
But then the upgrades came, 200 for reason 2, then 200 for reason 3. Kinda shits me that new people who buy later on get more stuff for the same money.... so I downlaoded the cracked version, which got me hooked on piracy now i download everything, i know it's wrong but hey, so many people do it that if you do buy a product you are effectively paying for 10 other people to crack it.
I got sick of being the 1 out of 10 people that's honest.

Eventualy companies will create anti copy software that works, no one will be able to pirate software.... Do you think that they will pass the savings back to the consumers? I think not!!

Therefore I will pirate while I can.

i agree with ralpheee, they charge mad bucks for upgrades that come out constantly. if you're a working musician that's making money of your music, then yes, buy your software, but most people 'round here are doin it for fun, or they just trying to break through. whatever...

So I have to pose a question... Do you HAVE to upgrade?
I'm guessing you're not running OSX which does produce this result on an almost monthly basis?

And I have to ask, why did you pay so much for your app?

One more point... CP is getting close. The whole ProTools Platform is now very effectively locked down. The small plug companies are now bordering on solvent, where as prior most were heading out of business.

Diginerd i love the way you are straight forward, you dont just have a black and white look on things. The point about limiting yourself leading to creativity is very true.
The warmest sounds i have been able to make have come from using triangle 2 (many instances but no doubt much better then what iv done with anything else)

I admit piracy was high on my agenda when i was younger but i had no money atall, if i didnt do it i would not have had any way to develop my creative side. Now that im old enough to work (and i do) i buy everything. Its the least you can do to support those who make the things you enjoy.

i think in some cases its fine. i paid £30 for a jp8000 patch which i think is clearly too expensive. could have downloaded it for free but theres a satisfaction when you pay for it.

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