Former CEO of Open Labs starts NEW COMPANY...

  • Thread starter Thread starter j.troup
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OL is going to have to drop prices, they can no longer price gouge because of having a monopoly advantage. I don't think they have enough of a name to justify keeping their prices high. I can see the cheapest Neko moving down to around $3199 or so, and the top Neko coming down to $4999.
 
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This sh*t looks dope as hell. I've seen a vid either on vimeo or youtube of someone DJing w/ it. I can't quite put my finger on it but i know i've seen this already in use.
 
This sh*t looks dope as hell. I've seen a vid either on vimeo or youtube of someone DJing w/ it. I can't quite put my finger on it but i know i've seen this already in use.
Their actual products are the keyboards and the software... stuff like that come from other manufacturers (like the lcd projector). Laptop docks look cool but are too expensive to be useful.. but they are giving OL hell with their pricing.
 
^Oh i skimmed through the site and was under the impression that everything on their site was new & manufactured by them.
 
Btw, mac+ logic users can already get touchscreen programming etc shit through ipad or iphone
 

The design and overall look of these products is awful. They really don't LOOK good. The idea is cool but I would feel like I was ruining the MacBook's great design by plonking it in that thing..

To be honest I'd much rather use this with a big screen TV, no cable connection required:
http://www.hengedocks.com/



I can see how this stuff might be useful if you travel with your laptop and be able to work, but what do they really add that a decent MIDI keyboard can't?
 
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Gotta agree.
I'd expect something different for that price range.

specs could be way better too.



Everything could be way better...but then you'd complain about the price.



I keep forgetting that this is a site where people don't even pay for their software, and steal just about every piece of music they have.
 
I'm sorry i don't see how this thing is worth 3'000 bucks for the specs you get.

You'd expect something superb and outstanding in that price range...i'm just saying.

It seems to me they're going the same way as open labs. Overpriced luxury IMO.

And about the random piracy comment. I'm thinking about buying a bigger hub because of all the license dongles..shit is mad annoying. :cheers:
 
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Everything could be way better...but then you'd complain about the price.



I keep forgetting that this is a site where people don't even pay for their software, and steal just about every piece of music they have.
u sound mad
 
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Another thing is it's stability.

This thing is a brandnew product from a brandnew company.
Don't you worry about major glitches and flaws since you're the very first user to get one?

I mean sure you can rely on their beta testing phase but still...If i'd spend so much money on a piece of hardware/software combo, i would wait about 3-4 months and let it mature.

Or maybe they're letting you pay 3'000 bucks for beta testing their product. hah.

It happened before with other (music production) companys releasing an unfinished product. And at that point, i believe you can't get your money back.

Now i'm not saying this will be the case. But still, i assume there's gonna be a lot of hot-fixing in the first few weeks or months.

And IMO unstable hardware/software is the thing that **** up your motivation and workflow the most.
 
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This looks so ugly, no offense. Like really, it is overpriced, people are actually beginning to realize a computer is probably cheaper and better than this. But I'm glad I found my neko at a pawn shop lol.

Its even cheaper at sweetwater:

i5 computer $1549 (with 2 500gb hd, and fastest i5 processor)
akai midi controller 61 key with pads and faders ($399)
keyboard and mouse $120-125(mac keyboard and mouse)
Firestudio mobile $299
Monitor 20 inch $189
Cables, etc $40

Around $2750-2800 with s&h and taxes

Music computing same pc (maybe slower) is a whopping $2839 + another 70-80 for shipping, and it doesnt even show tax cost at checkout, so it could be more.

And I get 2 years warranty on my daw from sweetwater, and life time support.

No offense, but to each its own. Music computing might work for some.
 
not sure what to say!!!

luxury items for some but for a money making producers that has a budget for new gear "cool"...

motion command - not sure about this!!! it seems like you have to stand to use it. five hours into a session i do not know how cool this item would be...

studio blade - the next generation of the all in one workstation. 64 pads "i" think are a waste unless ableton live comes out with a 64 bit app. "i" think it is not comfortable to use the launch pad or apc20/40 for drums and "i" feel that same holds true for the 64 pads on the studio blade. one thing that does bother me is that there is no decals/printing on the unit. it looks generic.

idock - this item needs to grow on me.

all in all the bottom line is the "actual" music and if these products inspire an individual to create by all means get them!!! i would not go into debt or put these purchases on a credit card and make monthly payments to have them. if these products are in your budget by all means.
 
Another thing is it's stability.

This thing is a brandnew product from a brandnew company.
Don't you worry about major glitches and flaws since you're the very first user to get one?

I mean sure you can rely on their beta testing phase but still...If i'd spend so much money on a piece of hardware/software combo, i would wait about 3-4 months and let it mature.

Or maybe they're letting you pay 3'000 bucks for beta testing their product. hah.


You do realize that the people that started this company are the FORMER CEO OF OPEN LABS and a former LEAD TECHNICAL DEVELOPER OF OPEN LABS, right??

So I'm pretty sure they know what they are doing. It's not like 2 guys off FP decided to throw together a Production Workstation.



It happened before with other (music production) companys releasing an unfinished product. And at that point, i believe you can't get your money back.

Now i'm not saying this will be the case. But still, i assume there's gonna be a lot of hot-fixing in the first few weeks or months.

And IMO unstable hardware/software is the thing that **** up your motivation and workflow the most.


I'm not even going to get into the concept of ESTABLISHING A RELATIONSHIP WITH A BRAND NEW COMPANY THAT'S GETTING ALOT OF EXPOSURE.

Do you know how many eyes around the music making world were on that company launch yesterday? And do you know how many of them saw my 10 MINUTE interview?? Do you KNOW how valuable that exposure is?? I basically did a 10 minute COMMERCIAL during the worldwide launch of a brand new player in music making hardware. That's worth $3000 ALONE.

And as with any new company, I expect for the next few weeks and months to be packed with some upgrades, some patches, some work arounds, all of that. Again, that's apart of the RELATIONSHIP BUILDING PROCESS.

The early bird gets the worm.

---------- Post added at 09:46 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:34 AM ----------

This looks so ugly, no offense. Like really, it is overpriced, people are actually beginning to realize a computer is probably cheaper and better than this. But I'm glad I found my neko at a pawn shop lol.

Its even cheaper at sweetwater:

i5 computer $1549 (with 2 500gb hd, and fastest i5 processor)
akai midi controller 61 key with pads and faders ($399)
keyboard and mouse $120-125(mac keyboard and mouse)
Firestudio mobile $299
Monitor 20 inch $189
Cables, etc $40

Around $2750-2800 with s&h and taxes

Music computing same pc (maybe slower) is a whopping $2839 + another 70-80 for shipping, and it doesnt even show tax cost at checkout, so it could be more.

And I get 2 years warranty on my daw from sweetwater, and life time support.

No offense, but to each its own. Music computing might work for some.


And what are you going to do the FIRST time you have to travel somewhere to record? Put all of that stuff in your suit case?

Working producers have to travel to record all of the time. And CONVENIENCE in doing that is worth paying for.


Not to mention...where are your sounds that you are going to use with inexpensive set up?

---------- Post added at 09:53 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:46 AM ----------

not sure what to say!!!

luxury items for some but for a money making producers that has a budget for new gear "cool"...

motion command - not sure about this!!! it seems like you have to stand to use it. five hours into a session i do not know how cool this item would be...

I stand during most of my sessions anyway. Plus it's mostly for show, not so much for functionality. Think of how clients would FLIP when they see you moving things around with your hands on the screen!

You could charge a premium just because your studio seems more "high tech". Clients love bells, whistles and lights...even if they don't know what they do!


studio blade - the next generation of the all in one workstation. 64 pads "i" think are a waste unless ableton live comes out with a 64 bit app. "i" think it is not comfortable to use the launch pad or apc20/40 for drums and "i" feel that same holds true for the 64 pads on the studio blade. one thing that does bother me is that there is no decals/printing on the unit. it looks generic.


Gotta remember, that this thing comes with a custom VST, that you can map all of those 64 buttons/pads to whatever you want. Personally, if I could have all of my sounds laid out in one grid, and not have to switch to different instruments to swap the bank of pads, that's alot more convenient.
 
And what are you going to do the FIRST time you have to travel somewhere to record? Put all of that stuff in your suit case?

Working producers have to travel to record all of the time. And CONVENIENCE in doing that is worth paying for.


Not to mention...where are your sounds that you are going to use with inexpensive set up?

Most producers use a laptop, rent equipment, or just use what most studios have (most do have a computer, and at least one of the big 3 workstations (unless you are in some banged up joint).

28 lbs on a flight (lol), and ok so you buy $3000 computer and fly it around with you. What if it breaks or they lose it during your flight (filing for those claims can be a pain).

And as for music software, lets be honest, no one is really going to live by only the shit that comes with the music computing. The first thing people want is the ewql collections and native instruments, which ultimately will burn your pockets using a SW pc, or music computing station.
 
The design and overall look of these products is awful. They really don't LOOK good. The idea is cool but I would feel like I was ruining the MacBook's great design by plonking it in that thing..

To be honest I'd much rather use this with a big screen TV, no cable connection required:
http://www.hengedocks.com/

I can see how this stuff might be useful if you travel with your laptop and be able to work, but what do they really add that a decent MIDI keyboard can't?


Here ya go...again.

Built into each iKeyDOCK are Music Computing's ControlDAW™ midi controller and GeoMIDI™ midi mapping software. ControlDaw presents the user with four (4) banks of eight (8) plus one (1) master channel strips each with three (3) mappable encoders with LED indicator light rings, one (1) knobs for panning, solo and mute buttons and a high-quality fader. An 8X8 grid of lighted pads (64 total) is also provided that can be used as drum trigger pads, a Monome (with appropriate software) or as a trigger pad for sequences, etc. Controls for note-repeat enabled software and transport buttons are included as well as real-time feedback between the controllers and software making ControlDAW the ultimate midi controller for music production.


Hear the Difference: The standard configuration for iKeyDOCK include a 24bit-48 kHz audio I/O with two (2) combo XLR & ¼” mic/instrument 48V phantom power inputs, two (2) balanced outputs and a stereo headphone jack. The optional upgrade gives you a 24bit-96 kHz audio I/O with two (2) combo XLR & ¼” mic/instrument 48V phantom power inputs, six (6) ¼” balanced inputs (line-level), two balanced outputs and a stereo headphone jack. StudioBlades also offer Firewire ports in the event outboard audio I/O or other Firewire devices are needed.




Play That Sample: Music Computing’s TriggerGrid™, included with each ControlDAW, is a sample player that allows the user to trigger sampled sounds via controllers such as the ControlDAW or ControlPLAY™. Unlimited number of banks each containing sixty four (64) samples can be loaded and played. Per pad controls included: Frequency, Attack and Release, Gain, Pan and Reverse. Per pad wave editor allows for simple drag to trim/truncate samples. 16 – audio outs for use in a DAW. File formats include: wave and mp3. Save feature allows all 64 pads to be saved as a kit. Unlimited number of kits can be saved that can be instantly loaded for playback. Simple drag and drop interface to populate pads.
MIDI map presets: Music Computing’s GeoMIDI™ MIDI mapping software provides an interface for changing the MIDI assignments of the ControlDAW and ControlPlay’s buttons, knobs, and sliders. Each slider or knob can send out a variety of combinations of control or pitch-bend data. An unlimited number of MIDI map presets can be created, saved and loaded for use.


---------- Post added at 10:19 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:05 AM ----------

Most producers use a laptop, rent equipment, or just use what most studios have (most do have a computer, and at least one of the big 3 workstations (unless you are in some banged up joint).

28 lbs on a flight (lol), and ok so you buy $3000 computer and fly it around with you. What if it breaks or they lose it during your flight (filing for those claims can be a pain).

And as for music software, lets be honest, no one is really going to live by only the shit that comes with the music computing. The first thing people want is the ewql collections and native instruments, which ultimately will burn your pockets using a SW pc, or music computing station.


Not every producer is working off of a laptop. In fact, most working producers aren't. So they go to another studio to work, that doesn't have their software, that doesn't have their sounds, that doesn't have their anything. Then what?

If I go to another studio to work I need my Omnisphere, my Stylus, my Reason, and my East/West collection. Not to mention Spectralive and my new Waves collection.

So what am I supposed to do, pack up a 20 pound mini-tower (plus rack mounted audio interface) and take it on a plane?



And as for music software, lets be honest...only 1% of "producers" on this board even pay for software like the East/West bundles anyway. So they don't have a need for something like the StudioBlade.



Funny...I faced the same opposition when I first bought my Miko a few years ago.
 
not knocking the products but they are not for everyone...

like for myself i would prefer buying $3500 worth of US Saving Bonds because "tomorrow" they would be worth more than $3500...

in other words... a better investment...

but if an individual can afford these products "i" cant be mad!!!
 
Ay Troup.. have you ever considered developing your own plug-ins and/or workstation(s)?
 
not knocking the products but they are not for everyone...

like for myself i would prefer buying $3500 worth of US Saving Bonds because "tomorrow" they would be worth more than $3500...

in other words... a better investment...

but if an individual can afford these products "i" cant be mad!!!


I'm not that type. I don't believe in "safe investments".

I believe in taking risks, following your dreams, and making things happen.


That requires INVESTMENT in yourself.


People on this board undervalue relationships. They think it's all "making beats" and "getting placements".


I got TRASHED when I bought my Miko. But that established a relationship with Open Labs, that served me WELL. I got TRASHED when I joined up with PMP. People used to call me stupid and dumb when I would fly up to NYC, just to attend their Industry Mixer events. But that relationship has served me QUITE WELL.


Sometimes, you spend the money to establish the relationship. Because the RELATIONSHIP can be more valuable than the actual product or service that you're spending the money on.


Not saying that Music Computing falls into that category, because the Studio Blade is definitely an upgrade for me.


Man...y'all gotta expand y'all thought process. You can't see the forest cuz the trees are in the way.

---------- Post added at 10:42 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:37 AM ----------

Ay Troup.. have you ever considered developing your own plug-ins and/or workstation(s)?


Nah...maybe in the future, but no. I don't have that level of technical expertise to take on something like that.


But I'd love to partner with a company and put my ideas and design into a workstation or software.


I thought when I talked to Native Instruments that may have been an opportunity for me to put my input into some products geared towards the market segment I'm apart of. But it wasn't in the cards.


Maybe it'll happen one day. :cheers:
 
i couldnt get an answer from the company but i dont think those pads are velocity sensitive.
 
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