A little earlier today I noticed a heated debate today on KVRAudio lamenting the typically high pricing of music-making apps and plugins. The original post wondered why developers don’t drastically lower their prices to be more in line with iPhone apps (which themselves are in line with the lower end of computer software programs.)
That’s an interesting question!
As a musician and producer who uses a lot of computer software to create music, pricing is of a regular concern to me - and probably many of you as well, as for the last ten years, music software has made it very easy to produce pro-grade recordings. Like with the price of high-end photo editing and 3D modeling software, there is virtually no upper limit on that of music production apps. Collections of highly realistic orchestral sounds, typically used by film, TV and video game composers of all kinds, often cost thousands of dollars. The most expensive to date, the complete collection of Vienna Symphonic Library sounds, almost hits the five digit mark (and takes up a good 800 gigs on your hard drive, to boot.)
On the other side of the spectrum, Apple bundles its fairly powerful Garageband software for free with all new Apple computers. If you’re a student or educator and you want to upgrade to the industrial-strength Logic software, which normally lists for a reasonable $500, you can pay as little as $150. There are a number of companies besides Apple offering equally cheap (if not cheaper) programs, and whole websites devoted to freeware apps and plugins that can be just as powerful as commercial products.
There are tens of millions of Americans who have home studios of some kind, from simple eight-tracks with guitars to sophisticated scoring platforms. Would the Apple approach perhaps boost sales and popularity of music products like virtual synthesizers and sequencers, improving the tools of composers and producers the world over? Post your thoughts!
I think it’s possible that if they were to reprice software at a more reasonable level, not quite iPhone app levels, they might see an increase in sales because musicians, and even non-musicians who want to get into the game, so-to-speak, would be more willing to part with their cash.
I myself would love to have some of those higher end collections, but of course, money is the big concern. So yes, I’d like to see it personally. Do I think it will happen? Probably not, and if it does, it may not be for a very, very long time.
But there’s always hope. Still, I think the main reason some packages cost most than others is mainly due to how much time and effort is put into them. For example, the Vienna Symphonic Library as mentioned above. That’s not only a pro grade piece of software, but it’s absolutely huge, 800 Gigs of samples? Wow. Not many regular musicians are going to be willing to part with nearly $10,000 just for that, despite the necessity, they might choose something less costly, like one of East West’s many symphonic collections.
I do personally hope that they do someday manage to get these prices into a more reasonable range for those of us who aren’t major studios, but who write independently for whatever reason, be it VG, movies, tv, etc. I think you would see more musicians who would normally not be getting into those areas just burst onto the scene.
But do we want more competition….? ;)
Well Apple has brought down its prices but its not only a question of a company but a matter to look upon as why Apple has slashed its prices. I have my views on http://controversial-affairs.blogspot.com/2009/01/price-or-prize.html
That’s unimaginable, right?! Apple never used to be anywhere like that. I am old enough to think back to the very first that even had pointer recognition