If you want Sound On Sound to continue "DP Notes"

[Armageddon]

Good ideas, gang, but here's another one: why not take this straight to the competition? Meaning, talk to mags like Recording, EM, Keyboard, etc. and see if any of them are interested in taking this public? It doesn't have to be a smear campaign or anything (and it shouldn't be), but these are the kinds of business practices that should have a public light shone on them. I imagine Recording would at least rate it an editorial, or maybe an op-ed piece for Shoosh or James?

http://www.recordingmag.com

http://emusician.com

http://www.keyboardmag.com

[philbrown]

I emailed Paul White.

[philbrown]

Paul's nearly instant reply:
-------------------------------
Hi Phil,

We're not dropping DP coverage but are considering how to make the best use of the existing DAW pages until the recession lets up and gives us the chance to run more pages. We may have to shorten each DAW section or alternate some of the less well-used ones from time to time but DP won't get sidelined completely.

Paul White (Editor In Chief, Sound On Sound)

[Kellog]

Done. Another mag is EQ, and they usually do one or two software based tips per month. But usually not DP.

[richardein]

I sent this:

Please don't drop your coverage of Digital Performer. It's a great program, and your columnist is terrific.

I like Sound on Sound a lot. This is the first editorial decision which I completely, thoroughly disagree with. I simply can't understand the reason why you'd drop coverage of one of the most important DAWs out there.

Richard Einhorn

[motuscott]

Sounds like Paul White's reply to philbrown represents a change or is that just me?

[Dwetmaster]

done

[wurliuchi]

Done.
_____________________________

Dear Paul, Whether you meant it this way or not (and I'm sure you didn't), the perception is you singled out one particular DAW (DP) and announced that you were dropping it from the pages of SOS because it's not popular enough with your readers. I'm sure you're going through lean times right now, and I bet MOTU is too, so I think it was in bad form to render a direct blow to them that can have a negative impact on their business. There had to have been a better way to do this. I hope in some way you can make this right. -- Sincerely...

[jlstcui]

And done!

Dear Paul:
I have been a big fan of SOS since I began receiving it about a year ago. But I have been a great fan of MOTU's Digital Performer for much longer, and it saddens me to learn that you are dropping the DP column from your otherwise excellent music magazine.
I began using Performer in 1993, and have since then used it to create a film score, music for half a dozen video games, and numerous tracks for music libraries and my own band's CDs.
It may not be the most talked about DAW around, but it is extremely well-designed, full-featured, and remarkably stable. It's not surprising so many pros use it. Please reconsider your decision; SOS is only diminished by ignoring what DP can do, especially now that DP7 is out.
--Jlstcui

[sonus]

Done.
I've also sent a PM on the subject to Paul White.

[kwiz]

I'm in London and just spoke to a former SOS employee and told him about this issue.
He stated that the joke/rumor around the office was that there were only 3 registered DP users in the U.K. and the rest were pirates. He also mentioned that SOS has a firm commitment to capture the U.S. market and is currently the only music tech mag that has at least 150 pages of content, and that they wanted to dominate the "pamphlets" that are currently out there. (EQ & Mix) With that said, he thought that a petition from us would be noteworthy since DP is predominately used by U.S. readers.
I haven't had a subscription to the mag since 03 so I'm indifferent.
Just passing along the info.

[FutureLegends]

I'm in London and just spoke to a former SOS employee and told him about this issue.
He stated that the joke/rumor around the office was that there were only 3 registered DP users in the U.K. and the rest were pirates.

That's probably not too far from the truth. Except there's not so many pirates. I think it's hard for you Americans to understand how unknown DP is here. Here in sweden I have never even met someone beside myself that use DP. Most people have never even heard of it.
MOTUs audio interfaces were quite popular though, but it seems like those are becoming a less common sight too. Not sure how it is now since I haven't bought a MOTU interface since the original 828, but I found it strange MOTU didn't do more to promote DP in the interface packages.

I think they should include a full copy of DP with their interfaces. Maybe lock it to MOTU hardware. And for an upgrade cost of, let's say, $195, you'd get it unlocked to use with any hardware and a copy of the manual.

[FMiguelez]

.

Done as well.

As for taking this to other mags to see if they'd be interested in starting a similar DP column, I'm all for it. But at least EM has gotten leaner and leaner to the point that it looks like a brochure now a days... I really don't know how much longer they will survive... they went from good to terrible in just a few years. Their current content leaves too much to be desired, IMO. I'm pretty sure I told my assistant to cancel that subscription a few months ago.
I don't read the other mentioned mags, but I suppose they must be better than EM!

Also, I agree with what Frodo mentioned upthread: I'd like to know what MOTU's position is regarding the SOS issue. Do they even care about it? I DO care about it, but our efforts would be much greater if we are on the same page.

[James Steele]

I'm in London and just spoke to a former SOS employee and told him about this issue.
He stated that the joke/rumor around the office was that there were only 3 registered DP users in the U.K. and the rest were pirates.

That's probably not too far from the truth. Except there's not so many pirates. I think it's hard for you Americans to understand how unknown DP is here. Here in sweden I have never even met someone beside myself that use DP. Most people have never even heard of it.
MOTUs audio interfaces were quite popular though, but it seems like those are becoming a less common sight too. Not sure how it is now since I haven't bought a MOTU interface since the original 828, but I found it strange MOTU didn't do more to promote DP in the interface packages.

I think they should include a full copy of DP with their interfaces. Maybe lock it to MOTU hardware. And for an upgrade cost of, let's say, $195, you'd get it unlocked to use with any hardware and a copy of the manual.

I agree. MOTU should use their interfaces as a way to push DP. A DP lite version. Or maybe when you buy an interface, you get a full version with a demo iLok license or something or other mechanism to time out. I think what PreSonus is doing with StudioOne is an example of what MOTU should have been doing years ago.

[FutureLegends]

I agree. MOTU should use their interfaces as a way to push DP. A DP lite version. Or maybe when you buy an interface, you get a full version with a demo iLok license or something or other mechanism to time out. I think what PreSonus is doing with StudioOne is an example of what MOTU should have been doing years ago.

I was gonna mention PreSonus too but then realised I don't actually know what they're doing. But I know they now have the hardware-software combo just like MOTU. I heard alot about StudioOne on forums but then I had one look at the screen shots and lost intrest

I got into DP (at v2.72) because I bought the 2408 and was using Cubase, but then tried AudioDesk and liked it. But as I remember it didn't even say somewhere in the box that you could upgrade AudioDesk to Digital Performer for a reduced price. I only found out cause I bothered to register my copy of AudioDesk if I recall correctly. Seems like most people with MOTU interfaces don't know this. This info should be on the outside of the box!