FWIW, I think DP gets bashed more than PT's does... and for NO apparent, or logically supported reasons.
Yeah..because you know..it is a contest.
Seriously though, I'm not one to be that concerned about how one company does
business..as long as their product works as advertised.
Digi started doing business, when computers were not nearly fast enough to keep
up with the needs of processing audio, plugins etc.
Purchasing a system with DSP engine was the only way to go.
Now with an 8core mac at your disposal it hardly seems necessary
(or AS necessary.)
Having said that, me and UAD cards are going to become friends soon.
In 2010 it hardly seem like reality to be tying software to hardware in such a
proprietary fashion, but it's their choice to make.
I've met a few people from Digi, and they seem like nice enough folk.
After a lengthy conversation, you get the impression their very sincere when they
suggest all their trying to do is build rock solid professional systems when
we discuss the HD platform.
To me, the main problem with that thinking is that (with enough diligence and care)
you can build an equally solid Native system with FAR superior converters
(apogee anyone?) for far less money.
You can also continually change and update/upgrade hardware when newer
products come out.
With Digi..you're stuck until they decide it's time to change.
If Digi was a company willing to do what was necessary to adapt to changing
times, then I might consider their products.
They don't appear to be...so I don't.
Motu on the other hand jams a cut rate version of DP (Audio Desk) into every
piece of hardware they ship and I have to ask myself..why.
In the increasingly Competitive marketplace full of Daw software, Motu
needs to stand out.
They certainly stand out to the end user (like you and me) but to someone
walking into a store weaned on Protools, Cubase, or Logic (as examples)
People need a compelling reason to buy it.
Bundle it with the hardware (or at the very least a lite version of DP..which
AudioDesk is not)
If they became a more transparent company (as in hey man..we just squashed some
bugs, here's what they are) that might prove helpful as well.
I'd like to see them do more then just meet the status quo, I'd like to see them
reach more users and sell more copies of DP.
DP is a wonderful, well thought out, (relatively) easy to use piece of software.
I love the Audio weirdness/music/sound design projects it helps me to realize.
I don't want them to become another StudioVision Pro...
(and I realize there hardware/plugin business might keep them a float)
indeed a nice idea..