Please dont go: open letter to Vegas developers

PipelineAudio wrote on 3/8/2000, 4:29 PM
I was alarmed when you guys dropped the price on VEGAS.
Not that I'd complain about spending less money, but I hope
this doesn't mean you've abandoned the product. Why would I
think this? Well for one there hasn't been an update in a
LONG time. Huge issues in the program have yet to be
adressed. Beautiful ideas from your users have not been
implemented.

My biggest cause for concern is the release of the "N"
word. Yes, in current form NUENDO will *KICK YOUR ASS*!!!

Many of the inconveniencies of Vegas are not an issue.
In fact, It seems that the Nuendo developers stole all the
good parts of Vegas, AND, responded to the biggest
complaints about it.

I for one will still use Vegas, as I am not thrilled to
use programs that seem to be "Midi Sequencer + audio", I
just want audio.

So please tell me that in your super secret lab high on
the mountain you are working on Vegas 2.0.

Of course you are.

New features include a blurring of the line between non-
destructive and permanent editing...allowing single tracks
to be rendered yet still able to be restored. If I wanna
autotune a vocal, I can "destructo-rend" it from within
vegas, thereby when the track is played it takes no dsp,
yet I can undo it if I like. PERFECT

* TDM emulator so we can use those KILLER bombfactory LA-
2A's (good luck with this one, but I can dream)
* VST support
* Any plug in can be used as track fx
* phase switch on every channel
* logic style noise gates with look ahead and frequency
keying (becoming only the second noise gate on PC or MAC
worth a damn)
* digital patch bay...how am I supposed to return my analog
reverb to vegas without recording?
* digital patch bay...I wanna send my main out to both my
DAT and my onscreen frequency analyser
* storable console setups
* "VCA" style grouping
* At least make the friggin thing remember groups!!!
* cut copy and paste envelopes
* no more crashes...hahaha
* sample accurate sync
* RAM hogger function for ramdriving or something...SF
please use all the RAM you want...I think its ridiculous
people will pay tons a money for all their equip then cheap
out on RAM...
* SERIOUS dual processor(or more) support
* Sonic Foundry emu-RAID technology...proprietary interface
to write to multiple drives for added performance
* Still the same easy to use uncluttered VEGAS interface
generations have grown to love
* not a @#$% sequencer function in sight
* integrated 24/96 capable audio editor with MAJOR Sound
Forge functionality

Ok if thats not enough...

Optional hardware will include:

* ultra stable Vagrantizer AD converters featuring sampling
rates from 22kHz to 96kHz, 8 - 24 bit depth. Sonic quality
exceeds that of Apogee AD800. All for only $100/a channel
(Like I said, I can dream)
* lemmyOUT ok quality ADDA box for FX snd/rtn
* ICU dual monitor VGA card that does not affect audio
transfers
* Slot Machine digital only input for vegas features sample
lock technologies AES/EBU standard, optional spdif, ADAT,
TDIF, SDIF-2 cards.
* The GAMBLER hardware interface with real knobs, faders,
ashtray, and coffee holder

I know you guys have been building this...can I have a beta
please???

Comments

ben wrote on 3/9/2000, 7:26 AM
I agree with much of what you say. But what is this NUENDO that
you're talking about - is it a multitrack? Is there a website where I
can check it out?

Thanks
Ben

Aaron Carey wrote:
>> I was alarmed when you guys dropped the price on VEGAS.
>>Not that I'd complain about spending less money, but I hope
>>this doesn't mean you've abandoned the product. Why would I
>>think this? Well for one there hasn't been an update in a
>>LONG time. Huge issues in the program have yet to be
>>adressed. Beautiful ideas from your users have not been
>>implemented.
>>
>> My biggest cause for concern is the release of the "N"
>>word. Yes, in current form NUENDO will *KICK YOUR ASS*!!!
>>
>> Many of the inconveniencies of Vegas are not an issue.
>>In fact, It seems that the Nuendo developers stole all the
>>good parts of Vegas, AND, responded to the biggest
>>complaints about it.
>>
>> I for one will still use Vegas, as I am not thrilled to
>>use programs that seem to be "Midi Sequencer + audio", I
>>just want audio.
>>
>> So please tell me that in your super secret lab high on
>>the mountain you are working on Vegas 2.0.
>>
>>Of course you are.
>>
>>New features include a blurring of the line between non-
>>destructive and permanent editing...allowing single tracks
>>to be rendered yet still able to be restored. If I wanna
>>autotune a vocal, I can "destructo-rend" it from within
>>vegas, thereby when the track is played it takes no dsp,
>>yet I can undo it if I like. PERFECT
>>
>>* TDM emulator so we can use those KILLER bombfactory LA-
>>2A's (good luck with this one, but I can dream)
>>* VST support
>>* Any plug in can be used as track fx
>>* phase switch on every channel
>>* logic style noise gates with look ahead and frequency
>>keying (becoming only the second noise gate on PC or MAC
>>worth a damn)
>>* digital patch bay...how am I supposed to return my analog
>>reverb to vegas without recording?
>>* digital patch bay...I wanna send my main out to both my
>>DAT and my onscreen frequency analyser
>>* storable console setups
>>* "VCA" style grouping
>>* At least make the friggin thing remember groups!!!
>>* cut copy and paste envelopes
>>* no more crashes...hahaha
>>* sample accurate sync
>>* RAM hogger function for ramdriving or something...SF
>>please use all the RAM you want...I think its ridiculous
>>people will pay tons a money for all their equip then cheap
>>out on RAM...
>>* SERIOUS dual processor(or more) support
>>* Sonic Foundry emu-RAID technology...proprietary interface
>>to write to multiple drives for added performance
>>* Still the same easy to use uncluttered VEGAS interface
>>generations have grown to love
>>* not a @#$% sequencer function in sight
>>* integrated 24/96 capable audio editor with MAJOR Sound
>>Forge functionality
>>
>>Ok if thats not enough...
>>
>>Optional hardware will include:
>>
>>* ultra stable Vagrantizer AD converters featuring sampling
>>rates from 22kHz to 96kHz, 8 - 24 bit depth. Sonic quality
>>exceeds that of Apogee AD800. All for only $100/a channel
>>(Like I said, I can dream)
>>* lemmyOUT ok quality ADDA box for FX snd/rtn
>>* ICU dual monitor VGA card that does not affect audio
>>transfers
>>* Slot Machine digital only input for vegas features sample
>>lock technologies AES/EBU standard, optional spdif, ADAT,
>>TDIF, SDIF-2 cards.
>>* The GAMBLER hardware interface with real knobs, faders,
>>ashtray, and coffee holder
>>
>>I know you guys have been building this...can I have a beta
>>please???
>>
jimkost wrote on 3/9/2000, 10:07 AM
hi ben/aaron---ben:check out:http://www.steinberg.de/nuendo.aaron:
imho,i agree completely w/all of your points/suggestions. hopefully, i
can clarify some issues:dual proceesor support---unfortunately, nt is
only msos that takes advantage of dual processor support, and not
fully, at that, i would only hope that sf
(please,please,please...)will port to BeOs, which is made for
multi(not just dual)processor support...vst compatability: it seems
that sf is 100% behind directx, which is not the most optimal
standard(imho,again)since it bypasses normal pgm flow and allows
direct (hence the name)access to computer hardware (c, not c++
language?) ....i also would love to see sf do vst compatability as
well (please...)...guys, your products are killer....please do your
best to implement suggestions frm your high end/pro users as
well as bedroom/basement ones....thanks for listening....jim k :-)


ben wrote:
>>I agree with much of what you say. But what is this NUENDO that
>>you're talking about - is it a multitrack? Is there a website where
I
>>can check it out?
>>
>>Thanks
>>Ben
>>
>>Aaron Carey wrote:
>>>> I was alarmed when you guys dropped the price on VEGAS.
>>>>Not that I'd complain about spending less money, but I hope
>>>>this doesn't mean you've abandoned the product. Why would I
>>>>think this? Well for one there hasn't been an update in a
>>>>LONG time. Huge issues in the program have yet to be
>>>>adressed. Beautiful ideas from your users have not been
>>>>implemented.
>>>>
>>>> My biggest cause for concern is the release of the "N"
>>>>word. Yes, in current form NUENDO will *KICK YOUR ASS*!!!
>>>>
>>>> Many of the inconveniencies of Vegas are not an issue.
>>>>In fact, It seems that the Nuendo developers stole all the
>>>>good parts of Vegas, AND, responded to the biggest
>>>>complaints about it.
>>>>
>>>> I for one will still use Vegas, as I am not thrilled to
>>>>use programs that seem to be "Midi Sequencer + audio", I
>>>>just want audio.
>>>>
>>>> So please tell me that in your super secret lab high on
>>>>the mountain you are working on Vegas 2.0.
>>>>
>>>>Of course you are.
>>>>
>>>>New features include a blurring of the line between non-
>>>>destructive and permanent editing...allowing single tracks
>>>>to be rendered yet still able to be restored. If I wanna
>>>>autotune a vocal, I can "destructo-rend" it from within
>>>>vegas, thereby when the track is played it takes no dsp,
>>>>yet I can undo it if I like. PERFECT
>>>>
>>>>* TDM emulator so we can use those KILLER bombfactory LA-
>>>>2A's (good luck with this one, but I can dream)
>>>>* VST support
>>>>* Any plug in can be used as track fx
>>>>* phase switch on every channel
>>>>* logic style noise gates with look ahead and frequency
>>>>keying (becoming only the second noise gate on PC or MAC
>>>>worth a damn)
>>>>* digital patch bay...how am I supposed to return my analog
>>>>reverb to vegas without recording?
>>>>* digital patch bay...I wanna send my main out to both my
>>>>DAT and my onscreen frequency analyser
>>>>* storable console setups
>>>>* "VCA" style grouping
>>>>* At least make the friggin thing remember groups!!!
>>>>* cut copy and paste envelopes
>>>>* no more crashes...hahaha
>>>>* sample accurate sync
>>>>* RAM hogger function for ramdriving or something...SF
>>>>please use all the RAM you want...I think its ridiculous
>>>>people will pay tons a money for all their equip then cheap
>>>>out on RAM...
>>>>* SERIOUS dual processor(or more) support
>>>>* Sonic Foundry emu-RAID technology...proprietary interface
>>>>to write to multiple drives for added performance
>>>>* Still the same easy to use uncluttered VEGAS interface
>>>>generations have grown to love
>>>>* not a @#$% sequencer function in sight
>>>>* integrated 24/96 capable audio editor with MAJOR Sound
>>>>Forge functionality
>>>>
>>>>Ok if thats not enough...
>>>>
>>>>Optional hardware will include:
>>>>
>>>>* ultra stable Vagrantizer AD converters featuring sampling
>>>>rates from 22kHz to 96kHz, 8 - 24 bit depth. Sonic quality
>>>>exceeds that of Apogee AD800. All for only $100/a channel
>>>>(Like I said, I can dream)
>>>>* lemmyOUT ok quality ADDA box for FX snd/rtn
>>>>* ICU dual monitor VGA card that does not affect audio
>>>>transfers
>>>>* Slot Machine digital only input for vegas features sample
>>>>lock technologies AES/EBU standard, optional spdif, ADAT,
>>>>TDIF, SDIF-2 cards.
>>>>* The GAMBLER hardware interface with real knobs, faders,
>>>>ashtray, and coffee holder
>>>>
>>>>I know you guys have been building this...can I have a beta
>>>>please???
>>>>
PipelineAudio wrote on 3/9/2000, 2:34 PM


jim kost wrote:
i would only hope that sf
>>(please,please,please...)will port to BeOs, which is made for
>>multi(not just dual)processor support...i also would love to see sf
do vst compatability as
>>well (please...)...guys, your products are killer....please do your
>>best to implement suggestions frm your high end/pro users as
>>well as bedroom/basement ones....thanks for listening....jim k

I know that s.f. must primarily be driven by its stream anywhere
clients....
Guys please, use all that new money that youre gettin from those rich
yuppies, and make a ultra-pro version of vegas your hobby
If Be is the right OS, then please use it...Im sure we would all be
glad to put a completely insignificant dent in Bill Gates' checkbook(
its the thought that counts)
jimkost wrote on 3/9/2000, 5:39 PM
right on aaron--let's make that ever so insignificant dent,
bro....best,jk:-)

Aaron Carey wrote:
>>
>>
>>jim kost wrote:
>>i would only hope that sf
>>>>(please,please,please...)will port to BeOs, which is made for
>>>>multi(not just dual)processor support...i also would love to see
sf
>>do vst compatability as
>>>>well (please...)...guys, your products are killer....please do
your
>>>>best to implement suggestions frm your high end/pro users as
>>>>well as bedroom/basement ones....thanks for listening....jim k
>>
>>I know that s.f. must primarily be driven by its stream anywhere
>>clients....
>>Guys please, use all that new money that youre gettin from those
rich
>>yuppies, and make a ultra-pro version of vegas your hobby
>>If Be is the right OS, then please use it...Im sure we would all be
>>glad to put a completely insignificant dent in Bill Gates'
checkbook(
>>its the thought that counts)
>>
pramos wrote on 3/11/2000, 3:38 PM
Remember that Nuendo is both HW & SW. And I doubt it'll be cheap (I
read somewhere the interface cards are $1295 -- the cool rack-
mountable audio interfaces will obviously be an addition to the
standard cards).

I have serious doubts that SF will support either Be or VST (they
made a post about ASIO--in short, why would they support their
competitor unless something was in it for them--and I assume it holds
true for VST), but stranger things have happened. I also have serious
doubts that Nuendo, when it does ship, will ship with the full
complement of drivers. It's just my experience with Steinberg (and
most other developers') stuff.

The Nuendo system seems great, it's looking like a good competitor to
the Digi 001, which is their target (from what I've read) -- but it's
in a totally different class than Vegas.

Vegas is trying to support a full range of HW configurations ...
systems like Nuendo and the Digi 001 (and Pro Tools, for that matter)
are made to (primarily) support their hardware with their software,
that's it. Remember that.

I think SF is doing the right thing by not supporting any specific
hardware, and keeping the program compatible with the widest range of
HW configurations. This is it's strength. Maybe in the future, there
will be some deals with HW companies, who knows. Hell, maybe Nuendo
will fail as badly as Pro Tools Project did. It's all guess work.

I definitely think that the Nuendo is cool. But, no hard pricing has
been put out (not even on their WWW site) and there's just bits and
pieces of information on it. I'll take a look at it if they have the
NT drivers right (and if the program is SMP compatible). But to
compare it to Vegas isn't right. It's a dedicated system, while Vegas
is software to work with "near-any" hardware. It's a totally
different specie.

IMHO, of course.
PipelineAudio wrote on 3/11/2000, 7:04 PM

But to
>>compare it to Vegas isn't right. It's a dedicated system, while
Vegas
>>is software to work with "near-any" hardware. It's a totally
>>different specie.
>>
>>IMHO, of course.

The whole gist of the marketing and news blitz of Nuendo was that its
not hardware dependant...thats the whole point...
Of course in the same page they show all the neat hardware you can
get for it...

I also believe Vegas' strength is the wide range of hardware support.
BUT, very little harware works CORRECTLY with vegas, and SF tech
support is not usually too helpful on this one...you get the standard
answer "works with any windows compatiable sound card"...yeah right,
read this forum if you believe that.

One thing I do enjoy with vegas is its seeming transparancy...my
bubble has been burst, but for the most part, what goes in in vegas
is what comes out...for that reason, I would definitely buy outboard
AD converters from SF, because with transparent software, getting a
converter box to "sound good" is a lot harder, thus I think SF would
provide us with accurate ADC's.

ThomasATL wrote on 3/12/2000, 5:40 PM
The Delta series from Midiman/M Audio is probably one of the better
matches with Vegas. The two companies have obviously been working
together- you'll see further evidence of that. The latest driver on
the www.midiman.net page specifically mentions Vegas as well as
Gigasampler (in case your interested). We all know that the drivers
are everything when it comes to Windows and audio. This is, I think,
the closest we'll get to an endorsement from SF.

Aaron Carey wrote:
>>
>>But to
>>>>compare it to Vegas isn't right. It's a dedicated system, while
>>Vegas
>>>>is software to work with "near-any" hardware. It's a totally
>>>>different specie.
>>>>
>>>>IMHO, of course.
>>
>>The whole gist of the marketing and news blitz of Nuendo was that
its
>>not hardware dependant...thats the whole point...
>>Of course in the same page they show all the neat hardware you can
>>get for it...
>>
>>I also believe Vegas' strength is the wide range of hardware
support.
>>BUT, very little harware works CORRECTLY with vegas, and SF tech
>>support is not usually too helpful on this one...you get the
standard
>>answer "works with any windows compatiable sound card"...yeah
right,
>>read this forum if you believe that.
>>
>> One thing I do enjoy with vegas is its seeming transparancy...my
>>bubble has been burst, but for the most part, what goes in in vegas
>>is what comes out...for that reason, I would definitely buy
outboard
>>AD converters from SF, because with transparent software, getting a
>>converter box to "sound good" is a lot harder, thus I think SF
would
>>provide us with accurate ADC's.
>>
>>