We are yet to see what happens with the pricing over the new Pro Tools Instrument Expansion Pack, and my guess (and that's all it is) is that AVID know there's a potential fire-storm over Structure and that charging for an upgrade for a product that many felt did not work in the first place could be bad news.
I did write to AVID last October to express my concern that to charge existing Structure full users could be both a potential PR and possible legal disaster. I also had several off the record conversations with key players within AVID. Sadly, AVID failed to respond to my concerns officially, so right now the official line is silence, so make what you will out of that. Right now AVID have no comment for those that invested in Structure originally and for their loyal dealer network who are facing the wrath of the customers wanting to know what the heck is going on.
It would seem fair and an act of goodwill to offer existing Structure Full users a free copy of the new version. Bundling it in with the new Pro Tools Instrument Expansion Pack could be seen by some as cynical and a way to avoid this issue, I'd like to think the best of them on that one, but not everyone would see it in such a positive light. However Spectrasonics gave Trilogy users a free copy of Trillion as compensation, for something that wasn't really their fault, when Apple went to Intel, so there's a precedent been set there. Eric who runs Spectrasonics is a very good man with deeply held personal convictions, which I can guess is why he did it. I think it's both honorable and smart business practice at play.
Even if AVID did not wish to admit liability to the issues with the current version of Structure, then there's enough smart lawyers out there for them to be able to do this without them having to admit any liability. Setting the lawyers aside they should do this simply because it's the right thing to do.
If existing Structure users pay to upgrade then it's as good as saying you're happy with what happened and once you do that then any way to get AVID to make a concession is probably impossible.
My advice would be to wait and see what AVID have to offer with the release of the new Pro Tools Instrument Expansion Pack, they may come good and do the right thing, if not then there are a number of ways that existing Structure users can take recourse. I do hope the new AVID realise that they should do what the majority of the Structure community think is the right thing.
It's sad because the new Pro Tools Instrument Expansion Pack is a brilliant package, the guys at AIR have worked hard and sweated blood over this. It would be a shame if AVID let down the AIR team on this one, but this one issue still remains unresolved for lots of Structure users who feel aggrieved.
Come on AVID do the right thing!
]]>
Perhaps some of you were thinking that prize draws were a thing of the past, post Independence Day, but you should know by now the blog likes to work hard to keep the community happy. We've got a lot of cool prize draws over the next few months to help you making and producing music.
