UncleAge.
UncleAgeWhy is it that I have not run across a seriously modular host yet? Not like eXT/eXT2 or Reaktor’s/MAXSP abilities. What I am talking about is a host that allows the users to create extensions for use in the program.
Follow me for a minute…
Most DAWs allow for plugins like VST/AU/RTAS and such. Why not extend that to a modular approach across the board. Allow a user to add the functionality that they would need or not as they see fit. Things like midi plugins, notation, scoring to video and so on and so on. In one way this would allow the program to exist in a somewhat finished, non-beta state once the bugs were worked out course. And it would also allow the program to grow vertically as well as horizontally (think autocad/3dmax).
It could also create additional streams of revenue for the developer. I mean, so far I have heard of Zynewave and Imageline offering the one time fee for the program and we continue to get updates. That’s nice, but how long is that sustainable? The idea that users would pay for additional functionality could keep customers around and not looking over the fence so much. It could also appeal to the “less is more” crowd, as this group would have the option of running things on the lean side with no add-ons, and still knowing that its there if they need to add it in the future. Heck it would take the idea of Projects and Devices to another level.
I don’t know what’s available a this point with Podium and what the future holds. But when I look at Reaktor and the massive library available that goes well beyond the idea of a “soundbank” I’m just left wondering why that approach has not hit the DAW developers. Or has it?
Any thoughts?
rinxaiDo you mean something like the audio/midi equivalent of OpenGL? An API for audio/midi widgets? Perhaps something like this available on the Linux platform. I’m not aware of anything thats cross platform or windows specific. Its a neat idea and will probably see the light of day in some years to come.
UncleAgeOpenGL’ish, maybe. I don’t think it would require things to become bloated at all either. You just buy what you need and would also have the ability to run it as each project required. Load what you want and leave the rest.
I dunno, just thinking out loud I guess…
Conquistador@UncleAge wrote:
The idea that users would pay for additional functionality could keep customers around and not looking over the fence so much. It could also appeal to the “less is more” crowd, as this group would have the option of running things on the lean side with no add-ons, and still knowing that its there if they need to add it in the future. Heck it would take the idea of Projects and Devices to another level.
I don’t know what’s available a this point with Podium and what the future holds. But when I look at Reaktor and the massive library available that goes well beyond the idea of a “soundbank” I’m just left wondering why that approach has not hit the DAW developers. Or has it?
Any thoughts?
If I understand you correctly I think offering a host in parts Midi, Audio or notation that can be plugged in so to speak is a very good idea. I really expected the Ableton Cycling 74 partnership do deliver that sort of approach. Perhaps they will in future.
I think most devs are not sure if the market really wants it (if they have even thought of it yet) but I am certain the market is there.
There are many audio focused producers, midi and a combination of both so I think the plugin feature approach within reason and delivered carefully (with user feedback) could definitely work…even Microsoft appear to be looking at this very same model for Windows 7.
So it is not really far fetched at all.
UncleAge@Conquistador wrote:
@UncleAge wrote:
The idea that users would pay for additional functionality could keep customers around and not looking over the fence so much. It could also appeal to the “less is more” crowd, as this group would have the option of running things on the lean side with no add-ons, and still knowing that its there if they need to add it in the future. Heck it would take the idea of Projects and Devices to another level.
I don’t know what’s available a this point with Podium and what the future holds. But when I look at Reaktor and the massive library available that goes well beyond the idea of a “soundbank” I’m just left wondering why that approach has not hit the DAW developers. Or has it?
Any thoughts?
If I understand you correctly I think offering a host in parts Midi, Audio or notation that can be plugged in so to speak is a very good idea. I really expected the Ableton Cycling 74 partnership do deliver that sort of approach. Perhaps they will in future.
I think most devs are not sure if the market really wants it (if they have even thought of it yet) but I am certain the market is there.
There are many audio focused producers, midi and a combination of both so I think the plugin feature approach within reason and delivered carefully (with user feedback) could definitely work…even Microsoft appear to be looking at this very same model for Windows 7.
So it is not really far fetched at all.
First thanks for that link, I wondered how long it would take MS too wake up. A one size fits all approach has been part of the problem for years, IMO. The vast majority of users could get by with an expanded PDA. Seriously. I check my email, the weather, my investments, contacts and a few websites each morning from my iPod touch. And before that it was my PDA. I don’t need a quadcore computer for such tasks. I really hope some of what’s in that article come true and a variety is offered to the development community. Its possible that some folks, maybe even ASUS, might pick up that “minwin” version and include it in some of their new laptops, you know, the ones with no hard drive.
Second, yes, you do understand me correctly. It is quite possible that there will be some cool “roll your own” functionality coming out of that partnership with Ableton & Cycling ’74. And if there was a DAW app out there that allowed for plugins not developed in-house that added functionality, I would be more than tempted to put my programmer’s hat back on and contribute. Maybe for free even…