A Melodyne for Sonar X3 (basic) Update ... Is it Real or Not?

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cpkoch
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2014/02/08 11:20:25 (permalink)

A Melodyne for Sonar X3 (basic) Update ... Is it Real or Not?

I've been going round and round with representatives at Cakewalk and at Celemony because  of an interpretation of a Promotion on the Celemony site that accompanies an Installation of Cakewalk Sonar X3.  The following screen shot represents what is displayed as soon as Sonar X3 (basic) is finished installing:
 
It comes displayed  immediately after X3 is finished installing and before X3 is launched.  Therefore I see that promotion as an offer to download and add Celemony's Melodyne to Sonar XP as a completely free update. I see the he words "Don't want to take a decison yet?" as being  meaningless in the context of the promotion.  I chalk it up to sloppiness on the part of Celemony's advertizing group. 
 
In the message contained in the following screenshot, Celemony further supports my interpretation by stating that Melodyne (Editor) is bundled with Sonar X3 ... not X3 Studio  ... not  X3 Producer; but, as written in the promotion, just plain old X3 (basic??)

While I probably should give up the fight, I am the type that believes  online commerce needs to clean up their acts and offer messages that are truthful and without elements of deceit and trickery.  Nothing is more irritating, for example,  than to download a piece of software that is promoted as being a "free download" only to learn that the download is free but the software is not.  Although both Cakewalk and Celemony have wonderfully designed products about which they can be justifiably proud, one may begin to question either the integrity of their marketing tricks or question why such sloppiness  in the quality of their promotions is allowed to seep through to the consuming public. 
 
 
 
 
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    scook
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    Re: A Melodyne for Sonar X3 (basic) Update ... Is it Real or Not? 2014/02/08 11:47:40 (permalink)
    The basic version of X3 does not include any version of Melodyne see http://www.cakewalk.com/products/sonar/versions.aspx. If the basic version of X3 launched the Melodyne registration process, it was an error. You did the right thing reporting this tech support. They need to clean up the install process. The second screen says nothing about actually having Melodyne, it makes an assumption based on the screen being launched by the installer. There was a free update to the Melodyne Essential bundled with Studio and Producer. AFAIK, there has never been a free upgrade from Melodyne Essential to Editor. 
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    cpkoch
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    Re: A Melodyne for Sonar X3 (basic) Update ... Is it Real or Not? 2014/02/08 12:48:25 (permalink)
    Scook
     
    While I understand all that you said I also understand that what I witnessed as I installed X3 has nothing to do with what Cakewalk and Celemony intended do do when they  released the promotional.  Word that are released with a promotion may be subject to interpretation but can not be changed.  Free means "Free".  "Update" I grant you, is questionable but not in the contest of one's installing X3 (basic).  "Bundled" means something is packaged or contained within a package and appears to be or may be looked upon as a single entity.  "X3" means X3.  It is not X3 Studio or X3 Producer.   Look at the three descriptions referenced.  There they are clearly distinguished.  
    Moreover, while Melodyne is not mentioned as being a feature included ion the X3 version, neither is it mentioned as being included with the other versions ... art least not that I can see,    
     
    Another issue deals with the advertised price.  As I purchased X3 I did so believing that I was taking advantage of the $99 special. 
     
     

     
     
    As I transacted my purchase  saw nothing to suggest that the price was anything less than $105.00.  For the difference of $6.00 I wasn't concerned over the price; but, I remain irritated over the sloppiness of Cakewalk's Online marketing and their lack of quality control.  
     
    In terms of sloppiness,  .... Melodyne Single Track, Melodyne Essential, Melodyne Editor ... I defy anyone who  reads the promotional to define what version is to be updated "free" and bundled with Sonar X3.   Somewhere in the mix up there is mention of Melodyne Single Track which I why I have used that descriptor almost exclusively. I have also seen Melodyne Editor Single Track  or was is Melodyne Essential Singel Track.   None-the-less, absolutely nothing said about  the bundled item being a "trial" version or a "30-day trial" version.   
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    scook
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    Re: A Melodyne for Sonar X3 (basic) Update ... Is it Real or Not? 2014/02/08 13:15:19 (permalink)
    cpkoch

     
    Moreover, while Melodyne is not mentioned as being a feature included ion the X3 version, neither is it mentioned as being included with the other versions ... art least not that I can see,    
     

    It is in the "Tools & Editing" section of the feature matrix http://www.cakewalk.com/p..cts/sonar/versions.aspx
     
    post edited by scook - 2014/02/08 13:22:20
    #4
    chuckebaby
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    Re: A Melodyne for Sonar X3 (basic) Update ... Is it Real or Not? 2014/02/08 13:26:13 (permalink)
    I understand there are those out there that try and read in to things, but take it for what it is.
    try and cut these guys a break once in awhile, they really do make a great product.
     
    with that, I wish you the best in making good music.

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    #5
    paulo
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    Re: A Melodyne for Sonar X3 (basic) Update ... Is it Real or Not? 2014/02/08 13:37:01 (permalink)
     
    Melodyne is bundled with all versions of X3, but with your basic version it is only for the purpoes of a time limited trial. You have to pay to upgrade if you want it.
     
    The update  ( not upgrade) is free. If you don't already have it, you can't update it.
     
    The actual melodyne software is the same what ever version of melodyne you have and it is the serial nunber you purchase which determines which licence you have.
    #6
    scook
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    Re: A Melodyne for Sonar X3 (basic) Update ... Is it Real or Not? 2014/02/08 13:46:40 (permalink)
    Yeah, the way Celemony packages Melodyne, it can be confusing. Essential, Assistant and Editor are all the same Melodyne singletrack binaries with the serial number activating the feature set.
    #7
    ampfixer
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    Re: A Melodyne for Sonar X3 (basic) Update ... Is it Real or Not? 2014/02/08 13:55:01 (permalink)
    cpkoch sounds a lot like a retired lawyer. Maybe we can all get something for free with a legal eagle on the team.

    Regards, John 
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    #8
    mudgel
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    Re: A Melodyne for Sonar X3 (basic) Update ... Is it Real or Not? 2014/02/08 17:35:18 (permalink)
    The free update Celemony was promoting was from their own version 1.3 to 2.0

    It caught a lot of people out. I too read the promo but was able to decipher it's meaning. Perhaps some people see the word free and make assumptions without the context.

    Mike V. (MUDGEL)

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