Okay folks you decide. Below is the entire email thread that he is complaining about.
 
Mr. Jumppanen:
 
Insults aside, my e-mail to you detailed a valid complaint.  The only way I discovered that you had upgraded your product was when Windows 7 rebooted and my Harbal and several other icons disappeared. I determined that the programs were intact and just the icons had, for some reason, been deleted. In my search for a correction of that problem and perhaps finding an appropriate icon, I found your upgrade by Googling your business. The implication that somehow I am accusing YOU and your compatriot Earle of reaching out through the Ethernet and stealing my icons betrays either an inability to comprehend written English or a state of advanced paranoia. For your sake I hope it is the former. Read my initial e-mail. If you still think I am crazy…then so be it. Were you aware that your website requires customers to install a CAPTCHA module on their computers in order to reach your support? The only way I found your e-mail was on the Cakewalk forum. I have a policy about using junkware on studio computers and we use the virtual Windows installations on the RAIN systems on the rare occasion that one of these computers needs to get on line.  Are you aware that there are lots of people on the forums that have never heard of the upgrade, even though their original e-mails had not changed? Lastly, were you aware that I sent Earle my current e-mail? Obviously you both have it as we are “communicating”. All of this is irrelevant to me. I have no interest in doing business with you, Earle or whoever buys your company when you go belly up. I have spent too much time on this silly adventure as it is and it is simply not worth it.   Paul  McTamaneySent  from my Studio Computer
 
From: Paavo Jumppanen 
 
Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 5:10 AM
To: Paul McTamaney
Subject: Re: No upgrade message Paul,
 
You are way out way out of line and totally incoherent. You really have no grounds for abusing us and you will readily find that most of our customer base would feel your attack entirely unjustified. You are very much in the minority here, so no, we won't need good luck. Our customers are very happy.
 
You, for some reason that only you know, have chosen to lash out for what appears to be entirely petty reasons.
 
For the record, we did notify you of the upgrade on the email address we had for you which is j.p.mct@comcast.net. If that address is dead or non existent it is hardly our fault you did not receive notification. Similarly, we have made it perfectly clear on the web site and the forum that those who did not receive upgrade notification could contact us through the normal channels and we would happily make it available.
 
From what I've read of your email, you seem to be implying that the disappearance of your HB2.3 is some sort of marketing conspiracy by us! All I can say is "totally bizarre". Why would we bother even if we could.
In any normal capacity both Earle and I would be perfectly happy to make the upgrade notice available to you, however, this is by your making, anything but normal. In the absence of an apology, we will not feel any compulsion to make anything available to you now or into the future.
 
The arrogance of response is entirely from you, not Earle or I.
 
Good day,
Paavo Jumppanen.
 
 
On 23/01/2012 12:09 PM, Paul McTamaney wrote: Well, Mr. Holder, it would appear that the CEO himself has refused my upgrade. Fine. REALLY nice customer service. I guess that’s why it has taken years to bring this new upgrade to the market. I gather that I will not hear back from you again after that arrogant response. Good luck, sir, you will need it. “Cheers” mate, Paul  McTamaneySent  from my Studio Computer
 
 
From: Earle Holder On Behalf Of Har-Bal Support
Sent: Sunday, January 22, 2012 7:14 PM
 
To: Paul McTamaney
Cc: Paavo Jumppanen
Subject: Re: No upgrade message
 
Calm down Paul Its really easy getting in touch with us. First of all, we successfully contacted thousands of Har-Bal users notifying them of the upgrade. Quite a few folks had changed their email addresses or had spam arrest blockers on their email accounts. We have nothing to do with your icon disappearing from your desktop. Additionally we have never had a problem with our communication skills and I totally resent your comment. If you want to move on to Voxengo, please do so. Its a great program as well. All you had to do was write us and ask for the upgrade. The personal attacks are not necessary.
 
Cheers
Earle
 
On Sun, Jan 22, 2012 at 7:00 PM, Paul McTamaney wrote:
 
Sirs: I am a long term Har-bal user. I was searching for a new Har-Bal icon when my version (2.3, revision 1) icon suddenly disappeared with a Windows upgrade (the program still opens). I was surprised to find a new Version 3 available through a Google link. I was further surprised when the purchase page indicated that current users would receive an e-mail notifying them of upgrade information. Needless to say, I never got an e-mail from you. In order to contact you, I am also expected to download some kind of crapware to my computer regarding a “captcha”. A “Captcha” download is not going to happen on my studio computer system, even if it did come with an install routine and directions in the King’s English, which it does not. I have been impressed with your business in the past and still use your product. I am not impressed with your communication skills. I would appreciate receiving upgrade information. My information may be under my former e-mail address: j.p.mct@comcast.net . This is no longer an active e-mail. The address on this e-mail will ensure that you can contact me. You don’t even have to install Captcha! Here’s hoping we can work this out. I have been using Har-Bal for years to make final pre-mastering EQ adjustments. I guess I can move on to Voxengo’s GlissEQ if there is a problem, but I would like to use software that I am familiar with.  Thanks,  (James) Paul  McTamaneySent  from my Studio Computer
 
*********************************************************************************************
For the record we sent out thousands of upgrade requests and as I stated earlier quite a few were returned simply because of changed email addresses, spam blockers and spam arresters. We have had a large number of users who have contacted us and we have immediately sent them the upgrade instructions. 
 
For the other poster, you may be quite surpised to know that the majority of my business is not rap as you stated. We have three studios located in Atlanta that are doing extremely well. We specialize in all styles of music and really do appreciate the diversity.
 
Earle Holder
Har-Bal Support

Hello
 
We would also like to add that capcha is on our web site is not a download at all, but merely having javascript enabled for the web site, and nor is it cripple ware or anything of the sort and if you happen to go to start menu/Har-Bal 2.3/ Help on Har-Bal and look for the contact details you'll see the necessary email address to contact us.
 
Absolutely no need to use the web site form to email us at all.
 
Similarly, any archived emails showing the sales details for the original 2.3 purchase has the contact email address again.
 
Cheers
 
Earle Holder
www.har-bal.com
www.hdqtrz.com
 

thanks for work, Earle.  Seems like JMPTC with 5 posts is one that lets emotions rule their thinking and actions.  You didn't need to post the emails, as your product speaks for itself.
 
When people gripe about the cost of software, it totally flabbergasts me.  Go hire a mastering engineer and see what they charge.  For me, upgrading for $30 is basically nothing.  Even at $200, people don't realize what they're getting.  If you can do it in Ozone, then great.  Just be greatful you don't have violins in your budget, because your practice fiddle needs replacement and you need it for work.
 
I remember shucking out waaaay more than I do nowadays.  Anyone remember what a roll of 2" tape costs??

When people gripe about the cost of software, it totally flabbergasts me.  Go hire a mastering engineer and see what they charge.  For me, upgrading for $30 is basically nothing.  Even at $200, people don't realize what they're getting.

Sorry, mixmkr, not trying to be argumentative, but I have a few problems with that paragraph.  

1. Please don't equate hiring a mastering engineer with purchasing Har-Bal. That's an insult to MEs and misleading to noobs who may accept that statement at face value.

2. Just because $30 is nothing to you doesn't mean it's nothing. It's definitely something to many of the folks here, myself included.

3. Some may not appreciate what a great value software is, generally speaking. But some of us a) do remember the cost of tape and everything else that's been replaced by cheaper alternatives, but b) do know exactly what we're getting with Har-Bal. Many of them could make a reasoned case that it would be a waste of $200.

I totally respect almost all your posts

Same back atcha, I think.

Sorry, bitflipper, I figured that but I didn't want to rain on your parade if you were a friend of "The Specialist".

Nadine, my reluctance to put a unknown sourced CAPTCHA program on either a personal computer, much less a workstation, and then complaining about it to the HarBal developers, was enough for them to take time away from their busy schedules to send me mail and call me names.  I suppose they have all of this time because NOBODY CAN GET IN TOUCH WITH THEM!!!!

Your best bet is to use their old e-mail address: support@Har-bal.com

Say hello to the boys for me and be sure to tell them I sent you. Maybe I'll get a fee upgrade??!!

I installed it about 10 minutes after purchasing. Actually very easy, and 1/2 that time was spent copying folders to backup drives.  No other software was needed.  Definately some new stuff to learn in this one.  Looks GREAT!

Anyone that got the new HB.

As far as moving to different places in the song, Is there a more reasonable way to shuttle or rewind or FF or something to navigate the tune? Or, is it still the silly little node thing you have to mouse and grab/slide?
Thanks

My experience with the Har-Bal folks has always been outstanding.  I got the 3.0 upgrade in January, used it once, then promptly went on a trip back east for 3 weeks.  When I finally got back to my studio, I fired up Har-Bal, and........it didn't work!  I sent off an email to Paavo at 5:19PM on 2/13/2012, and I had a return email from him at 6:04PM diagnosing the problem and telling me how to correct it.  I did what he said, and he was right, and I was immediately back in business.  It's really tough for me to imagine any better tech support than that, unless the guy came over to my studio and personally fixed the probelm for me hisowndamnself.
 
As for Har-Bal 3.0, I think it is a great tool to add to the toolbox, and I highly recommend it.  After you finish your mix and you think you are done, render the mix into stereo and then import it into Har-Bal and take a look at it.  You'll immediately be able to see any weak areas of the mix and any areas that are too strident.  Let's face it, unless you have a set of golden ears (and I'm betting the majority of home studio folks don't unless they happen to be a pro mixer and/or masterer, in which case they prolly don't need Har-Bal anyway), it never hurts to "get another opinion".  Har-Bal also allows you to generate an EQ curve for any number of refernce tracks that are in a similar genre as your song, or represent the goal you want to reach sonically with your song.  The prudent thing to do then is to go back into Sonar and adjust the mix of the indiviudal instruments and tracks to try to correct those deficiencies (now that you know where the problem areas are).  After that, if you still need some tweaks, then you can use the tools within Har-Bal to correct the EQ problems and move on to the mastering stage.  (Har-Bal has a feature where you can segment the song into Intro/Verses/Choruses/Middle8/Outro segments in case each segment differs significantly in sound, and you can then generate a separate EQ analysis curve for each of those segments.  Plus, you can look at each of those segments from a Mid, Side, Left or Right standpoint with separate EQ curves.  Putting offline DSP to good use!)
 
When I was back east, I got some stereo reel/reel tapes from the guys I used to record with back in the late 70s.  These tapes were all over the place: pro studio, home studio and live gigs.....and they varied sonically from pretty good to pretty bad.  They were recorded in 1980 and 1981 after I moved away.  They wanted me to digitize them, clean them up and make them sound good, then master them.  There is certainly no way to go back and adjust any mix tracks now- those tapes are over 30 years old!  Har-Bal is really helping to get a handle on the sound in this effort without overly coloring the sound.
My $0.02
JV

+1  ^^^

Somebody that spoke to me like that then posted a transcript of it on a public forum could expect something from me in the future but it wouldn't be my custom.

Unbelievable.  What planet are these people from...

I just read this again just to make sure i did not read wrong and i have come to the conclusion that Har-bal is not a product i would consider. Nothing is worse than a company that is more concerned about being "right" than proividing good service. This thread is a prime example of why owners/CEOs/ etc should leave customer service up to people who's job is to do customer service and focus on running the company. The head of Roland/Cakewalk will never jump on these forums and get into a pissing contest with a customer because they know it's a no-win situation. "the customer is always right" is a cliche, but cliches are often a cliche for a reason. If Earle cannot grap that he should be selling Midol instead of plugins.

I don't like the previous version of Harbal.  The eq did something to my songs that I did not like.  What is the new version like?

True.  I just get better results using my ears and a linear phase eq with no curve matching.

time to bump this.
 
still very happy with my old version, would love to hear a full blown review from someone with 3.0
 
 
this program frickin' works great.
does EXACTLY what i want it to.
 
i have not found any other program that does what it does as well, as fast, as easy.
 
 

I never tried Har-Bal.  The dev's customer service skills aside, does it really do something that cannot be done by other tools like Ozone?
 
Cheers,
Eddie