sharke

dlesaux
I'm confused here? Isn't BandLab a commercial endeavor? 

 
Of course BandLab is a commercial endeavor. 
 

Most businesses succeed by offering a product (or service) for a fee where the fee is higher than the total cost of the product which results in a profit. Is the model here to hope that the users make enough donations to cover their costs? If that's true, it's a pretty shaky business model.

 
Most businesses do, yes, but an increasing number of software companies are offering software for free as a way of generating a captive audience at whom other things can be marketed. The tip jar is obviously not their intended revenue stream - frankly, I find it a little bizarre. Tip jars are usually used by solo developers who produce freeware that has no revenue stream. 



 

Interesting perspective! Thanks Sharke!

I was glad to add to the tip jar. It cost money to buy the IP, and it'll cost money to maintain and further develop the software, I'm looking forward to that. Retaining Noel and untold bakers made it a no brainer.

sharke
The tip jar is obviously not their intended revenue stream - frankly, I find it a little bizarre. Tip jars are usually used by solo developers who produce freeware that has no revenue stream. 

 
I personally find it very appropriate. We're putting it in the hands of the users to decide whether they want to support us, and rather than charging people money upfront for software we let users contribute to our creation process if they feel a commitment to it.
BandLab is a company that services musicians and this model is widely being used by many artists who's fans support their projects. As more work is done going forward, more people will appreciate the value they are getting and contribute.

Noel Borthwick [Cakewalk]
 
I personally find it very appropriate. We're putting it in the hands of the users to decide whether they want to support us, and rather than charging people money upfront for software we let users contribute to our creation process if they feel a commitment to it.
BandLab is a company that services musicians and this model is widely being used by many artists who's fans support their projects. As more work is done going forward, more people will appreciate the value they are getting and contribute.

Bravo for that.  I love it. 

Ditto  Rbh's comments, I contributed for the same reasons....
Rusty

Noel Borthwick [Cakewalk]

sharke
The tip jar is obviously not their intended revenue stream - frankly, I find it a little bizarre. Tip jars are usually used by solo developers who produce freeware that has no revenue stream. 

 
I personally find it very appropriate. We're putting it in the hands of the users to decide whether they want to support us, and rather than charging people money upfront for software we let users contribute to our creation process if they feel a commitment to it.
BandLab is a company that services musicians and this model is widely being used by many artists who's fans support their projects. As more work is done going forward, more people will appreciate the value they are getting and contribute.

But surely that cannot be BandLab's business plan for Cakewalk. It won't survive solely as donationware. Fans supporting artists is one thing but a DAW needs a resident production team working daily to maintain it. I'm presuming all of these production costs were hashed out during talks, and I find it highly unlikely that a tip jar was part of the plan as in "guys we'll scrape through as long as we can secure a minimum of $x a month through tips." So clearly the DAW was bought as an investment with a long term view of making money as part of BandLab's overall experience. To be clear, I find nothing morally wrong with a tip jar, I'm just saying that to those who are worried about the future of Cakewalk and are wondering how it will sustain itself successfully this time around, tip jars don't exactly instill confidence.

To be honest this model, as mentioned above, is being adopted more and more. Most often by individuals running podcasts and such but also software. I pay for several podcasts on a monthly basis for example, where it is totally optional to do so but I feel the content is worth the cost of atleast a cup of coffee a month or whatever it is I chose to pay. 
 
In todays world where everyone expect everything for free, it might be the only way forward in many cases. Patreon, kickstarter, tip jars or whatever. 
 
In some ironic way musicians are back to holding out the tip jars to survive again. We have come full circle! 

Noel Borthwick [Cakewalk]

sharke
The tip jar is obviously not their intended revenue stream - frankly, I find it a little bizarre. Tip jars are usually used by solo developers who produce freeware that has no revenue stream. 

 
I personally find it very appropriate. We're putting it in the hands of the users to decide whether they want to support us, and rather than charging people money upfront for software we let users contribute to our creation process if they feel a commitment to it.
BandLab is a company that services musicians and this model is widely being used by many artists who's fans support their projects. As more work is done going forward, more people will appreciate the value they are getting and contribute.

Hi Noel,
 
I appreciate the sincere sentiment, and I acknowledge my POV may not be in the majority on this, but a tip jar seems just a little odd for a professional music app, and it feels a little like we're going down a path of desperate hobbyists who don't have the funds or time to continue development, especially right after acquisition. It feels a bit amateurish, and doesn't inspire confidence. 
 
Obviously, it's someone's sincere idea, so go ahead and keep it, but it would honestly look a LOT better if the tip jar went to a charitable cause for poor musicians, for example, who needed help buying a computer so they could actually USE Cakewalk. THAT would be really cool, and it would go 100% with the vibe that BandLab is about getting Cakewalk into the hands of EVERYONE on the planet, and tear down ALL barriers. It would STILL give those that wanted to show Cakewalk their appreciation an opportunity to give money, AND it would honestly be WAY better for perception and PR. It would also show that Cakewalk is operating on solid legs after the acquisition, but really focused on their new, human-centric, lofty mission, rather than being perceived in any way that they need donations to survive.
 
As for actual revenue, I'm on board as soon as you guys start releasing the great paid-for modules I know you're capable of. I'd like to show you my appreciation and send you money, but for a PRODUCT or SERVICE. Thank you for giving Cakewalk as a baseline away for free (it's a great business concept!), but now start releasing great plugins, etc...
 
Anyway, just quick thoughts, and I don't mean to disrespect the tip jar idea, it just doesn't sit well with me in this case, especially after Cakewalk died, was resuscitated, and now even has the remote semblance of being on life support (i.e. "tip jar" for any reason other than charity to others). I don't think it actually is a good ROI for you guys in terms of the image issues that you are trying to cultivate. Best of luck with that though if you all stick with it.

RexRed
I don't think the people who have been going to piratebay for years to get Cakewalk will contribute.
[...]

Neither will you it seems. It's likely those former piratebay'ers actually will make a greater contribution  towards the development of the DAW than you. I guess at least a few of them will make a small tip.

I would happily throw $50 their way but only if I can choose which mug I get. The black one is very cool whilst the white one, IMO, is rather ugly. Please add a way to select specific mug or t-shirt to the donation page and I'm in!