SteveStrummerUK


Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm sure I remember that Brandon was listed as a Vice-President of Cakewalk before the Roland buy-out (maybe Seth too?).

So I'm assuming he went from having quite an influential (decision making?) position on the board to being just another guy on the payroll. Must take some adjusting to, especially if the roles were vastly different. But obviously, I'm only guessing here.

However, what I do undoubtedly miss is their presence on the forums. But even that involvement changed to a certain extent when Roland became in charge. Up until that point, you felt that anything Seth or Brandon said in here actually meant something and carried some weight - like getting to talk to the organ grinder. Although undoubtedly they continued to be very helpful, and a welcome 'value-added' presence in here, I always got the feeling they both had to be just a little guarded about what they said. A subtle difference I accept, but noticeable none the less.

It does make you wonder what Cakewalk would have been like now, had they turned down Roland's advances and maintained their independence.



 
 
 
 
 
 

What you have to remember here Strummy is that in America Vice President is neither a reflection of ability or status. Think Dan Quayle. Al Gore, Dick Cheney.............you get the picture ? These guys are just there to make sure nobody gets ideas about taking out the main man, 'cos look who'll be in charge if he cops it !! ;)
 
That aside, I also very much miss the input of Brandon, Seth and Robin. This was what always made me think....you know what, I don't give a rats arse what Pro-Tools, Cubase etc can do, because they don't have this and this beats any of the other stuff hands down, all day every day.
 
The Roland version of CW don't seem to see the worth of the degree of access we had to the people in the know and how many customers were retained because of this. I understand that people move on, sometimes to bigger and better things and good for them, but the work they did here should not be underestimated and should have been taken on by others. It seems to me that CW have enjoyed a fiercely loyal bunch of customers over the years. I can't help thinking that some may be wavering these days. It certainly feels that way.
 
 
 

 

Brandon Ryan [Roland
]

Hey everyone.

Just happened by and saw this thread (thanks Keni!). I really do appreciate the sentiments and miss all of you as well. I really mean that. You all feel like family to me.

I've been getting used to my new gig but, as the dust is settling, will try my darndest to drop in more often and chat to you all - about SONAR, about recording, about music and life. There are also some plans brewing for some live internet broadcasts as well...

Anyway, Cakewalk is lucky to have such a great bunch of kind, passionate, and interesting people as its customers.

I'll try to call home more often. 


Nite all,


-Brandon

 
Hi Brandon - glad to hear you are still alive and kicking. I stumbled across one of your old vids on You Tube the other day........you looked about 12, lol !   ;)
 
Hope life is treating you well.
 
 

Yes Paulo...

I feel that way at times as well (Re:Loss of personal contact)...

Much as with Sunday Dinners with the entire family (~16 kids/12Adults) was once a given... The world is becoming "corporate". Maybe that's how this time period will be remembered from the future... "The Corporate Years"... So many books/movies have taken on this theme...

It seems to be the destiny of most successful "mom & pop* businesses to quickly live/die when going corporate and I'm hoping that Cakewalk survives this... I've already seen companies swallowed up and gone in such scenarios...

I used to work for Soundscape when they were Owned by Chris and built by Sydec.... I hope I remember the names and sequence correctly but you'll get the idea.... They went down and were bought by Mackie who sold them to Sunn who sold them to SSL where they are now essentially barely supported relics as the people themselves have been integrated into the company and poured into different lines... Sad... They had the best audio interface I've yet seen!

I've been with Cakewalk since the early days when Greg was actually standing behind a table at the conventions and I could stop and talk with him directly... I'm sure he wouldn't remember me as I've become less-known over the years! ;-)

But the tradition of user/developer contact was imprinted by Greg into the business that Twelve Tones grew to be. Why he sold to Roland? I don't know... nor would I begin to speculate. I only hope it did well for him and that Roland does a good job preserving/growing what it can from there... different tho it will be...

We know that corporations try to create connectivity with the 7-up man or Speedy Alka Seltzer and with the multitudes that now need be addressed, maybe it works for the corporations success overall, but kills the personality that originally created it... Why am I thinking of baby spiders eating the mother after birth? <sigh>...

Oh well... Here's hoping that you/we all have a good day making music as Sonar and all the others are very powerful tools in the hands of an artist!

Keni

David: Oh sorry...well this is thoroughly depressing. 
Nigel: It really puts perspective on things, though, doesn't it? 
David: Too much, there's too much !@#$%ing perspective now. 


-- This Is Spinal Tap

I was talking with Brandon and he mentioned this thread. i wanted to pop in and say Hi! We miss you guys too. There will be a webinar coming up from Guitar Center which will have Brandon and possibly me too! Hope to see you there and more details to follow. Robin

Robin Kelly [Roland
]

I was talking with Brandon and he mentioned this thread. i wanted to pop in and say Hi! We miss you guys too. There will be a webinar coming up from Guitar Center which will have Brandon and possibly me too! Hope to see you there and more details to follow. Robin

Hi Robin

Good to hear from you.  Hope things are going well over at Roland.  We'll keep an eye out for the webinar.  Make sure you  guys give a a heads up over here.

Cheers!
Bud

Robin, 

I like your own little tribute to Seth and Brandon.  Pretty cool.

Everyone else, if you didn't click the link to Robin's blog and find this, here is a direct link to Robin's "Brandon and Seth" video:

Seth and Brandon Tribute

Hey All,
 
I'm touched to have stumbled on this thread. It makes me feel good to read such nice comments from valued compatriots. I miss you all, too, but not for long as I'll be back sooner rather than later (and in a new, more powerful form than ever before). 
 
Details coming soon ...
 
SP

Hey, Seth.  Great to hear from you.  Sounds like you are doing well.  I can't wait for the news. 
 
Wishing you well,
 
Michael

please move along.