EXS 24 Logic Sampler Users Group

Fernstudio wrote:
> 
> Because a hardware synth cannot be copied in the same way a
> sample library can, that is one of the arguments the sample 
> manufacturer makes. 

So the assumption is that everyone will steal a library if given half a
chance? And the licensing terms are based on that assumption? Hmmm...

> You do get a license for the samples for your 
> entire life which seems to be a little bit of a good trade-off.

It's difficult to be excited about that when everything else I buy
can be used for my entire life (or until it wears out, or gets eaten, or 
whatever.)

> Some people don't seem to hum and haw much about dropping a few grand 
> on a new Triton or Motif yet call it highway robbery at times when a 
> sample library manufacturer is selling high quality samples on a CD (or 
> multiple CD's) for $299.

I have NO problems with the prices of sample libraries or the fact that
we're expected to pay for them if we want them on our hard drives.

What I *hate* though, are the differences b/w what we're allowed to do
with sample libraries compared to what we're allowed to do with hardware
synths.

These Draconian restrictions mean that if you have no need for
orchestral libraries (therefore never need to buy one) but just happen
to want one little line from an instrument that appears only in the Pro
Edition of VSL's Complete Orchestral Package you're up for AU$7897. Or
if you'd like to use part of VOTA for the one song you'll ever do in 
your whole life that could benefit from the sound of a classical choir, 
you're up for AU$667 plus shipping.

And no, you can't hire it (like you can hire any other piece of studio
equipment that you don't need often enough to warrant buying it), and no 
you can't go to your friend's place to use his (like you can with any of 
his other equipment). No, you can't buy it used (like you can buy any 
other piece of studio equipment used), and if you do actually buy it - 
no, you're not allowed to sell it once you've finished with it (like you 
can sell any other piece of studio equipment you've finished with). Is 
it unreasonable that I feel screwed? (Not as much as the manufacturers 
must feel screwed when people copy their stuff illegally, but I still 
don't think it's fair.)

Bought a US$200 piano sample library (in Kompakt instrument format) 
about a year ago. Can't use it cos it runs like sh*t on my computer. 
That's OK, but what ####s me off is that I'm not allowed to sell it, not 
even if all hardware profiles are deactivated. It would've been just as 
useful to've put the money in the same place I put digested food 
remnants. Oh, except that I can claim it as a tax deduction. (There are 
other examples I won't bore you with.)

 > If this was allowed as fair use, what's to stop 10 of you from
 > splitting the cost of Voices of the Apocaplypse and paying only
 > $50 each then sending MIDI files amongst each other, etc.

The same thing that'd prevent a group of 10 people from doing the same
with a hardware synth, I imagine, i.e. the extreme inconvenience.