I'm probably like other users around here that already own a few good reputable Subtractive/FM synths and buying Operator for the price you're asking for is very hard to justify. There are plenty of freewares available and alot of reputable synths out there are already priced affordably and go on discounts/group buys throughout the year thereby getting a "wanted synth" at even a better price (if one can wait!). Then....Cakewalk Project5 (and Reason) came to mind and how they have packaged themselves as compared to LIVE with all the synths already included when you purchase these two.
As a business model, I think LIVE with all the Audio & Midi effects included is a brilliant idea to grab and hold onto users esp. since 1) these tools are VERY WELL integrated in LIVE and b) average homegrown LIVE users, like me, don't have to worry about purchasing 3rd party tools and can use what is included in LIVE right out-of-the-box. Of course, it's a whole other debate whether or not the LIVE Audio effects are of acceptable quality, but that's not the point - they are good enough for what I do/need and I'm quite happy with them, albeit they should not stop enhancing and adding new tools, though!
So my question (actually suggestion) is why not just offer ONE version of LIVE for EVERYONE and package Operator & Sampler into it like Project5 (and Reason) with all it's included Synths and Effects? The benefits as I see are this:
BENEFITS
1) Easy to Purchase = ONE version of LIVE that includes everything is straight-forward = "you get all this when you go with LIVE". No gray areas, no beating heads on tables trying to decide - everything is included when you buy it. Pretty much like Project5 and Reason.
2) New/Existing Users would then have the desire to use Operator/Sampler in their material straight out-of-the-box. Users without a Sampler/Rompler - could also start using Sampler instead of having to decide between the various already-good samplers on the market and begin relying on Sampler.
3) By bundling all of Ableton's goodies into One (1) version of LIVE, this would ultimately keep customers for long-term since the instruments are used in their material. (This is surely already part of their business model)
4) If Sampler is as good as Ableton is touting it out to be, then those of us who already own a Sampler/Rompler - can feel easier about relying on Sampler since we already own LIVE and not worry about paying for an upgrade in the future (since it would be automatically part of LIVE and not a separate product); same with Operator.
5) Bundling Operator/Sampler and whatever you have stored in the future, (I think) would be very attractive to new customers who don't already own a Sequencer/Host (or thinking about jumping ship) and upon purchasing LIVE, they can start making music out-of-the-box (since there is no VST Synth included). Bundling the two together would give someone a better start esp. since one is a subtractive/FM synth and the other a Sampler with material (albeit the list of included samples you note on your site is weak I'm afraid...again, that's another discussion!).
6) Everyone would then have the same exact version of LIVE...no differences between owners thereby facilitating the idea of exchanging Live files between each other and making LIVE more "universal".
7) When beta testing new versions of LIVE, EVERYONE would have a chance to test/use Operator/Sampler + whatever new instruments you come out with....thereby receiving more feedback and making Live even more bullet-proof. Right now, if I'm beta testing a new version of LIVE...I have no desire to test Operator/Sampler since I don't own them and ultimately would have to purchase them.
DISADVANTAGES
1) No revenue from selling Operator/Sampler separately.
REBUTTLE: of course, a small price increase can go into LIVE to help offset the cost, but the goal here is to SELL LIVE (at a reasonable price) and to attract more people to the Host itself. If one doesn't have LIVE....it means one can't use Operator/Sampler since it's not a VST, so kinda defeats the purpose really to just sell the synths to LIVE users. Make it available as part of LIVE to help ATTRACT new customers and convince current users to stay.
2) Can't think of any other disadvantages really. Bundle everything and make all your good stuff available to everyone!
Anyway....as for someone like me = your average user that likes to write music for personal pleasure.....it just makes sense to go that route. Yes, I realize that there are professionals that also use LIVE, but I would put money down that the market for the "average music making lovers" is WAY BIGGER.
A good example of this kind of marketing - is in the gaming industry where now with the advent of Nintendo's Wii...there is a beginning to be a shift to more family-oriented games esp. since that market is bigger than pure/hardcore gamers.
Ableton is on a roll with LIVE and how unique, innovative and FUN it is to use. I truly love it and Ableton can count me in to stay, but if they're coming up with unique tools like Sampler and obviously keeping Operator around....then I think they should automatically make it available to all their customers instead of having us run off to purchase 3rd party synths and never to use Ableton's synths. Having them included in LIVE, they are right there like the Audio/Midi effects and I would imagine none of us would think twice about not using them.
WOW....sorry to go on there, just trying to get all my thoughts across while they're fresh.
Let's hear what you have to say...!
Cheers...
P.S.: Just decided to make this into a POLL to see how everyone else feels.
