New Preset Format

Ok, so Massive, Reaktor, Absynth, and FM8 all have new updates in the works that will give them all a new preset format compatiable with Maschine browser.

In what ways will this affect Kore users?

Feels like I've been thrown under the bus and I'm still there...

 

I think we're awaiting the official announcement on what the new format means for Kore users from either Thomas or Keir @ NI.

Until then, we could discuss as to what this means to whom but it'd be blind speculation.

 

Yep, still waiting on Keir to provide clarification on this as it seems that Komplete 7 instruments will become incompatible with Kore on the next update. As K7 was sold as Kore compatible I really hope this doesn't turn into a reality. Its also a bit worrying that its taking so long to respond to what is a fairly simple clarification :|

 

We'll be posting about this soon, I'm just in the process of gathering all the info together. Thanks for your patience.

 

I'm keenly aware people are waiting on me for this and I just want to reassure you it's not forgotten. I want to make sure I get all the relevant information and it's taken longer than I had hoped.

Thanks for bearing with me. I plan to post some details next week.

 

Well, either the answer is "yes it will work", "no it will be busted into microscopic pieces and we don't sell the glue", "partly yes and partly no" or "we don't know/don't care".

We will wait for the information, but....really, this should be an easy answer for the developers working on any new version of NI's products.

If a new version of Massive, Kontakt, Absynth, or FM8 breaks Kore, then Native will have to provide a way for the new versions to exist separately on the same system as the Kore database. If Native can not or will not provide a way for the old and new to coesist peacefully, then many Komplete 8 sales will be lost or delayed; and I mean more than has already been lost due to bad public relations throughout all this messy ordeal.

Additional pain from bad corporate planning. But I care more about the end-user, and it is he/she who would experience the greatest pain. I re-assert my opinion that Native should have done more to insure future compatibility with Kore before deciding to discontinue Kore, even if it meant opening up the API and/or database layout.

Awaiting your news, Keir; but not happy that we even have to worry about this!

 

I think the point is what does NI intend the updates to do with regard to Kore? Whatever they do is based on a decision and surely the decision was made before the software was developed so someone must know already? Also decisions, if wrong, can be changed, and if the decision has been to ignore the needs of Kore users yet again then that is a mistaken decision and one that needs to be changed before it is too late.

 

If you believe that they actually analyzed this. Personally, I have my doubts that comprehensive project planning and analysis is being done. Look back at how the discontinuation was done, from the abrupt nature of it all the way to the sudden purging of the online store and how long it took to get any useful information from NI.

Sure, decisions can be changed. But why would they care about Kore users now? Many have sworn off Komplete 8 already. Many have sworn off any future NI purchases.

I think after this next week, NI will have no reason to help or attract Kore users back into the fold unless they are like me saying that they'll wait and see what Komplete 8 offers. But we are few in number. Not enough for NI to consider us a significant source of revenue, and certainly not enough to justify additional sales or marketing energy, let alone development resources.

I think it's already too late.

But maybe I'm just in a grouchy mood right now.

 

I completely agree that it is not something that should have required any real effort to clarify. Right or wrong this leads to the conclusion that its not good news for Kore owners. I still hold out hope for a good outcome though ....

Where this differs from the announcement that Kore had been discontinued is that Komplete 7 was sold as being Kore ready - still is - and to change that through the life of the product could be construed as mis-selling, so I say again, I really hope there is a path to retain Kore compatibility while still being able to take advantage of the latest bug fixes. I'm waiting with anticipation

 

I too think that the length of time taken to answer this question is an indication of bad news.

After a period of ranting, I've tried to be 'philosophical' about the demise of Kore. This quietness has been difficult to maintain but has been based on the assumption that Komplete 7 will, as advertised, continue to work with Kore.

If NI break this, I rather hope that they will regard the breakage as being tantamount to breaking the promise under which the package was sold - with all of the implications that this will call into being.

 

Well, if they call it Reaktor 6 or Kontakt 5, then they could make a case that it's NOT part of Komplete 7. And therefore, no promise broken.

There, feel all better yet?

No, me neither.

 

The latest updates are being applied to the current versions, so Absynth5, Reaktor 5 etc - very much a part of Komplete 7

 

Hmmm, okay. If you say so.

But I think the version and release numbers are pretty much the easiest thing to change in a product.

Much easier than, say...terminating a product. And they've already done that.

Much easier than, say...making two incompatible products compatible, especially if both require any coding changes and their own test period.

Much easier than making anything work with an alread-discontinued product.

If it's convenient, they'll make them work and we'll all genuflect and thank them profusely for "looking out for the little guy". I can feel the excitement already...YAY!

But if it's not convenient (which I think is more likely the case), I believe they'll do ANYTHING short of murder to get out of the responsibility. I'm betting on the new version numbers. It's the easiest way!

The next easiest way would be to just rename the whole product. Reaktor becomes "Nuklear" or maybe just "Reactor". Kontakt becomes "Contact" or maybe "Native Sampler". "Komplete" becomes "NI Suite 1.0".

It's the same thing companies do when they lay you off. They fire a bunch of people and then change the job titles for those remaining so that they can say that they eliminated the position.

Isn't this fun?

 

The release details for each product are already published and identified as incremental rather than full number upgrades. Hence still part of Komplete 7. As the changes are for lion compatibility, maschine file format and bug fixes, I don't think anyone in their right mind would consider it an update that warranted payment for - just saying

 

No prob. As always, time will tell. :|

 

The reason for the delay, in my opinion, is that they are taking their time crafting the perfect three-part paragraph that fully expains everything we need to know as customers of NI:

A) Kore is dead. Get over it.
B) Yes, the new updates will break Kore, but who cares when Maschine is so Kool! Get one now at a great price! Everyone's gonna have one! You'll see!
and finally...
C) Maschine will rule the world! Once EVERY SINGLE HUMAN BEING owns a Maschine, we can release updates at our leisure to kontrol the entire world! NI DOMINANCE AT LAST! And to all you fools, The Disbelievers: No, you will not be receiving "three download vouchers", or compensation of any kind, but instead shall face death for your blasphemy immediately! (after your 64-bit update, of course)

Well, Keir, how close am I? (You can copy and paste at your discretion to speed up the announcement)

 

A1, thanks for that laugh. Really, I did laugh!

 

well if the updates dont work with kore then i will be expecting a refund of what i spent on kore 2 and komplete 7.

 

Komplete Mess

NI SHOULD MAKE THE NEW FORMAT HAPPEN FROM KOMPLETE 8 AND NOT BEFORE !

THE KOMPLETE /KORE INTEGRATION IS A DEFINING FORMAT AND THERE NEEDS TO BE VERY CLEAR LINES OF DEMARCATION REGARDING THE DELETION OF THE KSD FORMAT AND THE ADOPTION OF THE NEW "SOLUTION"...

THE AXING OF KORE HAS BEEN A KOMPLETE MESS AND WE DON'Y NEED ANY MORE DISASTERS BY TRYING TO MIX THE WATER WITH THE WINE

SO PLEASE NI,LISTEN UP AND TAKE SOME GOOD ADVICE....

DON'T INTRODUCE THE NEW FORMAT UNTIL KOMPLETE 8 !
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Close - but no cigar...or no cigar butt...

The two corporate shadows (who will remain nameless and faceless) will make their decisions and then prepare the corporate treatise detailing exactly what Thomas and Keir should tell us

I feel sorry for those two guys...they seem like decent people...not just some heartless maschine..
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No refunds Senor - but how about a few Maschine soundpack vouchers to make it right ? Boom boom

 

That was EXACTLY what I was alluding to when I wrote about 'breaking the promise'. This really would be one step even beyond my tolerance.