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Re-occuring revenue, subscription model

I'm surprised I can't find any other thread about this topic so I decided to make one myself. I have to say I'm very disappointed with the newly implemented subscription model for EMU. 

When I bought my Enttec DMX USB PRO MK2, I did not see this coming. I thought this device was genius for making light shows more accessible for musicians by using midi data, however I feel like I've been tricked into paying for way more indefinitely for something that was not advertised initially. 

Not only that but even when it was free I still thought the device was painfully difficult to operate, and these things still don't seem to be fixed. 

Even if I use the limited VST mapping I can only automate the faders with constant interpellation, making the curves unnecessarily detailed and not scalable. 

The potential for this device and software I think is immense but it has been shut down by this awful subscription model. I suppose this was the internal fight you had when moving away from the old DMXis units.


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I'm not sure if Enttec is even monitoring the forums anymore but I wanted to comment on this thread that I agree this subscription model is no longer worth it for me. I've been using EMU for a while now since the beta days and I was optimistic that they'd continue adding features and listening to customers in exchange for an ongoing subscription model. They are no longer doing that and frankly there are better options out there for this kind of $. The workflow with EMU is extremely manual and time consuming when there are many automations the devs could add in to simplify the process. 


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I _COMPLETELY_ agree!  While it may not deliberately be a bait and switch tactic, it certainly comes across as one.  ENTEC - make this right and honor the one-time purchase that was promised a number of us when we purchased your products!


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The subscription also seems geared toward those who make a living with lighting shows or serious amateurs, I'm just an average Jo with a couple of lights in home music room. Seems excessive, perhaps a free but maybe more limited version would also be a good model?


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Agree, for professionals it seams very reasonable, but for us it’s excessive. Just a couple of midi notes available would do wonders

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Agreed this is an expensive subscription. Please lower the cost to like 5 bucks.


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I think the same thing. Every company that switched from 1 purchase to subscription later on flopped. On the other end company like Elation / Obsidian charges higher price once for their equipment and thats it. You could do Paid addons or fixture library substription. Maybe a paywall for timecode, but 100$/year is what I saw and personally I will be looking elswhere to buy a product that just works for the full price.

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Is there another software you'd recommend? My trial with the ODE just ended, and I don't want to pay $100 for 1 universe, and updates that seem to only be "service updates" whatever that means. I'd really not like to have to reprogram all of my shows, but this company seemed uninterested in actual development of needed or desired features. 


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I wonder what the legalities are of this - I for one would have never purchased the DMX USB Pro if I'd known to effectively use the darn thing I'd be paying a subscription fee every year, or alternatively use such a crippled free version as to be virtually useless - AND the alleged replacement for the DMXIS still nowhere in sight to boot.  I'm fine with the USB Pro, but again it goes to ENTTEC not living up to what they say they are going to do - not really the best look for the company in my opinion.

They've gotten zero dollars from me since they pulled this crap, and they'll be getting zero in the future.  I've also recommended a couple of acquaintances look elsewhere, since ENTTEC clearly cannot be relied upon. 

Let me add my name to those asking for alternative software recommendations.

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