I read an article this morning that I found online
http://www.sonicscoop.com/tag/louis-hernandez-jr-avid/
As hopeful as it seems, most of it is just typical CEO blah. However I would like to highlight two significant statements:
1) "He (Gary) also established a clear message that were focused on the professionals and their market, and that will continue as well."
I'm wondering if you could elaborate on this, seeing as the past 5 years Avid has produced more "non-pro" hardware than ever (I would hardly consider an unbalanced audio interface like Mbox Mini 3rd Gen to be aimed at professionals). HDX / 10HD is pretty much the frankenstein of the DAW world - crippled by it's 32-bit limitations and doomed by it's missing TDM plugins and lack of AAX-DSP support from 3rd party vendors lack of "freeze/offline" track processing etc etc.. I know many who would have bailed if they had not invested so heavily in Avid/Digi hardware I myself ask myself daily why I wasted my money on HDX hardware when it does almost nothing for me my HD|Native card could do because of Avid's inability to get plugin vendors on board. There has been so LITTLE focus on HDX (aside from "it just sounds better" marketing hype), I'm really having a hard time understanding this. The REALITY is my G5 / HD3 / PT 7.3.1 system is hands-down THE MOST STABLE ProTools system I have EVER had 8/9/10 have all been plagued with crashes and bugs like you wouldn't believe.
2) "a history of staying connected with communities"
This I am REALLY struggling to understand! Could you explain how Avid are actually connected with the "real-world" user community? I would have thought the DUC would be a GREAT place for Avid to be connecting with users, but very rarely do we see ANY input, and almost only ever to talk-up a new product. I would LOVE IT if someone from Avid stay connected with ME as a part of the Pro Tools community for the past 10 years! That would be amazing. It is simply not the case. AVID's way of staying connected is charging a ton of money for hardware and then CHARGING MORE MONEY FOR TECH SUPPORT! Of all the companies I have ever dealt with, Avid would be BY FAR the HARDEST to get in contact with. (Ever tried to report a software bug?? Ha I don't even think you can!)
How about you actually INTERACT with users, and see what they are WANTING, instead of releasing things like a 5.1-capable Expander/Gate plugin (really?? A new gate/expander wow.. what a waste of time) :eek:
And while you're at it, PLEASE do everyone a favor and open up EuCon to the pro audio COMMUNITY! The lack of tactile controllers for Pro Tools is a complete joke when it comes to hands-on control of plugins. Avid's way is not always the best way! But I guess you're afraid someone might actually do a better job of it than you can.
Good luck with your new role as CEO I really hope you do more than just talk the talk.
http://www.sonicscoop.com/tag/louis-hernandez-jr-avid/
As hopeful as it seems, most of it is just typical CEO blah. However I would like to highlight two significant statements:
1) "He (Gary) also established a clear message that were focused on the professionals and their market, and that will continue as well."
I'm wondering if you could elaborate on this, seeing as the past 5 years Avid has produced more "non-pro" hardware than ever (I would hardly consider an unbalanced audio interface like Mbox Mini 3rd Gen to be aimed at professionals). HDX / 10HD is pretty much the frankenstein of the DAW world - crippled by it's 32-bit limitations and doomed by it's missing TDM plugins and lack of AAX-DSP support from 3rd party vendors lack of "freeze/offline" track processing etc etc.. I know many who would have bailed if they had not invested so heavily in Avid/Digi hardware I myself ask myself daily why I wasted my money on HDX hardware when it does almost nothing for me my HD|Native card could do because of Avid's inability to get plugin vendors on board. There has been so LITTLE focus on HDX (aside from "it just sounds better" marketing hype), I'm really having a hard time understanding this. The REALITY is my G5 / HD3 / PT 7.3.1 system is hands-down THE MOST STABLE ProTools system I have EVER had 8/9/10 have all been plagued with crashes and bugs like you wouldn't believe.
2) "a history of staying connected with communities"
This I am REALLY struggling to understand! Could you explain how Avid are actually connected with the "real-world" user community? I would have thought the DUC would be a GREAT place for Avid to be connecting with users, but very rarely do we see ANY input, and almost only ever to talk-up a new product. I would LOVE IT if someone from Avid stay connected with ME as a part of the Pro Tools community for the past 10 years! That would be amazing. It is simply not the case. AVID's way of staying connected is charging a ton of money for hardware and then CHARGING MORE MONEY FOR TECH SUPPORT! Of all the companies I have ever dealt with, Avid would be BY FAR the HARDEST to get in contact with. (Ever tried to report a software bug?? Ha I don't even think you can!)
How about you actually INTERACT with users, and see what they are WANTING, instead of releasing things like a 5.1-capable Expander/Gate plugin (really?? A new gate/expander wow.. what a waste of time) :eek:
And while you're at it, PLEASE do everyone a favor and open up EuCon to the pro audio COMMUNITY! The lack of tactile controllers for Pro Tools is a complete joke when it comes to hands-on control of plugins. Avid's way is not always the best way! But I guess you're afraid someone might actually do a better job of it than you can.
Good luck with your new role as CEO I really hope you do more than just talk the talk.