I agree with some of it. You made some good points.
Edit: I am happily using Cubase 13. I just wish they would fix the menus like they did in 14.
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I understand your point but some are giving it a spin.
The DAC is a floating voucher which you can encash any time, even after 2 years
Ableton also works on the same floating voucher concept. This is an excellent model.
So we can leave SB aside.
Now SB is out as you cannot blame them for their work model or ethics as for them they charge you only when you physically use their tools.
and so we are now left with those who postpone encashing the voucher for a quarter or half a year but switch to the Trail version 30 days with the sole intent to get a free one,
It stumps me as to why they do it and not use the excellent tools to make money. Don’t we charge on hourly basis.
So I don’t see how you can hold SB for a some users unconventional and unprofessional practices,
Do you ever actually create music or do you just rant all day and night?
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I think I am done ranting.
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I feel bad for the people who have to deal with self entitled, delusional customers like you.
I know, I already admitted to it pretty early.
Delusional? I don’t know, maybe sometimes.
So, tell me what you think. (this is to @HidMov )
I have read through your entire post earnestly and will let you know what I think as you asked:
- I think you feel strongly on this, and do appreciate that you have collated everything and posted it all out. I’m not going to dismiss your strength of feeling on this, but I’m afraid I don’t quite agree with most your points. I’m going to keep it quick because I think we’re going to agree to disagree on this.
- I’m not going to do a point-by-point, but there is one thing that really does stick out:
They could have said something like that, yes. Like: “Cubase 14 will be released around date X. If you activate your Cubase 13 license now, then you will have to pay the full price to update to Cubase 14 (no grace period), but if you wait until after the 9th October, then you will be eligible for a free update. Do you accept? Yes / No”.
I honestly can’t think of a single time I have ever seen anything like this anywhere. I’ve seen notes saying that there is a newer already-released version available but not in the way your describe. I’m sure there are examples, but I wouldn’t say this is something that I’ve noticed is done widespread so seems a little unfair to expect SB to do something that I don’t think is really being done.
- Having the loophole exploited sucks. I don’t think SB are especially happy with people going against the spirit of the grace period to save money though, and I certainly don’t think its something they planned to encouraged with some users and not others. @jpspoons1 is far more articulate on this than me, but I can’t agree with the language used about SB being purposely deceitful and stuff. if I’m honest, I don’t think they are under any obligation to offer any grace period at all to be honest.
- If I’m honest, I would say that you have got an absolute bargain with the 50% deal. It was a wild discount that significantly lowered the barrier to entry for a lot of people to keep Cubase updated relatively cheaply going forward (which is great!). Maybe I’m just looking at it through this lens of someone who (happily) paid for a new licence nearly a year ago but I simply cannot reconcile this with the inference that SB have somehow been underhanded - it seems that they’ve been more than fair to me.
- I do understand FOMO, but C13 is isn’t inferior. Yes. there is a new version that has new features, but it still works. It still does exactly what you paid for it 2 months ago, and that is what you paid for, not anything else, just like C13 is the same (actually even better with the patches) for me when I paid for it back in 2023. Aside timing, I’m unsure there is much difference between us?
That’s my inane, unorganised thoughts that I don’t think are worth too much, but as you asked for them here that are. Reading the latest replies to this thread, I think everyone has stated their positions and will now hopefully crack on with making awesome music 
Happy Friday everyone
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Aleque, incredible work here. Your rationale and arguments are very impressive. I think this issue need litigation.
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I’m assuming you are being sarcastic?
I think you misunderstand me. I’m thanking you for taking an incredible amount of time to post very rationale arguments. Arguments that an attorney might see as credible for litigation with Steinberg for their unfair business practices. Bravo!
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As I said a few times before. C13 is now inferior for me, since C14 has dark menus (for Windows version). If they at least could fix that in C13…
I just don’t understand how someone who bought a product at a discount is even eligible for a grace period in the first place.
Is it just me who misunderstood something or did Steinberg deliberately stated several times that a grace period is for customers who paid full price right before the new release?
The way I see it now, how they can make everything right is really simple. Either give everyone who bought Cubase 13 Pro (at a discount) at September sale a free pass to update to Cubase 14. Or charge everyone who exploited the system to get a free update 100 euros.
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[Quotes removed at the author’s request.]
I think we have reached the end of this topic. I shall close it.
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