garageCube

Hoping for some feedback from GarageCUBE on development progress and what the future might hold. How's it going?

As a Lighting/Video professional, my gear (including software like Modul8) is critical to creating the final "product" (the live performance). Let me say first that Modul8 is fantastic, a leader in the field, and perhaps UNDERPRICED. ...note to GarageCUBE... if you raise prices, please keep upgrades free for the faithful!

As a professional though, I'm constantly re-evaluating the tools available to me, and exploring the options that are around. This is probably true of most of the Modul8 users out there, I would think. Video Projection / VJing / Video Mixing / etc is a very cutting edge performance art, and if you weren't checking out the latest and greatest you'd probably be DJing a wedding with an 8-Track. Actually, I'd bet most users of Modul8 never owned an 8-Track, and there are probably a few of you who just Googled "8-Track" to find out what I was talking about, or just assumed it was a mixer with 8 channels.

Back to the point. If there is an alternative available that might be easier, better, faster, more creative, extensible or in some yet-to-be-discovered way superior to Modul8, I'll definitely look into it. Right now I don't think there is.

Will this hold true in the future? Consider me a "stockholder" who is hoping for an annual report. Or a citizen interested in the "State of the Union". How are things at GarageCUBE, and how is Modul8 development coming along?

The 2.5.5 beta has been out for 5 months now... That's a bit longer than previous x.x.X beta periods as far as I can remember. Are there still significant outstanding bugs?

How about some hints on possible features/improvements? I would be interested to know what might be in the works for a 2.6/3.0 update and a rough estimate for a timeline. Schedules are hard to predict when it comes to software development, I understand, so we won't hold you to it. We can handle "vague".

There's no hurry, specifically, but while mapping out my long-range plans (the next 18-24 months), I hope for some confident gesture from GarageCUBE that we can expect innovation to continue on a pace like we've seen in the past couple years.

I realize that when innovation is key to success, then keeping innovative developments secret is important to a competitive advantage. Apple is a keen example of that. There's no need to give away the Col's Secret Recipe of Herbs and Spices here, I'm just wondering about some basics, like will we see more video tracks and a larger media browser? You can leave the secret features like the "egomaniac musician teleporter", the "subliminal buy our dvd messaging system", or perhaps the "make the ugly vocalist sexy filter" under wraps until the big 3.0 release.

Need some ideas? Check out my Modul8 wishlist posted in this thread.

Or you can ignore the peanut gallery and keep doing whatever it is you do to keep improving Modul8. I do have faith that GarageCUBE will continue to improve and impress, but I can always "ask for a sign from the creators," right?

Blair

I 2nd this! With the pace at which VJ software is changing, developing and creating innovative new features it would be great to know that Modul8 is set to develop and creatively grow also. There are new competing software developments all the time adding more interactivity, more modularity, etc etc and it would be great to be aware that modul8 is moving ahead towards these aims also...

I assume you know that the main developper left last year, and now, a new one is working on it... this transition will take some time, I assume it's not an easy piece of software to get into the code... But I'm confident and I'm sure the new guy will come with awsome features and great improvements I'ts just a matter of time and patience

liquidvision wrote:As a Lighting/Video professional, my gear (including software like Modul8) is critical to creating the final "product" (the live performance). Let me say first that Modul8 is fantastic, a leader in the field, and perhaps UNDERPRICED. ...note to GarageCUBE... if you raise prices, please keep upgrades free for the faithful!

This opinion irritates the hell out of me.
I think that current price would put this amazing tool into hands of many creative people who would have to use something else otherwise. And to me this would be a loss not the gain. I don't think that there is a lack of pro's who deal with cosmic money numbers. So that the owners the "final product" we create have hard time deciding what next luxury item to buy.
I understand that modul8 users community may be small and developing it is not financially attractive. So why don't we who have more money and who make a lot with this tool just donate some.

OK, I don't want to get off topic here, but just to reply on the "price" response by vanakaru, that was intended simply as flattery and I guess didn't read as well as I intended.

I think the price is probably inline with competitive options. Actually, since I purchased Modul8, the Euro/US Dollar exchange has gotten so bad that it's now perhaps too expensive in the US!

A product's price is ultimately determined by the market and the intentions of the seller. I'm not one to determine if it's priced right.

What I really meant is,

"I feel I get a tremendous benefit out of using Modul8 that well exceeds my financial investment in the software."

And I don't know about "donating" money for development either, but if you feel you should... When the final tally is in, I'm not making much on Modul8 related gigs. My work is heavily subsidized my other business. The art is more about the art, for me, and I am happy to have the opportunity to do it when I can.


Now lets get back to the important stuff, how is development coming along?


Also, as a reply to sigma6, yes, I was aware of the developer transition, and I didn't mention it in the original post intentionally because I didn't want to draw undue attention to it. I presume it's the major reason for the "slowdown" I perceive, but I don't necessarily think that's a bad thing. I'll side with the philosophy of "do it right" even if it takes longer to get the job done.

Blair

Well, I do agree with you. But pricing issues are not total off the topic. There may be financial reasons why new upgrade has not issued yet. Like developers have to make living on other jobs and thus have less time to iron out problems.
I do not make much with Modul8, but it is real joy to use it. Usually I give my mixes for free at the events I find important to support. And I have customers who will pay for this indirectly.
It seems that Apple is moving very fast and recklessly solving OS problems (like Quicktime issues and so on) in order not to loose in competition. This leaves OS X related software developers in constant stress.
I run QT 7.2 on Tiger and not planing to upgrade. Thou my new MBP is not running M8 reliably. I have not figured if this is due to faulty hardware or what.

As has been cited in this thread already we are in a transitional phase. Our new developer started in January. He is a very experienced programmer and has a lot of enthusiasm and motivation for the work ahead. Things are happening.

On the pricing note we have had varying points of view on this subject. Some people complain it is too expensive. When you consider how little (if any) money (some) people make from doing live video gigs then it is understandable. However when some people go over the list of features that modul8 provides combined with its speed, responsiveness and ease of use the words 'you are not charging enough for all this' come tumbling out. So like everything else in the world it all depends on the context. I would say for the feature set provided modul8 is a lot cheaper then the other options out there. Especially when it comes to multi-projection.

Timeline:
Roughly we can all look forward to some good news in the spring and early summer. But we will also take our time to get things just right.

Your vague and humble type (kind of) spokesperson,

Thanks for the update!

I can't even begin to understand the level of complexity in the programming underneath the surface of Modul8. Having done some programming at a very basic level, I have just an idea of what it must be like... then I try to think of something else. Kudos to the new developer for diving in and taking on this role with enthusiasm!

I'm all for getting things "just right". A stable platform is of the utmost importance when it comes to live performance.

Also, I didn't mention it before, but one of the things I like most about Modul8 is the extensibility of having user-developable modules. That approach, in and of itself, is what makes Modul8 the best video projection app out there (in my opinion).

I agree with the issue with price, in some ways its too expensive and hinders sales to poorly paid VJs, but yet in others its a bargain for what it does, especially if you have the hardware.
As as it is the 2x comp license thing is good as I know a few local VJ's have gone halves on the cost so they can afford it.

As a business owner (I have a boat-based nature tour company), I'm actually quite interested in the psychology of pricing and its relation to the cost/profit equation.

There are many ways to affect purchase psychology, such as by tiering products. An example of this is Apple's pricing on MacBooks and MacBook Pros, from about $1k to $3k. That's a nice range of products so that it will fit the budget of most people. Yes, it is true that Apple does not hold a position in the sub $1k notebook market, but that is a low-profit demographic, and usually means poor quality or performance.

Likewise, in my tour business, we offer a premium product/experience in comparison to our competitors, and we do not have much in the lower price tier that is heavily competed in. It's just not worth it. If someone wishes to pay less for a tour, they can go on a trip that is shorter (a one hour trip versus a two hour trip) and pay less to meet their own budget.

To apply this idea to Modul8, there is the ability to trial the product (essential in the software business, I think), then there is the full license cost, as well as bulk pricing for multiple licenses for a "site".

Additionally, there is significantly discounted academic/educational pricing, which fills in a gap for students, who are obviously on tighter budgets than working professionals.

The split-a-license approach lotech mentioned is technically "illegal" and against the software licensing agreement, but this would be difficult to detect and enforce, so therefore it would be a self created discount in reality. Personally, I'd say this is "gray area" in the ethics realm and up to artists balancing what is right, what is necessary, and hopefully giving back to GarageCUBE and the Modul8 community in some regard. Perhaps they are doing much to publicize Modul8 and attract new users, or maybe after a hefty paying gig they end up purchasing a full license and keeping legit. This is territory better left to them to decide and I'm just theorizing about such things.

In the past I've forwarded information to GarageCUBE about some pirated/cracked Modul8 floating around the net, so that they might counteract it by deleting specific serial numbers from future functionality, code around the hacks, or whatever. Maybe they will, maybe they won't, no big deal. I imagine their efforts are more valuable in just creating better software and supporting the licensed community.

This does bring up an idea they might choose to act on. Perhaps there should be a private section within the forums for registered license holders only? I think the forums serve a very, very, very important function after-the-sale, and this might increase the value of being a true license holder. I'm not saying the entire forums should be private, but just part, such as a the Support and Modules sections for example. A category for FAQs and potential owners, trial users would be valuable for helping produce sales.

Perhaps the GarageCUBE folks (GarageCUBISTS?) are also considering a tiered-functionality approach to Modul8 as they work on future improvements and redesign. Having a "Standard" and "Pro" version of software seems to be a successful approach, otherwise we wouldn't see people like Apple (iMovie/FinalCutExpress/FinalCutPro) and Adobe (PhotoshopLE/PhotoshopCS) doing it. The standard Modul8 might offer the basic features of the program while Modul8 Pro adds functionality like QuartzComp support, 3D effects, Modules support, Sound input, Recording, Multiple Live Cam inputs, More Layers, Larger Media Library, etc.

Just a thought. And again, I'm not trying to INCREASE the price of Modul8, just suggesting perhaps a tiered approach is something to consider so that it can reach more users.

Interesting thread and thanks for the status updates!

I think that the price is extremely competitive for what you get- a professional video application. Please note that I didn't call it a "live" video app as it is as good for live as it is for editing.

I suggest releasing a light version at a lower price.

Modul8 is so good and so worth the price. I personally think it is a relatively small cost for such a powerful piece of software.

I do however think that a time limited demo would help more users get a feel for program....i bought it under recommendation from a trusted source without really having any chance to try the software properly.

Cant really relay how happy i am with M8, I own all the main Mac VJ packages and I use M8 for 90% of my projects. Last year i started teaching M8 to teenagers the result was amazing, i did a 10 hour course and then they did a live performance at a festival....they were amazing ! This was due mainly to the software....and of course a bit to do with my enthusiasm and ability as a VJ!

onwards and upwards M8 (oh timeline would be nice !!)