Mobile app

[Will.]

Hi Forum owners and members. 

I love this forum, it's a great educational platform on all things related to Cakewalk and music in general.

I think we need to turn this into a mobile app and use it's revenue from all downloads and app usage to create new FX/instrument plugins for the DAW and more. 

I think it will make a great investment on future builds. The biggest mobile users today is your youth. You will then have your Bandlab Users and Cakewalk users joining in on the hype and sharing music on the mobile app. We can then link the mobile app to a new category on the forum right here to download or Stream their tracks/albums from the Mobile App, but need to think revenue wise with this. 

Edited November 2, 2020 by Will_Kaydo

[Jim Fogle]

@Will_Kaydo

Your suggestion is unclear.  Are you suggesting a Cakewalk by Bandlab DAW mobile app or for this forum to have a phone screen compatible mode?

Also, I don't understand where the revenue is coming from.  Why would someone pay for an app when the forum and DAW is free?

[Will.]

46 minutes ago, Jim Fogle said:

@Will_Kaydo

Your suggestion is unclear.  Are you suggesting a Cakewalk by Bandlab DAW mobile app or for this forum to have a phone screen compatible mode?

No! A MOBILE APP FOR THE FORUM.  Like Reverbnation; Soundcloud; Beatstars and so many others like them.

How do Whatsapp; Facebook; Twitter or Instagram make revenue? By the usage of users using the app, right? So that capital can then be used to develop new plugins for Cakewalk "The DAW" -- It's kind of clear in the Post. 

Users will be able to make money on it much like how anyone can make money on Itunes; Youtube Music and Spotify with Free Streaming Services. Just because Cakewalk is free, doesn't mean you can't make money from it to improve the product. 

This has nothing to do with Cakewalk the DAW, but only the "platform" you're using to communicate right now. So its the website (This Forum) as a "mobile app."

Edited November 2, 2020 by Will_Kaydo

[Starship Krupa]

Since BandLab are not interested in monetizing the app itself, I doubt that they'd be much interested in monetizing the app's support forum.

BandLab already have platforms where users may publish their music for free and even sell it if they want to, without BandLab taking any cut. They seem pretty firm in not wishing to make any direct money from their DAW-related enterprises.

Having someone use an app that is given away for free in and of itself does not, of course, create revenue. It's when the site that the app is an accessory to displays advertising that the owners make money. I wouldn't like having advertising appear on my app's support forum. From an etiquette standpoint, it's just not done.

There are even existing plug-ins that were part of the Cakewalk Inc. IP purchase that people like me would line up to pay for directly if we could. The LP Multi-Band compressor is one that comes to mind. So far it's not a priority.

Edited November 3, 2020 by Starship Krupa

[Will.]

57 minutes ago, Starship Krupa said:

Since BandLab are not interested in monetizing the app itself, I doubt that they'd be much interested in monetizing the app's supporter forum.

BandLab already have platforms where users may publish their music for free and even sell it if they want to, without BandLab taking any cut. They seem pretty firm in not wishing to make any direct money from their DAW-related enterprises.

Having someone use an app that is given away for free in and of itself does not, of course, create revenue. It's when the site that the app is an accessory to displays advertising that the owners make money. I wouldn't like having advertising appear on my app's support forum. From an etiquette standpoint, it's just not done.

There are even existing plug-ins that were part of the Cakewalk Inc. IP purchase that people like me would line up to pay for directly if we could. The LP Multi-Band compressor is one that comes to mind. So far it's not a priority.

Dont be stuck in the 00's.

No one mentioned anything about monetizing stuff or ads being placed on an app. How do Whatsapp make money? Do you see any ads on whatsapp? 

See this is the problem - when you don't understand something you shouldn't speculate on it. 

FYI - The bandlab platform and the Cakewalk forum are two different brands. Another reason why Cakewalk need young blood on their Dev team. 

 

Edited November 3, 2020 by Will_Kaydo

[Starship Krupa]

35 minutes ago, Will_Kaydo said:

No one mentioned anything about monetizing stuff

Then what did you mean by

15 hours ago, Will_Kaydo said:

turn this into a mobile app and use it's revenue

?

Unless you have a non-standard definition of "monetize?" It literally means "earn revenue from."

35 minutes ago, Will_Kaydo said:

How do Whatsapp make money?

 

35 minutes ago, Will_Kaydo said:

when you don't understand something you shouldn't speculate on it. 

I so agree, especially in this case. So although I know how WhatsApp makes money, in the interest of showing how much you understand it, how do you think they/it make money? You said "by the usage of users using the app." Can you please describe the mechanism in more detail?

My own professional career in software did indeed end in the '00's, so I assume that for an app (by itself) to make money, it must be supported by sales of licenses, by advertising, or by donation. If it's not one of those then the app can be a loss-leader (like Cakewalk) or accessory to other services that the developer does make money from (like Messenger). As such, the app would be a cost center, not a revenue center.

So please either tell us which of those things would be present in your proposal or describe how else you suggest "the usage of users using the app" will translate into funds that can be used to "create new FX/instrument plugins for the DAW and more."

Edited November 3, 2020 by Starship Krupa

[Will.]

5 hours ago, Starship Krupa said:

Can you please describe the mechanism in more detail

Nice Try. Unless you're a staff member - I don'tsee the point in me going that deep to reveal market strategies with you. 

 

5 hours ago, Starship Krupa said:

Then what did you mean 

Exactly how I've put it down. 

 

5 hours ago, Starship Krupa said:

 

 

I know how WhatsApp makes money

Does not sound like it, cause you're asking the same question repeatedly over-and-over just differently. 

 

5 hours ago, Starship Krupa said:

My own professional career in software did indeed end in the '00's, so I assume that for an app (by itself) to make money, it must be supported by sales of licenses, by advertising, or by donation. If it's not one of those then the app can be a loss-leader

Totally agree. You've been left behind much like a "loss-leader." 

 

5 hours ago, Starship Krupa said:

So please either tell us which of those things would be present in your proposal or describe how else you suggest "the usage of users using the app" will translate into funds that can be used to "create new FX/instrument plugins for the DAW and more."

Like I said, I don't the point in discussingit detail if you're not a staff member. I think it's pretty clear enough in my previous replies. 

You don't have to fully understand the reasons, you just to agree or disagree without bringing negativity in to it. The virtual/digital world works differently today. 

5 hours ago, Starship Krupa said:

As such, the app would be a cost center, not a revenue center.

This is where you are 100% wrong. HENCE -- the statement I made about bringing negativity in to this. 

FYI - just because something is "free" to the public, doesn't mean you can't make money from it. It's only free because there's no "service fee; registration fee; or subscription fee." 

FWIW: Do you really think Whatsapp or Messenger is free? Do you really think apps where you can upload your songs for free downloads and streaming are free? and that users and the devs can't or dont actually earn an income from it? Everything on a "Free app" cost you, the user, money to use it.

Do you think Google run on battery life alone? Do you really think they make money just from Ads? For every text you send, it cost you money/data to browse or upload or download a file (whether it's free open Wifi.) It costs someone a few bucks to provide "free wifi" at a coffee shop -- it's free to you, but someone paid for it and everytime you use it someone makes money from that.

"So Again, everytime you send a text/browse or download or upload a file, it cost you Money/Data and everytime you use that Data someone else gets richer."

So if you're onboard with this - Yay! If not, dont be selfish -- you're not the only one using this platform. This idea might benefit the next struggling musician/producer with such an app. Most importantly, It could help develop the brand further. 

I'm gonna leave it there. 

Edited November 3, 2020 by Will_Kaydo

[Starship Krupa]

Why so angry? I thought we were all supposed to family here.

I suspected that you wouldn't actually explain it. Failing to be able to outline how revenue  will get from point A to point B is not a great way to attract buy-in.

I wonder, if it's such an innovative idea that you wish to keep the specifics to yourself, why post about it in public at all? Why not go directly to BandLab with it?

Anyway, I'll leave you and your idea to bask in the  outpouring of support.

[Will.]

41 minutes ago, Lord Tim said:

Have you looked at the Bandlab app? CbB allows songs to be exported to Bandlab, which in turn has tip-jars and media hosting, very much like Soundcloud.

Lol. Like I said, they are two different platforms. The Bandlab Music App is for music creation and of course also for uploads. 

The Cakewalk app will be for everything related to the "Cakewalk forum" as it is now -- with just the exception of having it as a instant communication app in the palm of your hands. 

Instant communication and uploads (The same as instant messaging.) 

[Will.]

36 minutes ago, Starship Krupa said:

Why so angry? 

Exactly! 

[Will.]

8 hours ago, Lord Tim said:

why would I even want to use something other than the plethora of existing messaging apps

Sorry to raid on your parade: You're not the only one using Cakewalk or this forum. You will always have the option to stick to doing business from your house phone. 

I bet you the new generation will have a field day with this. Being able to Video or Voice call or instant messaging from within your DAW's mobile app would be a PLUS and those that will download the app. No other DAW has a platform like. 

But now of course, why would you find this interesting when you're stuck to old habbits. I think I see a resemblance here some where. 

I'm gonna leave you to it. Feel free to write another short novel as a reply.  

Edited November 3, 2020 by Will_Kaydo

[Starship Krupa]

49 minutes ago, Will_Kaydo said:

Being able to Video or Voice call or instant messaging from within your DAW's mobile app would be a PLUS

Due to my being so out of touch with what Kids These Days want, it's never occurred to me to wish for these things in association with a software support forum.

I had no idea that my considering having iMessage, SMS, Telegram, Messenger, and Google Hangouts all on my phone and tablet to be sufficient for my messaging needs was such backward thinking. Heck, now it seems that if I'm not going to adopt every messaging platform that comes along I may as well go back to tin cans and string or smoke signals!

Thanks for keeping this old fogey up to date.

[Will.]

1 hour ago, Starship Krupa said:

Thanks for keeping this old fogey up to date.

Lol. It helps to stay up to date of how the business are changing commercial wise. Plus, being involve with the youth and their way of handling the business today, helps a lot with my company. It's been said a million times over-and-over -- your biggest major genre today is HipHop and EDM and if you want to compete in the industry, that is where you need to invest your knowledge in. Digital Marketing, Sales, Revenue, Promotion Campaigns, Merchandise and P.R is all digital today.