husker Posted August 28, 2021 Share Posted August 28, 2021 I have never been an IK Multimedia customer, but I have watched them from afar. Some of their practices don’t have the best reputation around here, which has also kept me away from IK. However, I started following the thread, and got a bit interested when I found I could get into the $200 tier for around $112. I have recently started to learn guitar (and failing miserably), so I was most interested in Amplitude. I’m a synth guy, and though I don’t need them, I had been eyeing SampleTank and Syntronik as well. I don’t have too much interest in TRacks, as I have more effects than anyone could ever use - much like everyone else around here. I decided to buy into the group buy, and I thought I would put my thoughts down for anyone who is thinking about it, but has never had any dealings with IK. Their purchase process is extremely convoluted to me. Jam Points, Gear Credits, Custom Shop – it all seems needlessly complex. IK should really streamline this process. I purchased 200 gear credits, and was able to join the Group Buy successfully. I purchased Amplitude 5, chose SampleTank, Modo Bass, Modo Drums, and Syntronik Deluxe as my freebies. Special thanks to @abacab and @cclarry for their guidance. The installation and authorization programs are simply abysmal. There is no reason it should be this difficult. I “computer” for a living, so I’m very familiar with these processes. The disparate installation and authorization routines (oh, you have to use “this” authorization app for this, and the “other”authorization app for that) are just simply “dumb.” The inconsistencies are extremely frustrating. IK should really take a good, hard look at this. Modo Drums and Modo Bass were simple; everything else thus far has been a pain, and very confusing. In practice, the plugins work very well, and sound great. No real complaints at all about the actual plugins. They really are outstanding. Support – during my authorization and installation saga, I decided I would try out their support. In real life, I am an IT Director for a large corporation that has locations in 20 US states, as well as Mexico and Canada. We run a large Heldesk (and I’m ultimately responsible for it), so I am aware of the of the issues surrounding support. I filled out the ticket with all the required information and screenshots, as I know how important that is. The next day, I received a simple “boilerplate” response asking for the information and screenshots – it was clear no one had even bothered to read what I wrote. Again, a big “fail” to support – I’ve fired HelpDesk technicians for doing something similar. “Support” like that drives people away. Again, these are just my thoughts on my experiences as a new IK Customer. I really do appreciate the help of @abacab and @cclarry during my ordeals. 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevin H Posted August 28, 2021 Share Posted August 28, 2021 Husker, I think most of us have a love/hate relationship with IK. But please save these honest reviews until after the group buy is over hehe ? 4 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ALC Posted August 28, 2021 Share Posted August 28, 2021 (edited) 58 minutes ago, husker said: The installation and authorization programs are simply abysmal. There is no reason it should be this difficult. I “computer” for a living, so I’m very familiar with these processes. The disparate installation and authorization routines (oh, you have to use “this” authorization app for this, and the “other”authorization app for that) are just simply “dumb.” The inconsistencies are extremely frustrating. IK should really take a good, hard look at this. Modo Drums and Modo Bass were simple; everything else thus far has been a pain, and very confusing. Did you use the "IK Product Manager" to install everything? Edited August 28, 2021 by ALC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Piotr Posted August 28, 2021 Share Posted August 28, 2021 1 hour ago, husker said: I’ve fired HelpDesk technicians for doing something similar. So this is the reason They probably hired him 2 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InstrEd Posted August 28, 2021 Share Posted August 28, 2021 @Piotr you beat me too it ? 2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hidden Symmetry Posted August 28, 2021 Share Posted August 28, 2021 I started buying them when they first started out, very good plugins but hated the convoluted business model. When I decided to trim the fat from my plugins they were among the first to go. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry Shelby Posted August 28, 2021 Share Posted August 28, 2021 Husker has pretty well summed up my experience (over MANY years) with IK, and my analysis of IK is well known in this forum! While the products are great, the business model is abismal at best. The HUGE saving grace for IK is.... THE GROUP BUYS... If not for the Group Buys, and the fact that the products are decent, they would have already been ditched! THAT being said, my hat is REALLY, TRULY, off to Pete, who has been a STELLAR representative of IK! I can't begin to applaud him enough for his help to MANY of us here on this forum! He truly is ANOTHER of the reasons that I continue to buy IK Products, and I say that will all sincerity! 19 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fitzroy Posted August 28, 2021 Share Posted August 28, 2021 (edited) We are all different. I personally don't find the installation process difficult. I like some of their plugins while I find others just so-so. And contrary to Larry, I'm not fond of IK's marketing and some of the reactions I've seen from their reps, here and elsewhere. But why on earth open a topic on this, in the Deals section, no less, when most of us are interested in this group buy moving on? Edited August 28, 2021 by fitzroy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry Shelby Posted August 28, 2021 Share Posted August 28, 2021 (edited) 1 hour ago, fitzroy said: But why on earth open a topic on this, in the Deals section, no less, when most of us are interested in this group buy moving on? Most of us here never go upstairs or downstairs...we stay here...so that's why Edited August 29, 2021 by cclarry 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevin H Posted August 29, 2021 Share Posted August 29, 2021 32 minutes ago, cclarry said: Most of here never go upstairs or downstairs...we stay here...so that's why Until recently I had no idea people posted in other forums on this site. For me this one is enough. I don’t have enough deals or comedy material for more than a couple threads on this forum a week anyway hahah 3 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InstrEd Posted August 29, 2021 Share Posted August 29, 2021 1 minute ago, kevin H said: Until recently I had no idea people posted in other forums on this site. For me this one is enough. I don’t have enough deals or comedy material for more than a couple threads on this forum a week anyway hahah Aha Young Jedi you must open your mind and expand your horizons. There is much comic material to be had by visiting the other parts of this forum 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bapu Posted August 29, 2021 Share Posted August 29, 2021 1 minute ago, InstrEd said: There is much comic material thread deletes for no apparent reason to be had by visiting the coffee house Fixed for you Ed. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeGBradford Posted August 29, 2021 Share Posted August 29, 2021 There's a downstairs?! ☠️?? 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abacab Posted August 29, 2021 Share Posted August 29, 2021 55 minutes ago, cclarry said: Husker has pretty well summed up my experience (over MANY years) with IK, and my analysis of IK is well known in this forum! While the products are great, the business model is abismal at best. The HUGE saving grace for IK is.... THE GROUP BUYS... Agreed! I have also spent my entire adult life doing "computer", and can totally relate to this opinion! IK products are among the best in the business, but they really need to reassess their delivery and support model. Although the new Product Manager is a step in the right direction! But the Group Buy rocks, and I would rather save any other negative comments until the end of the promotion! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InstrEd Posted August 29, 2021 Share Posted August 29, 2021 20 minutes ago, JoeGBradford said: There's a downstairs?! ☠️?? To me the Coffee House is the Penthouse Suite. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
telecode 101 Posted August 29, 2021 Share Posted August 29, 2021 RE: support.. well. I am a cloud IT guy for a living. I deal with hardware companies and their support system all the time. Ithink its good to keep in mind, a lot of these music hardware and software companies operate in the consumer market. So its like dealing with Samsung or KithenAid.. have you ever tried to get warranty and support for one of your TV's or appliances? Good luck.. its horror. RE: authorization... I think IKM re getting a little better with their new auth software manager. It could use a little fixing up - but seems to be a step in right direction from the way it used to be. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abacab Posted August 29, 2021 Share Posted August 29, 2021 2 minutes ago, telecode 101 said: So its like dealing with Samsung or KithenAid.. have you ever tried to get warranty and support for one of your TV's or appliances? Good luck.. its horror. LOL!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mibby Posted August 29, 2021 Share Posted August 29, 2021 (edited) 3 hours ago, husker said: Their purchase process is extremely convoluted to me. Jam Points, Gear Credits, Custom Shop – it all seems needlessly complex. ... In practice, the plugins work very well, and sound great. No real complaints at all about the actual plugins. They really are outstanding. 1 hour ago, cclarry said: THAT being said, my hat is REALLY, TRULY, off to Pete, who has been a STELLAR representative of IK! I can't begin to applaud him enough for his help to MANY of us here on this forum! He truly is ANOTHER of the reasons that I continue to buy IK Products, and I say that will all sincerity! +1 x 3! I HATE the IK eco-system but LOVE the plugins. My entry was a GB 3 years ago. So yeah, love-hate here too. I'm on the fence on this GB. My disdain for the whole convoluted setup has kept me out the last couple of years. But the new Amplitude stuff has me curious and I've been eyeing the Arc System for a quite a while now. I also just finished a track and fell in love with the Tape Echo plugin... Then again, my wife will kill me if I do go in - and rightly so, as we're driving our daughter down to college ($$$!) any day now. $o that make$ 2 college aged kid$... ? PS. And don't get me started on charging $10 for expired downloads. That's WUP territory right there... Edited August 29, 2021 by mibby 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
artturner Posted August 29, 2021 Share Posted August 29, 2021 I remember hating IK installs when they were separate zip files. But so far everything I've gotten this round installs fine through IK product manager. I just click install and walk away. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
husker Posted August 29, 2021 Author Share Posted August 29, 2021 31 minutes ago, telecode 101 said: RE: support.. well. I am a cloud IT guy for a living. I deal with hardware companies and their support system all the time. Ithink its good to keep in mind, a lot of these music hardware and software companies operate in the consumer market. So its like dealing with Samsung or KithenAid.. have you ever tried to get warranty and support for one of your TV's or appliances? Good luck.. its horror. RE: authorization... I think IKM re getting a little better with their new auth software manager. It could use a little fixing up - but seems to be a step in right direction from the way it used to be. Consumer market or not, there is simply no excuse to not even bother to read the detailed ticket I filled out. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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