Topic by tfort

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Topic: Universal iOS/Mac pricing

As a longtime Pianoteq on iOS proponent, I'm very happy to see the Modartt comment on an upcoming iOS version on the AudioBus Forum.

With that said, I've always thought that the pricing model was the bigger hurdle than writing the iOS code, once JUCE supported ARM applications. I've recommended on here before that Pianoteq look into the pricing/upgrade options offered by the Mac-only development company Omni, as they are a very ethical company who have very loyal customers, much like Modartt.

Today I saw that Omni has a new version of one of their apps, OmniPlan, and have begun to address Universal Pricing, where you can buy software once and have it run on both iOS and MacOS. I wanted to point out this article to Modartt, but thought I might as well do it publicly so others could also chime in and we could see if Philippe or others wanted any feedback on Modartt's strategy.

https://appleinsider.com/articles/21/04...se-feature

I would certainly not like to buy identical versions of iOS and Mac versions of Pianoteq, but would be willing (happy, even) to pay for an upgrade to a Universal version. Maybe Modartt could include one new instrument pack for the update price?

Reply by Groove On

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Re: Universal iOS/Mac pricing

I agree, I'd be happy to pay for an upgrade to a universal app that runs on both MacOS and iOS. I'm curious to see how Modartt handles past piano model purchases, everyone has a different set!

Reply by hesitz

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Re: Universal iOS/Mac pricing

tfort wrote:

I would certainly not like to buy identical versions of iOS and Mac versions of Pianoteq, but would be willing (happy, even) to pay for an upgrade to a Universal version. Maybe Modartt could include one new instrument pack for the update price?

It seems to me the main problem is how to allow users to get the Pianoteq app onto an iPad.  As it is now, Modartt has full control over their software distribution, with PC, Mac, and Linux downloads from their site, and their own registration/activation process (which I would say seems to work quite well).

iOS apps, on the other hand, are almost all distributed through Apple's AppStore, which means Apple takes either a 15% or a 30% cut. 

There are ways to install iOS apps without going through the AppStore, but (1) many users are unaware or unable to do it, and (2) Apple has worked to create distrust over iOS apps not distributed through the AppStore.

Regarding pricing, I would like to see something where Pianoteq retains full universality, single price for Pianoteq and you can use it on multiple installs over multiple OSes: Win, Mac, Linux, iOS.  Even if they wanted to, though, I'm not sure how they can do this, given the AppStore problem.  I trust that whatever method of sale they come up with will be well thought out.

Last edited by hesitz (15-04-2021 01:07)

Reply by theinvisibleman

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Re: Universal iOS/Mac pricing

Pricing for ios is gonna be tricky.

It will have to be an app on the apple store, no way around that and that means a new pricing separate from your existing PC/mac version. If using a JUCE like wraper then you could have the exactly the same program on ios but CPU will be an issue, not all ipads are equal and that not talking about universal iPhones.

So a cut down version would make sense CPU wise and help with the pricing.

I don’t like IAP but you could have this option for things like new instrument packs, pro features etc..

Reply by Groove On

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Re: Universal iOS/Mac pricing

I do like the idea of a universal app, but what if Modartt sold each model as a separate app? What do you think of that?

Last edited by Groove On (16-04-2021 00:14)

Reply by ChokDK

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Re: Universal iOS/Mac pricing

theinvisibleman wrote:

Pricing for ios is gonna be tricky.

It will have to be an app on the apple store, no way around that and that means a new pricing separate from your existing PC/mac version. If using a JUCE like wraper then you could have the exactly the same program on ios but CPU will be an issue, not all ipads are equal and that not talking about universal iPhones.

So a cut down version would make sense CPU wise and help with the pricing.

I don’t like IAP but you could have this option for things like new instrument packs, pro features etc..

This...

Don't expect a full version going to the iPad market.
Many iPads don't have CPU power or enough RAM to contain a full version, and there got to be "room" for other apps running as well (like a "DAW", MIDI controller or similar).

With the right pick of choices, Pianoteq could easy overtake the piano "market" for ipad though.
Even Korg and Ravenscroft are out there already, it is done with compromises and lack of that "big wonderful tone" from the VST versions.

On the other hand - who says Pianoteq would (or should) make a piano so "cut down" that it fits each and every iPad?

Can't wait to hear more official words on this subject!!

Reply by musicchamber

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Re: Universal iOS/Mac pricing

ChokDK wrote:
theinvisibleman wrote:

Pricing for ios is gonna be tricky.

It will have to be an app on the apple store, no way around that and that means a new pricing separate from your existing PC/mac version. If using a JUCE like wraper then you could have the exactly the same program on ios but CPU will be an issue, not all ipads are equal and that not talking about universal iPhones.

So a cut down version would make sense CPU wise and help with the pricing.

I don’t like IAP but you could have this option for things like new instrument packs, pro features etc..

This...

Don't expect a full version going to the iPad market.
Many iPads don't have CPU power or enough RAM to contain a full version, and there got to be "room" for other apps running as well (like a "DAW", MIDI controller or similar).

With the right pick of choices, Pianoteq could easy overtake the piano "market" for ipad though.
Even Korg and Ravenscroft are out there already, it is done with compromises and lack of that "big wonderful tone" from the VST versions.

On the other hand - who says Pianoteq would (or should) make a piano so "cut down" that it fits each and every iPad?

Can't wait to hear more official words on this subject!!

In my  humble opinion pianoteq on IOS should be of equal quality to what we get on the desktop.

musicchamber's Website

Reply by tfort

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Re: Universal iOS/Mac pricing

musicchamber wrote:
ChokDK wrote:
theinvisibleman wrote:

Pricing for ios is gonna be tricky.

It will have to be an app on the apple store, no way around that and that means a new pricing separate from your existing PC/mac version. If using a JUCE like wraper then you could have the exactly the same program on ios but CPU will be an issue, not all ipads are equal and that not talking about universal iPhones.

So a cut down version would make sense CPU wise and help with the pricing.

I don’t like IAP but you could have this option for things like new instrument packs, pro features etc..

This...

Don't expect a full version going to the iPad market.
Many iPads don't have CPU power or enough RAM to contain a full version, and there got to be "room" for other apps running as well (like a "DAW", MIDI controller or similar).

With the right pick of choices, Pianoteq could easy overtake the piano "market" for ipad though.
Even Korg and Ravenscroft are out there already, it is done with compromises and lack of that "big wonderful tone" from the VST versions.

On the other hand - who says Pianoteq would (or should) make a piano so "cut down" that it fits each and every iPad?

Can't wait to hear more official words on this subject!!

In my  humble opinion pianoteq on IOS should be of equal quality to what we get on the desktop.

Without a doubt, the iOS version should be full quality. I think Pianoteq still has a chance to become the dominant iOS piano, if they move quickly. I advocated for them to come out with an iOS version a few years ago, but no one else seems to have taken the first mover advantage. Ravenscroft is out there, and a couple of piano apps for Korg Module, but nothing has really taken the lead.

Reply by bobm

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Re: Universal iOS/Mac pricing

just purchased Pianoteq 8, and will install and use in studio on a DAW setup (vintage Roland A-80 to Reaper on an Intel Mac). Planning to upgrade this Mac to the new Mac Mini expected to be launched early 2023, so will deactivate on the older Mac and reactivate on the new Mac once all in place.

Since I haven't installed at all yet, I am still uncertain about how the multiple (3) allowed installs deal works. In any case, what I want is to do a second install on a dedicated machine for gigging.

Depending on timing of the anticipated IOS version, the ideal for me would be to purchase a new M2 iPad for the gig install. This way I could use the same iPad for displaying charts during live performance, which would be great if it can be done.

Question is, will the IOS version be treated as one of the three allowed installs under the license I have just purchased. From what I have read here, is is not yet announced if that's how the IOS version will be offered. Any updates on this question?

If my ideal gig iPad approach is not possible (or if the IOS release is delayed longer than I can wait !) I will probably get a small NUC or similar, with whatever CPU needed to insure sufficient processing power, and probably run some version of Linux.

Ideally, this gig install machine would be coupled with a touchscreen to avoid having to use a mouse/keyboard for live stage use. I don't know Pianoteq (non-IOS version) can be controlled with a touchscreen this way. Anyone know if this is possible?

Edit: Having looked through this forum more, I now see that the iPad-VNC-rPi-USBDac approach so well explored and explained here would probably be my best option for a standalone gig-box Pianoteq, if the native IOS version is not released soon enough for me.

I am reasonably Linux proficient, but on the other hand, I know that the temptations of going down IT geeking-and-tweaking rabbit holes ultimately ends up taking loads of time away from music practice. Sure hope the IOS Pianoteq-on-iPad is available soon!

Last edited by bobm (26-11-2022 04:06)

Reply by tfort

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Re: Universal iOS/Mac pricing

I started a thread recently to ask this very question again-
https://forum.modartt.com/viewtopic.php?id=9980

It’s possible that Modartt hasn’t fully decided on how there are going to price the iOS version of Pianoteq. Perhaps more likely, in my view, is that they are trying to get the most upgrade sales for Pianoteq 8 this holiday season before releasing Pianoteq iOS early next year.

Perhaps most likely is that they just aren’t fully finished with the iOS version, and they don’t know how long it will take to get “blessed” by the App Store review team once it is ready, so  Pianoteq iOS will be coming soon, when it is finished. In that case, Modartt could share the pricing/placement strategy for Pianoteq iOS,
If not the expected release date.

I do think Modartt knows what their pricing strategy and activation strategy is going to be, just wish they would share it now so we can make some purchasing decisions as informed consumers. It seems that the two weeks around Black Friday/Cyber Week has become the biggest sales period of the year for all music software, and it’s a bit frustrating knowing that Pianoteq iOS is coming but not knowing more details.

Reply by bobm

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Re: Universal iOS/Mac pricing

tfort wrote:

it’s a bit frustrating knowing that Pianoteq iOS is coming but not knowing more details.

for sure !