Subject:Can you believe it's been over 4.5 years?

Posted by: Vocalpoint

Date:9/7/2011 10:23:44 AM

For whatever reason I started thinking that Acid Pro 7 was released on October 30, 2008.

I am finding it hard to believe that we are coming up on three years....by far the longest stretch I have ever seen between versions of any Sony product.

I am hoping this is a good thing....

VP

Subject:RE: What features?

Reply by: WarmGlow

Date:9/8/2011 1:11:03 PM

Yes, Acid Pro 7 was released in October 2008. Vocalpoint, i'm just wondering, in a friendly way, about two questions:

1) what main features/improvements did you want to see in Acid Pro 8?

2) would you upgrade to Acid Pro 8 if the main features/improvements that you were looking forward to seeing were not included?

It could be (i'm just speculating here) that some users decide to upgrade to the next released version of Acid regardless of whether it has the features/improvements that they were hoping would be included simply because so much time passes between each release (of numbered versions) that they are just happy/relieved to have a current version of Acid (for example: one that's compatible with new operating systems which seem to similarly be released every 3 to 4 years). Again, I'm just asking these things in response to your post.

Subject:RE: What features?

Reply by: Vocalpoint

Date:9/8/2011 2:59:26 PM

Well - the length of time passed was what was really making me think :)

But features and improvements - I can think of many - here's a top 3

1. Full Windows 7 support. Acid Pro 7 was built for XP (and just barely - Vista) and still has a lot of quirky weird things going on.
2. Full 64 bit support - goes without saying. Acid Pro 7 was 32bit and limited for memory. 64 bit is standard now .
3. Full rewrite of project/file managment within the application. I wrote a long diatribe on project management here:

http://www.sonycreativesoftware.com/forums/ShowMessage.asp?Forum=1&MessageID=625582

and described many ways that I see "the project" being better better handled with Acid Pro. With all the files, clips, elements and so on that can be part of a Acid project - the current v7 implementation is a chore and a workflow killer.

I am hoping that after some 2-3 years of thinking - the Sony devs have come up with a much better solution for project management in Pro 8.

There are of course literally hundreds of other improvements that have been suggested. For me tho - these are the big ones...and despite some Windows oddities - Acid Pro 7 has been okay....but it could be much better.

To answer your second question - I would upgrade straight away regardless of whether or not my specific stuff was included. The full Windows support is a given as is 64bit - so I am sure I will get those straight away. My hopes for a fully revamped "project" Manager may not be realized - but 2 out of three ain't bad.

I also believe that after this long of a wait - AP8 is gonna have a ton of great stuff included - an upgrade will be mandatory.

VP

Subject:RE: Can you believe it's been almost 3 years?

Reply by: kitekrazee

Date:10/1/2011 2:49:52 AM

My biggest request is they keep the same GUI.

I know when a competing product announces a new version people get all jumpy.

Ableton is still 32 bit and hasn't been upgraded in awhile. People are starting to believe they went bankrupt.

FL Studio is still 32 bit but there users aren't paranoid.

The fact that they are upgrading Music Studio tells me Acid isn't getting ditched. That's a nice entry level piece of software that can be found in many stores.

Subject:RE: Can you believe it's been almost 3 years?

Reply by: Vocalpoint

Date:10/1/2011 8:33:47 PM

"The fact that they are upgrading Music Studio tells me Acid isn't getting ditched. That's a nice entry level piece of software that can be found in many stores."

But that version of AMS 8 has been out a long time now....months...may a year even. Kind of strange that it's taking so long...can't blame people for getting a little weird-ed out....

This I know from other apps - if it's truly taking 3 + years to get it ready...there will be some huge - possibly ground breaking changes a coming. If they were keeping the same GUI etc...they should have been able to turn this out in a lot less time.

The silence is deafening tho :) Still can't say for sure if I like it or not. :)

VP

Subject:RE: Can you believe it's been almost 3 years?

Reply by: Chienworks

Date:10/4/2011 9:27:21 AM

"My biggest request is they keep the same GUI."

Absolutely, first and foremost! This is definitely the MOST important.

I've seen so many other products that have fancy & pretty & spiffy UIs that are absolute nightmares to work with. ACID/Vegas/Forge have super clean and usable interfaces that would not benefit from a makeover.

New version? Hmmm. I'm sure i'll upgrade, but not so much for any features. Heck, for what i use ACID for, version 4 has got it all. There hasn't been a new feature added since then that i'll ever use. Any new toys they've added that hit my needs at all are things i use Vegas for instead of ACID since Vegas has already had them all years before ACID did. However, i believe in the company and want to support them. Paying a little bit for a new version after all this time is the least i can do.

Subject:RE: Can you believe it's been almost 3 years?

Reply by: kbruff

Date:10/4/2011 10:02:56 AM

Besides "ease" of use, which is relative, what are the major product discriminators that make ACID stand out against the current DAW's which apparently handle all of the main formats relatively well?

Subject:RE: Can you believe it's been almost 3 years?

Reply by: drbam

Date:10/5/2011 10:47:51 AM

For me Acid is still the best for fast creation of original loops and basic arrangement construction. Other than that it doesn't offer anything for me that I don't get elsewhere, especially in terms of stability. In fact, I haven't even opened it in the past few months because I've finally transitioned virtually everything into Reaper (still use Sound Forge and CDA tho). I keep coming around these forums because Acid 1 was one of my first DAWs and I'm still curious about how these apps are evolving. But compared to the competition in the DAW world, SCS dropped the ball long ago IMO. Vegas went video and as for Acid . . . well, the thread title says it all.

Subject:RE: Can you believe it's been almost 3 years?

Reply by: Kappeesh

Date:10/27/2011 7:50:33 AM

i'm curious of your opinion of this topic:

http://www.sonycreativesoftware.com/forums/ShowMessage.asp?MessageID=782976&Replies=5

Subject:RE: Can you believe it's been almost 3 years?

Reply by: WarmGlow

Date:2/27/2012 6:24:23 AM

I tired the Acid Pro 7 demo and I liked the ui and I was able to find a comfortable workflow so I bought it. Acid Pro 7 has performed well. However, after a few years of using the program on larger projects (larger projects than i was able to get into during the demo period) there are a few features that could be added to further streamline and speed up my workflow.

Note: I assume that when people come to this particular forum, the Acid forum, with feature suggestions that they honestly would like to see certain features implemented so that they can .... well, continue using Acid and continue supporting Sony Creative software by giving their money. So, user feedback in this sense really is a good thing.

A request for a feature is not:
bashing Acid
bashing Peter or any other Sony staff person
being a cry baby ...etc
Yet people here get defensive and post nonsense: I've been using acid since the very first version and version four has all the features i need .... blah blah blah

what sense does that make? why even post such a response to someone who is requesting a few features that could possibly help them and others? If you are content to show your support for Sony by continuing to buy each new release without wishing for any particular feature to be included then good for you. But others may not be so charitable.

the folks at Sony are not mind readers and people who genuinely wish for a particular feature to be included may understandably post here as well as click the "support" link and submit a "product suggestion."

For Acid Pro 8 i really wish they include clip (media item) grouping. This would be helpful so that when I close an Acid project and open it at a later date certain items (media items/events) would still be grouped and thus easily moved.

secondly, better snap options would be helpful. Currently the snap options are sort of "all or nothing." It would be nice to be able to turn off snap to grid and then still have items (clips/media events) snap to markers and snap to other media items.

Lastly, the track color squares. There are colored squares (little icons) on the panel on the left of each Acid track. it would be nice to be able to selectively delete these so that the colored square was only visible on tracks of my choosing. Thus, when I have a very large project 80 or more tracks and I zoom all the way out I could more easily distinguish my tracks.

Subject:RE: Can you believe it's been almost 3 years?

Reply by: Vocalpoint

Date:2/27/2012 10:29:38 AM

Enhancement requests aside - I think of lot us are starting to be more worried about there being an "ACID" to support at all - let alone being worried about hot new features in some phantom future version that seems to have disappeared from the radar...

VP

Subject:RE: Can you believe it's been almost 3 years?

Reply by: Kit

Date:2/27/2012 5:44:48 PM

Hello, I'm curious - why do you believe in a company that won't even tell us whether Acid is still in development or not. Thanks,

Kit

Subject:RE: Can you believe it's been almost 3 years?

Reply by: WarmGlow

Date:7/17/2012 2:41:48 AM

Sony developers have obviously has been busy working on products such as:
Spectralayers Pro
Vegas 11
and probably other projects too..

In the meantime I think it is good for the community to:

1) keep working and use whatever software you feel you need in order to fulfill your music production and music creation goals.

2) it is also good from time to time to express to Sony what you hope they will include in the next version of Acid (if a new version is in the works). Bear in mind "the folks at Sony are not mind readers." Also, users can also click the "support" link and submit a "product suggestion."

"For Acid Pro 8 i really wish they include clip (media item) grouping. This would be helpful so that when I close an Acid project and open it at a later date certain items (media items/events) would still be grouped and thus easily moved.

Secondly, better snap options would be helpful. Currently the snap options are sort of "all or nothing." It would be nice to be able to turn off snap to grid and then still have items (clips/media events) snap to markers and snap to other media items.

Lastly, the track color squares. There are colored squares (little icons) on the panel on the left of each Acid track. it would be nice to be able to selectively delete these so that the colored square was only visible on tracks of my choosing. Thus, when I have a very large project 80 or more tracks and I zoom all the way out I could more easily distinguish my tracks."

Subject:RE: Can you believe it's been almost 3 years?

Reply by: ZombieSlugs

Date:7/18/2012 2:35:30 PM

Acid Pro 7 is good, but I'd like:

- Better VST/VSTi support
- 64 bit version

Honestly, it's still super easy to use. I'm running Reaper a lot now and it's a total pain in the butt to set up and use, but it's far more powerful than Acid Pro (if you need that kind of horsepower).

Definitely keep the UI - it's easy to be real productive with it.

Subject:RE: Can you believe it's been almost 3 years?

Reply by: 519tbarr

Date:7/19/2012 8:26:56 AM

Completely agree with the above comment.
Also no limitation on plug ins
and upgrade ram usage beyond 3.5 gigs.

I would love Sony to fight back and kick the proverbial behind!
No question Sony has the easiest ruler and editor system.

Subject:RE: Believe

Reply by: WarmGlow

Date:11/26/2012 4:20:49 AM

I completely agree with a lot of what's been posted in this thread. People have valid underlying sentiments even if the way we communicate them differs.

It has been confirmed that yes, Acid does indeed have a future. Maybe it will be incorporated into a suite just like the new Vegas suite, or maybe it will continue to be a stand alone product. Either way, keep working and hopefully 2013 will bring us all some good news regarding Acid.

maybe even event grouping (event/ media item/clip grouping).

Subject:RE: Believe

Reply by: 519tbarr

Date:11/26/2012 8:37:24 AM

The title of this thread should change to can you believe it's been four years.
2013 is boom or bust. I am inclined to think bust for Acid Pro. No other DAW that I know of has had so little development in such a long period of time. SCS should be ashamed on that front. Right now Sony lacks a current, real DAW. Acid Pro 7 was released in October 2008 with it's last update in February 2010. Either they have something amazing in the pot brewing or the product is dead and they are milking it for every last red cent.

Subject:RE: Believe

Reply by: Vocalpoint

Date:11/26/2012 10:05:48 AM

As Peter has already stated...Acid has a future.

I think Sony has also finally realized that the mobile/tablet space is the future and they are definitely shooting themselves in the eye by thinking that some "old school" dopey 2008 Windows XP based version of the product is the way to keep this app fresh or relevant.

Something had to give and if they have any hope of making ACID worthy - they have to make it available to a variety of platforms.

My money is squarely on a Mac port or perhaps even a total "reboot" of the entire Acid family for the new mobile/tablet generation.

VP

Subject:RE: Believe

Reply by: 519tbarr

Date:11/26/2012 11:01:01 AM

I hope you are right VP.
If not the product is dead.
Acid Pro needs a re-write a fresh beginning.
There are a lot of things I love about Acid Pro but it has become unuseable for me in its current format.
It's funny that they keep issuing Acid Music Studio updates giving the program more of the features of Acid Pro yet completely leave Acid Pro behind for over 2 and 1/2 years without an update or word on the product.

Subject:RE: Believe

Reply by: drbam

Date:11/26/2012 12:50:33 PM

Peter said that Acid Pro has a "future" but he wasn't specific as to what that was or might be and "death" could easily be one of the options. I've felt for a long time that Acid Pro's future was slow death via attrition and SCS seems to confirming this. If SCS doesn't do anything with Acid Pro and continues with the utterly non-professional policy of secrecy about its future to their customer base, Acid Pro will go away on its own because the user's finally go elsewhere. At that point SCS doesn't have to take responsibility for this mess because there's no user base to justify its continued development. That's the way attrition works in a situation like this.

Personally I moved elsewhere a few years ago but continue to check in once in while, probably out of morbid curiosity, but also I really would like to see AP move forward, although I can't imagine that happening at this point. It took a while but Reaper replaced both Vegas and Acid Pro for me. I still use Sound Forge and every now and then open up Acid to use the beatmapper function but that's becoming increasingly rare.

Subject:RE: Believe

Reply by: Vocalpoint

Date:11/26/2012 1:58:26 PM

Peter said that Acid Pro has a "future" but he wasn't specific as to what that was or might be and "death" could easily be one of the options.

Agreed. But "death" seems a bit far fetched as a "future".

I do agree with all you other points...especially letting it fade over years from memory that they finally do not need to justify anything.

But I also still believe there is market out there - they continue to sell ACID studio to somebody so I will go with a hallmark of business "if there's a buck to be made..." :)

I am also like you - tis rare that I even open ACID any more (I recently installed it for the first time in years - just to clear some misconceptions that a few folks were on about ACID and Windows 7 SP1 - it works fine BTW)

I am gonna stick with my Mac port prediction and even the possible total "reboot" scenario...you gotta know that these kinds of big things take a lot of time - especially if a total rewrite is in the cards...

So if we speculate that the decision to "halt" ACID - as we knew it - came after the 7.0e release (Feb 2010) - could be fair to assume they have been working on "something" for over 2 years now....not unlike the time frame that elapsed over on the Forge side where about 2 years went by without a peep...and suddenly a Mac port appeared....

Grand scheme thinking here - if SMS actually believes there is money to be made AND opportunity in the "audio editors" market (which I never would have believed) and then proceeds to roll out a new Forge - I would think there would have to be money to be made AND opportunity in the "creative" space with a total rewrite of ACID...

Could 2013 be a "rebirth" year...er not?

VP

Subject:RE: 2015

Reply by: WarmGlow

Date:1/29/2013 1:16:25 AM

I really hope in Acid Pro 8 (whether it is in Acid Pro 8 or maybe a program that is included as part of some new Sony software suite) they include event grouping.

Event, Clip (media item) grouping: This would be so helpful because when I close an Acid project and open it at a later date certain items (media items/events) would still be grouped and thus easily moved.


Better snap options would be helpful. Currently the snap options are sort of "all or nothing." It would be nice to be able to turn off snap to grid and then still have items (clips/media events) snap to markers and snap to other media items.


Lastly, the track color squares. There are colored squares (little icons) on the panel on the left of each Acid track. it would be nice to be able to selectively delete these so that the colored square was only visible on tracks of my choosing. Thus, when I have a very large project 80 or more tracks and I zoom all the way out I could more easily distinguish my tracks."

Subject:RE: 2015

Reply by: bnjenter

Date:1/29/2013 11:42:11 AM

I'm really sorry things have gone this way, but beg for a company to develop a product they will then sell me - I think not. Plus Sony has had a terrible track record with the the pro applications being buggy for quite a long time after release. Sometimes companies just assume people will put up with too much.

Subject:RE: 2015

Reply by: Vocalpoint

Date:1/29/2013 12:29:51 PM

I need to change the title "Can you believe it's almost been 4.5 years?"

Cheers,

VP

Subject:RE: 2015

Reply by: 519tbarr

Date:1/29/2013 2:03:36 PM

VP i salute you. Change it to 4.5!!!
It's pathetic and depending on the mind frame of the day...
It is mildly maddening...
But then again I remember that I have spent money on other DAW's
that are meeting my needs and I start to smile again.

4.5 years and counting. 3 year almost since AP7's last bug fix/update.

Subject:RE: Can you believe it's been over 4.5 years?

Reply by: WarmGlow

Date:9/6/2013 2:08:07 PM

From the time this thread was started, Sony has released:

Spectralayers Pro
Vegas Pro 11
Spectralayers Pro 2
Vegas Pro 12
Sound Forge Pro for Mac
Sound Forge Pro 11

Therefore, a new version of Acid Pro could possibly be next up to bat. Not counting the Music Studio & Movie Studio brands, I'm thinking that the next major release will either be Acid Pro 8 or a new version of DVD Architect. It's basically 50/50 at this point. I guess what I'm trying to say is: hang in there guys.

Furthermore, if, on this site, you click on "Software" and then click on "All Software" you will see that "Acid Pro" is still listed first under the heading "Professional Solutions." So, there's that.

The questions remain:
1) As 2013 draws to a close, what (if any) * specific * features would you now consider to be absolutely essential for a new version of Acid Pro to deliver, in order to fit into your current workflow?

2) Would you still buy a new version of Acid Pro if it did not deliver those * specific * features but instead only provided support for current operating systems (for example: if the only feature they chose to add was support for Mac, Windows 7 & 8 and full support for 64 bit).
.

Subject:RE: Can you believe it's been over 4.5 years?

Reply by: BigDuff

Date:9/11/2013 9:20:07 AM

I was just looking at Acid Pro as a possible replacement for my current DAW. But the long ago release date stopped me dead in my tracks.

As I have not used the current version some or all listed below may already implemented

I would like to see:
64 bit version defintely
Support for VST 2&3
Ability to work with Melodyne (64 bit)
Support for the Fishman TriplePlay as a midi input/recording device.
Take lanes.

Maybe current users could tell me:
Are there tempo and key change markers?
How good is the Mackie Control Universal integration?

Thanks,

Duff

Subject:RE: Can you believe it's been over 4.5 years?

Reply by: Iacobus

Date:9/11/2013 12:33:29 PM

Yes, there are tempo and key change markers.

I can't speak of the Mackie control support but from what I've heard from other users it's great.

Subject:RE: Can you believe it's been over 4.5 years?

Reply by: AP7in2013

Date:9/24/2013 3:20:17 PM

VP it is now Sept 2013 rather than leap ahead I grabbed old 2003-2007 hardware and loaded XPPro-sp3 and doing simple loops doing a 1 minute loop. Got the crackling to stop adjusting the video resolution down to 1024x768. No network cards and latency tested every up grade and re-ran ACID 7.0e. Still using EMU-0404 PCI card which works with every other DAW (CUBase,avid protools,fruitloops, StudioONE for gods sake.) Bandinabox etc. I do not want new hardware. I want to get a new DAW rather. Is it just the Audio interface card PCI stuff or is this ACID thing down and out? Thanks!

Subject:RE: Can you believe it's been 5 years?

Reply by: Vocalpoint

Date:9/25/2013 11:11:15 AM

For what it's worth - I still use AP7 Pro just fine on my very recent 7 DAW running Windows 7 x64.

I do not use it very often - but it seems to be fine when I do fire it up. I use it primarily as a "sketchpad" for building up arrangements.

However - once the basic framework is assembled - I always just render everything out of AP7 to separate wav tracks and bring those over to Studio One for the "real work".

VP

Subject:RE: Can you believe it's been 5 years?

Reply by: b.complex

Date:10/1/2013 8:54:07 PM

Does Peter (PCH) even post here any more to assure people that "ACID has a future"?

I mean, seriously. The LEAST they could do is either update Music Studio to have all of the features of ACID Pro (since Studio is a 64 bit app and is a more stable host for advanced VSTi's) or update AP7 to 64 bit before abandoning it.

Subject:RE: Can you believe it's been 5 years?

Reply by: Vocalpoint

Date:10/2/2013 9:57:13 AM

Does Peter (PCH) even post here any more to assure people that "ACID has a future"?

Peter's idea of a "future" could very well be "Acid Music Studio" for all we know. I am very skeptical that Acid Pro has anything in the way of a future.

But hey - it won't be the first time (or the last) that Sony took something good and totally pooched it. One of the worst companies ever for long term vision and for losing money.

Whatevs. I am off on a new journey now with Studio One and look fondly in my rear view mirror at SMS...to be honest - none of their existing products are really worth the time, effort or money now....

VP

Subject:RE: Can you believe it's been 5 years?

Reply by: 519tbarr

Date:10/3/2013 9:44:03 AM

Kind of in the same boat as you VP.
I have Studio One v2 and Reaper. I use both of these simultaneously in most projects. S1v2 for the bass and Reaper for similar style of work flow and editing as Acid Pro.
But like us all we keep checking in to see if something has changed. Because Sony has left it so long - silence on AP platform - it would be pretty hard to justify spending any money on an update - unless it was mind blowing. I used to have a hard time at first with the work flow of other programs not being like Acid Pro. I don't have that problem anymore.
I own both AP7 and AMS9.

Subject:RE: Can you believe it's been 5 years?

Reply by: b.complex

Date:10/3/2013 11:17:29 PM

Yes, I "upgraded" AP7 to Studio 9 because it is a more stable host for VSTi's in a 64 bit environment. Also, it was a cheap upgrade that was offered with a free premium loop library. I guess, I just don' understand their logic. How is STUDIO turning out to be an "upgrade"? - why don't they just issue at least a 64 bit version with all the pro features and be done with it before letting it die?


Like most of you, I have moved to Studio One and I am very interested in REAPER as something that looks and feels like ACID. Studio One is AWESOME, but I still reach for ACID when I have 20 minutes to kill and want to sketch out a song idea - which is why it still vexes me that they left us hanging.

Subject:RE: Can you believe it's been 5 years?

Reply by: VMP

Date:10/7/2013 2:20:03 PM

Love Acid Pro 7.

But unfortunately I can not use any of the 64 bit VST from East West like the Hollywood strings that I have purchased recently. Due to AP7 not being a native 64 bit software and not supporting the available memory from Windows 7. It just crashes

It's sad that I am forced to use and learn another software. I am trying Ableton live now. But the interface is so different. Like zooming scrolling etc. As you guys mention maybe I should give Reaper or Studio One a try.

I really hope Ap8 is in the works, or a native 64 bit software of AP7 which supports the memory that my PC has.

I have asked Sony support if a AP8 is in the works, unfortunately I did not get any good news. They said they will look into it in the future.

Is the music studio a native 64 bit software? Or does it also not use the full 16 Gb memory that my system has?

Subject:RE: Can you believe it's been 5 years?

Reply by: BigDuff

Date:10/8/2013 7:42:12 AM

I am currently not an ACID Pro user, although I did DL the trial version and liked the way it works. If it becomes 64 bit and supports VST2-3 chances are great I will move to ACID as my main DAW.

I had been a long time Adobe Audition/Cool Edit user. I left it for Reaper when Adobe said they would not develop the midi apsect any further.

The one thing that I truely miss that Audition did is set the project key, embedding that info into audio I record. Makes for a quick work flow when you can set a project key and imported audio files and loops automatically match key & tempo.
When trying the ACID demo it was nice to see it would do the same.

I understand that ACID Studio is 64 bit, but I need support for the Mackie MCU.
So as a current non-user looking to move on over I say, "Hey Sony, how about an update to Pro!"

Duff

Subject:RE: Can you believe it's been 5 years?

Reply by: Highway

Date:10/14/2013 1:24:02 PM

I went to Pro tools about 2 years ago. every studio i went to used it and the work flow from one system to another was great. i believe sony has decided to stay in a prosumers market and not grow with its costumers which is fine but a heads up would of been nice.