Subject:Noise Reduction 2.0 ponderings

Posted by: PixelStuff

Date:12/8/2001 4:40:01 PM

I posted this message in the Vegas Video forum first, but the more I got to thinking about it the more I thought it might be better over here in the Sound Forge forum. So, here's what I'm wondering.

Does anyone know why Sonic Foundry charges like $200 for a plug in to remove noise based on a noise sample, while other software like Syntrillium's Cool Edit Pro include that ability in the main purchase. I own a copy of the cheaper Cool Edit 2000 and can't fully switch to Sonic Foundry stuff, because I need that ability to sample noise and then remove it. Cool Edit 2000 cost $70, SF Noise Reduction 2 cost $200 (too much)

Subject:RE: Noise Reduction 2.0 ponderings

Reply by: sk

Date:12/8/2001 8:58:40 PM

Actually, JB, they charge like $279.00 for Noise Reduction 2.0. And if you've ever been to the 'AudioForum.com' site, at least according to the folks from Izotope Ozone, who were not addressing Sonic Foundry, they were talking about pricing structure in general and their pricing structure vs. that of the Waves plugins, they basically presented it like this: "It doesn't cost any more to make a $200 program than a $1,000 program or a $79 program. It all depends on the marketing philosophy." He finished by saying that they ("Izotope Ozone") believe that more than 5 times as many people will buy a $200 proggie vs a $1,000 proggie. So they plan to sell more and charge less. My point is, Sonic Foundry sells their products at what they believe the market will bear. That's certainly their right; no one can argue that point. But whether or not it suits your needs or mine, in particular, is another matter. But regardless, it doesn't make one side right and the other side wrong. Having said that, I have argued here that for what Sound Forge 5.0 costs, it, in my opinion, should include the NR 2.0 as part of the package. From the Sound Forge literature, it seems as if some of the other plugins like Wave Hammer and Acoustic Mirror had at one time been additional extras but are now included. Maybe at some point Noise Reduction will be too, either in addition to or instead of one of the other groups that now come 'free' with the main program. My point in agruing that NR should be included follows the logic, and the balance of this type of forum, that this is the place for customers and companies to meet and see how the products are meeting the customer's needs, and the customers get to see how responsive the company is to our needs. Izotope has a very responsive management and very loyal customers. It seems to me that they are satisfied with building on that foundation, and so far, it seems to be working for them. Likewise, SF seems to take a bit of a different approach and their approach seems to be working for them as well.

There was a thread here a couple of weeks ago that I'm sure wasn't too appealing to SF, where a discussion took place about Mars Music selling NR 2.0 for $79.00. That took the wind out of a lot of folks' sails. (They wanted 'something back' from SF for having shelled out the full $279.00. lol). The URL below is from my post in which I listed a site selling the combo of Sound Forge 5.0 and Noise Reduction 2.0 for $249.00. In a 'free market', I guess there's part of your answer. SF has the right to sell its products for whatever price it sets. But we have the right to shop around.

And it's just too juicy to not re-state: I did manage to get the last NR 2.0 in the MarsMusic system; they shipped it directly to me because the local store here didn't have it and didn't want to receive it just so I could come in and pick it up, so the out of state store just shipped it directly to me. But look around; there are good deals to be had. And I will say this much: Even though both Cool Edit and Noise Reduction use noiseprints, NR offers a much greater variety of algorithms (4, to be exact) than I believe you get in Cool Edit. They've (SF) put a lot of work into this product, and it's definitely a winner. There's no doubt about that. As for the price....buyer beware.

http://www.sonicfoundry.com/forums/ShowMessage.asp?MessageID=82996


SK

Subject:RE: Noise Reduction 2.0 ponderings

Reply by: Estuardo

Date:12/9/2001 10:23:43 AM

Yea, I think it'd be more appropriate in this forum.

$200? Where can I purchase it for that amount? SF sells it for $280 (winter 2001 catalog).

With only one exception, every site I looked at after doing a casual search to find the lowest price had it for a minimum of $280. Only one site offered it for less: $200. BUT... only if you could prove that you are a student (they wanted a faxed student ID, etc...). This site was found at TOM'S HARDWARE GUIDE http://www.tomshardware.com/ by searching for the lowest price at that site.

In the SOUND FORGE FAMILY forum there was a recent post at http://www.sonicfoundry.com/forums/ShowMessage.asp?MessageID=78169&Replies=7 about Noise Reduction 2.0 being offered for ~ $80 at Mars Music. Unfortunately, this was a one-time sale and not (from what I can interpert) available on-line at their web site. I was too late to take advantage of it. It'll make an interesting read nevertheless.

I wish I could get the CD-ROM for Noise Reduction 2.0. It's now only available as a download. I called Sonic Foundry to buy some other stuff and they said this was only available downloaded. (... so how difficult would it have been for them to just burn a copy off their server and include it with my order? - would have taken all of 2 minutes to burn + $1 for the CDR....)

If I can't find it any cheaper than $280 I will be forced to bite the bullet. I don't know what the other programs do that you compared it to. The most important thing about Noise Reduction 2.0 to me is the peak restoration feature. That by itself will be worth it. Plus, I like Sonic Foundry so I expect it to perform professionally like their other products. Compatability will not be a concern.

Does anyone know where Noise Reduction 2.0 is available for < $280?

//Stuart

Subject:RE: Noise Reduction 2.0 ponderings

Reply by: sk

Date:12/9/2001 2:56:55 PM

Um...
maybe my post wasn't that clear.
Once again, it's not the $79 that I got it for, but here's the website for both SF 5.0 AND NR 2.0 for $249.
http://www.8thstreet.com/Product.asp?ProductCode=1012&Category=Software

(Maybe the $249 is too much, but it's still $30 less than the $279, and maybe if you don't need the 5.0 you could sell it on ebay or something. As long as it's not opened, it should still be able to be registered, I'd think.)

SK

Subject:RE: Noise Reduction 2.0 ponderings

Reply by: beetlefan

Date:12/10/2001 6:24:42 AM

Hey, If you buy Cool Edit 2000, their noise Reduction package only costs $49. I's not Direct-X so you can't use it within SF but it does have that clip restorer.

One thing you should know about the clip restorer of any program, it can't work miracles. If something is grossly clipped, the plug-in can't save it.

Now, The pricing for SF's Noise Reduction is ridiculous! I respect that it does a hell of a job in less than half the time that Cool EDit's does, but, come on! Think of how much they could make if they would either lower the price or include it with Sound Forge!

At least you can use the demo for 1 week.