This got me a bit worried. I thought SonicCore/InDSP was a nice and warm relationship based on the idea that they would explore two different paths of the original Creamware technology. That would have been a good thing.
Now, I'm a pure Scope user and everytime I open up the topic list for Announcements here at Z, I hope to see something from SonicCore which would strengthen my platform - like SFP upgrades, new plugins etc. I guess that if SoniceCore makes good business, then it is more likely to take care and improve the platform. The teasers regarding V5 is simply something I love to see as it breathes some new life into my rig.
In my view, SonicCore is *the* company taking care of the platform: even if I click on Scope Platform at
www.indsp.com I end up at
www.soniccore.de.
Now, the emerge of Use Audio is a bit mysterious to me. It is presented as its own company being a customer of InDSP...but it is promoted by Frank@InDSP as if it is actually a sales channel for InDSP? On top of that, as piddl noticed, the similarities between the Use Audio and SoniceCore logos makes one wonder if it is a coincidence, a sign of relationship or a provocation?
All of that wouldn't have made much difference if it weren't for the fact that Use Audio sells Scope plugins. And that it does so in a fashion that I can't really see that it is intended as anything else than "a kick in soniccores ass" (well put, hifiboom). And if a company kicks SonicCore anywhere, it is simply a threat to my platform and I just can't see the good in that.
Dumping prices on plugins have been thoroughly discussed in this forum before - but at least the dumping then was the same company that handled the platform. If Use Audio does not have any interest in keeping the Scope platform going, then this is stab at both SonicCore as a company and its customers since this kind of dumping will lower second-hand values. (No, I am not planning to sell - I am gonna run my cards until the stop working).
Maybe I have gotten it all wrong and I'm upset over nothing. Maybe Use Audio actually do sponsor further Scope platform development in some way. Maybe there is a happy and warm relationship between all of these companies. Maybe this price dump was planned together with SonicCore in line with their own marketing drive to be initiated in 2008.
Or maybe not.