ICONS Future

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mr_fender said:
I'm sure whatever is on the other end of that link is totally safe too. Don't be surprised if you wake up to your computer being remotely run as an illegal porn server or something. I'll pass on the Internet AIDS, thanks.
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I won't deny that when I was a teenager I used cracked software, mainly cuz I was broke and couldn't afford anything more than audacity and its shitty plugins, but once I was forced to format my entire PC (losing all my files) due to a virus that encrypted all files on it, I promised to myself to never install cracked software again in my life, and luckily now I have a decent job and can afford what I need (and there's a lot of excellent free stuff too, something you couldn't easily find 20-25 years ago).
 
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yek said:
Does cracking the security also gain access to the algorithm code?
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From what I know of iLok and its workings: sort of. Breaking iLok means decrypting / deobfuscating / devirtualizing the protected machine code and then getting rid of any further protections built into the binary, leaving you with ostensibly pure machine code as built by Fractal from their source code. This is still an opaque blob of machine code that would require extensive further effort and almost Cliff-equivalent expertise to reverse engineer and replicate as actualy usable source code. This is something only a well funded competitor could do or benefit from doing and I believed that was the primary reason why Fractal was reluctant to release a PC plugin, as having a .vst3 on a PC makes the process far faster to do and with many powerful tools to do it readily available.
 
biggness said:
It’s reasonable to assume all software will be cracked.

There’s an interesting phenomenon of people buying the full version of the cracked software they like though. Not 100%, but a sizeable selection of them. A lot of them that would not have bought it otherwise.

Not saying that I support piracy, just offering the perspective that it isn’t all doom and gloom.
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Source?
 
DLC86 said:
I won't deny that when I was a teenager I used cracked software, mainly cuz I was broke and couldn't afford anything more than audacity and its shitty plugins, but once I was forced to format my entire PC (losing all my files) due to a virus that encrypted all files on it, I promised to myself to never install cracked software again in my life, and luckily now I have a good job and can afford what I need (and there's a lot of excellent free stuff too, something you couldn't easily find 20-25 years ago).
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Lots of folks go through such a phase, me included back in college. Once you're mature enough to realize that people deserve to be paid for their work, you start to feel quite differently about things like piracy.
 
As much as people loathed Lars for the whole civil case piracy thing, I think it’s the only way.

To have laws in a society, they have to be enforced. I hope fractal has the ability to rigorously pursue anyone proceeding with theft of their IP and copyrights.

I really don’t care if some mouth breather has to borrow money from their parents to pay the fine. Put them on the wall and let it be known you may get away with stealing from others but not fractal.
 
I understand Fractal's fears of getting their software cracked, but I honestly feel most of their clientele are people that buy software. I can find cracked versions of most things yet 100% of all my stuff is bought. The trade-off for getting free cracked versions is highly likely they have some kind of malware etc embedded in it. Personally I like to support the companies/developers and also will not willingly put my system at risk for free versions. Nothing is every truly free.

However, if someone can crack it and get the source coding to steal Fractal code, that's a different story.

But I am SUPER excited to have VST versions of Fractal modeling. Please, keep working on it Fractal!
 
I watched an old video recently of someone dialing the Metallica tone in the USA IIC++ model in Axe-Fx II. I was so surprised and impressed that I've been wanting to try it for a while now but I'll never afford the hardware. I hope they continue updating the plugin and I'll give that model a trial run when the Boogie pack comes.
 
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This was said by Cliff 15 years ago. He was well aware that this could happen a long time ago, I don't know why Cliff went against his own opinion and actually released the product, but if ICONS was born, the only thing left to do is move on and fight, and giving up is just showing weakness. So I can only wish you the best!
 
YevhenF said:
I watched an old video recently of someone dialing the Metallica tone in the USA IIC++ model in Axe-Fx II. I was so surprised and impressed that I've been wanting to try it for a while now but I'll never afford the hardware.
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Have you considered the AM4? It sounds every bit as good as the other hardware, but at an affordable price point. As a plus, you only have to wait about a month for it to be back in stock, rather than an indefinite wait for a hypothetical software version. If you don’t need the full effects firepower of the Axe or FM3/9, it’s a fantastic option. I’ve dialed in some great Metallica-esque tones on mine.
 
pedalbuilder said:
Have you considered the AM4? It sounds every bit as good as the other hardware, but at an affordable price point. As a plus, you only have to wait about a month for it to be back in stock, rather than an indefinite wait for a hypothetical software version.
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For that I need a stable job. Lost mine a few days ago unfortunately.
 
It’s a calculated risk and some loss is expected. Smart move to release a few packs to gauge all of this. I’d have to guess someone at HQ won the office pool of “how long will it take…” As many have speculated, I’d wager, as well, that the vast majority of “pirates” weren’t potential customers anyways.

I’ve always wondered if iLok has any accountability in all this (doubtful). Maybe the FAS crew gets a free year of credit monitoring.
 
Personally, my interest in a VST version isn't about having the Axe-FX running inside my computer. I mean, it would be cool, but if it carries the risk of damaging the company, then I don't want it.

For me, it's about the potential workflow within a DAW that the hardware version currently doesn't allow. Specifically:

1)The ability to place a Fractal instance anywhere between third-party plugins in the signal chain.
2) No reamping needed. Just recording and hearing the processed audio right away from the dry signal, without having to manually switch USB channels in the input config and so on.

It's frustrating that we're being deprived of these game-changing features because of piracy.

I wonder if it would be technically possible to develop a system where the core processing remains 100% on the hardware, but it integrates and behaves exactly like a VST plugin. I'd happily sacrifice a good amount of space on my desk for something like this.
I hope the next generation products will allow something like this.
 
Nexu said:
It's frustrating that we're being deprived of these game-changing features because of piracy
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Where is this stated specifically? I keep seeing posts like this here but have seen nothing stating they have in fact been hacked and so as a result are now reconsidering the Icons plans as announced so far. Again, what am I missing?, or are folks reading way more into this than is actually there.
 
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Nexu said:
Personally, my interest in a VST version isn't about having the Axe-FX running inside my computer. I mean, it would be cool, but if it carries the risk of damaging the company, then I don't want it.

For me, it's about the potential workflow within a DAW that the hardware version currently doesn't allow. Specifically:

1)The ability to place a Fractal instance anywhere between third-party plugins in the signal chain.
2) No reamping needed. Just recording and hearing the processed audio right away from the dry signal, without having to manually switch USB channels in the input config and so on.

It's frustrating that we're being deprived of these game-changing features because of piracy.

I wonder if it would be technically possible to develop a system where the core processing remains 100% on the hardware, but it integrates and behaves exactly like a VST plugin. I'd happily sacrifice a good amount of space on my desk for something like this.
I hope the next generation products will allow something like this.
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If I'm understanding your wish right, all you need is a hardware insert point in your DAW, nothing is required from Fractal.

"Insert point" really just means a hardware send and return pair, which most DAWs can do.
 
FractalAudio said:
Blame the pirates.
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Software is a huge industry despite the pirates. Microsoft exists, and even NDSP. There’s some loss to piracy but revenues from software aren’t zero. Just like there’s loss in physical products to theft, returns, warranty, logistics etc etc etc.

Just a simple math question really.
 
vangrieg said:
Software is a huge industry despite the pirates. Microsoft exists, and even NDSP. There’s some loss to piracy but revenues from software aren’t zero. Just like there’s loss in physical products to theft, returns, warranty, logistics etc etc etc.

Just a simple math question really.
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And a temperament question.
I can see being righteously pissed off about it, and just not wanting to go there.
 
Hey, I don't mean to be rude, and I MEAN THAT....But it's there business, that's Fractal..
Making suggestions is one thing but pretty much saying, Hey we we want it native, try this, do this or how about that? Jeeezzzz!
 
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