Nice work, Thom. I don't understand the new M-audio's (aka AIR's) gameplan though. You say this is a free DAW? Is it free in the sense that it comes with M-Audio hardware? Or do they plan to charge for... "add-ons" in the future?
Thanks Scott.
I'm not exactly clear on it myself,except to say that AIR is the same software company that created Pro Tools and that most,if not all of the instruments of Ignite,are derived from Pro Tools.
That being said,one could easily speculate that Ignite was designed to wet the appetites of those who are new to Pro Tools.
To answer your question though,anyone..regardless of what gear they own,can download the program from AIR's website...but because Ignite is specifically designed to work seamlessly with M-Audio keyboards,by automatically mapping all of the controls with the software...Ignite seems to be a marketing tool for M-Audio hardware,to boost sales of M-Audio's gear.
I know that M-Audio's latest midi controller(the AIR Axiom series),comes with Pro Tools Express....but of course,this particular model gives the Ignite user the most benefit,with the Hyper Control protocol.
I've submitted queries to AIR's tech support team and they are wide open to user input,in terms of future upgrades & add-ons & such,but currently,AIR is field testing the Ignite software to survey the user response to their product.
Which is to say that even the staff-at the moment,do not know what the future holds.I would certainly be happy to pay for future add-ons,because I am sure they will be worthwhile & reasonable priced.
Despite my being aware that M-Audio's Audacity program is free also,I was still surprised at Ignite being 100% free & I was skeptical at first...but when you think about it,the notion of a fully functional DAW for free to attract new users,is quite brilliant and certainly,AIR...along with InMusicBrands,certainly has more than ample capitol to fund a free program such as this one.