Free EXis: Korg waking up at last? ;-)

Charlie · Post by **Charlie** » Mon Aug 01, 2011 10:15 am

Today I got a letter from Kato himself, thanking me as an Oasys user for purchasing an Oasys, announcing that EXi LAC1 + MOD7 and EXs3 will be free of charge after August 8th (including an URL for downloading) and furthermore announcing special discounts for Oasys users buying a Kronos: new Kronos libraries shall be discounted for them. And in case I had bought the EXis mentioned above before August 8th I shall receive even higher discounts.

In general I think that is quite nice and something many users here have asked for very often. I'd like to know if others received a similar letter and what you think of it.

cello · Post by **cello** » Mon Aug 01, 2011 10:18 am

LOL! For a minute you had me going there...

dranandj · Post by **dranandj** » Mon Aug 01, 2011 11:56 am

charlie, wake up!

Post by **Sharp** » Mon Aug 01, 2011 4:03 pm

Hi Charlie.
I can only assume by this joke that you didn't hear the very sad news......

http://www.korgforums.com/forum/phpBB2/ ... hp?t=60229

Regards
Sharp.

Hedegaard · Post by **Hedegaard** » Mon Aug 01, 2011 6:27 pm

No, you are all wrong.

I also got this letter, from Seiki Kato.
(I presume this is his son)

Its very nice paper too! And I got a big KORG sticker also!

Its a very nice touch! The letter comes directly from Japan too.

Hedegaard · Post by **Hedegaard** » Mon Aug 01, 2011 6:34 pm

I'm not sure if I'm allowed to "share" the letter, but here is a partial scan of it:

Post by **Sharp** » Mon Aug 01, 2011 6:38 pm

from Seiki Kato

Ahhh..... Now all this makes sense.... Phew.

Regards
Sharp.

Charlie · Post by **Charlie** » Mon Aug 01, 2011 8:04 pm

Sorry for all this confusion.

The letter was sent by a Mr. Kato (without "h" in the end). I had missed the info of Katoh (with "h" in the end) having died in March - shame on me - and I'm sorry to learn that now.

I just read "Kato" at the end of the letter and confused it with the founder - my apologizes.

Anyhow, my major point was the content of this letter ... not the senders identity. But it seems the content didn't create lot's of interest either.

cello · Post by **cello** » Mon Aug 01, 2011 8:16 pm

Well, if it's true I take it back...

Sorry!

Either my letter is still is on it's way or I'm not getting one as all my O engines are unlocked.

Which then begs the question - what is on offer for the O users who bought the engines and spent more money on their O than those that didn't unlock the engines?

Seems like those who didn't spend extra money are getting extra value from this deal... just sayin'.

With a slightly cynical view, I guess that Korg no longer wants to spend the money on maintaining the registration database in its current form - so best make (from Korg's point of view) all O users equal - which means fully unlocked for all, but of course shows no value to those who have spent more with Korg.

Charlie · Post by **Charlie** » Mon Aug 01, 2011 8:50 pm

Well, for those who have unlocked all EXis by paying for them (like me

) the offer is the additional discount for new Kronos-libraries. Of course I'd have to buy a Kronos for that.

cello · Post by **cello** » Mon Aug 01, 2011 9:05 pm

Which means no value unless we spend more with Korg!

Maybe I'm missing something but:

1. Great if you have a locked O - it's now offered to be completely unlocked
2. Bad for OASYS users who did spend more money with Korg for two reasons, that money is now wasted and the premium residual value of a fully unlocked OASYS has been neutralised
3. Bad for unlocked O users as unless you get a Kronos there is nothing on offer
4. Bad for unlocked O users because if you do want the offer you need to spend several thousand pounds more
5. Bad for unlocked O users because the more money that they spent is being rewarded with nothing from Korg

I find this absolutely amazingly, shockingly bad marketing. Great news of course for locked O users but I can't believe the contempt that Korg is showing O users who did spend more money.

(and before Danatkorg chimes in - no I didn't pay Korg to unlock my O; I bought it second hand BUT paid a premium over other Os at the time because it was unlocked).

So, my question remains, given that locked O users are getting something for nothing, what is Korg offering for nothing to those customers who spent more on their O? An offer based on spending more thousands is not an offer at all and is worthless.

Am seriously glad I cancelled my order for the K-61 now (did it yesterday in fact) - am seriously beginning to hate the sight of it and everything it represents.

SanderXpander · Post by **SanderXpander** » Mon Aug 01, 2011 9:50 pm

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the benefit of having had an unlocked Oasys for some time now, simply "that you were able to use all those sounds and features"?

Mike Conway · Post by **Mike Conway** » Mon Aug 01, 2011 9:52 pm

I paid the full 8K for my O76 key, before they discounted them by $500. I also paid for all the engine codes.

My view is that if Korg is officially not supporting the OASYS, they probably shouldn't be selling the codes. I have no problem with other users being able to enjoy the "full instrument," especially if Kronos is offering them for free.

Sure it sucks for people who paid, but that has been years ago, in most cases. I don't expect them to send me cash, but I think this is a good gesture.

cello · Post by **cello** » Mon Aug 01, 2011 9:57 pm

SanderXpander wrote:Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the benefit of having had an unlocked Oasys for some time now, simply "that you were able to use all those sounds and features"?

Technically not wrong - but you're missing the point.

The benefit of using the extra sounds was as a result of money being paid to Korg by either current or previous owners.

Now all OASYS are unlocked without money changing hands. See a slight inequity there?

And where is the benefit of having paid for the extras if ultimately all OASYS are now equal, nullifying any return on the extra investment in unlocking those extras?

cello · Post by **cello** » Mon Aug 01, 2011 10:01 pm

Mike Conway wrote:I paid the full 8K for my O76 key, before they discounted them by $500. I also paid for all the engine codes.

My view is that if Korg is officially not supporting the OASYS, they probably shouldn't be selling the codes. I have no problem with other users being able to enjoy the "full instrument," especially if Kronos is offering them for free.

Sure it sucks for people who paid, but that has been years ago, in most cases. I don't expect them to send me cash, but I think this is a good gesture.

I think it's great that folks can enjoy the full potential of the O as a result of this gesture - that's not my beef here.

My point is that it is a knowingly iniquitous gesture as it only benefits those who did not pay for the extras - and therein I do have a problem.