Ambrosia Releases Wiretap Studio 1.0

[YuckAndMuck]

Presumably, like most other small companies, if they went out of business they would find a way to open the software up. There are several products where when the company went out of business or discontinued the product, they'd either post a permanent key or let you download an unlock or something.

While I'm not a supporter of DRM, it's not anywhere near as invasive or annoying as most models of DRM are. Ideally, it would be unnecessary, but they don't have the time to go around voiding every CD key that winds up on the Interwebs.

Makes sense.

 

[benpatient]

Wow. Paying that much for an App that does something you can do on a stinking PC for free. Why doesn't OS X have something to do this for you already?

And sorry, I don't pay for DRMed software unless I have no choice...(CS3)...

If I want to record some audio from my computer, I'll load up boot camp and do it for free in Windows...

 

[lawcomic]

Can this be used on multiple computers by the same user, or is it a single machine deal?

 

[MMR]

What is going on here? I have been using SnapzPro for a long long time and have never had to enter a SN except when I first installed, so what are you talking about?

 

[benpatient]

if for some reason you needed to re-install the app, you would have to get a new serial. if you need to reinstall it 1 week after that, you could use the same one, but 3 weeks afterwards, you'd need a new one again.

if you never reinstall, you won't ever need to get a new serial.

 

[MMR]

if for some reason you needed to re-install the app, you would have to get a new serial. if you need to reinstall it 1 week after that, you could use the same one, but 3 weeks afterwards, you'd need a new one again.

if you never reinstall, you won't ever need to get a new serial.

So whats wrong with that? It seem's reasonable to me, if anyone is reinstalling all the time then I would ask why? I think SnapzPro is the best at what it does out there period, and I have been using WireTap Studio (the Demo) and it works exellently, and just to explain, I run a recording studio I have some of the best gear out there, Thousands on AD and DA and speakers, I have loads of Audio software and STILL I find WireTap Studio to be a worthy addition, it will be very usefull.

 

[wongulous]

I for one won't be buying it because of the need to get a new serial with each new installation. That's ridiculous and an invasion of privacy, plus a pain in the arse to me as a consumer.

 

[lawcomic]

Invasion of privacy?

 

[NoNameBrand]

I for one won't be buying it because of the need to get a new serial with each new installation. That's ridiculous and an invasion of privacy, plus a pain in the arse to me as a consumer.

The FAQ on the website describes what information is sent to them to get a new serial number.

Here's what happens when you enter an old serial number: 1. a dialog box pops up; 2. you click a button; 3. you get a new serial number - you don't even have to type it in yourself. Anyone who's talking about DRM doesn't understand how this system works at all. It is far less trouble than Adobe's activation system.

 

[hayesk]

It's been a pain with Snapz Pro, and my current system doesn't even have it installed anymore. I just got tired of the hoops. I understand why they feel they need to do it, but it's not very customer friendly.

You should suggest a better way that allows them to protect themselves and doesn't get in the way.

Another thing you could do is make backups of your disk when updating OSes then you can restore without having to re-license. Wouldn't that be quicker than reinstalling all the time anyway?

 

[hayesk]

Wow. Paying that much for an App that does something you can do on a stinking PC for free. Why doesn't OS X have something to do this for you already?

And sorry, I don't pay for DRMed software unless I have no choice...(CS3)...

That's stupid - you should buy the tool that you feel does the job best for you. Silly little "protests" about copy protection are ridiculous. Would you rather go to the USB dongle system? Do you believe software developers shouldn't be able to protect themselves from piracy?

If I want to record some audio from my computer, I'll load up boot camp and do it for free in Windows...

How is that going to help you record audio from a Mac application and then edit that audio in a well-thought out and productive interface?

 

[Lara F]

I had to reinstall WireTap Pro about a month ago on a new macbook and it took all of five seconds to get an updated serial number online. I certainly wouldn't have pegged that as a deal breaker.

Fortunately as I'm upgrading the price isn't too prohibitive, and I think the live preview function will be worth it. Looking forward to trying it out!

 

[moki]

I won't buy this personally. Not because I wouldn't find it useful, quite the opposite, but their licensing methods get in my way. I frequently reinstall my machines (since I work in IT and frequently test things on my laptop, reinstall to build images, etc) and they require me to contact them for a new serial number every time I want to reinstall. The serial numbers expire after like 2 weeks. (Note: your license doesn't - just the serial number.)

It's been a pain with Snapz Pro, and my current system doesn't even have it installed anymore. I just got tired of the hoops. I understand why they feel they need to do it, but it's not very customer friendly.

If you enter a code that has expired, all you need to do is click on the "Renew" button in the Register application. It will automatically fetch a new license code for you, there's no need to contact us via email or go to our web site.

I do understand your concerns; we hate it too. But we've found that the massive piracy of our products has forced our hand to an extent. We're engineers, we'd rather be working on the product than license code systems, believe me.

Please do read that article I linked to above. More than 50% of the license code renewal attempts continue to be from pirated license codes. This is not a fun position for us to be in.

Can this be used on multiple computers by the same user, or is it a single machine deal?

It's a per-person license. You can use it on more than one computer if you like, no worries!

 

[moki]

Still cheaper to get Audio Hijack Pro + Fission.

It's still slightly cheaper, yes. But again, we think WireTap Studio offers more functionality than the Audio Hijack Pro + Fission combination. Also if you own AHP or Fission, you can get a competitive upgrade to WireTap Studio for just $30.

What do we offer you that the aforementioned combo does not? We offer one integrated solution for recording, organizing, editing, and exporting your audio. We also offer the LivePreview™ feature that's just just really cool, and insanely useful.

We also offer lossless master recordings that let you change the format of your recording after the fact to gain quality. If you make a mistake and record as mono, or at too low of a quality, you don't have to redo the recording.

We also let you delete audio or silence audio or crop audio in a completely non-destructive way. We think the editor is pretty compelling.

But of course, WireTap Studio is a 1.0 product; we think it's a solid, excellent 1.0 product, but we DO want to hear your suggestions, criticism, etc. to make it a better product!

So download it, give it a whirl, and let us know what you think.

 

[Doctor Q]

It's a per-person license. You can use it on more than one computer if you like, no worries!

If the software is installed on one home Mac, may family members take turns using it? I say may because technically they can, but I'm asking about the license terms.

 

[Eidorian]

It's still slightly cheaper, yes. But again, we think WireTap Studio offers more functionality than the Audio Hijack Pro + Fission combination. Also if you own AHP or Fission, you can get a competitive upgrade to WireTap Studio for just $30.

What do we offer you that the aforementioned combo does not? We offer one integrated solution for recording, organizing, editing, and exporting your audio. We also offer the LivePreview™ feature that's just just really cool, and insanely useful.

We also offer lossless master recordings that let you change the format of your recording after the fact to gain quality. If you make a mistake and record as mono, or at too low of a quality, you don't have to redo the recording.

We also let you delete audio or silence audio or crop audio in a completely non-destructive way. We think the editor is pretty compelling.

But of course, WireTap Studio is a 1.0 product; we think it's a solid, excellent 1.0 product, but we DO want to hear your suggestions, criticism, etc. to make it a better product!

So download it, give it a whirl, and let us know what you think.

I did download it and try it out. The built in editor was nice but comparatively for less I can get a dedicated audio recorder and a separate editing program. Fission is non destructive as well so you hold your own against that.

Can the editor in Wire Tap Pro be used for files/recordings not made in the program itself?

Props for not needing to relaunch the application you want to record from as well.

 

[moki]

If the software is installed on one home Mac, may family members take turns using it? I say may because technically they can, but I'm asking about the license terms.

Yep, that's no problem.

I did download it and try it out. The built in editor was nice but comparatively for less I can get a dedicated audio recorder and a separate editing program. Fission is non destructive as well so you hold your own against that.

Can the editor in Wire Tap Pro be used for files/recordings not made in the program itself?

Props for not needing to relaunch the application you want to record from as well.

Yes, the editor can be used for files created outside of WireTap Studio.

And while Fission can non-destructively edit an mp3 file, it can't take a recording you've done at 96kb/s and boost it up to 192kb/s after the fact, and have it sound better, nor add, remove, and adjust AudioUnit effects in a similarly non-destructive manner even after recording. WireTap Studio can do that for files you've recording using it.

There are many other cool features I think you'll find and enjoy, such as the aforementioned LivePreview that *nothing* else can do (let alone AHP/Fission). We also do not use APE to inject code in running applications like AHP does to record audio (unless you sub-launch them from AHP). Let us know what you think!

 

[Stile]

Wow. Paying that much for an App that does something you can do on a stinking PC for free. Why doesn't OS X have something to do this for you already?

And sorry, I don't pay for DRMed software unless I have no choice...(CS3)...

If I want to record some audio from my computer, I'll load up boot camp and do it for free in Windows...

Dude, you seriously didn't just compare this app to Sound Recorder, lol. Did you even download it and try it? If you feel that they both do the same thing then this kind of app isn't for you, but trust me, it is much more powerful than Sound Recorder.

When you buy a Mac you get Garage Band, that will record audio from an input source if you want. Yeah, it's overkill, but it will work. It'll even do the "layering" that the other user was talking about, multi-track editing I believe is what he wants. You could always get Audacity for free as well, that works quite nicely.

EDIT: Sorry, didn't want to take anything away from this app, I think it looks pretty cool and will give it a try. Just thought it was funny that someone would compare this to Sound Recorder on Windows.

 

[moki]

Dude, you seriously didn't just compare this app to Sound Recorder, lol. Did you even download it and try it? If you feel that they both do the same thing then this kind of app isn't for you, but trust me, it is much more powerful than Sound Recorder.

When you buy a Mac you get Garage Band, that will record audio from an input source if you want. Yeah, it's overkill, but it will work. It'll even do the "layering" that the other user was talking about, multi-track editing I believe is what he wants. You could always get Audacity for free as well, that works quite nicely.

Right -- and the major features we offer that both GarageBand and Audacity lack are the ability to record the audio output of other running applications, they record only from hardware input devices. Here's what I mean:

http://people.ambrosiasw.com/~andrew/work/wts_tutorials/02-controller_record.mov

If you want to record from iTunes, RealPlayer, Windows Media Player, YouTube, DVD Player, etc., then WireTap Studio is what you want (and the aforementioned programs will not work). WireTap Studio of course will also record from hardware input devices as well.

Also of course the aforementioned LivePreview, lossless master recording, non-destructive editing, etc., blah blah blah

 

[bit density]

The serial numbers expire after like 2 weeks.

This is not that unreasonable.

First, it doesn't effect most people. Most people don't go around installing their operating systems all of the time.

For most others, they reinstall, enter in the old number and name, and press a single button when prompted. It is really no more difficult a process than using a non-expiring number.

For a very small number of people, it will be more complicated.

For this, they do not run the risk of crack lists containing valid serial numbers from now until the end of time, that are easily googled. This means that they generate more money, and can keep prices lower. Each sale actually makes a difference to them.

I have had wiretap pro for about 5 years on multiple laptops that have gotten upgraded. It has been nearly a complete non-problem to get wiretap pro on my machine each time.

Personally I think that the upgrade should be 19.95 for users that had bought the program longer than say january 1st. At this point I am not really interested in the more functionality that I have, and 30 bucks is too much for such occasional use. But maybe later, or maybe just use Audacity.

But registration/serial number is quite reasonable, and recognizes the extreme piracy in this space. With nearly no cost to the user.

 

[moki]

Personally I think that the upgrade should be 19.95 for users that had bought the program longer than say january 1st. At this point I am not really interested in the more functionality that I have, and 30 bucks is too much for such occasional use. But maybe later, or maybe just use Audacity.

Well, if you think about it, WireTap Pro was $19. WireTap Studio retails for $69, or a price difference of $50. Giving people an upgrade path for just $30 seemed pretty reasonable to us.

This is also the first (and only) time that we've charged any kind of an upgrade fee for WireTap, and it's a completely re-written product with literally dozens of new features, a built-in editor, etc..

But registration/serial number is quite reasonable, and recognizes the extreme piracy in this space. With nearly no cost to the user.

Thank you. We tried very, very hard to balance the inconvenience to our customers.

 

[QuarterSwede]

Wow. Paying that much for an App that does something you can do on a stinking PC for free. Why doesn't OS X have something to do this for you already?

And sorry, I don't pay for DRMed software unless I have no choice...(CS3)...

If I want to record some audio from my computer, I'll load up boot camp and do it for free in Windows...

First, DRM'd software!? Hahaha.

Second, WireTap Studio Pro offers two things I can think of that not even the highest end studio software does and that's:

... We also offer the LivePreview™ feature that's just just really cool, and insanely useful.

We also offer lossless master recordings that let you change the format of your recording after the fact to gain quality. If you make a mistake and record as mono, or at too low of a quality, you don't have to redo the recording.

which makes it completely worth the $69! Live Preview is, well, just amazing since only a few years ago you could only do that on a dedicated box and Lossless Master Recordings is one of those things the big companies are wishing they thought of. It's just a great and no brainer feature.

Moki, I love this product. Unfortunately, at the moment I have absolutely no use for it. I'm sure a lot of other people will though!

 

[moki]

which makes it completely worth the $69! Live Preview is, well, just amazing since only a few years ago you could only do that on a dedicated box and Lossless Master Recordings is one of those things the big companies are wishing they thought of. It's just a great and no brainer feature.

Moki, I love this product. Unfortunately, at the moment I have absolutely no use for it. I'm sure a lot of other people will though!

Thank you! And here's to hoping you find a use for WireTap Studio!

 

[lawcomic]

I may be dense. I was under the impression that WTS did something that AHP does....if you choose a source, it wouldn't record until that source produced audio.

However, that doesn't appear to be the case.

Am I just missing an option somewhere?

 

[moki]

I may be dense. I was under the impression that WTS did something that AHP does....if you choose a source, it wouldn't record until that source produced audio.

However, that doesn't appear to be the case.

Am I just missing an option somewhere?

Yes. you can do that. Go to Preferences->Source

Then from the Record: popup menu, choose: Auto Stop/Start

...and there you go!