Quote:
Originally posted by Spalding1:
DNJ there isnt more excitement about the MS simply because of the lack of marketing. People cannot try an MS unless they buy one, they can only hear an MS through the online demos's which have not really given justice to the sound of the instrument because of the poor quality recordings. People are not sure what sounds they will get with the board on purchase or the quality of those sounds (most GM sounds are inferior to any proprietory instruments sounds ) As an arranger it is unclear as to the quality of styles the ms comes shipped with. Liontrcs is not a huge company and most people i suspect are fearful of the product support that they might get after purchase if a problem crops up with the instrument. Who do they send it to for repairs ? How long would it take to get the instrument back ? What cost ? And lastly the mediastation sounds like a really complex machine that will require the user to purchase additional sounds and styles to make it sound great and the user fears that there may a steep learning curve on purchase and additional expenditure on souds and styles. There are no clear marketing messages as to which target market this instrument is best for and it seems to be promoted on its technological advancement which is great but those technological features need to be related in clear benefit statements to the intended market.

I suspect that once some of the users report back with more glowing reports about the instrument in actual use and sales pick up, Dom will be able to afford more professional marketing done to promote the instrument. We will then be able to get brochures and good demos to inspire confidence in the instrument and the promised open ended support and continuous improvement from liontracs.

There is an article being writen in the next few weeks by one of the keyboard magazines comparing the MS and other keyboards in its class. If the article comes out favourable then i believe you wil see some real excitement about the product



Spalding, I have to agree with you. You have summed up very well what are the most likely reasons that are keeping the Mediastation from selling in high volumes. Lionstracs Marketing Department would do well to read your post in it’s entirety and make some adjustments to their marketing strategy. However, since they have no marketing department that I know of, this may, for now, fall on deaf ears.
Take a look at their staff by following this link: http://www.lionstracs.com/store/informat...32fee6d21ad294c
While I see no one assigned to Marketing, Analysis, Advertising or Distribution, I do see a very impressive list of engineers. It seems the whole company is geared towards creating and developing pro audio gear. While this may not be the most profitable design, it is rather beneficial to the end user such as myself. Lionstracs is developing what I believe to be the most advanced keyboard ever. If the Mediastation, with all of it’s amazing capabilities, was being developed by Korg, Roland, or Yamaha; with their multi-million dollar budgets; can you imagine the marketing effort that would be going on right now? Look at the one surrounding the Oasys. But for the moment Domenik and his entire staff seem emersed in the task of making all these features possible in a userfriendly GUI. I feel sure that after they have accomplished all that they currently have in mind, they will turn some of their efforts to target marketing and consumer education. Then, I believe, they will be able to recoup their research and development cost and much more.
I realize that it takes resources to fund these incredible advances in unchartered territory and I hope that a few dedicated users spreading news about what we have found will attract more of the same. As more profits are realized by the company more dollars will also go into development. I admit that I made a “leap of faith” by purchasing the Mediastation without some of the usual comforts that make a deciscion like this easier. Such as a large existing customer base and user groups, and the ability to demo in a local store.
But, I for one, am very glad that I discovered the music Industry’s “best kept secret” and didn’t hold out for a glossy full color brochure. Although that would have been nice. LOL
For anyone who feel’s they could never purchase a Mediastation until they can demo it in person, I certainly understand. We will try to continue providing info until you are able to do so. But for those who want to take advantage of this technology now, I think it is definitely worth it.

Remember inadequate marketing does not affect the product.

Richard