Quote:
Originally posted by trtjazz:
Benno,


"I too appreciate all the openness of you guys, but for me at least it will take seeing one locally and playing with it."

Absolutely understandable. We're negotiating with one of the big North and South American distributers. If the distributer likes our product, they purchase one unit for each of their best clients--best clients are generally the bigger ones, Guitar Center, Sam Ash. If the distributers "best" clients like the unit, they potentially purchase one unit for each store, Sam Ash has 45 stores. Sacromento is likely to have a store with a Mediastation.

Of course it remains to be seen whether we'll be able to work with a distributer. The conclusion after first negotiations generally leaves the manufacturer paying several hundred dollars for each unit purchased. So you get to pay for a unit and we get to pay for your unit too.

"The problem I have with this "open source Linux community" is that it sounds like a group of Linux techies hacking away when they get a chance to create sounds and programs."

I don't think it's unfair to be concerned. Many open source projects start with a developer who has an itch they scratch. Of course Lionstracs is a registered business entity in Italy and soon to be in the U.S.

Lionstracs has two years and $500.000.00 invested into Mediastation reasearch and development. Getting a return on this investment requires a great deal of organized effort. Trust me, we're and will continue to conduct solid business. If we don't, we'll toss all that time and money into the garbage.

"With the major players however secretive they may be, it is their business to turn these things out as well as having the resources and personnel to do so."

"I know where Yamaha lives......I don't know where Joe part time Linux programmer does."

"Just thoughts, I of course will reserve my final judgements until I lay hands on one of these in Sacramento."

"For my advice too, I would not make the same mistake Genysis has IMO. May be a great board and Paul is very cool, but the fact that they cannot be found anywhere puts me off them. I'm not sure why companies do not bite the bullet and say to a local music store, ok, you don't want to buy a demo, fine we'll place a demo in your store free."

"One thing certainly seems to be very common here very few will buy a board site unseen, or if we get the feeling, yeah but when it breaks, then what do we do?"

Either the distributer handles warranty contracts or we'll work with established repair businesses. Of course shipping is very expensive. In Minneapolis a repair shop could be The Good Guys who have been getting my money for about 20 years. I don't know all the details yet but we'll figure out what's best for everyone and do it the right way.

I guess it would be ideal to find reputable repair businesses in the majar markets. If we're able to do it this way, we might ask you guys who does it best in your town. This remains to be determined.

Ron Parker
Lionstracs U.S. General Manager, Marketing

Terry