RE: USB Controller (Was: FlyLooper & market potential)

[johnsrude@peak.org]

Additional key value proposition are drivers and software that allow user 
to
hook up with common apps right out of the box.  Like the presets in a 
digital
multieffects pedal.  For example, you have your "Kid Beyond Ableton" preset
(called "Able Children" to avoid licensing problems) that allows you to 
easily
beatbox with Ableton Live without a lot of tapdancing on the custom pedal. 
But you also provide software to copy, clone and tweak the preset for the
advanced users.

Now you have a revenue model that has a good front-end load (initial sale 
of
pedal and "lite" version of the tweaker software) combined with a nice long
tail (paid upgrades for software to support new versions of software and 
new
sets of presets).  Alternatively, you use the Web 2.0 model and form a
consumer community around your product which provides free hacks and new
presets on an online forum.  Or you do both.

Then you branch into alternate controllers.  For example a controller with
trigger pads or buttons that you can mount on your guitar on the lower bout
without marring.  So you can trigger by finger taps or with the side of 
your
hand.

Cheers,
Kevin
www.TheNettles.com


Jeff wrote:
>  Kevin wrote:
>> What do folks know about USB footswitches/controllers that have
>> software drivers that can convert USB signal to MIDI messages in your
>> standard laptop music programs (Ableton, Reaktor, etc.)?
>
> That is what I suggested in my first response to Aaron.  There are
> none AFAIK, and this would be very attractive to a lot of
> computer-based musicians.  I would buy one in a heartbeat, and I'll
> bet you will make way more money on that than you will selling
> software loopers.
>
> Actually, thinking more about this, even if all the footswitch
> does is send keyboard events, it could still be used with any
> application that can be controlled with keys.  Hmm :-)
> Build it dude!