Will Toontrack update EZD 2 if future Windows update causes issues?

[benpowellguitar]

Firstly, I fully understand that there will be no further development of EZD2. However, I am concerned that this also means that should it stop working as a result of a future Windows update, Toontrack will not issue a fix.

Can anyone from Toontrack confirm the policy for supporting obsolete software versions?

EZdrummer version: 2.9.2
Operating system: Windows 10

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[propianist]

Possible answer – if you look at the EZX expansions which are still for sale, reading the system requirements…

Some of the older EZX expansions like DFH say “A working EZdrummer 1.4 (or above) or a Superior Drummer 2.3 (or above) installation.” which means they should still work even for the long discontinued EZ Drummer 1.

Other more recently released EZX expansions like Big Band say “A working EZdrummer 2.1.8 or Superior Drummer 3.1.4 (or above) installation.” so that particular title only works in EZdrummer 2, but not EZdrummer 1.

Toontrack will want to keep on selling products, like EZX expansions, if they possibly can, to the existing EZD1 and EZD2 user base out there, because every one they sell makes money for them.  Nobody buys all 55 expansions at once, so people will always be interested in acquiring more than they currently have.

Some people will just be happy to stick with EZD1 or EZD2 platform which they already know well and are familiar with, and won’t be in any rush to upgrade to fancy EZD3 just yet- but Toontrack would ideally like to tempt them to, and the best way they will achieve that is by releasing many brand new EZX libraries in the future which do require EZD3 and then those people will eventually lust after those new sounds, and will cave in and buy EZD3 once the overall wealth of unique new EZX sounds (and new features) it offers are just too good to resist – but different people have different thresholds of being impressed and what they lust after.  I bought into the whole system because I loved the Big Band EZX.

The clear fact that Toontrack have chosen not to update those exsting 55 EZX pack system requirements to only EZdrummer 3 and above, and are still keeping the EZD1 and EZD2 platforms alive for future expansion for existing customers should show you pretty clearly what their policy probably might be – to keep extending support as long as possible for obsolete software so long as there is new income to be made from the sale of expansions / MIDI packs, etc.

Therefore if one day a Windows update comes along which makes EZD2 stop working, it will obviously be in Toontrack’s financial interest to try to issue an update fix for EZD2 to keep it working, so those existing EZD2 users (as well) can continue to buy the 55 compatible EXZ expansions.

EZdrummer version: 3.0.0
Operating system: Windows 10

[benpowellguitar]

Fair point. I would certainly hope so but my nerves come from being screwed over by other software companies before.

[Author]

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