NFUZD / NSPIRE Has Become Vaporware

[TangTheHump]

Following up on a comment Kabonfaiba made in the TD-25 thread. Didn't want to hijack the thread and hence this new thread.

Kabonfaiba wrote:
I thought this was the idea behind NFUZD and FXpansion, but things seem to have come to a dead stop regarding the nspire module.

I (too) noticed the NFUZD / NSPIRE electronic drum solution has become vaporware. If you go to NFUZD's web site (www.nfuzdaudio.com), there is no longer a delivery date. It now says "coming summer 2015". Well, it's almost summer 2015 so where is the product? NFUZD already missed their two previously stated delivery dates so I'm not holding out much hope on this new, looser promise. The web site has absolutely no details on the product; it's all empty marketing speak. There are no proper shots of the module. No screen shots of the display. No proper demonstrations of the full kit. No detailed product specifications. Zip. Nada. Nothing. Given NFUZD's equally thin presentation at the last NAMM, this reeks of a company who seemingly doctored up a dummy prototype to gain presence and who is likely nowhere near shipping an actual product. Vaporware. Whatever the actuality, it's certainly not a great way to build customer confidence.

Anyone else know more details about what's going on with NFUZD / NSPIRE?

[perceval]

Well, technically, it's not summer yet... that happens on June 21st.

And ends September 21st.

But, like you, I have a feeling that there will be a new line coming up on the website saying "Fall 2015". If they ever bother updating their website someday.

Watching the video of it on Youtube, it was easy to see that the module was so crippled, and probably on the same software level as a Medeli, besides the BFD3 import function (that was so dumbed down, it was sad.). I wouldn't be surprised if they scrapped it all and started fresh again.... and that will mean more delays.

Assuming the company still intends to come up with a product as some point in time.

[Kabonfaiba]

Last I heard, they took the criticism on board, and were possibly starting again.

Given how slowly things evolve in the edrumming world; I'm going to be more pessimistic and say NAMM 2016 - till we see anything we can buy from NFUZD.

But that will put in dangerous crossfire from the Roland TD30 refresh, not ideal for a start up company. Not forgetting 2box Drumit 3.

[TangTheHump]

perceval,

Well, technically, it's not summer yet... that happens on June 21st.

Changed the OP to "almost summer". Thanks for the correction. Still, there's nothing on NFUZD's web site. If they intended to deliver on time, I'd expect to see product details by now. The situation looks pretty dodgy to me. I think you're spot on when you said "I have a feeling that there will be a new line coming up on the website saying Fall 2015" and "I wouldn't be surprised if they scrapped it all and started fresh again... and that will mean more delays". I don't think NFUZD ever had a finished product. Seemingly, they had a pseudo-prototype, a long way from completion, likely presented at NAMM to satisfy investors of forward progress. I never understand why companies take the approach of generating mountains of hype for a product that, in reality, they don't have. The truth always comes out when they're unable to ship.

[fulrmr(Daniel)]

Well...not that I disagree with the assumption, or that I really have any interest in this product as I believe it falls way short of 2Box's offerings, but small start ups have a hard time in early production as we saw with 2Box and the many delays they had before releasing the stellar product they offer now. So, just maybe, this will emerge a better product that imagined rather than vaporware......maybe.

[Intruder]

Well...not that I disagree with the assumption, or that I really have any interest in this product as I believe it falls way short of 2Box's offerings, but small start ups have a hard time in early production as we saw with 2Box and the many delays they had before releasing the stellar product they offer now. So, just maybe, this will emerge a better product that imagined rather than vaporware......maybe.

So, you are a "glass half full " kind of guy!
Whatever works for you is okay.

IMHO, It shouldn't take 7 years to improve a "stellar" product. The small memory and software should have been updated years ago instead of having to go to third parties for a work- around!
Instead you get (possibly) a second offering with less features (possibly).
A "stellar" product should be more available to lay hands upon also. It's hard to find a store to try one out at. Are their dealer fees to high or what?
Just sayin.

[Chris K]

Hi,
Skot McDonald posted 2 May 2015 finalising BFD Eco integration for the new edrum by Nfuzd In Taipei , look like they are in shedule, the comming summer 2015 was there a long time ago when the time Initial timeframe count was done they changed a bit the web site and added comming summer 2015.

Nfuzd Win the Award Best In Class at Frankfurt Music Mess 2015 with Fxpansion!

[fulrmr(Daniel)]

So, you are a "glass half full " kind of guy!
Whatever works for you is okay.

IMHO, It shouldn't take 7 years to improve a "stellar" product. The small memory and software should have been updated years ago instead of having to go to third parties for a work- around!
Instead you get (possibly) a second offering with less features (possibly).
A "stellar" product should be more available to lay hands upon also. It's hard to find a store to try one out at. Are their dealer fees to high or what?
Just sayin.

LOL. Not always. None the less it could happen.

So I take it you're speaking of 2Box now? If so, as they say, different strokes. I do think it's a"stellar" product with far superior sound qualities than any module on the market at the moment. Frankly I would rather have an inexpensive 3rd party work around" to store magnificent deep layered samples than be eternally stuck with mediocre synthetic stagnancy on a factory sold, overpriced memory stick that we all seen in the past. Just sayin.

But don't get me wrong. Roland's 7 year cycle and VEX has proven very very effective for them, Roland has proven itself over the years as a workhorse for sure. The Flagship is by no means a bad module. Just way to expensive for what it offers as far as I'm concerned.They have a one track mind on their proprietary design and system that they will probly never sway from, which is a shame considering all the nice new samples available these days. I guess this is why INFUZD/NSPIRE is trying to go in this direction. However their "open source" is a farce being that all it seems to be basically a BFD module.

See what I did there so as not to highjack the thread and stay on topic.

[perceval]

Yeah, I'm still not over the Open Source, Open Architecture stuff they threw in and still cling to.

Open Source as long as you like the one and only product they offer, and so crippled compared to the original before import into the module. And Open Architecture, as long as you use their proprietary pads and hardware.

I'll probably take a look at their Version 3 module, which, if it follows the trend in e-drum modules, should be in about 15 years.

[yzf125]

I'll probably take a look at their Version 3 module, which, if it follows the trend in e-drum modules, should be in about 15 years.

This waiting for the next big thing new module is becoming more depressing by the day, Seems as if it has just peaked out and whats out there is good as it will get... No manufacture is rushing to advance anymore, but just create more of what they have in different versions..... So much for Advanced Technology in this day and age....

[perceval]

Well, we heard about one more in the works, but nothing else than... it's in the works.

If nothing comes up this year, I have had this nagging idea lately.... I have to get in touch with a guy I met. There was some real potential there. Maybe the whole thing could be turned into a module.

[Tommy_D]

I don't know if you can call 2Box an open source/architecture module right from the factory. Its only open source/architecture because someone other than 2Box wrote some programs to convert VST libraries in to 2Box's proprietary file structure to be read by the module. Not only that, but once those sounds are converted and loaded on to the SD card you have very little means of adjustment to the sound at the module, or even in 2Box's proprietary software. So, the 2Box module pretty much becomes a playback device. Not to dis 2Box, but its not this amazing module that is so vastly superior to other manufacturer's modules. I have a 2Box module and its certainly different than a Roland, Yamaha, Alesis, etc. module. I don't think its better, but I don't think its worse either. Its just different.

The Nfuzd module may end up being similar to 2Box with someone writing program that converts VST libraries to the module's file type and it will become a playback devise.

[Intruder]

I don't know if you can call 2Box an open source/architecture module right from the factory. Its only open source/architecture because someone other than 2Box wrote some programs to convert VST libraries in to 2Box's proprietary file structure to be read by the module. Not only that, but once those sounds are converted and loaded on to the SD card you have very little means of adjustment to the sound at the module, or even in 2Box's proprietary software. So, the 2Box module pretty much becomes a playback device. Not to dis 2Box, but its not this amazing module that is so vastly superior to other manufacturer's modules. I have a 2Box module and its certainly different than a Roland, Yamaha, Alesis, etc. module. I don't think its better, but I don't think its worse either. Its just different.

The Nfuzd module may end up being similar to 2Box with someone writing program that converts VST libraries to the module's file type and it will become a playback devise.

Not better not worse just different, I've said that many times over the years to compare various edrum solutions!

I think companies should wait til the prototype stage is passed and maybe be at beta 2 before they go public. That might stop the vapor issue some.
Anything before beta is just asking for more $ and / or time to further build on an idea which should be done away from the end user public IMO.

[fulrmr(Daniel)]

I don't know if you can call 2Box an open source/architecture module right from the factory. Its only open source/architecture because someone other than 2Box wrote some programs to convert VST libraries in to 2Box's proprietary file structure to be read by the module. Not only that, but once those sounds are converted and loaded on to the SD card you have very little means of adjustment to the sound at the module, or even in 2Box's proprietary software. So, the 2Box module pretty much becomes a playback device.

That's incorrect. 2Box has a program "from the factory" that will convert samples however Lustar just came up with something much easier and faster for the process. Brilliant piece of software.
As for the adjustments....sure everyone wants an "All in One" module that combines extreme manipulation ability with deep layered sample quality and playability, which by the way no one has developed, however I think that 2Box was extremely brilliant keeping costs down when starting this up knowing that all the multifaceted versatility was already built into the VST software itself. that allows you to build the kit anyway you like before you convert it. Would it be nice to have all this functionality built into the module? Yes. Is it needed? No. At the moment there is no module out there that allows what 2Box does with samples and brings this forward thinking into marketable reality making others want to "copy" the process. It's "better sounding" than anything out there and it plays as well as any module on the market. For a "young" company, they have made their mark and opened some eyes without a doubt. As far as being "superior" to any of them....well that's just a preference that can be argued by anyone about any product. I happen to think it is...for me anyway. Having played almost all the popular modules out there and owning the more than a few...my preference is for the 2Box.

[TangTheHump]

Tommy_D wrote:
Not only that, but once those sounds are converted and loaded on to the SD card, you have very little means of adjustment to the sound at the module, or even in 2Box's proprietary software. So, the 2Box module pretty much becomes a playback device.

Well yes, okay. But what do all the current modules (TD-30, DTX900, 2Box, DM10, etc.) have in common? They're all sample playback devices! That's nothing new and not restricted to 2Box. Yeah, Roland slaps a bunch of processing on top and calls this COSM / SuperNATURAL, but in reality that's the exact opposite of what one wants in a sample playback device. Rather, to get optimal results, what one wants is clean, high resolution playback; massive amounts of storage; and non-looped, massively layered multi-samples. This is what 2Box provides and that's why their module, though simple, is a big step forward from any of the sample players Roland and Yamaha currently offer.

The idea of "modifying" sounds in the module (Roland v-edit style) is inviting, but when you're working with samples as opposed to other synthesis techniques, ultimately, the less you do to the samples the better. In a sample playback device, to achieve optimum believability, you must start with high quality samples that are as close to the end result as possible. As soon as one starts pitching samples up and down, adding EQ and effects, altering volume and other envelopes, filtering, and otherwise modifying the samples, things start sounding false. You're better off re-doing the samples than trying to force them to be something they're not. Thus, I find the 2Box approach very sensible. Yes, the 2Box approach forces one to go back to the source and re-sample / re-edit. Is this convenient? No, but it's the reality if you want sampled sounds of acoustic instruments to sound their best, most natural, and most dynamic.