Software question

Jon Tuck said:

Rick in your new package you claim four decks my question is why do you this? If you go this far for some why then not a Karaoke option? Seems like overkill in one area and nothing in the other.

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Not really -- the decks already exist in Rockit as a class, I just instantiate a couple more

The 2 additional decks are only going to be available on one particular skin, for those that asked for it. All the other skins, will still only have the two main decks. The additional decks do not get created at runtime, unless they are designated in the skin.



Doing karaoke, requires me to use a different decoder, deal with the external monitor output, and write a whole bunch of rotation based code...

Since Rockit is designed as basically an audio tool, with simple support for videos, it is really out of the realm of its intended purpose, to put too much stuff in it. Its simplicity, stability and price, are what sells it


I have been toying with the idea of releasing a second DJ product, that will have much more functionality in other areas, and keeping Rockit strictly as a simple product like it is. If I do that, and put all those bells and whistles into a new product, it will be substantially more expensive (probably in the $500 range).

The jury is still out, on whether I go that route...

Just FYI Rick, the high end Karaoke programs are $300 and under. Some new entrants like Latshaw's, Siglos Professional etc. that do pretty much what the the $300 programs do are around $100 and that seems to be the sweet spot that people are willing to pay. On the other hand, Compuhost and MTU have sold A LOT of copies for way over $100 each.

These programs can be used to DJ with too as long as you don't want to do anything fancy since they know how to play MP3s, zip files etc. I believe some of them have some sort of basic crossfading etc.

I have no doubts that some of these companies are selling hundreds of copies per month and some of them may be selling thousands per month, that's big bucks.

I know you want to stay with a controlled installed base so you can provide a high level of support and you may not want to sell thousands of new users software because of the increase in support that would be required. I respect the way you do business, but there are programmers who are likely not qualified to carry your jockstrap who are writing Karaoke software and doing what you keep telling us is too difficult or too time consuming. I understand you not wanting to do it and that's the bottom line. You've earned the right to pick and choose what you want and don't want to do. I imagine you could leave Rockit the way it is and retire today.

Here's another bottom line. Sell a couple thousand add on Karaoke modules at $50 a pop to existing Rockit users, that's $100,000. Sell another thousand Rockit with the Karaoke module for $149 to new users, that's another $150K. That sounds to me like around an additional $250k revenue on top of what you're already doing. Hell, you could pay someone to write some of the code for you or buy code that's already written.

There is millions of dollars to be made in the Karaoke software market. Millions upon millions. As people continue to switch from disk to computer, the market for Karaoke software will just continue to increase and increase . . .

I know you want to stay with a controlled installed base so you can provide a high level of support and you may not want to sell thousands of new users software because of the increase in support that would be required.

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You hit the nail right on the head there Wiz


I thoroughly enjoy what I do right now. The software is built to be low drag, low maintenance. Most of my support calls involve Windows, not my software itself, or just a simple little setup question.

I actually get more calls from customers who just want to throw the bull, and talk about the DJ industry

Other than paying lawyers and accountants, I can hang out in my jammies all day -- no meetings, no BS. I did all that for years in the corporate world -- I'm basically retired now


If I wanted to make millions of dollars, I wouldn't be writing DJ software


So, if I split off another product, it will be a high end package, that will not be for the average Joe user. It will probably have specific hardware requirements, and certainly wouldn't work on old OS's -- as it will use all the latest technology available. That in itself, will keep the user base small enough to effectively manage, and provide good support.

I'm not interested in being a billionaire -- I just want to enjoy what I do, and provide a solid product, and solid support for my user base

dude, I'm not a stalker. This Karaoke stuff has come up a couple of times recently. I'm not going to bring it up anymore. Believe me, I respect what you've achieved with your software. I wish I could program. I'd be doing it.

The Wizard Of OZ said:

dude, I'm not a stalker. This Karaoke stuff has come up a couple of times recently. I'm not going to bring it up anymore. Believe me, I respect what you've achieved with your software. I wish I could program. I'd be doing it.

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No prob Wiz

People ask me about karaoke all the time -- it's just not a priority for me.

I see the karaoke craze come and go -- flourish and wane, on a cyclical basis. Seems to be somewhat regional from my perspective -- one year it will be hot in the northeast, next, it's hot in the west, etc.


Fortunately, Rockit plays well with other software, so you can run a karaoke program right along side it (and many of my customers do) -- so it's not at the top of my to do list.

I'd rather work on audio and video, since I have little experience in the karaoke world.