Demos = AdvertisingMuse FTW wrote:Unrelated but also semi-related:
I never felt this way before (even when it was blatantly obvious) but I'm starting to get a sour taste from all of these embargo-demos that get released like a shotgun blast from the same 5-10 content creators on youtube.
The synth community is plagued by the same individuals who have a lot of nice equipment but rarely release anything worth a shit with them, but are good advertising platforms for all of these companies. I appreciated it before when it seemed like smaller brands got the spotlight, but now I feel like it has become a problem and nobody can give their actual opinion on anything due to fear of losing their free synths/pedals/demos.
I don't mind it with CBA since they make quality pedals that have significant depth, but idk, the whole culture around synths and pedals on youtube has become artificial to me.
Reviews = Critique
I wouldn't expect people who make part (or even all) of their income from demos to bite the hand that feeds. And I wouldn't expect people who offer honest critiques including negative feedback to spend hours of prep, recording/filming, editing, etc. since there's no financial incentive to do so.
The only critiques you see are generally on the forums by regular users of varying skills and styles, some of the audio magazines/blogs written reviews, or enthusiasts where the quality of the videos are usually that of smart phone recordings.
So then we're left with the same cycle...find out about a piece of gear (usually online or at a show or something), research it on forums, watch demo videos, decide if you really want it and whether you want new/used, try it out and either keep it or re-sell it for a small loss. Or try it out in a store (if they have the piece of gear in question), but then you're most likely only having 10-20 minutes playing it through a different amp/guitar/setup at bedroom volumes, and if you want it you have to pay full retail price + tax (or at minimum feel compelled to purchase something to help the local shops out and then buy it online). Guitar Center being the exception cos I don't care about trying out pedals there and not buying anything.