Sweetwater - A Good place to buy plugins

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DonnieAlan
Posts: 271
Joined: 25 Jan 2017

02 Feb 2019

I know many of us get plugins and VI's through websites like Audio Deluxe, and I often do too. Another alternative to consider, though, is Sweetwater which as many of you know is one of the largest musical gear distributors in the world. I recently purchased a plugin through them. Within minutes of my purchase the sales rep called me, thanked me, and then reminded me that whenever you purchase through them, you also have access to their tech support on anything you buy. Having needed that in the past from them, I can tell you they are very helpful.

Also, they will match any price on virtually any item. So if you see a plug you want at, say, AD, and its a bit more at Sweetwater, contact them, and most likely they'll match it. Which gives you the same price as well as the tech support. Also, for those on a budget, you can often purchase an item with 0% financing up to 24 months. Or, you can make 3 easy monthly payments if you need to break up the payments.

No, I'm not affiliated with Sweetwater in any way, shape or form, and no one asked me to post this. I just wanted to pass it along as a suggested alternative place to get your gear the next time you have an attack of GAS (Gear Acquisition Syndrome).

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guitfnky
Posts: 4408
Joined: 19 Jan 2015

02 Feb 2019

DonnieAlan wrote:
02 Feb 2019
Within minutes of my purchase the sales rep called me...
that sounds horrible.






:lol:

in all seriousness though, Sweetwater is awesome.
I write good music for good people

https://slowrobot.bandcamp.com/

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platzangst
Posts: 728
Joined: 16 Jan 2015

02 Feb 2019

guitfnky wrote:
02 Feb 2019
DonnieAlan wrote:
02 Feb 2019
Within minutes of my purchase the sales rep called me...
that sounds horrible.
I bought a plugin through Sweetwater, and also had a sales rep call me pretty quick, leave messages even when I said I didn't like to be called, and then send me multiple emails (directly, in addition to the general mailing list signup) in an effort to get me to talk directly with the sales rep, presumably so that they could try to sell me more stuff. I realize these people probably get a commission, so are motivated big-time to sell, but personally nothing turns me off faster than these high-pressure, call-you-out-of-the-blue tactics. The plugin I bought was a good bargain through Sweetwater, but it would take a very serious need for a highly discounted item for me to go through all that again.

Your mileage may vary, of course.

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motuscott
Posts: 3420
Joined: 16 Jan 2015
Location: Contest Weiner

02 Feb 2019

Back in the day when I bought hardware through them, they included candy with the gear shipment. That was worth a year or two of ignoring calls and emails from their sales force, the poor suckers.
Also their catalog is some primo bathroom gear porn.
Who’s using the royal plural now baby? 🧂

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guitfnky
Posts: 4408
Joined: 19 Jan 2015

02 Feb 2019

platzangst wrote:
02 Feb 2019
guitfnky wrote:
02 Feb 2019


that sounds horrible.
I bought a plugin through Sweetwater, and also had a sales rep call me pretty quick, leave messages even when I said I didn't like to be called, and then send me multiple emails (directly, in addition to the general mailing list signup) in an effort to get me to talk directly with the sales rep, presumably so that they could try to sell me more stuff. I realize these people probably get a commission, so are motivated big-time to sell, but personally nothing turns me off faster than these high-pressure, call-you-out-of-the-blue tactics. The plugin I bought was a good bargain through Sweetwater, but it would take a very serious need for a highly discounted item for me to go through all that again.

Your mileage may vary, of course.
in my completely anecdotal experience, if you just ignore the calls and emails, eventually they get the hint and leave you alone on subsequent orders. for the most part, at least.
I write good music for good people

https://slowrobot.bandcamp.com/

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hurricane
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02 Feb 2019

If Kirk from Sweetwater is reading this, I apologize for never picking up your many calls. :puf_smile:
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motuscott
Posts: 3420
Joined: 16 Jan 2015
Location: Contest Weiner

02 Feb 2019

hurricane wrote:
02 Feb 2019
If Kirk from Sweetwater is reading this, I apologize for never picking up your many calls. :puf_smile:
I find this post lacking in sincerity
Who’s using the royal plural now baby? 🧂

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QVprod
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02 Feb 2019

I only get calls when I order stuff. And once in a blue moon if they send a new catalog. It's never been enough for me to consider it annoying and I've had two different reps. I guess everybody's experience is different. Their service is amazing though.

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O1B
Posts: 2037
Joined: 26 Jan 2015

03 Feb 2019

Wow! For a bunch of internet chatters - this "don't call me - privacy" attitude is funny.

I get confirmation calls when I order.
I know where I am in que. I know the latest news from the product Co. I don't have to worry about restocking fees.
I get a heads up about things i may like.

you know.... Customer Service.

Elecktron Samples, Volca DRUM, and Artutia M'Freak - all ordered there.
Works for me!

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platzangst
Posts: 728
Joined: 16 Jan 2015

03 Feb 2019

guitfnky wrote:
02 Feb 2019

in my completely anecdotal experience, if you just ignore the calls and emails, eventually they get the hint and leave you alone on subsequent orders. for the most part, at least.
And they did so for me as well. Eventually.

But I really do not like unsolicited sales calls. I don't feel buying a thing from a company gives that company a license to attempt to try to ring me up and actually consume what limited time I have while they fish around in a conversation to see if maybe I would drop a few grand on a new computer system or stage gear or whatever. If I want some service, I know their number and will let them know. Pestering me when I'm not actively looking for something is a sure way to sour me on their business practices.

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Loque
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03 Feb 2019

Don't contact ME :exclamation:

I contact YOU! :!:
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guitfnky
Posts: 4408
Joined: 19 Jan 2015

03 Feb 2019

O1B wrote:
03 Feb 2019
Wow! For a bunch of internet chatters - this "don't call me - privacy" attitude is funny.

I get confirmation calls when I order.
I know where I am in que. I know the latest news from the product Co. I don't have to worry about restocking fees.
I get a heads up about things i may like.

you know.... Customer Service.

Elecktron Samples, Volca DRUM, and Artutia M'Freak - all ordered there.
Works for me!
for me at least, it’s not about privacy at all. I just don’t like people trying to sell me stuff. I’m a big boy. I can figure out what I need and when I need it all on my own.

for me, good customer service is the *other* stuff they do right...return policies, troubleshooting, etc...all things I can initiate myself.
I write good music for good people

https://slowrobot.bandcamp.com/

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O1B
Posts: 2037
Joined: 26 Jan 2015

03 Feb 2019

Awesome!

guitfnky wrote:
03 Feb 2019
O1B wrote:
03 Feb 2019
I get confirmation calls when I order.
I know where I am in que. I know the latest news from the product Co. I don't have to worry about restocking fees.
I get a heads up about things i may like.

you know.... Customer Service.
for me at least, it’s not about privacy at all. I just don’t like people trying to sell me stuff. I’m a big boy. I can figure out what I need and when I need it all on my own.

for me, good customer service is the *other* stuff they do right...return policies, troubleshooting, etc...all things I can initiate myself.

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joeyluck
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Posts: 11029
Joined: 15 Jan 2015

03 Feb 2019

I've made many purchases through Sweetwater, both personally and big orders for theatres. Their customer support among audio equipment retailers is the best. Follow-up emails or calls to orders have never been to sell me more stuff, but to check-in on how things are working. That's a nice touch IMO, because otherwise, I can buy from anybody (most places will match prices).

They keep sales reps assigned to customers, and they manage to keep them around a long time. There's always someone new trying to get in touch with me from Guitar Center or Musician's Friend... Sweetwater is less automated and more helpful...and I do like the candy :)

Their demos are great and their blog is filled with lots of good reads. Their website is the place I go to during/after conventions like NAMM, to see the listings organized, accurate, and already available. Just a pleasant website overall for shopping.

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guitfnky
Posts: 4408
Joined: 19 Jan 2015

03 Feb 2019

O1B wrote:
03 Feb 2019
Awesome!

guitfnky wrote:
03 Feb 2019


for me at least, it’s not about privacy at all. I just don’t like people trying to sell me stuff. I’m a big boy. I can figure out what I need and when I need it all on my own.

for me, good customer service is the *other* stuff they do right...return policies, troubleshooting, etc...all things I can initiate myself.
:lol:
I write good music for good people

https://slowrobot.bandcamp.com/

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O1B
Posts: 2037
Joined: 26 Jan 2015

04 Feb 2019

I love you too, Man. And, I hear you loud and Clear.

I never got an unsolicited call from them. They only call me to confirm - or they KNOW my Brands.
And, I appreciate that.
Otherwise, it's just emails.

Sweetwater is my MOST Trusted Store.
guitfnky wrote:
03 Feb 2019
O1B wrote:
03 Feb 2019
Awesome!

:lol:

DonnieAlan
Posts: 271
Joined: 25 Jan 2017

10 Feb 2019

O1B wrote:
03 Feb 2019
Wow! For a bunch of internet chatters - this "don't call me - privacy" attitude is funny.

I get confirmation calls when I order.
I know where I am in que. I know the latest news from the product Co. I don't have to worry about restocking fees.
I get a heads up about things i may like.

you know.... Customer Service.

Elecktron Samples, Volca DRUM, and Artutia M'Freak - all ordered there.
Works for me!
Exactly! It is good customer service. When John called me he wanted to make sure I had no problems with download or install. We talked for a few minutes about the product and then about other stuff. I'm old school...I LIKE customer service, and a personal touch. I've dealt with John for over a decade now. He's why I go back to Sweetwater so often!

seanmichaels
Posts: 2
Joined: 10 Feb 2019

10 Feb 2019

Not exactly a plugin, but I did buy Cubase 10 from Sweetwater a little while back and had no issue. Thought the process was really easy. I'd assume buying plugins from them would be a similar experience. :thumbs_up:

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EnochLight
Moderator
Posts: 8405
Joined: 17 Jan 2015
Location: Imladris

12 Feb 2019

joeyluck wrote:
03 Feb 2019
I've made many purchases through Sweetwater, both personally and big orders for theatres. Their customer support among audio equipment retailers is the best. Follow-up emails or calls to orders have never been to sell me more stuff, but to check-in on how things are working. That's a nice touch IMO, because otherwise, I can buy from anybody (most places will match prices).

They keep sales reps assigned to customers, and they manage to keep them around a long time. There's always someone new trying to get in touch with me from Guitar Center or Musician's Friend... Sweetwater is less automated and more helpful...and I do like the candy :)

Their demos are great and their blog is filled with lots of good reads. Their website is the place I go to during/after conventions like NAMM, to see the listings organized, accurate, and already available. Just a pleasant website overall for shopping.
^^ This right here. ^^

In the almost decade I've been shopping at Sweetwater, I've had the same personal rep who has always been very helpful (shout out to Matt!). They never called me to solicit or sell crap to me that I didn't reach out to them to ask about first. Their customer service is industry leading, their return policy completely fair, their prices competitive - they're probably my favorite music gear retailer out there.

And yeah, they still send the candy with hardware purchases. :puf_bigsmile: :puf_smile: :lol:
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ltbrunt00
Posts: 532
Joined: 10 Jan 2017
Contact:

25 Feb 2019

DonnieAlan wrote:
02 Feb 2019
I know many of us get plugins and VI's through websites like Audio Deluxe, and I often do too. Another alternative to consider, though, is Sweetwater which as many of you know is one of the largest musical gear distributors in the world. I recently purchased a plugin through them. Within minutes of my purchase the sales rep called me, thanked me, and then reminded me that whenever you purchase through them, you also have access to their tech support on anything you buy. Having needed that in the past from them, I can tell you they are very helpful.

Also, they will match any price on virtually any item. So if you see a plug you want at, say, AD, and its a bit more at Sweetwater, contact them, and most likely they'll match it. Which gives you the same price as well as the tech support. Also, for those on a budget, you can often purchase an item with 0% financing up to 24 months. Or, you can make 3 easy monthly payments if you need to break up the payments.

No, I'm not affiliated with Sweetwater in any way, shape or form, and no one asked me to post this. I just wanted to pass it along as a suggested alternative place to get your gear the next time you have an attack of GAS (Gear Acquisition Syndrome).
Thanks for the heads up, I just went to Sweetwater and saw the IK Multimedia Modo base on sell for 149.99. This has been on the top of my wish list for the last year, just didn't want to pay the full price for it.
Reason, Nuendo, Studio One
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hurricane
Competition Winner
Posts: 1722
Joined: 14 Oct 2017

25 Feb 2019

I'm not sure if this is just the price that's available to me in my account (you have to log in to see it), but right now I see Modo Bass for $99 on IK's site:

Screen Shot 2019-02-25 at 7.44.29 PM.png
Screen Shot 2019-02-25 at 7.44.29 PM.png (206.45 KiB) Viewed 2204 times
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ltbrunt00
Posts: 532
Joined: 10 Jan 2017
Contact:

02 Mar 2019

As far as virtual instruments go MODO Bass may be the last VST or RE Bass instrument I will need to buy.

I had been planning on buying Modo for almost a year. Got it on sale two days ago and I will say the hype is real.

This virtual instrument does sound like a real bass compared to other virtual bass sounds I have used. Physical modeled instruments may be the future.

I like to constantly tinker with sounds and devices. I end up in a cycle of constantly trying out different devices, replace, go back then replace again. At least four bass sounds Modo is all I am going to require. I play the guitar and recording then re-recording parts is somewhat tedious for me.

Prior to buying Modo Bass I was using Waves Bass Slapper, Impact Soundworks Shreddage Bass, Reason Electric Bass RE & Refill, Various Kontakt Bass plugins.
Reason, Nuendo, Studio One
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