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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>OK, guys.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>I guess to expedite and to not hold your breaths longer than necessary and risk putting your expectations too high, maybe I will just unveil the idea now.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><u><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>The objective is this</span></u></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>: to get a <b>professional</b> developer to create the <b>a6 librarian/editor our synth deserves</b>> standalone, Mac/W-compatible, including <u>all</u> functions considered standard in pro librarian/editor (as much as the a6’s MIDI implementation permits). <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><u><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>My approach to make it happen is this</span></u></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>: Basically, the idea came from observing the same question over and over in different forums and communities: where can I get a pro A6 editor/librarian? In digging more, I saw many attempts have been made and usually those were medium to very low quality results compared to what a synth such as the a6 deserves.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>So I thought: how come we don’t have a professional one? From my findings in talking directly to some developers, I realized they were hesitant from the low direct requests AND because <u>when they were</u> proactively interested, the <b>a6</b> <b>was simply NOT ready</b> for it (remember how the MIDI implementation was one of the major shortcomings of the initial OSs?) Long story short, I have been in talks with a couple of <b>pro reputable developers</b>, and they <b>showed genuine initial interest</b> when I told them that <b>we could gather at least 100 interested licensees for version 1</b>. Let’s be realistic, <u>who would want to take the risk to develop such product for a discontinued hw synth just like that?</u><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>So my idea to approach this obstacle is that <b>we create together a win-win situation</b> both for us (getting the pro editor-librarian that we want and need) and for them (securing a minimally juicy initial user base of 100 users and the rights over the sw for future maintenance and marketing, etc.) Thus, this is <b><u>not</u></b> a for-profit initiative for us (especially not for me for the sake of honesty), we just want a GREAT librarian at the very least… <b>and so I took the initiative to talk to devs and to rally for your attention</b>, which is why we are talking about this now :). I know there may be better ways and what not, but without initiative and driven will there is nothing really, and we all know there was indeed nothing going on for our a6 since the dismal product discontinuation was announced.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Finally for now, in talking to these developers, they think my suggestion to rally for a committed and guaranteed initial user base of at least 100 licensees so that they see the project is financially feasible IS A GOOD ONE and I have their initial interest, and so it’s up to us to show unity and genuine, honest interest for this project.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>So, before we go any further, I would like to ask you directly 2 things for which an answer would be very appreciated: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>1.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Would you like to see a professional librarian or editor or both as much as I would? </span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>2.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Would you be willing to help me rally for the initial 100 licensees target AND</span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'> <b>be one of them, which already is sweet sounding to the ears of potential devs?</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>If my idea seems stupid to you, I apologize (please spare the guy with the initiative!!) However, I assure you it has been well received by potential pro devs and I truly think the 100 licensee target could be easily attainable <b><u>if we pull together</u></b>.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>I am one of those willing to even provide the funds for 3 licenses myself for the sake of seeing this positive project taking off the ground. Of course, I never agreed to pay for the full license in advance in my proposal to them. My thought was that they could get inspired even with a 50% down payment just to show our seriousness, which should be more than enough, and we can even negotiate this further <b>with WHOEVER</b> we want to work with for this project, once we start laying down the options.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><u><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>For now</span></u><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>, let me know your responses to those 2 questions guys, and thanks much for your attention. Hope this was not uberlong email, I tried to be as concise and informative as possible.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Ivan.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></body></html>