[MPA] The Dark Side grows, Avid to acquire Pinnacle.

[Peter Kirn]

Incidentally, competing products:

Pro Tools:
Logic Express/Pro
Ableton Live
Mackie Tracktion
MOTU Digital Performer
Steinberg Cubase
Steinberg Nuendo
Cakewalk SONAR (PC)
FL Studio (PC)
(I'll defend all of these choices, as all are being used to make pro 
albums -- even GarageBand!)

Avid video:
Final Cut Pro
Sony Vegas, etc. (PC)

Digidesign / M-Audio hardware:
Focusrite
Edirol
MOTU
Lexicon
Mackie
Yamaha
Tascam
(I could go on . . .)

Avid/Digidesign has a tremendous amount of hegemony, but there are 
nearly endless alternatives for those who look. Audio consumers too 
often assume they should buy on the Avid brand alone, and that's never 
smart. There are lots and lots of alternatives -- often cheaper, often 
more capable than Avid/Digi offerings or reaching markets Avid doesn't 
target.

Peter

On Mar 21, 2005, at 12:04 PM, Jay Shaffer wrote:

> In a move to dominate the audio and video  production software market, 
> Avid Technology will aquire Pinnacle in a cash and stock transaction 
> deal valued at $462 million or a 30% premium over Pinnacle's closing 
> stock price of $4.97.
> Pinnacle Systems primary product is entry level video editing 
> software, but it also has broadcast video editing software, which 
> compete with Avid's products. Pinnacle also owns Steinberg, makers of 
> Cubase and Nuendo Audio software, Avid owns Digidesign maker of 
> Pro-Tools which competes with Steinberg's products.
> This move by Avid can only be seen as predatory. And will lead to the 
> eventual demise of both Pinnacle Systems and Steinberg. It will also 
> leave very few competeing products on the audio and video playing 
> field. Apple's Final Cut Pro and Logic may the only products left to 
> compete.
> Avid is evil. It is the dark side. Remain strong Mac Jedi!
> --
> Jay Shaffer
> Mac Audio Guy
> Author of "The MacAddict Guide to Making Music with GarageBand"
> mag at jayshaffer.com
> http://macaudioguy.com/
>
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