Video Demos: general question

[selfdestroyer]

I think the most important thing is "how does it sound?"  Those on the fence are more likely to jump in to a project depending on the sound. I think those who take the time to breadboard a circuit before building are in the minority.  With that being said, an audio or video demo of the sound goes a long way.  How pretty the box is doesn't really matter as much as the overall "how can this make my guitar sound like x".  If the video is of a breadboard, or just a PCB hooked up to a testing rig it will help answer that question for those on the fence.  Just my 2c.

I agree with this also. Some of the demos that pushed me to build an effect were just PCBs on a test rig. I also like when I see multiple videos from different people on different gear. Saying all this really makes me hang my head since I am terrible at making demos of my builds but yet I rely on them from others. I feel like a bad person. lol

Cody

[Govmnt_Lacky]

I think it might benefit everyone if you clarify whether you are talking about MBP or FunctionFX.

I still do not understand why people are saying they want a finished project, complete with artwork, pretty looks, etc. when it is to sell some PCBs? It just makes no sense to me 

For FunctionFX... on the other hand.... I can understand 

[rullywowr]

I'll happily donate painted and drilled enclosures to a couple projects to save you some time making a decal or etched plate.

Like Jon, I'm also game to PIF and donate a few powdercoated & laser engraved enclosures for new/existing MB projects so you don't have to hassle with any artwork/drilling.  It would be my pleasure.  Just hit me up via PM.     

[alanp]

But honestly my experience with demos on youtube is this:
Almost everything sounds bad (or way below potential):
Bad miked amps in bad rooms with bad miked narrators.
More often than not bad balance between music and narration.
So if the vision is not completely blurry then at least I can enjoy the good look.

At least they tend to be better than "live" videos of concerts, where all the bass is completely gone, and the midrange is neutered as well, with lotsa shitty-fying of the rest.

Bad miked narrators are not as bad as badly scripted, stuttering narrators, who, um, keep meandering and, um, get sidetracked into how this pedal, er, is a copy of the one a mate of theirs from, um, highschool had and, ah, they really liked his sound. There are the standard tone, gain and, um, volume, just like the pedal their Dad used to have in the, er, shed when they were kids...

You get the idea.

Hook the unboxed PCB up to a test rig and film the demo. I'd rather see your layout than a box anyway. That's where your artwork that matters to the product is.

+1 on this. Plus it looks more technical less like a copy of Gearmanndude or Pro Guitar Shop.

[Govmnt_Lacky]

Brian,

It looks like you are trying to save more time so that you invest it into releasing more products.... sounds like good business practice to me.

So, I guess your answer lies in the following question:

How many times have you seen someone say "Man, I cant wait to see how Brian's new enclosure looks." compared to "Brian, when is the next run of XXXX PCBs going to be in or in stock?"

Simple answer to that one   

[Scruffie]

Artwork I don't care about, being in a plain box with knobs so it's easier to gauge how it will build up and the pots range as you adjust the knobs in the demo is nice (although not always necessary) but making it pretty? Nah...

[pryde]

OK entering my dog in the hunt:

I wouldn't worry about completed/pretty builds for the demos. If you go this route then you set a (unnecessarily) high standard with all the demos you are going to do in the future as well. I say its better to get the project done and record it: the sooner you do this the sooner you generate sales.

I say put the effort in a good clean demo and show off what really matters.

[twin1965]

I think the most important thing is a fully populate pcb being demoed using good recording equipment. This shows customers that the design works and what it sounds like. It doesn't necessarily have to be in an enclosure. Madbean is about pcb boards and not about finished effect pedals. If the time saved leads to more designs then I'm sure we'll all be very happy

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2

[davent]

Well recorded audio sample with a simply-done mock up to illustrate the enclosure size necessary and needed controls. Video of knob twiddling is pointless.
dave

[midwayfair]

Video of knob twiddling is pointless.

Except that YouTube is a vast network of discovery due to the video sidebar and tags that helps bring things to peoples' attention you mean?

[juansolo]

When it comes to demos it's all down to the sound. That's my only factor when it comes to the question 'shall I build it or not'. As when I do build it, I'll do it Juanmanstyle regardless.

Demo's for commercial stuff need to be of the finished product though.

[davent]

Video of knob twiddling is pointless.

Except that YouTube is a vast network of discovery due to the video sidebar and tags that helps bring things to peoples' attention you mean?

Hi Jon,
I think Brian wants little commercials to generate interest in his PCB's,  something with impact, short & sweet, grab my attention, leave me lusting for more. Whether youtube video or just audio it needs to be well recorded, be well played, sound great, make me envious.

Show me the pcb, Brian does great layouts, show me a loaded PCB, the tiny cityscapes are works of art in themselves,  show me a mockup/cad drawing for a layout/enclosure.

Now that he has my attention i'll explore further and invest time, research it, listen to/watch more demos but he has to get my attention first, smack me in the face, wake me up.

Make sure the demo sounds great, flaunt the gorgeous PCB's, sell me fast, i'm in a hurry... after that i can waste countless hours putting a hopefully, interesting wrapper around it and then... go off and twiddle my very own knobs.
dave

[slimtriggers]

My wishlist for all Youtube demos is:

-Tune your guitar
-Mic the amp
-Play at least 10x more than you talk, preferably don't talk at all
-Play something in the context of a song, with drums/bass etc.
-Make it quick, I have a short attention span 

[Matt]

I don't care how it looks.  When I watch a demo, I'm concerned with

1. the audio quality and the quality of the demo in general
2. Hearing the pedal by itself, not buried in a mix
3. Features on the pedal
4. And if possible hearing it with different gear.  (Strat and LP for example)

[GrindCustoms]

This is DIY, we (me and my 10 other personality) are there for the Facts not the hype.

You could demo your projects when they're still on the breadboard, with a minimum of sound quality and i would be in.

If people go OMG!!! look at that enclosure it's fantabulous instead of OMG!!!!! DID YOU HEAR THAT!!! Sounds like nothing i've heard before or is a fidel repro of what is meant to be. Peeps in the first OMG!!!! case are heading the wrong path.

Since there's more and more people building pedals for sale, loading them up with cheap Tayda parts and trying to sell them for the big bucks all the way they can find to get the cash in the easiest way is happening. I'm seeing more and more folks using clips and other demo of product to promote the sale of what they are building and that, is in no way legit to me because it's NOT your built.

Raw and efficient demo is what i'm after, where you see a simple riff/riddle playing with the knob being twisted, you clearly ear and see what it does and even better, since these are meant to promote DIY projects and not complete pedal product sale. Give the DIYer interested in the project, the opportunity to visualize what HE could do with this project once in is hand.

....but that's just my opinion, wich most of the time widely differ from common sense.


«Fab it and they will build it»