Eventide made good with a little bit of fight.

[Jwar]

Hey guys. So I recently sold my H9 Max to fund the purchase of another pedal. Well after doing so I immediately regretted it and decided to purchase an H9 Harmonizer because I thought my H9 algorithm purchases would max out my new pedal. Well I was wrong. Apparently my original purchases do not matter because I sold a Maxed out pedal. I was told on the phone by Eventide I would have to re-purchase 10 more algorithms, which I thought was crap, but can in some way understand their position. They also told me to email tech support.

So I emailed and here is the response I received.

"Hi Adam,

I'm sorry, but you can only upgrade one H9 to an H9 Max. The only way that you can now gain access to all of the algorithms is by purchasing an H9 Max and registering it to your account or by purchasing the rest of the algorithms that you are missing. The original 10 algorithms that you purchased will still be in your account. Sorry, but I am certain that the money you spent on algorithms was recovered when you sold the H9 Max, which has a greater value than the regular H9.

Best Regards,

Jerome Hyman
Audio Support Technician
Tel: 201-641-1200
Email: jhyman@eventide.com"

So here's what Eventide's site says and the app.


"Eventide H9 MAXOut Upgrade Program

Recently Eventide introduced the H9 MAX which includes all current and future algorithms and presets created for the H9. We are now pleased to announce the MAXOut Upgrade Program, which allows customers with an H9 or H9 CORE to upgrade their stompboxes to an H9 MAX. This includes:

All 45 current effect algorithms and over 500 presets created for the H9 ($900 value)
All future effect algorithms created for the H9 (priceless)

All H9 and H9 CORE owners are eligible for this upgrade and we’re offering it at a sweet discount for a limited time.

How It Works

Purchase algorithms until you hit the required number and H9 Control will automatically transform your H9 or H9 CORE into an H9 MAX. Additional details:

All past algorithm purchases count towards your upgrade.
If you have already purchased the required number of algorithms your upgrade is ready!
Once upgraded the H9 device will in all respects be an H9 MAX.
Free and pre-installed algorithms are not counted toward your upgrade total.


Algorithm Purchases Required for Upgrade

The following chart shows how many total algorithm purchases are required to be upgraded.

Before April 1, 2015
After April 1, 2015
H9
10
20
H9 CORE
15
30

Multiple H9 Devices

As always, you may share effect algorithms with up to 5 devices registered to you. The good news is you only need to upgrade one device. The better news is you pay the lower of the upgrade prices if you have both an H9 and H9 CORE. (In this instance, your H9 would be upgraded.)

Transferability of Algorithms

One of the benefits of the H9 MAX and the MAXOut Upgrade Program is that the algorithms are tied to the device. That means you can sell it and the algorithms go along to the new owner. This increases the resale value of your H9, not that you’d ever part with it.


Individual algorithm purchases have been, and will continue to be, assigned to your Eventide.com account and are yours forever.

Timing

We hope this information helps to answer your questions about the upgrade program. We apologize for the delay in announcing the MAXOut Upgrade Program. Simply put, we used the time to come up with what we hope is a fair and equitable program: One that works for H9 early adopters, future customers and, of course, one that allows us to continue doing the voodoo we love to do.


There is no obligation or requirement to upgrade. If you're not ready to make the leap to MAX you can continue to purchase algorithms like Blackhole, Rotary or Spring Reverb and enjoy your H9 as you always have with the added bonus - each algorithm purchase brings you one step closer to MAX.



Hear what you're missing.


Don’t forget that the introductory pricing for MAXOut expires on April 1, 2015."




So apparently, even though it CLEARLY states that I ought to be able to Max my system, I can't. Now I have to return it or buy every algo. Which would cost more than 400 dollars.

I am very, very angry with Eventide right now and wanted to share this as they are apparently snake salesmen and thing that it's their business that I sold my fucking unit.

I could understand if they said, ok well you have to purchase more algo's since you sold your old one, but to tell me I literally can't unless I buy all the algo's? That is fucking bullshit.

[Faldoe]

That sucks, dude.

You already purchased them!! Fucked up shit right there.

[Dr. Sherman Sticks M.D.]

did u send them that? it seems to state in pretty clear english that you can transfer the algo's

[Derelict78]

I see there point though, you could keep buying h9 cores upgrade them to max and then sell them for a profit.

[Dr. Sherman Sticks M.D.]

I see there point though, you could keep buying h9 cores upgrade them to max and then sell them for a profit.

oh true...

[Jwar]

I see there point though, you could keep buying h9 cores upgrade them to max and then sell them for a profit.

Right and I get that, but shouldn't I at least be able to just upgrade with buying 10 algo's and not all of them??? There's no way to profit on either of those. 10 algo's costs 200 dollars which would mean I would have paid the same as purchasing a max.

[Derelict78]

Wow you can't even buy 10 more algorithms and upgrade,
Fuck it I would just buy a max

[Jwar]

AND to point out, why do they care either way? Even if that was my intention, which it's not? Are they the ethics police? If they intended on you only to be able to upgrade one unit forever, why the fuck don't they say it anywhere so you know?

Now I have to mail the pedal back at my cost to the place I bought it from and decide whether or not it's even worth getting a Max. At this point I'm so pissed at Eventide for not giving a fuck about me, I could see myself never purchasing a product from them again.

[skullservant]

One of the benefits of the H9 MAX and the MAXOut Upgrade Program is that the algorithms are tied to the device. That means you can sell it and the algorithms go along to the new owner. This increases the resale value of your H9, not that you’d ever part with it.

This part right here sounds like the ringer.

The whole multiple H9's of varying degrees to me was bullshit from the start.

[Chankgeez]

You should talk to Hyman's boss.

[Jwar]

You should talk to Hyman's boss.

I'm not sure I understand what you're saying? LOL


Skully, I totally agree. Why did they do that anyway? It was just to continue to screw their customer base. Obviously I'm a loyal customer. I've owned ALL of their units and this is my second H9. They treated me like they didn't give a shit about me. That's the thing that upsets me the most.

I would rather return this and buy all the Strymon stuff than deal with dicks. I'm just ugh. I need to calm down. I'm literally fuming about this.

[D.o.S.]

Damn dude, that sucks.

I think Chank is literally saying that you should email the tech support and ask to talk to his boss about this.

I also think that this makes Eventide fair game for Prymaxe purchases. they seem like dicks.

[Chankgeez]

I think Chank is literally saying that you should email the tech support and ask to talk to his boss about this.

[Jwar]

Well one things for sure, I'm harassing them at all angles. If they want me to purchase 10 more algo's fine. I'll live with that. But returning it, that's fucking retarded.

I'm not letting them win without a fight. I'm going to post about this shit everywhere too if they are dicks.

Also emailed Jerome and told him I'd be calling tomorrow to speak to a supervisor.

[Dark Barn]

I'm surprised you can Max out only once with their program, not surprised that you don't get a free 'Max out' after selling a Max'ed unit. The ad copy you posted doesn't say anything about only Maxing one unit per account. I would try to persuade them on that.

I don't think its ethics as much as protecting their product line from lost sales.


Edit: Normally there is no way to resell DRM content, the fact that Eventide lets customers Max a unit permanently to resell is actually very unusual in the DRM world. And in fact it was the only reason that I finally decided to give the h9 a shot. I hate DRM and avoid it as much as possible in my spending.