This is why I prefer open source software over commercial offerings. I spent years developing expertise in 3d Studio Max and Photoshop, (the second price) but from time to time have found myself in situations where I couldn't use them. These days I prefer Blender and Krita where they are almost always available. (And Linux vs Windows or Mac OS, and Kdenlive vs Premier, and the list goes on.)
I consider taking the time to learn these apps an investment.
I do the same -- that is what moved me from Matlab to Python and Windows to Linux about 15 years ago. I had no idea at the time what a blessing that move was going to be, but the principle of maximizing future freedom led me in the right direction.
I think music makers get lucky. Most of our software has reasonable copy protection. I've never had problems activating or opening something from Ableton or Native Instruments. Some people have trouble, but it's nothing like the horror stories I've heard out of other creative fields. My theory is the people at the top are mostly people who actually use the software or have at least had bad experiences with copy protection and don't want to contribute to the problem.
I don't think that's necessarily correct. Music production software isn't as dystopian partially because of the absolute market dominance of Logic Pro - anything else can't compete with it, so the last thing those companies want is more reasons for their customers to not use them.
The other reason is people making money - the vast, vast majority of people will never make money from music production or guitar plugins (not because it is inherently worse, but because a lot more people do it for fun, v/s photo or video editing). Photoshop and Premier know that a substantial amount of customers use their products to make a living.
OTOH, what you're saying is definitely true to some extent for Guitar Plugins et al. Native Instruments has a bunch of free guitar plugins, and Tonebridge is amazing, and neither have any reason to be free.
>> "I don't think that's necessarily correct. Music production software isn't as dystopian partially because of the absolute market dominance of Logic Pro - anything else can't compete with it, so the last thing those companies want is more reasons for their customers to not use them."
This is news to me. It seems like the major DAWs have each cornered a particular sub-market. Cubase for orchestral, Pro Tools for studios, Live for live electronic stuff and EDM in general. Then there are smaller ones that claim share on the weaknesses of the others: Studio One, BitWig, Reaper, FL Studio, etc. I've been in this for a long time and never got a sense that Logic Pro was more than a strong contender. And I mainly get that sense from Logic Pro users who describe it as an oft-ignored underdog.
Is your claim only an intuitive thing based on the limits of one person's perspective, or do you have some stats for it? I couldn't find anything. My view is based on accounts from people who use it. You're the first to describe it as dominant.
I consider taking the time to learn these apps an investment.