Manafon deluxe edition - too expensive??

[Phil Lawton]

It's a little-known fact that 95% of people in the music industry earn less than £25,000 a year. I'll bet Sylvian's income hovers around that mark these days.

This is why file-sharing is a serious issue.

[Haldeman Gracie]

As expensive as the special edition is, I doubt he'll make much from it either. Not only would it sell in relatively small numbers, it would have had large manufacturing costs not to mention the budget for the film (although that's likely to also be partially recouped by a separate DVD release per the director at the ICA).

I ordered the Deluxe version via Amazon.co.uk to avoid the customs charge, but they've now stopped selling them and moved the despatch date to 21st Sep. As I can't now transfer the order to samadhisound, they better get them in!

[pn]

i think he will earn a lot. he his part owner in opium arts
/pn

[Simonp]

I dont think he's been a director of Opium for quite some years.

As to what he earns, I'd be surprised if Sylvian made much money from his work. His work is only enjoyed by a relatively small number of people in comparison to other artists. I wouldnt expect the running costs of Samadhisound are particularly high but he probably does his best to keep these costs down so that Samadhi doesnt run at a loss.

[fletchertronics]

Guys, have you done the math on this? 2000 X $85 plus how many of the standard CD. We are talking quite a revenue generatee here with Monafan. I wold say the cost of a blank CD and packaging is about $2. Makes one think , doesnt it?

ah yes but you havent taken into account printing costs, artist fees, Chris Bigg design fees, marketing, website costs, e-commerce costs etc. I don't expect sylvian will make much if anything from this release.

Absolutely, what Simon (and others) have said. I think your estimate of "£2" per disc (with packaging) is pretty fanciful

Besides, I hope he does make a reasonable return on this album. This is not only his craft, but also his job For David to be able to continue producing the work he wants to produce he needs to be able to live from the proceeds and fund further projects...

[proggrl]

Yes, the posh packaging of the deluxe edition was probably quite pricey I should think! If it was produced in such a small quantity I doubt he made much of a profit.

Which is why it still baffles me that they run these things in such a limited amount. I mean alager run could be an unfeasible amount more to produce, but I would think it would also amount to A) More sales, B) lower price tag and therefore C) more revenue and have the added benefit of D) not disappointing a large amount of fans who weren't able to get one in time.

Tho now having the retail edition in hand (which is the most important part anyway - having the music) I can say it's a beautiful album!

[Simonp]

Yes, the posh packaging of the deluxe edition was probably quite pricey I should think! If it was produced in such a small quantity I doubt he made much of a profit.

Which is why it still baffles me that they run these things in such a limited amount. I mean alager run could be an unfeasible amount more to produce, but I would think it would also amount to A) More sales, B) lower price tag and therefore C) more revenue and have the added benefit of D) not disappointing a large amount of fans who weren't able to get one in time.

Tho now having the retail edition in hand (which is the most important part anyway - having the music) I can say it's a beautiful album!

A larger run was probably not an option. Given the nature of this work and Sylvian's diminishing fan base (let's face it after Manafon, a lot of people will give up on him producing another SOTB), it's probably safer financially for Samadhi to produce a limited run of the deluxe version. I guess if there is demand they will produce more but its better for them to produce a small number that will sell out and cover their costs than produce way too many and lose money on the project

[fletchertronics]

Yes, the posh packaging of the deluxe edition was probably quite pricey I should think! If it was produced in such a small quantity I doubt he made much of a profit.

Which is why it still baffles me that they run these things in such a limited amount. I mean alager run could be an unfeasible amount more to produce, but I would think it would also amount to A) More sales, B) lower price tag and therefore C) more revenue and have the added benefit of D) not disappointing a large amount of fans who weren't able to get one in time.

Tho now having the retail edition in hand (which is the most important part anyway - having the music) I can say it's a beautiful album!

A larger run was probably not an option. Given the nature of this work and Sylvian's diminishing fan base (let's face it after Manafon, a lot of people will give up on him producing another SOTB), it's probably safer financially for Samadhi to produce a limited run of the deluxe version. I guess if there is demand they will produce more but its better for them to produce a small number that will sell out and cover their costs than produce way too many and lose money on the project

Absolutely. 2,000 (if that is indeed the edition size) is a pretty big run for a niche artist like Sylvian. Given that only a minority of his listeners will ever shell out so much money on a deluxe package this is probably about right.

The 'limited' nature of this kind of thing focuses the minds of potential customers and ensures high pre-sales, thus covering the costs in a relatively short time. If the edition was larger sales would be most likely drip feed through over a much longer period, making it an altogether less profitable (and potentially loss-making) release.

Plus, having had some experience in the manufacturing world in a former life I'm pretty sure that he would have had to substantially increase the production run in order to make a significant saving on cost, meaning that he and Samadhisound would be sitting on piles of stock for years to come, incurring storage charges along the way.

I think he/they got it about right with this release.

[pn]

limeted versions on his own record company gives more money look at nine inch nails.
and world of everything tour was a huge success if you talk about income.
/pn

[fletchertronics]

Yep I got my update too. I'm quite surprised its been despatched so quickly Lee. Samadhi aren't renowned for their efficiency. Oh it might be here on Monday. How wonderful!

Well, it's been at least 9 days since my order was dispatched from Samadhi, but as yet no delivery... I suspect it'll arrive after the weekend, but I'm curious to know if any other UK customers have received their deluxe sets yet? Thanks.

[godisinthesilences]

lets face it david never has been particularly interested in what his fans think one way or the other... i'm sure the price reflects the costs of production, distribution and earnings from it.
I won't be investing in it as i'm not terribly interested in it. However, I do tend to think it is a tad bit over priced.
CD and dvd isn't a medium i'm willing to put large sums of money into as they tend to fail over time... much more so than vinyl or cassette did in the past. I mean lets face it.... we can still listen to vinyl from 30 years ago or more.... I can not say the same for cds i've had for even 10 years.
Just my opinion...

[baht habit]

lets face it david never has been particularly interested in what his fans think one way or the other... i'm sure the price reflects the costs of production, distribution and earnings from it.
I won't be investing in it as i'm not terribly interested in it. However, I do tend to think it is a tad bit over priced.
CD and dvd isn't a medium i'm willing to put large sums of money into as they tend to fail over time... much more so than vinyl or cassette did in the past. I mean lets face it.... we can still listen to vinyl from 30 years ago or more.... I can not say the same for cds i've had for even 10 years.
Just my opinion...

Wow, I am sorry to read that. I must be extremely fortunate...I have a ton of cds which were purchased 20 years ago that still provide excellent sound quality.
I received the deluxe edition the other day and it's a wonderful package through and through...extremely classy - as much of his printed matter happens to be. Since I am an incurable completist when it comes to Sylvian's solo output, then there was no other option but to purchase it. I have no regret regarding the price paid. It seems to me as though the cost is reasonable for the amount of content included. The documentary Amplified Gesture is very insightful and entertaining. It's a real pleasure to observe such intelligent people as they get the opportunity to discuss the methods and concepts behind their art. The mixes on the DVD of Manafon are vividly clear and so much more of the instrumentation becomes prominent. It makes for quite an ear-opening experience.

[Haldeman Gracie]

Wow, I am sorry to read that. I must be extremely fortunate...I have a ton of cds which were purchased 20 years ago that still provide excellent sound quality.
I received the deluxe edition the other day and it's a wonderful package through and through...extremely classy - as much of his printed matter happens to be. Since I am an incurable completist when it comes to Sylvian's solo output, then there was no other option but to purchase it. I have no regret regarding the price paid. It seems to me as though the cost is reasonable for the amount of content included. The documentary Amplified Gesture is very insightful and entertaining. It's a real pleasure to observe such intelligent people as they get the opportunity to discuss the methods and concepts behind their art. The mixes on the DVD of Manafon are vividly clear and so much more of the instrumentation becomes prominent. It makes for quite an ear-opening experience.

I suspect he means that the CDs are failing altogther (skipping or just not playing), as the quality wont deteriorate over time like vinyl or cassette as it's a digital medium. They either work or they don't. (something to remember for all those spending small fortunes on fancy Hi-Def HMDI leads - they can't and wont do a better job than one costing £2) But, like baht, I have been generally fortunate with CDs too. As it happens, the only CD which has failed on me is Gone To Earth (instrumental) from the Weatherbox set. But that was in and out of my CD player almost daily for about 15 years and looks like it spent that time in Rambo's back pocket.

The beauty of Sylvian's limited editions is that if you a) change your mind on the purchase or b) fall on hard times, they will have kept their value and then some and will be quickly snapped up. Especially if, in this instance, you got the edition with the signed print.

[Haldeman Gracie]

Amazon.co.uk sent the dreaded email last night on the Deluxe edition - we don't have any stock, and we don't know when we'll be getting any - feel free to cancel!

I so wish i'd bought directly from samadhi now. But with the customs charges and delays, I thought Amazon was a safer bet at £64. Even if I ended up buying the regular CD during the wait in any case. Oh well, fingers still crossed I suppose.

[sakurafleur]

i don't mind the cost of the actual deluxe edition, but i do mind the price of the shipping. they charged me $12 to ship within the united states, yet the postage on the package said $2.11. it was wrapped in a flimsy piece of bubble wrap and put in a barely padded envelope. it's a wonder that the box set didn't get damaged really.

i just don't like being made to feel like an idiot.