Should I buy the $599 box or the $450 Sweetwater upgrade deal?

[mike_mccue]

Hi,
I look forward to buying PT9. I am a long time Windows OS user and have some existing Win DAW apps and several piece of MOTU I/O gear.

I am trying to figure out the best choice for starting with PT9.

I can buy the $490 ($450 + a dongle) MBox 8LE/PT9 upgrade package or I can buy the $599 PT9 free standing install.

I wonder if the upgrade and all further upgrades will require that I load the 8LE? Perhaps 9 will be a clean install that never needs to see the mbox? I'd prefer to just start using my MOTU stuff right from the beginning.

I'll spend the extra $110 +/- right now if it results in an easier time down the road.

Is the discounted upgrade path really a no brainier or is there some benefit to getting the independent install?

Does anyone have any advice to share?

Thanks.

best regards,
mike

[barstool719]

the crossgrade just checks your hardware serial #. you dont have to have 8 installed at all, in fact it's recommended to completely uninstall it first.

In your case, I would just go for the boxed version. It would come with the new ilok, and you'd never have to fool with the Mbox at all.

[mike_mccue]

Thanks for the explanation. I am a bit confused though, because it seems that there is little downside to saving the money. Is it possible that I can leave 8LE uninstalled, leave the Mbox in storage, and simply install PT9 by typing in the serial number on the Mbox?

Or do you actually have to install the Mbox and it's drivers and let the PT installer see some the serial number on the bus?

Thanks.

best regards,
mike

[Rail Jon Rogut]

You just install PT9 and plug in your iLok

Rail

[wizprodux]

The Mbox comes with no ilok.
PT9 comes with the new ilok, i believe

[mike_mccue]

I understand that I need an iLok.

Even after you buy the iLok you can save $110 on the sale at Sweetwater.

Please remember... I'm new to ProTools. If I get an M-Box and save $110 what kind of drivers will I load on a Win PC to use it? I'm thinking that a M-Box2 might be real useful with my laptop while just the software will be perfect for my desktop DAW and rack.

Thanks.

best regards,
mike

[DigiTechSupt]

Originally Posted by mike_mccue

I understand that I need an iLok.

Even after you buy the iLok you can save $110 on the sale at Sweetwater.

Please remember... I'm new to ProTools. If I get an M-Box and save $110 what kind of drivers will I load on a Win PC to use it? I'm thinking that a M-Box2 might be real useful with my laptop while just the software will be perfect for my desktop DAW and rack.

Thanks.

best regards,
mike

The drivers for all M-Audio and Avid interfaces can be found here (or on an install DVD if you get a boxed upgrade).

http://www.avid.com/drivers

[frantik]

Originally Posted by barstool719

the crossgrade just checks your hardware serial #. you dont have to have 8 installed at all, in fact it's recommended to completely uninstall it first.

does the installation program check your serial #? i was getting the impression that serial # check was actually before you can download the installation from Avid's site.

if all you need is an mbox serial # to get the LE upgrade price then that's cool