Total cost of upgrading software for big OS jumps?

[Ru_C]

I'm curious as to what others spend when they have to do 'large OS jumps'

My main studio machine is still on Catalina, as my home MacStudio is on Monterey (+ a spare Mac mini M1 on Monterey)

Next spring/summer I want to retire my studio machine, get another Mac, & move everything to Sequoia.

Hardware costs aside, I did a quick totting up of how much it would cost to get all my Pro Tools plugins suites up to date, & it came to around £2500 inc renewing my PT Ultimate cover.

I'm using Pro Tools Ultimate, Waves, Komplete Ultimate, RX Advanced Suite, Plugin Alliance, Reason & Sonnox. Massey Plugins never seem to need updating, bless them!

is this in line with what others spend? Or have I got it easy/hard?

[jeam25]

In my opinion, this is a topic that is subject to considerable debate. Personally, I prefer to be continuously updated and make necessary adjustments as they arise, rather than waiting several years to complete the task all at once. In my mind and on my budget, it is more advantageous to proceed gradually rather than undertake the project in a rushed manner.

[BScout]

I would check if you need to do paid updates on some of them. It kind of depends on what version you are currently on.

iZotope updated earlier versions to Apple M native so you don't need to do a paid update. And for RX Adv, it's been a while since they introduced real upgrades (I regret paying for the last 2 upgrades as nothing was really added)
Plugin Alliance didn't charge for any updates
waves you don't need to be on the latest version. It is now 2 versions back that added Apple M compatibility so if you are already there, you don't need to give them more money.
Sonnox haven't charged for an update.
NI Komplete hasn't been an "upgrade" since like version 6 (which IIRC had Apple M native added.) Kontakt v7 was terrible. And the latest v8 is just to fix v7 to make it v6 (plugin migration.) The libraries themselves had little change. (Realize NI has been desperate to stay afloat so they haven't done much development on their products and mostly done repackaging and attempts to generate sales)
Can't speak about Reason as I haven't used that in a decade or kept up to date on it.


All in all, I'd make sure your paid updates actually get you something you need/want as many don't. You just end up with the same software with the same features but you've just paid more money. And upgrading for compatibility purposes wasn't needed either as the software was already compatiblie.

[Ru_C]

Originally Posted by BScout

I would check if you need to do paid updates on some of them. It kind of depends on what version you are currently on.

iZotope updated earlier versions to Apple M native so you don't need to do a paid update. And for RX Adv, it's been a while since they introduced real upgrades (I regret paying for the last 2 upgrades as nothing was really added)
Plugin Alliance didn't charge for any updates
waves you don't need to be on the latest version. It is now 2 versions back that added Apple M compatibility so if you are already there, you don't need to give them more money.
Sonnox haven't charged for an update.
NI Komplete hasn't been an "upgrade" since like version 6 (which IIRC had Apple M native added.) Kontakt v7 was terrible. And the latest v8 is just to fix v7 to make it v6 (plugin migration.) The libraries themselves had little change. (Realize NI has been desperate to stay afloat so they haven't done much development on their products and mostly done repackaging and attempts to generate sales)
Can't speak about Reason as I haven't used that in a decade or kept up to date on it.


All in all, I'd make sure your paid updates actually get you something you need/want as many don't. You just end up with the same software with the same features but you've just paid more money. And upgrading for compatibility purposes wasn't needed either as the software was already compatiblie.

yes, I've been doing my research & made a little spreadsheet based on the manufacturers specs. Most will work with Ventura without upgrading, but not further it seems

Some of my plugin packages are so old (Komplete Ultimate 9) that is a miracle they work on AS without me having to pay.

I will of course absolutely try installing everything first on Sequoia, & test before paying to upgrade. I'm not after new features, just solid compatibility for a system that I will lock down for 4 more years

[Eric Lambert]

£2500 seems like a lot, but only you would know what's necessary.

I also find it tough to answer the question since it depends so much upon the products you use. Many developers are gracious and offer free updates going pretty far back (you mentioned Massey -- he's tops in this regard). Others charge for every iteration. If you're lucky, most of your plugins will be from the former, not the latter.

I also find, sometimes, that a plugin which isn't officially blessed as compatible with the latest OS and/or Mac hardware may still function just fine. You could always try what you have and flag those those do not work. The downside here is that those plugs might "work" but they might also be inefficient, causing big CPU draws or other issues. My brain needs to latest/greatest, to fend off this problem, but this is also up to the individual.

[Ru_C]

Originally Posted by Eric Lambert

£2500 seems like a lot, but only you would know what's necessary.

I also find it tough to answer the question since it depends so much upon the products you use. Many developers are gracious and offer free updates going pretty far back (you mentioned Massey -- he's tops in this regard). Others charge for every iteration. If you're lucky, most of your plugins will be from the former, not the latter.

I also find, sometimes, that a plugin which isn't officially blessed as compatible with the latest OS and/or Mac hardware may still function just fine. You could always try what you have and flag those those do not work. The downside here is that those plugs might "work" but they might also be inefficient, causing big CPU draws or other issues. My brain needs to latest/greatest, to fend off this problem, but this is also up to the individual.

Hopefully thats a 'worse case scenario' then in that case, & it might be closer to £1500. Purely keeping 'Pro Tools Ultimate' up to date is now though £500 yearly, which is another reason I want to get everything fully current, then just leave it alone for 4 years. Its just not worth that much money for tiny incremental updates imho

[basslik]

M1 is really fast. Nothing should stop you from upgrading to the newest Mac OS in the way of OpenCore.


Should at least slap another SSD in and upgrade to Sequoia. Waves will not be a problem, bot the others you might need to upgrade.