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  #1  
Old 01-13-2025, 07:43 PM
colliderman colliderman is offline
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Default Question about updating perpetual license on new machine but keeping old version

Hey folks,

I've been out of the Pro Tools game for a while now but am considering dipping my toes back in seeing some of the new features that have been added.

My question is, my current perpetual license stopped at 2018.12 which is what I'm still running on my 2012 Mac Mini (still running pretty good!).

I'm thinking of buying a perpetual upgrade license to get current at 2024.10 but I'd be installing it on my M2 Macbook Air as a portable setup.

I wouldn't be trying to install 2024.10 on the old Mac Mini but I would still like to be able to use Pro Tools on that computer.

If I buy the upgrade will I still be able to run 2018.12 on the old Mac Mini? Or will that license stop working?

Thanks!
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  #2  
Old 01-13-2025, 07:59 PM
Darryl Ramm Darryl Ramm is online now
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Default Re: Question about updating perpetual license on new machine but keeping old version

First lets be super clear about terminology of installing licenses on a computer: Pro Tools licensing (except for Pro Tools Intro) has no concept of installing a license on any computer. The license is installed on an iLok or in the iLok cloud. What you plug that iLok dongle into or what computer you connect the iLok cloud to is up to you and you can change at any time. The only exception there is Pro Tools Intro, the only version of Pro Tools that support iLok machine licenses that are in fact installed on a computer.

When you update your Pro Tools perpetual license you surrender that old license. Things then behave as always with the new license. If you want to run it on a different computer you move the iLok containing the new license to the other computer (I would avoid iLok cloud at all costs). You don't say what actual license you have, but being that old it will be Pro Tools standard or HD/Ultimate and so the new license will let you run older versions of that Pro Tools "flavor" back to Pro Tools 10 so you can keep an older version of Pro Tools on your older mac and run a newer version on the new Mac, using the same iLok key moved between computers.

If you want two licenses you can use on two separate machines without doing that then you need to purchase two separate licenses.
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  #3  
Old 01-14-2025, 05:12 AM
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tope d tope d is offline
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Default Re: Question about updating perpetual license on new machine but keeping old version

Quote:
Originally Posted by colliderman View Post
Hey folks,

I've been out of the Pro Tools game for a while now but am considering dipping my toes back in seeing some of the new features that have been added.

My question is, my current perpetual license stopped at 2018.12 which is what I'm still running on my 2012 Mac Mini (still running pretty good!).

I'm thinking of buying a perpetual upgrade license to get current at 2024.10 but I'd be installing it on my M2 Macbook Air as a portable setup.

I wouldn't be trying to install 2024.10 on the old Mac Mini but I would still like to be able to use Pro Tools on that computer.

If I buy the upgrade will I still be able to run 2018.12 on the old Mac Mini? Or will that license stop working?

Thanks!
Hi there!

If you renew for 299 (Pro Tools Perpetual Renewal) this will make your Pro Tools up to date. You'll get a new license, and that neq license will be able to run Pro Tools 12.8, 2018 up to the latest version 2024.10.2 plus 1 year of support and updates.

You can check what version of Pro Tools is supported on the systems you'd like to use by going to https://avidtech.my.salesforce-sites...tibility-Chart

Hope this helps! and welcome back to Pro Tools!
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  #4  
Old 01-14-2025, 05:14 AM
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tope d tope d is offline
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Default Re: Question about updating perpetual license on new machine but keeping old version

Quote:
Originally Posted by Darryl Ramm View Post
First lets be super clear about terminology of installing licenses on a computer: Pro Tools licensing (except for Pro Tools Intro) has no concept of installing a license on any computer. The license is installed on an iLok or in the iLok cloud. What you plug that iLok dongle into or what computer you connect the iLok cloud to is up to you and you can change at any time. The only exception there is Pro Tools Intro, the only version of Pro Tools that support iLok machine licenses that are in fact installed on a computer.

When you update your Pro Tools perpetual license you surrender that old license. Things then behave as always with the new license. If you want to run it on a different computer you move the iLok containing the new license to the other computer (I would avoid iLok cloud at all costs). You don't say what actual license you have, but being that old it will be Pro Tools standard or HD/Ultimate and so the new license will let you run older versions of that Pro Tools "flavor" back to Pro Tools 10 so you can keep an older version of Pro Tools on your older mac and run a newer version on the new Mac, using the same iLok key moved between computers.

If you want two licenses you can use on two separate machines without doing that then you need to purchase two separate licenses.
Thanks for the detailed response, Darryl!
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To create a support case with Avid Support, go to https://www.avid.com/learn-and-suppo...-music-support

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  #5  
Old 01-14-2025, 07:52 AM
colliderman colliderman is offline
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Default Re: Question about updating perpetual license on new machine but keeping old version

Quote:
Originally Posted by Darryl Ramm View Post
First lets be super clear about terminology of installing licenses on a computer: Pro Tools licensing (except for Pro Tools Intro) has no concept of installing a license on any computer. The license is installed on an iLok or in the iLok cloud. What you plug that iLok dongle into or what computer you connect the iLok cloud to is up to you and you can change at any time. The only exception there is Pro Tools Intro, the only version of Pro Tools that support iLok machine licenses that are in fact installed on a computer.

When you update your Pro Tools perpetual license you surrender that old license. Things then behave as always with the new license. If you want to run it on a different computer you move the iLok containing the new license to the other computer (I would avoid iLok cloud at all costs). You don't say what actual license you have, but being that old it will be Pro Tools standard or HD/Ultimate and so the new license will let you run older versions of that Pro Tools "flavor" back to Pro Tools 10 so you can keep an older version of Pro Tools on your older mac and run a newer version on the new Mac, using the same iLok key moved between computers.

If you want two licenses you can use on two separate machines without doing that then you need to purchase two separate licenses.
Hey Darryl, thanks a lot for the info. That makes perfect sense. Cheers!
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  #6  
Old 01-14-2025, 08:05 AM
colliderman colliderman is offline
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Default Re: Question about updating perpetual license on new machine but keeping old version

Quote:
Originally Posted by tope d View Post
Hi there!

If you renew for 299 (Pro Tools Perpetual Renewal) this will make your Pro Tools up to date. You'll get a new license, and that neq license will be able to run Pro Tools 12.8, 2018 up to the latest version 2024.10.2 plus 1 year of support and updates.

You can check what version of Pro Tools is supported on the systems you'd like to use by going to https://avidtech.my.salesforce-sites...tibility-Chart

Hope this helps! and welcome back to Pro Tools!
Hey Tope, thanks for chiming in.

So I'm still a little unclear on the renewal options. When I look at my account it shows me (Canadian here):
- Pro Tools Studio $260.00 License Upgrade
- Pro Tools Studio $389.00 1-Year Subscription, Paid Upfront

So if I were to go with the first option ($260 CAD) would that mean that I'm not entitled to any updates for the year after that?

And with the subscription, if it expires does my perpetual license stay on the last version that was available when the subscription lapsed or does it revert to the version of Pro Tools that was out when the perpetual license was upgraded?

Thanks!
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  #7  
Old 01-14-2025, 08:10 AM
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tope d tope d is offline
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Default Re: Question about updating perpetual license on new machine but keeping old version

Quote:
Originally Posted by colliderman View Post
Hey Tope, thanks for chiming in.

So I'm still a little unclear on the renewal options. When I look at my account it shows me (Canadian here):
- Pro Tools Studio $260.00 License Upgrade
- Pro Tools Studio $389.00 1-Year Subscription, Paid Upfront

So if I were to go with the first option ($260 CAD) would that mean that I'm not entitled to any updates for the year after that?

And with the subscription, if it expires does my perpetual license stay on the last version that was available when the subscription lapsed or does it revert to the version of Pro Tools that was out when the perpetual license was upgraded?

Thanks!
That’s correct unless you renew it. Since it’s a new separate subscription license.
And yes after subscription expires, you’d still be able to use the version you have on your perpetual license.

The 269 will update your current perpetual license. The second option will give you a new 1year subscription license.

Feel free to ask further if you need clarification
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  #8  
Old 01-14-2025, 08:26 AM
its2loud its2loud is offline
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Default Re: Question about updating perpetual license on new machine but keeping old version

Tope, your response is a bit misleading.

@colliderman, I would suggest steering clear of the subscription option and just go with the perpetual upgrade. This gives you a year of support and additional plugins. At the end of the year, if you don’t renew the support plan, the very latest available version of Pro Tools will be available to you. Hypothetically, PT 2025/2026. It’s also the less expensive option.

If you opt for the subscription and don’t renew, you will not have any recent version of Pro Tools available to you.
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  #9  
Old 01-14-2025, 08:46 AM
colliderman colliderman is offline
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Default Re: Question about updating perpetual license on new machine but keeping old version

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Originally Posted by its2loud View Post
Tope, your response is misleading.

@colliderman, I would suggest steering clear of the subscription option and just go with the perpetual upgrade. This gives you a year of support and additional plugins. At the end of the year, if you don’t renew the support plan, the very latest available version of Pro Tools will be available to you. Hypothetically, PT 2025/2026. It’s also the less expensive option.

If you opt for the subscription and don’t renew, you will not have any recent version of Pro Tools available to you.
Ok thank you! THIS is the info I was looking for. I thought I was just being dense but still couldn't understand Tope's last answer. And holy cow, if that's the case then yes, that's extremely misleading.

So if I had opted for the more expensive option (as suggested by Tope) and then let my subscription lapse at the end of 1 year, I would've been sent back to my current perpetual version of 2018.12?

But if I go the less expensive upgrade route, I'll get a perpetual version of whatever the latest pro tools version is at the end of 1 year from now? My apologies if I'm still not understanding correctly.

I gotta say, it does feel a bit like I'm being intentionally mislead. Also makes me hesitant to get back into the Avid world at all.

It took me so long to get over Pro Tools the first time (and clearly I never fully did). Sorta feels like I'm considering getting back with an old girlfriend who I know will only hurt me again... lol
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  #10  
Old 01-14-2025, 10:55 AM
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The Weed The Weed is offline
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Default Re: Question about updating perpetual license on new machine but keeping old version

1) Upgrade your Perpetual License and receive 1 year of support and updates and extra plug-ins. After 1 year, if you don't pay for another year of support and upgrades and extra plug-ins, your Perpetual License will continue to open Pro Tools, but you will not be entitled to any more updates past your renewal date, and the extra plug-ins will stop working.

2) Purchase a new Subscription License - be sure not to give up your Perpetual License - and receive 1 year of support and updates and extra plug-ins. After 1 year if you do not renew your Subscription License, this Subscription version of Pro Tools will not open, never mind no support and updates or extra plug-ins.

As mentioned, stick with your Perpetual License, pay the Upgrade cost, install what versions you need on your two computers, and move the license between them on a physical iLok2 or iLok3. Make sure the iLok has ZDT and refresh it every 90 days or less.
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