most stable/reliable version of protools

[Downtown_BE]

I`m still at 2019.6/mojave and its pretty stable but I^m still not 100% happy with the overall performance on bigger mixing sessions - anyone else having a better version with better cpu usage overall? how`s 2020.3 compared to 2019.6/2019.12?
thx

[JFreak]

Most stable was PT 8.1.1 HD on OSX 10.6.8 but that's not what you're looking after.

For a clean install Catalina 2020.3 is reliable and hopefully only getting better on next release. Mojave users report best stability on 2019.5

[capt kirk]

PT10.3.4 , on 2011 imac ......1 crash in 8 years.

[capt kirk]

8 years of huge edit sessions.......the key? not running any plugins.....just using rtas or sampler when needed.

[Downtown_BE]

well not running any plugins isn`t really an option - I`m mixing ITB

[JFreak]

Originally Posted by Downtown_BE

well not running any plugins isn`t really an option - I`m mixing ITB

In that case the question of what is most reliable depends on the 3rd party plugins. Even one outdated or badly behaving plugin may crash PT, even if you don't use it in your session. All installed plugins are loaded into memory when PT starts.

[capt kirk]

Since we have a serious invertment in hardware outboard, we've used absolute minimal plugins during mixing, and only use PT as a edit-able playback machine , thru the DFC console. Its a hybrid system and keeps the PT system very stable.

[JFreak]

Very true. But your system is just as portabe as your hardware racks, so that workflow does not suit everyone. Plugins also lot cheaper than real thing so no wonder ITB mixing is popular. Not judging, do it myself too. Enough lugging around rack full of preamps to live gigs

[capt kirk]

Yea, our system isnt for everyone. But it has extreme stability and reliability/repeatability, which is paramount for our scheduling and clients. new features mean little to us, its reliability/stability we cant compromise on.
I think we're moving some systems from PT10 to 2020.? at some point....the tests seem to show they were stable enough, and could import older stuff problem free.

[capt kirk]

I guess in 10 years we'll move to 2030, with the new clip folders, and midi 2.0 update.