PT 9 HD|2 to PT 10 HD|2 $999 upgrade first impressions

[Justin1524]

Ok, so I decided to bite the bullet and upgrade my PT HD from 9.0.5 to 10.0.0. I'm running an older Mac (2 x 2.66 Ghz Dual Core Intel Xeon) with 6 GB of DDR2 RAM at 667 Mhz. My hardware is a 96 I|0 and 24 bit ADAT Bridge with an AardSync II as the word clock. Hopefully this post will ease the mind of a few wondering if their old plugs and hardware transition easily to PT 10. Here's the good news. They do. The install process is smooth as snot. After about an hour to download everything (2gb installer, 2gb vi installer and 4gb Lion), first I updated my Mac OS from Snow Leopard to Lion for $29. Took about 30 minutes with no problems. Next updated Pro Tools, again smooth with no issues whatsoever. Next the version 10 versions of the Avid Virtual Instruments. Again, update smooth.

Ok now onto first impressions. I opened up some sessions ladden with TDM and RTAs plugins on them. No hiccups at all. Immediately you notice everything feels smoother and more responsive. Next I played with the new Channel Strip plugin. It sounds KILLER!

I'm sure there's much more to discover but overall PT 10 is a much easier transition then I've had with past editions. I have a strong feeling it's less buggy then PT 9 - for example I'm no longer seeing spinning beach balls.

Do I feel the software upgrade price was way way too high. Yes I do. Am I willing to pay to have a more responsive system that works better. No question I am. Because when you think about it, this piece of software is the heart of everything you do. Don't wait gents. Pony up the dough and jump in.

[gaas]

Regardless of how awesome the update may be, which I don't think anyone would contend, 999, or in my case 1300$ for a software upgade is not only out of the question, but out of my mind completely.

[Dizzi45Z]

I've only had a short amount of time in Pro Tools 10 HD and my impressions are the same. It feels solid as a rock and I have yet to see any weird bugs or anything. I have tons of 3rd party plug-ins and not a single hiccup with the transition.

I'll report back after this full week of projects. But so far I have to say that the stability feels really really good.

[marcioguitar]

I have been using it for 3 days now, brand new projects in 32 bit + old projects from PT 8 and 9 loaded with high quantity of plug ins without a single crash which was happening very ofter in PT HD9, I guess they finally did the right thing in this upgrade!

[danander11]

I've no doubt that the software is good. The pricing, however, stinks. Period.

[Mark Dann]

VERY solid here. Much more so than any version of 9.

[drumster]

When upgrading to Lion, have you guys been doing a fresh install or just an install over Snow Leopard?

[Justin1524]

No fresh install for me. Just run the installers and everything works. It's dead simple.

[mattrussell]

the HD price is absolutely insane. it should be $299 for all. for those that paid for ver. HD9 and gained almost nothing in that update and now are being asked to not only lay out another grand, but you've been informed (along with anyone that might be interested in buying your system) that your HD rig will be obsolete in another year or so.

this is bumming me out in a big way and i can't seem to get over it. i love what the new systems and software can do, i just can't get over the upgrading costs on both fronts.

m

[drumster]

Originally Posted by Justin1524

No fresh install for me. Just run the installers and everything works. It's dead simple.

Thanks Justin! If that's working for you, I'll do the same. It's alot less time consuming than doing a fresh install.