Getting off the Upgrade Mill

[Howdy Doody Time]

I record, mix and master music, I play the guitar and the keyboards, and there is not a scintilla of modesty to be taken into consideration when I say that in all these endeavours, I aspire to mediocrity. Nevertheless I do derive great pleasure from what I do and I have always tried to acquire the best software, and hardware I could afford, so for example I bought Steinberg Nuendo version 2 when a thousand quid plus was not comfortable, and I have purchased the upgrades up to version 11. Similarly with Arturia Instruments, with which I am now at version 8. Last year I commissioned a new house and studio in a rural area north west of Bangkok, and that has kept me very busy, to the extent that various software upgrades purchased last year were installed but not, or rarely used. My house and studio are complete now, and my equipment is installed. I now see that both Steinberg and Arturia have upgraded and I think now is a good time to reflect on whether I want to (I don't need to) continue on the upgrade mill. Laying out my equipment I have discovered that long since disused things have suddenly piqued my interest again, and are perfectly useful, serviceable and fun to use. My Digidesign 003 console for example, a Saffire pro interface, a TC electronics finaliser, a Korg Triton Rack - the list goes on. The temptation is to upgrade the Steinberg and Arturia stuff, but I think it is time to take stock.

[resistorman]

I used to upgrade every time, but now I don't until there's a compelling reason. Our tools are very mature at this point.

[Arpangel]

It’s not until you buy something, sometimes, that you realise, you really don’t need it.

[IAA]

I’ve reached this point too. I’ve not found a way forward though. But I’ve reduced my software to really 3 suppliers who I rate and am prepared to update regularly because I use their products in everything I do.

I still have a few other bits and pieces scattered around my computer but I don’t upgrade them.

Real instruments are where I’m struggling most. I’m keen on the new oberheim but don’t really need it. I have more than enough sounds from my other synths and I’m thinking maybe now is the time to live with what I have. I can’t conceive of a sound I could not create with what’s available to me in hardware and plugins. More stuff = more upgrade hassle and time not writing and playing. I am going to have be more hard nosed and work what I have harder. On saying that, I did upgrade v collection from Arturia yesterday (one of my 3 suppliers) and I like the augmented strings and vocals a lot. The new piano v3 was worth it too.

My computer is likely to be the next big upgrade but I see that as an essential item so have less trouble with upgrading that.

I look at my studio now and what I had when I started playing live and in our first studio EP back in the 80’s. It’s a miracle we managed to do anything that sounded remotely reasonable back then!

[RichardT]

Do you have what you need to make the music you want to make? If you do, then upgrading is a luxury you can live without (although it’s definitely fun).

For myself, I feel I now have all the instruments I need. I might buy something new if it’s genuinely different, but that doesn’t happen very often.

I do upgrade my DAW every year though. There’s usually some useful functionality added that makes my life easier.

[Mike Stranks]

My situation is far-removed from yours... I don't 'do' music - in fact these days I don't 'do' much! - and what I do 'do' is 'commissioned' (not for my own pleasure).

However, I do have some reasonably professional and proficient pieces of software which always get used when I have work to do. So your comments about upgrades resonated. What I have fulfils my needs admirably so I'm happy to continue to work with versions that are 2/3/4 years behind the curve.

This is one of the reasons I don't like the increasingly 'mandatory for upgrades' subscription model. It would mean additional and constant expenditure which, for me, is just not required.

I see Sam Inglis has written an editorial in this month's magazine - which I've only skimmed - in which I believe he writes in support of subscription-software. My apologies if I misrepresent.

One piece of software I 'bought' can now only be upgraded by subscription and the company now only offers subscription to new 'purchasers'. I suspect that before long it'll be the only show in town for those wanting to use "proper" software and not cut-down or cheap 'n' cheerful apps.

[Arpangel]

I don't 'do' music - in fact these days I don't 'do' much!

I can somehow, identify with that.

[Albatross]

I'm still on Reaper 2.58 on a WinXP 2.44 PentiumII with 4g ram. Lovely. solid as a rock. To be fair I only use it as a recorder and desk for around 24 tracks max and very few plug-ins. I gave up the upgrade lark years ago.

[Drew Stephenson]

I recently had to do a complete wipe and reinstall of my computer and I was quite pleased that working through my plugin list showed none that I wasn't still using.
I did have to update a couple to the latest version but no upgrades were required.
Similarly with actual instruments, i have bought a couple of new ones in the last few years, but no upgrades.

I think the only thing that gets upgraded regularly is Reaper, but rarely as soon as a release comes out.
I will upgrade to v7.0 when it comes but mainly to pay another $60 and say thanks to the developers.

[Drew Stephenson]

This is one of the reasons I don't like the increasingly 'mandatory for upgrades' subscription model. It would mean additional and constant expenditure which, for me, is just not required.

I see Sam Inglis has written an editorial in this month's magazine - which I've only skimmed - in which I believe he writes in support of subscription-software. My apologies if I misrepresent.

I'm in the process of drafting a 'rebuttal' to this piece, will pop it in the Feedback forum when it's done.

[ConcertinaChap]

I'm in the process of drafting a 'rebuttal' to this piece, will pop it in the Feedback forum when it's done.

Good man! This might be a good topic for a poll once you've done that. I don't like subscriptions either. It all smacks of trying to convince the customer that what's good for the shareholders is good for the end users.

CC

[OneWorld]

It’s not until you buy something, sometimes, that you realise, you really don’t need it.

LOL - Spot on, back of the net, you got it in one.

I suppose, logically thinking. If upgrades had a profound impact on our creativity, then in going from version 1 to version 12 (and beyond) of whatever, would mean we should all be rich and famous by now!

[OneWorld]

.........Real instruments are where I’m struggling most. I’m keen on the new oberheim but don’t really need it.........

I am holding onto hardware, even though most of it sits in a corner collecting dust. But I am amazed at how much money some things are now worth that I wonder how long will it be before we see someone on Antiques Roadshow deliriously gleefullful after being told how much their EMS Synthi A is worth

Someone on eBay is asking £750 for a Supernova Rack V1, OK, asking and getting are two different things, but prices of £500+ are not uncommon whereas only a few years ago I sold mine for £275 and thought myself lucky to get anywhere near that

[shufflebeat]

I'm very aware that my own urge to "system build" - this could be collecting guitars, retro-fitting cars, collecting football stickers, collecting roles in government, having the entire IKEA catalogue in my kitchen - is the handle by which clutter providers get into my life and house.

The most powerful filter question for me is always, "what am I looking to achieve?". If the answer is to fill my house with kit that never gets used then - fill your (my) boots. If the answer is, "make music" then often the gear collection part is a distraction rather then a step on the road.

I should add that, having recently moved house I realise I have a shed full of actual tools, mostly good quality second hand with a sprinkling of Chinese pig iron, which are rarely used so I know of which I speak.

[ceejay]

... well I just lucked on an ex-radio-station studio desk to house all my gear so I've been revamping my hardware and software into some sense of order ... about halfway through at the moment, I'm now calling my studio "turn-of-the-century meets state-of-the-art" 'cos, while most of my work today is done ITB on a Windows 11 Pro PC using Samplitude Pro X, I still have a Mac G4 with ProTools LE and a Digi001 and am about to resurrect Cubase VST32 on an old Pentium with a parallel port so I can play flying faders on my Soundcraft Digital 328 ... and don't talk about all the various VST instruments and effects - I've lost count

[ManFromGlass]

The age of the computer has limited the DAW upgrades for me. It’s a 2010 model. Most new plugins require the newer OS.
I can say what I want to say with what I have.
Sometimes something new comes along that does something I like doing a little easier and quicker and I consider it because it helps keep me in the zone when inspiration is flowing.
I finally jumped a few iOS versions to the latest because previously I never considered that device security must try and keep up with hacker skills if one connects the device to the internet.

[OneWorld]

An Akai MPC X but with HDMI graphics output to computer monitor, and with disk streaming so it is realistic to record audio, really good Cubase'esque MIDI editing, VST Host to run a few really good SoftSynths, ability to use USB Keyboard/Mouse/Music Keyboard and that'd be me, kissing goodbye to computers.

[RichardT]

I am to keep my computers for 10 years, or until new ones are 10 times faster. This is just about achievable, but in the Mac world, old machines stop being able to run new OSes in about that time, or slightly less, and my DAW software will only run on the latest and penultimate OS, so it’s close.

[Drew Stephenson]

I'm in the process of drafting a 'rebuttal' to this piece, will pop it in the Feedback forum when it's done.

Good man! This might be a good topic for a poll once you've done that. I don't like subscriptions either. It all smacks of trying to convince the customer that what's good for the shareholders is good for the end users.

CC

Here we go: https://www.soundonsound.com/forum/view ... hp?t=82326

[Arpangel]

It’s not until you buy something, sometimes, that you realise, you really don’t need it.

LOL - Spot on, back of the net, you got it in one.

I suppose, logically thinking. If upgrades had a profound impact on our creativity, then in going from version 1 to version 12 (and beyond) of whatever, would mean we should all be rich and famous by now!

Just look at me, and I never upgrade.



Besides, upgrading, doesn’t that mean getting something better? quite often the reverse is true, that’s why I’m so scared to "upgrade"

[James Perrett]

Probably the only software I upgrade regularly is Reaper because upgrades are usually totally painless and even the latest version still works on my oldest, currently working, 2004 vintage machine.

I stopped upgrading Adobe Audition when it went to subscription only but I find that version 3 is still useful and still runs on the current version of Windows 10. Other useful software like Plextools and CD Wave also mainly runs fine in Windows 10 with just the occasional odd behaviour (like no dragging and dropping files in Plextools).

I also felt that Sam was totally wrong in his conclusions regarding software subscriptions. I prefer the software maintenance model where you buy a license and then pay an annual fee for support and upgrades. If you stop paying the maintenance fee you keep the software that you have but won't get any upgrades or support.

[Sam Spoons]

I chose Reaper because I liked their business model and because I thought their licence fee was extremely good value. I will upgrade to V6 soon I think but am holding off as V5 is still running well on my 2008/El Capitan Mac Pro.

[Arpangel]

I chose Reaper because I liked their business model and because I thought their licence fee was extremely good value. I will upgrade to V6 soon I think but am holding off as V5 is still running well on my 2008/El Capitan Mac Pro.

Another happy Reaper user here, I’m running various versions on different machines, I’ve not had an issue yet.

[Dave Rowles]

I upgrade Logic when upgrades appear, I don't upgrade my OS unless logic demands it, though the last couple of logic upgrades I'm not entirely sure why I bothered as they changed nothing really that I use on a day to day basis.

I also upgrade plugins that I actually use (Slate/Waves Abbey Roads mastering/Relab)

I've also been reducing the breadth of what I use, concentrating on stuff that actually gets the job done for me. I'm more focused on getting stuff to do more (more mics, stands, cables etc) so I can do live to multitrack recordings, which is more useful in my area right now...and of course that helps the live work I do

[OneWorld]

Just look at me, and I never upgrade.



Besides, upgrading, doesn’t that mean getting something better? quite often the reverse is true, that’s why I’m so scared to "upgrade"

[Urthlupe]

Oh dear…..

…I’m an upgrader….. but I feel better having said it .

Loopy xx

[Arpangel]

Oh dear…..

…I’m an upgrader….. but I feel better having said it .

Loopy xx

There is the twelve step plan you know.

[tea for two]

Upgrades are as hip replacements :
only when necessary else without which it's a bummer.

[OneWorld]

Upgrades are as hip replacements :
only when necessary else without which it's a bummer.

So if a musician had a new hip - could it be said he played hipup, or hipop music?

[ManFromGlass]

They might be leaning a bit as they do so, direction depending on which hip was replaced. . . . . . . . .