Soundwise

Good point! Today's hardware is actually more software, or should I say, firmware based. In that case hardware has a very limited life span and usage scenarios. I wasn't talking about such stuff, though. Paying for actual added value is what IK's Custom Shop is all about, isn't it? In a complex product such as Amplitube it's hard to separate added value from inherent value, provided that the new version is a major overhaul. New gear, new GUI, new routing, new algorithms, new technologies, new everything doesn't sound like a bunch of ported algorithms (whatever that means) and some added value (vague term, but I get the idea). I agree that people who purchased licenses for additional products, such as individual gear items, collections or bundles should be entitled to pay only for the new "shell" (for the lack of a better word) and retain the license grade (MAX to MAX, etc). However we, the users, can't make the company to accept our offered price on our terms. It's not a flea market. So why bother? I'm trying figure out how to cope with their business model, that's it.

Not necessarily so. Sometimes adding a little capacitor can make an obvious difference. Keely made his name by modding solid state pedals, Randall Smith started his business by modding tube amps. Such modes are not expensive if you're a DIY aficionado and know exactly what to do. They won't take too much time either. On the other hand, developing software that is compatible with various platforms, performs relatively glitch and bug free across millions of devices worldwide isn't as easy as swapping tubes or replacing RC elements in PCBs. Hard or easy, "there are no user serviceable parts inside". You can't take a plugin and enhance its code, include new algorithms, etc on your own. It takes a company with highly qualified personnel to do only extra development work, like adding new features or upgrading the UI. If we want such company to exist, we must support it.

I agree with Matthew. Just think about this in hardware terms. When your favorite manufacturer releases a new shiny piece of crap box of wonder, you usually don't get to update or upgrade your existing device for peanuts. Only a modest discount, if at all. Second hand outdated mass production models are often dirty cheap and hard to (re-)sell. I think IKM is moving in the right direction, providing both hardware and software of outstanding quality.

I was considering getting another tube preamp, but after seeing the news, going AXE I/O + AT5MAX route seems to be a better option. I'm genuinely impressed with the tone of AT5: https://www.ikmultimedia.com/products/amplitube5/index.php?p=audio Given that IK developers have finally addressed cab modelling that was AmpliTube's Achilles heel as well as inconvenient routing, we might have a new champ in the amp modelling market.

Although it's very sad, that companies like this are forced to milk their user base to survive, I agree with Piotr and all the good folks here that creating chaos with versioning and plugin formats is not the best way to treat loyal customers. My wallet waves them good-buy. I'll stick with what I have.

Incredible clarity and separation. Sometimes I can't help a feeling that it sounds very digital, but in a good way - precise and clean. Thanks for sharing it!

Can you elaborate, please?

I don't. I don't have O9A.

Another excellent plugin by ADPTR. Their Metric AB is second to none in metering and analysis.

Except for the cab section, how different is this from PA's version single or dual?

Just read the news. Gosh, I'm shocked! RIP EVH!

I have SSL bundle and CLA Mixhub by Waves, British and White Channels by IKM, AS-Rack by Nomad and still couldn't resist adding this one to the collection. It's not better or noticeably different form other similar takes on the legendary Console. I just like that TMT thing and find PA plugins to be very stable, not resource hungry, which makes them a joy to use in any project.

That's why I kept using W8.1. Unfortunately, some software developers don't support W8.1 anymore, and their number will grow.

Like privacy settings, background activities, theming and appearance and quite a few registry tweaks. I'm new to Windows 10, guess, that's the reason why it took me more than a week. Of course, I had to re-install my purchased software and this alone took a full working day. Next time I might be able to do it all within a couple of days or half a week tops.

I've just finished installing the latest W10 (2004) on my machine. After hours and hours of tweaking and polishing, now the system performs as expected - it's fast, stable and responsive.

What's gonna happen to v1 license and installation after this upgrade? Will it still be available?

IMO, Studio version is a huge time saver when you often mix multitracks and the performers are notorious for bad timing and being out of tune. With good performers even Essential gets little to no use. Just saying.

SSD5.5 is a lot easier to use then previous versions. Sounds better, too. Kits load very fast, no complicated MIDI (re-)mapping required if you want to enhance a kit piece by adding another one on top if it. The plugin keeps the last loaded kit/kitpiece highlighted should you need to re-open the GUI. Grooves are now nicely organized by song parts and other attributes. And the icing on the cake is the 'Mono to Mono, Stereo to Stereo' routing preset, which is a godsend if you like to process kit pieces individually. Like it so far.

Same here. Instant buy. Not sure if I really need this or will prefer it against SD3, AD2, EZD2, Strike or even Session Drummer 3. But it's good to have Slate's samples at hand.

Hey Larry! Missed you so much, great to know you're back!

I think you nailed the tone with BM pack. This one, to my ears, sounds better than the real thing.

Not quite. Max includes Engl, Soldano, Jet City, Wampler, and then some.

Considering how long they've been working on the Satriani bundle, it might as well be Amplitube 5.

If it's the same strategy as the Samplitude X3->X4->X5, i.e., major version update without any significant changes/features, I'll stick to what I have and invest my money into something else. Hope it's not just a facelift.

Is this some kind of race? What's the prize?