Some questions about buying a used ProTools rig

M

Matt Duncan

Freshman
May 9, 2011
61
0
6
Concord, NC
I'm about to take my first step into ProTools (been a Logic Pro & Ableton guy for several years now). A friend of mine is selling off his entire setup - ProTools 9 M-powered, iLok, M-box 2. I did some googling but didn't find a good answer & Avid's support on the Fast Track Pro I currently own was horrid so I didn't bother to call them.

Since I'm buying everything except his iMac, will I simply be able to change the contact info on the registration or will I have to jump through a bunch of hoops (fees) with Avid/iLok?

Will I be able to upgrade to PT10 at the upgrade price?

Do you anticipate any problems installing/activating/registering the system?

Thanks!
 
Re: Some questions about buying a used ProTools rig

IIRC, iLok transfers are $25 per license. Intact bundles should transfer as a single license even though there are individual licenses imbedded for each plug-in of the bundle. Note there is no universal answer as both Pace (iLok) and the publisher of the plug-in have their own rules.

Here are some answers - iLok Support Center - Guided Help

It may be possible for him to transfer the entire iLok to your account. The support pages at ilok dot com seem fairly helpful if what you want to do is directly addressed....

As for the PT10 upgrade, you'll have to ask Avid about that. My guess is that it would be possible with the seller's cooperation.

You might try this over in the RecPit. Lots more ProTools folks over there than in the live forums. Also, the forums at http://duc.avid.com are searchable. (hint)
 
Re: Some questions about buying a used ProTools rig

Thanks Tim, I had searched the AVID forums before I posted here, but didn't find a direct answer & there was zero response from AVID staff anywhere on the forums. I'm making sure I don't get stuck with software I can't register/update/use/etc. I ended up biting the bullet & calling AVID. After being on hold for exactly 19 min before I spoke to a person, I finally got some answers. I canNOT register the software, nor can I transfer the registration. I can transfer ownership of the hardware by completing a transfer of ownership form. I can upgrade to Pro Tools 10 though at upgrade price, but I will have to purchase my own iLok & pay transfer fees to get everything into my name.
 
Re: Some questions about buying a used ProTools rig

Hi Matt,

Wish I would have seen this last night as I could have saved you the phone call... but hoop jumping it is if you want the upgrade price.

IMHO the mbox 2 isn't really worth much because:

1. It doesn't sound great
2. With OpenIO you can now use any interface thats core audio/ASIO compatible

So hopefully he is giving you the mbox essentially free...or that might change your value proposition of buying used + fees + upgrade cost.

I would also think twice if you are getting an iLok 1 in the deal.

http://musformation.com/pics/ilok.jpg

Almost all authorizations will work on the ilok 1... but plugin manufacturers are starting to require the ilok 2 for their liscenses.

http://www.pssl.com/images/ProdImage01/500/ILOK-2.jpg


Let me know if you have any other PT related questions!
 
Re: Some questions about buying a used ProTools rig

Ben Lawrence said:
Logic pro is pretty awesome though. Out of curiosity why the crossover? Or are you just adding to your arsenal?
Click to expand...

Ben, I'm just adding to the arsenal. I also would like to be able to modify our loop tracks from our albums (done PT) without having to pay the studio guys more money. For the record, I've been quite happy with Logic & happy with Live 8 which we use for our click/loops playback live. I'm not really fond of the DAW side of Live though, but for loop creation & track playback its great.
 
Re: Some questions about buying a used ProTools rig

Mike, the Mbox was just part of the package deal. I was more interested in the software & the subsequent upgrade to PT 10. But given the facts that the costs of the entire path to PT 10 has now grown to much more than I was expecting initially, its not really worth the hassle anymore. I think I'll just wait a bit longer & jump straight into PT 10.

Thanks for all the help y'all.
 
Re: Some questions about buying a used ProTools rig

You may have already pulled the trigger on this, but I have a buddy who owns a music store called Alto Music in Middletown, NY. They sell tons of used ProTools rigs and can answer any questions that you have regarding versions. The good thing about PT9 or PT10 is that the mbox is just a formality. Those version are free and open to other I/O's where anything that pre-dated PT8 had to have a digi device. As long as your CPU sees it as a viable sound card you are good to go.
 
Re: Some questions about buying a used ProTools rig

Hi Kip, thanks for the reply. I haven't done anything other than shove the idea to the back burner. The costs of buying>transferring ownership>upgrading just kept increasing to the point where it wasn't worth the hassle. I decided to just wait & jump straight into PT10 whenever I decide to drop that kind of money on what would honestly be a "sideways" move for me.
 
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