No Pro Tools 9 Demo?

[Myriad_Rocker]

In the past, I've always used Sonar. It's been a while since I've had a recording setup and I was on version 7 or 8 when I quit doing recording. I'm not even sure if I'm upgrade eligible anymore. Anyway, that's another topic.

I'm almost done with my mix room build out and I'm going to want to evaluate some DAW's soon. I want to demo Pro Tools 9 but I can't find a demo for it. How do they expect you to know if you'll like it if you can't demo it? I want to import some tracks in and do a few mixes so I can see if I'm going to dig it or not.

What I'm thinking of demoing:

• Cakewalk Sonar Producer (already own older version)
• Pro Tools 9

That's actually it. I've tried Reaper and it's just not for me. I'm used to Sonar and it would be the hands down winner if I didn't have a couple of friends that are using Pro Tools 9 that I collab with.

 

[geekd]

As far as I know, they've never had a demo version. I started with Pro Tools M-Powered 7, then 8, and now I'm on Pro Tools 9 and I love it. If you are a student (or know a student), the student version is exactly the same, but way cheaper. Look on eBay.

 

[dzilla77]

I just switched from CW's guitar tracks pro to pro tools LE (came with my interface). I can honestly say my workflow is much more streamlined using pro tools and the learning curve between PT CW is not that steep. Also, the documentation for PT is MUCH better than that for CW.

 

[Myriad_Rocker]

I just switched from CW's guitar tracks pro to pro tools LE (came with my interface). I can honestly say my workflow is much more streamlined using pro tools and the learning curve between PT CW is not that steep. Also, the documentation for PT is MUCH better than that for CW.

Well, there's a substantial difference between something like Guitar Tracks and Sonar. Sonar is more on par with Pro Tools.

I'm still super disappointed that I can't download an iLok free demo. Even if it expired after 24 hours. Just the mere fact of it not having a demo is going to weigh heavily on my decision.

 

[Moseph]

Actually, Pro Tools FREE used to exist, way back at version 5 or so. It was purposefully designed so that it was only compatible with Mac OS9 and Windows 95/98/ME/2000. It wouldn't actually install on other operating systems by design.

Pro Tools is kind of an easy one to check out, by comparison to other products. Most big-box music shops (like Guitar Center) will let you demo in their Pro Audio rooms: they're pretty keen to sell Pro Tools because it's apparently a bigger markup than other competitors.

My big question is why not check it out at one of your friends' setups if they're all using it already?

 

[Myriad_Rocker]

Most big-box music shops (like Guitar Center) will let you demo in their Pro Audio rooms: they're pretty keen to sell Pro Tools because it's apparently a bigger markup than other competitors.

My local Guitar Center sucks. Besides, I don't feel like test driving something with some ass hat standing over my shoulder and pre-teen kids running around beating on drums/keyboards/you name it. And there aren't any other music stores that carry any level of respectable recording gear, let alone Pro Tools.

My big question is why not check it out at one of your friends' setups if they're all using it already?

The thought has definitely crossed my mind but that's a bigger pain in the ass than it sounds like. One lives 4 hours away and the other just uses headphones since he only tracks drums. So I couldn't throw up the faders on a mix or anything.

 

[dzilla77]

Well, there's a substantial difference between something like Guitar Tracks and Sonar. Sonar is more on par with Pro Tools.

That's kind of my point, the difference in the capability is fairly significant, but the learning curve going from CW to PT is not very steep.

 

[graceangela9]

You can get demo version for pro tools 9 from audacity but the if you will buy pro tools 9 student version then you will get the free upgradation of pro tools for 4 years.