How much does plugin future compatibility matter to you?

[OzoneJunkie]

I'm curious about people's thoughts and considerations (or even awareness for that matter) about plugin end-of-life and compatibility when buying/using plugins.

Things that factor in, like:

VST format changes and if a given plugin will be available in a newer format. We saw the rise of 64 bit plugins which led way to DAWs/developers stopping work on 32-bit format plugins, as well as removing compatibilities within DAWs. With VST3, the adoption rate is probably slower and VST2 compatibility is still maintained. BUT... what about if you're using a plugin that you know will never have a VST3 version, and so might at some point be deprecated/un-usable in a future version of your DAW of choice? Maybe because the developer goes away, or changes copy protection mechanisms (that you don't employ on your machine), or they stop development entirely. Or, given the way there's a forced-upgrade path with DAWs / new computers (and therefore new operating systems).

Let's say, regardless of the reason, you have a plugin which you know will be unusable at some point in the future. Do you still continue to use that plugin, write music with that plugin, knowing that perhaps the song you're working on, that project won't be usable in some distant future? I guess it depends on the needs of the individual to go back to old projects?

Anyway, for me, I have cases that fall into this realm. And I've in some cases abandoned those plugins. Other cases I'm still using them, but maybe won't, for new new projects.

Thoughts?

[chk071]

I don't buy with future compatibility in mind (nobody can predict the future), but, I'm definitely a bit disappointed when my plugins don't get updated, when things change. Thankfully, in the Windows world, that hardly ever happens.

[melomood]

It matters more than it used to, but I'm not ready to let go of the Linplugs. Sorry bout it

[jancivil]

I doubt anything I rely on is going anywhere like that. The only thing I've lost due to development stopping or that was NI Kore, which I haven't used really in about 7 yrs. I don't have those project files at all, its workflow is no longer how I approach that kind of thing, there are other ways. I had installations more than once which took a bit of extra effort which never got used, actually. I adapt, forward not back.

so it hardly ever happens here either
I installed a from-scratch system last July, nothing was missing from the last one, Kore had met the choir invisible years hence. I still have not adopted Big Sur, I wait it out. This is the second OS I actually wanted to adopt sooner rather than later (last one being Snow Leopard, because it was streamlined, this is reportedly snappier too) but I don't adopt things that aren't going to work or screw around. At this point I doubt anything I use is particularly borked. I wouldn't jump on the M1, I just don't have to.

[Unaspected]

Compatibility issues have always been an important factor to consider when purchasing software. So I am very much aware that I am buying software that might only run on the system I currently have. I would never upgrade just to have the latest whatever. I want to maintain a system that works and will avoid OS and DAW updates unless there is a clear benefit. The most attractive reason for me to update a DAW is increased efficiency.

I've never been in a position where I felt that I need to upgrade my system to run specific software. System upgrades have to be a matter of efficiency weighed against cost. If software requires me to upgrade my system then I don't need to use that software.

This taken into account, I don't buy plugins with any expectation of future maintenance. Anything the developer chooses to do in order to maintain compatibility is a kindness for which I am very appreciative if the update comes with no additional fee. However, I do expect for activation to be functional in some manner after a product is depreciated.

[foosnark]

I never go back to old projects anymore. I got out of the habit when I got more into hardware that lacked presets or where preset saving was hugely unreliable. I even had a synth for a while that had a tendency to crash after a few hours; it encouraged me to get stuff done in a single session, and I found I preferred working that way anyway. It's a creative constraint that really works well for me personally.

I've previously lost software licenses (including editors), given up on 32-bit plugins (after a lot of resistance...), and there was the whole Alchemy debacle. But then, I've also sold off hardware synths and modules -- lots of them.

My feeling is, by the time a piece of music software goes obsolete, there's a better -- or at least, acceptable -- replacement available. I was sad when I lost my Cool Edit Pro install, but Sound Forge Pro is a lot better. And I haven't really missed Alchemy for years.

[Bombadil]

For a couple of reasons it's important to me. First off, Logic Pro. I know it will be kept current, but it's dependent upon which OS I'm running. And that is dependent upon the Mac I use.
As far as 3rd party stuff goes, I think I've lost Garritan Personal Orchestra, Waves Abbey Road chambers and plates, and that's about it after moving everything to my M1 mini. Photoshop Elements 8, too, I think. All of my Sampletank 2.5xl and the 4 add-ons, Sampletron, Samplemoog, Sonik Synth and the other one are all still going through Sampletank 4. So does S3. One of the first Amp sims I bought, IK Fender 1, long ago in a galaxy far, far, away, still works through Amplitube 5 and is in fact better sounding and more responsive. So, I pay for the Upgrades as long as I can still use my old stuff in it. I expect I'll pay IK for native ARM versions of their software, and I'll be able to use it as long as I want.
Amplitube 3 and 4 are RIPing, as is TrackS 3. on balance, more still works than doesn't, and what I've replaced has been improved.

[TribeOfHǫfuð]

With my tendency to buy 60%-70% more than I need, I would not mind if Reason 11 does not get VST3 support. I do not think of upgradring Reason to 12 already. There is a few VST3 only plugins now. Would not matter to me if the rest will be VST3 only. I have what I need for a lifetime. More are just distractions.