It's been a lot of work over the last two days to clean install the studio configuration I had essentially built over the last seven years! But the work is mostly complete and tested. Let's cover the steps, shall we?

1. One of the goals was to isolate all of the studio software in its own account, so I began by setting up a second administrator account.
2. I installed the most current driver and client for iLok and verified my iLok contents.
3. I installed the most recent drivers for my GI-20.
4. I installed Pro Tools LE v7.4 and immediately upgraded to 7.4.2.
5. I installed the Leopard-compatible Pro Tools plug-ins for mBox Factory Bundle, Synchronic, Broadband Noise Reduction.
6. I configured Pro Tools MIDI Studio for the GI-20 and GR-33.
7. I installed the Leopard-compatible Arturia Minimoog V softsynth and reloaded the presets I had so thoughtfully saved before cleaning up the Powerbook!
8. I installed the latest version of Line 6 Monkey, updated my POD X3, and installed the way cool POD Farm plug-ins.
9. I installed the latest version of the VST to RTAS Adaptor.
10. I installed the universal binary VST plug-ins and wrapped them with the Adaptor.
11. I tested the whole thing.
12. I wiped out the Powerbook and upgraded to Leopard.
13. I installed G7 on the Powerbook; it's not universal binary and the Powerbook was begging to be put to good use.

That's a lot of work!

In addition to isolating the studio software, I did a full install to generally clean things up. I did not install Ableton Live as I haven't used it in a couple of years. Ditto for Reason Adapted, Amplitube, and the other Ignition Pack components that ship with Pro Tools. I also jettisoned any VST plug-ins that are not universal binary; apparently some of the PPC plug-ins will run as resource hogs, while others won't run. I'm shooting for high performance mode here, but I did lose a few favorites.

So what didn't work? I'm very fond of the mda VST plug-ins and was glad to see they were available as universal binaries. For some reason the background and text of the plug-ins both showed up in black, making it impossible to read or control the parameter settings. I uninstalled them and sent out a help email. I hope to have the issue resolved soon.

So, what's left? I'll buy the ginormous monitor when it ships later this month and install it. I also have the Soundtoys bundle on order, along with a bitching set of studio headphones, both set to arrive in the coming week. Following what I expect to be a smooth installation, that, as they say, will be that!

The testing was fun. I worked with my Godin xtSA in both synth and guitar modes. As the former I was driving each of the soft synths. As the latter I ran through the POD X3, the Kaoss pad, and the SP-303. Most excellent.

With several hours over the last two days spent hunkered over the computer in the friendly confines of Make Noise Studios, I had plenty of time to listed to music. Saturday's selection was the complete solo catalog of Eiving Aarset and today's choice was the first four Kabusacki albums, to be continued. A great soundtrack for the weekend's work.

And now, and finally, to bed.