TheMaartian
Side note: I have a 400/40 Mbps internet connection. Still took quite awhile to download all 290+ GB. Took even longer to install to a spinner. 

And you still have to make a backup. That's the real advantage to buying it on SSD, having an instant backup.
 
I elected not to do that, because I was afraid I'd probably just lose the SSD. Instead, I bought a 3TB external USB drive that can hold all my backups in one place. Better odds of remembering where I last put that device.

bitflipper
And you still have to make a backup. That's the real advantage to buying it on SSD, having an instant backup.
 
I elected not to do that, because I was afraid I'd probably just lose the SSD. Instead, I bought a 3TB external USB drive that can hold all my backups in one place. Better odds of remembering where I last put that device.

I tend to misplace things, as well. I try to have "one place for everything...and everything in its place." Doesn't always work.
 
The only really necessary rule?
 
Don't store ANYTHING important in your back pocket. 

Downloads going quite well. I should have all but the surround sound downloaded by this evening. I will keep one copy of the downloads on an external HDD for convenience to avoid having to download again if I have to reinstall.
 
I will have a drive image of the drive its installed on as a further line of defense.
 
For one time only downloads I like to keep an Acronis file backup of the installation files in another location too.

First impressions, without room mics and additional bleeds, I am very happy. I always preferred Toontrack's work flow to FXPansion and SD3 enhances that workflow and at the same time add features that should close the feature gap with BFD3.
 
The kits i have previewed sound very good and I was pleased to find snare rolls and cymbal crescendos etc in the "extras" section of the MIDI

Glyn Barnes
First impressions, without room mics and additional bleeds, I am very happy. I always preferred Toontrack's work flow to FXPansion and SD3 enhances that workflow and at the same time add features that should close the feature gap with BFD3.
 
The kits i have previewed sound very good and I was pleased to find snare rolls and cymbal crescendos etc in the "extras" section of the MIDI

Yup, draw them in with a pencil. The dynamics control in the grid editor is also very cool.

Where's the cheapest place to get the upgrade to SD3 from SD2?

june61944
Where's the cheapest place to get the upgrade to SD3 from SD2?

Plugin Alliance Boutique was the best price I found in the UK for the download. £147 including VAT and earned about £10 in loyalty points.

One final question, is there any conceivable point in downloading and installing the surround sound stuff if you are only going to be using stereo. I imagine not but I wonder, could the surround mic perspectives be of use in a stereo mix?

I'm holding off on the upgrade until it is nearer to the cutoff date, as I'm thinking they might do something in the vicinity of a 15-20% discount (dreaming?) to get the last of their curmudgeon users onto the new digs.

You can still use the surround mics in just a stereo mix. You don't get the full fx but it does give you a good distance ambience to add to your arsenal. Great for John Bonham type room drums.