bitflipper

Upgrade to X1. Simples.

Not everyone considers migrating to X1 an "upgrade". 

Indeed!  Unless the grass is seriously greener there, I'm gleeful with 8.5.3.
 
Well I'll call Waves
...
 
OK, called Waves Presales for my v9 upgrade:
 
It "probably does NOT work in 8.5.3 64bit".
 
So I'd have to upgrade to Sonar x1 ($99) and start over.
 
Interestingly and redemptively, the new Diamond contains:
 
-- "three V series plugins emulating Neves stuff (EQ and comps)"
-- Guitar plugins
-- a loudness meter
-- a 1 knob filter (like for HPFs)
-- and an "Overdrive" plugin
 
(according to pre sales)
 
I validated:
 
1) 64 bit CPU non-hogginess and stability for all plugins
 
2) The "cloud" USB is Waves version of the iLok ... if you "lose your USB flash drive (heaven forbid) ... you get one free one per year" :):):)