I'm pretty happy so far with my experiences using Acid Pro 8 .
IMHO , The added plugs and instruments from Magix are a welcome addition to Acid Pro .
Yeah so What ...they are locked to the program ..
As far as my thoughts go , a great deal of the standard Magix plugs and instruments are much better than what people give them credit for
When I want to use them outside of Acid Pro 8 I will fire up Samplitude X 3 Suite or Samplitude X2 Standard ..
The darker GUI has some folks a little miffed . I happen to like it . It is not too far off from Cakewak by BandLab , Studio 1 Pro , Harrison Mixbus 3, 4, , 5 or Reaper ( stock GUI ) . Maybe at some point in the future it may get a few newer skins .
If that don't happen I'm still Cool w it .
Like many , I waited 10 flipping years
During that time " I let it be " .
I started with Acid Pro 4 . Then went to Acid Music Studio 6 , Acid Music Studio 10 , and then to Acid Pro 7 .
When I got Acid Pro 8 I was pleasantly surprised . Even after having it for 6 months or so I'm still happy with it
I'm more of a here and now type of guy
so when I factor in all the cool stuff I have spent money on , you know all the CC Larry deals on plugins, VST instruments , and when you also factor in and add whatever deals I have managed to scrounge the money to snag . I have found they have a place in Acid Pro 8 .
IMHO, The 3 rd part stuff filled in a few holes and gaps .
We all know the program itself has the potential to be pretty cool .
When you factor in the "Acid Pro workflow " and the ease of getting a new musical idea started , Acid Pro 8 may win over a few reluctant people that are on the fence ...
Kenny