Thanks again to everybody, not just for helping me get some plugins but also bolstering my faith in humanity just a little. I now have both Pro-MB and Timeless2. More or less. They're installed on my computer 8,000 miles away, which I won't return to until March 1st. Until then I'll be reading the documentation. Over and over.
I promise that in return for your generosity I will post detailed reviews of both plugins, not just the usual recitation of features but with real, practical applications. Timeless, in particular, is crying out for some real-world presets such as subtle ducked vocal delays. Dan Worrall's videos are impressive as hell, but none of those beat-slicing and mangling techniques apply to my world. This delay will, I think, become my new go-to delay effect, but I've got a way to go before it's as easy to drop in and tweak as the good ol' Sonitus.
As for Pro-MB, my goal is to answer the question of whether or not it's really the essential effect some think it is, or just an expensive toy. For me, it seems to be the former, at least in specific circumstances. Before my old MOTU bit the dust I had a chance to use it in several projects, two of which were helped greatly. I'll try to share where it's useful, where it's not, and when alternatives might work just as well. Despite FabFilter's kindness (they gave me the educational discount) I won't be a shill for them. After what you all did to get these plugins into my hands, the least I can do is return honest, objective evaluations.
Cheers from a remote island Far Far Away,
Dave