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Frequently asked questions regarding upgrading to Max 9 from a previous version.
How much does the Max 9 upgrade cost?
Please refer to our web store for all pricing details. You will have to sign in with your Cycling '74 user account in order to see upgrade options.
Do you offer discounts on upgrade licenses?
No. We only offer discounts for newly purchased licenses, not upgrades.
I own a permanent Max license. Why do I have to purchase an upgrade?
A permanent Max license means that you own that version of Max forever. There is no expiration date. Permanent licenses include free upgrades to minor point releases (i.e. you can upgrade from version 8 to version 8.5 for free). However, major upgrades, such as version 8 to version 9, are considered paid upgrades.
How do I purchase an upgrade from Max 7 or 8?
Max 7 and 8 licenses do not have serial numbers. To upgrade a Max 7 or 8 license, navigate to our web store, sign in with the Cycling '74 account that contains your license, then you should see a drop-down menu titled "Select a license to upgrade". Select the desired license, then continue with your purchase.
After purchasing an upgrade, launch Max 9, go to Help > User Account and Licenses, sign in with your same Cycling '74 user account, then click the 'Authorize' button next to the license you want to authorize.
How do I purchase an upgrade from Max 6 (or earlier)?
Max 6 (and earlier) licenses have serial numbers that are required to purchase an upgrade. If you are upgrading from Max 6 (or earlier) and cannot find your serial number, e-mail your full name and any alternate email addresses you may have used for your purchase to support@cycling74.com. We will locate your serial number and send it to you to use for the upgrade.
Once you have your serial number, navigate to our web store, sign in with your Cycling '74 account (or create a new one), then you should see a drop-down menu titled "Select a license to upgrade". Select "Max 6 or older license", then continue with your purchase. You will be asked to enter your serial number during the checkout process.
After purchasing an upgrade, launch Max 9, go to Help > User Account and Licenses, sign in with your same Cycling '74 user account, then click the 'Authorize' button next to the license you want to authorize.
Can I use my RNBO license with Max 9?
Yes! RNBO is an add-on to a specific Max license. If you own a Max 8 + RNBO license, then upgrade that license to Max 9, RNBO will remain tied to it.
Will installing Max 9 cause problems with older versions of Max on the same computer?
No. You are able to install and use multiple installations of Max on a single machine/user account. However, you may need to rename your Max application (Mac) or the containing folder (Windows) to prevent the newer version from overwriting the older one. For instructions on how to do this, please see this article.
Will my old patches work in Max 9?
Yes, as long as there are no 32-bit externals in use. Max 8 (and later) is 64-bit only.
Will my third-party externals need to be updated?
Max 8 (and later) is 64-bit only, therefore 32-bit externals will not work. However, other objects that are compatible with older versions of Max are also compatible with Max 8 and 9.
Does Max 9 work with the Max for Live editor?
Yes. If you wish to use Max 9 as the Live 12 Max for Live editor, follow these instructions. We do not support running Max 9 in Live 11 (or earlier). To ensure compatibility between your Max for Live device and Ableton Live, devices intended to be used in Live 11 should be authored in Max 8.
Please note that Max for Live and Max are two separate products. Ableton sells and supports Max for Live, while Cycling '74 sells and supports the standalone Max application. If you are a Max for Live or Live Suite owner and are curious about the standalone Max application, learn about the benefits of purchasing Max with the Ableton Customer discount.
Will Gen, MC, and Jitter Geometry objects work within Max for Live?
Yes. However, in order to save devices that use Gen, MC, and/or Jitter Geometry objects you must own a standalone Max license. Learn more about the Ableton Customer discount for the standalone Max application.
For features new to Max 8 (such as Gen event domain or Multi-Channel objects), you will need a Max 8 (or later) license. For features new to Max 9 (such as Jitter Geometry objects), you will need a Max 9 license. For legacy features like gen~ patchers, Max 7 licenses will be honored.