Reasonable question to ask. I'll wade in here...
1.
Not every released public firmware update will change amp sounds. Some do, and some don't.
2. Fractal Audio genius/guru Cliff Chase usually notes in the
release notes of any firmware if any specific amps (or everything) needs to be reset or the sounds in your existing presets will change. So look there first - that's your "proceed with caution" message.
Firmware update are the price of progress, and Cliff is always striving to make the firmware better in his pursuit of perfection, and Fractal doesn't charge you for firmware updates. Think about that. I think that's f'ing amazing.
3. First, I always
back up EVERYTHING and save the old firmware file before I update. That way I can always revert backwards easily to what I had.
4. As a commercial preset maker, I always included one or two FREE future updates when a customer buys one of my TonePacks, so they won't worry about their purchase becoming obsolete in a year... (seems like we get a major firmware every year or so...sometimes quicker!).
Even so, I have always written in that same disclaimer that I reserve the right to charge for future updates, in case it just becomes so overwhelming and I have to cover my time. That said,
so far, I have never charged for any TonePack update. For example, On the Axe-Fx III, I did firmware 1, then released an update for firmware 5-6, then firmware 11-12 and then mostly recently for firmware 15.
5. The only criticism some might offer is "well, it takes you awhile to put out an update after the final firmware release."
True! Because usually hundreds of presets are involved, and when I update I listen to EACH ONE. (Does anyone really expect I can update 1000+ presets two weeks after a final firmware release? hope not...
).
7. Once Cygnus is FINAL (not beta) I will do TonePack updates for Cygnus starting with LiveGold, but since it is still BETA that firmware can change again and again before it is FINAL as bugs are discovered, etc. (Although I do fool with new firmwares in the interim on my TonePack presets, to see what changes need to happen...).
It will take some months after Cygnus is final to do everything -- but I care about quality, and about doing it right (if Cliff does, how can I not try to meet that standard?).
I actually A/B each sound of old versus new firmware when I update, because I have two Axe-Fx III units, so I can try to keep the preset/scene sound in the same ball park as the original one, but include any tonal improvement the latest firmware made, whenever possible. My customers deserve it - and they have truly been GREAT and patient, knowing the end product will be worth it.
8. Keep in mind, nothing is wrong with firmware 15! It still sounds amazing. I'm doing band rehearsals for Aerosmith tunes (Rocks! Toys!) using firmware 15, and it's f'ing killing.
You'd be surprised that a lot of big touring bands that use Fractal gear rarely if ever upgrade firmwares -- once they get the sound they want and everything working flawlessly, they freeze and don't update firmwares.
9. Firmware updates aren't like Windows updates where you NEED to do them (unless they fix some fatal bug) - they are
purely at your option and discretion to do.
10. (Because every list needs "10" things, I added this line). So my advice is,
play more, tweak less. Find/get five or ten sounds you really love and spring them on the world. You don't have to update firmwares to get there. Carry on!