OSX Mavericks & FCP7 | FCS3 (Verdict?)

Greetings!

I would really like to upgrade to OSX Mavericks to utilize the latest versions of FCPX, Compressor, GarageBand, etc. I still have FCS3 loaded on my MBP, and I have projects to complete in FCP7 that may not finish up any time soon. I would really like to avoid dual booting, etc.

I really haven't found anything definitive on whether or not FCP7 | FCS3 is working okay on Mavericks. Are there any known issues I should be aware of? I really only use FCP7 and Soundtrack Pro out of the suite package for the most part.

I would like to hear some real-world experiences. For me, FCP7 is going to linger for a while yet.

Thanks!

Craig

I and others had major issues. Many other users have no issues. In my opinion, it is a crap shoot. Backup everything, give it a shot, be prepared to restore from the backup and go back to your original set up.

Ben:

Yeah, I've pushed my luck in the past with these kinds of updates, and believe it or not, have never had any problems. However, I don't want this to be the time that streak comes to an abrupt and unfortunate end!

Just curious...what type of problems are people experiencing?

Thanks!

I can't speak to FCP7 under Mavericks but I successfully use Soundtrack Pro and DVD Studio Pro under Mav 10.9.1 with no issues. My Soundtrack Pro is from the Logic Studio bundle and DVD SP was from FCS2 installed with Pacifist.

Well, at least from my standpoint, the verdict is in...

There's not much on "the Google" about this topic, and what's there is kind of vague. So, I thought I would beta test this whole Mavericks process to see what would happen. First, I did a CCC backup of my system drive, just in case things didn't go well. I then installed Mavericks over Mountain Lion. No fresh installs or anything. I already had FCS3 and FCPX 10.0x installed before the upgrade.

Again, I'm in the middle of several FCP7 projects, but I also need access to FCPX 10.1 for other projects. In addition to FCP7, I also use SoundTrack Pro and LiveType on a regular basis. (yup, I said LiveType.) Still love that program! Quick and easy to use, and I still have a few template projects with LT files in them. I will probably retire LT as I transition everything over to FCPX.

Once Mavericks was installed, I dove right in. I edited a project that ran 35 minutes in length, with LT files, motion graphics, stills, etc. I also did some audio sweetening back and forth from STP to FCP7. Quite to my surprise, there were no hiccups, no errors, and no crashes! Everything seems to be working fine. I was also happy to finally update all of my other apps, in which newer versions required Mavericks.

DISCLAIMER: Your experience may differ. Let's not get crazy and start downloading Apple updates and hoping for identical results. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't going to safe-keep that CCC backup for just a while longer, or even longer. While my focus was getting FCP7 to work, I'm sure I will discover minor hiccups in other installed programs I haven't even tried yet.

In reality, I should have fully transitioned to FCPX long before this, instead of being a "tweener." I kept making lame excuses like, "I can't switch to a new program while I'm in the middle of a big project." Fact is, I'm always in the middle of a big project! That's the whole idea, right? I was just being stubborn and protecting my comfort zone. Seriously, I've probably wasted more time fretting over and researching this topic, than it would have taken to jump into FCPX in the first place! I'm not making that mistake again!

Craig

Thanks for sharing your experience. I plan on migrating my current 10.6.8 drive to my new Mac Pro when it arrives sometime in the mid-2020's. I hope migrating to Mavericks works as well or better as installing Mavericks over an older OS.

I've completed several projects since my last post. Everything continues to run smoothly. Actually feels like FCP7 is running faster, but who knows? I'm merely posting my experience for those who are facing the same dilemma with FCP7, FCPX, and upgrading to Mavericks. (Redifer, I'm thinking your 2020's prediction is not that far off!)...

Craig