Spanks said
I'm still new to the software, but I believe that the expansion packs for SD just add sound libraries and additional presets. It's the base SD software that has the engine to run it all, and that's what you're paying for. It just happens to come with a complementary library of raw hits.So if they were to make the SDX's stand-alone, they would have to package the core software with them. In other words, you'll have to buy the core software regardless.
That's what I think the situation is, but I don't know. It'd be neat if it was done like the EZKeys line where you get the software with whichever expansion you initially get, unless the core SD library is somehow bound to the functionality of SD itself.
This is why I stick to the EZ line. It's easy. XD
The EZ line is easy indeed but IMHO way too limited if you are having more "professional" ambitions.
As for SD3, we are paying for the program/sampler but we are also paying for the core library and that's
not really ideal as the core library is indeed not everybodys cup of tea.
I'd either suggest a model where you can buy expansions which include the sampler (with a higher price point of course)
or being able to buy the sampler/program without the core library, with a reduced price.