Advantage to learning free JJOS before purchase?

I've had my MPC for about 3 weeks. It's my first MPC, my second Akai (first was S2000, 6 years ago) and I love it. I wanted to get to know the ins and outs of the free JJOS before I shelled out for the non-free versions, though I've been certain just from reading comparison charts that I eventually want JJOS2XL. I feel pretty comfortable with the free version by now though there's still some features I haven't used. I got pretty busy with work right after my MPC came so I haven't quite had the time or mental energy that learning such a deep machine demands, though I put together a couple little tracks. But I've had the change set aside to upgrade to JJOS2 or JJOS2XL (not even sure whether that's out yet) for quite a while, and I know I would be pretty excited about the new features. Plus Christmas is in 2 days and it might be a nice little gift to myself.

TL;DR: How soon did you buy JJOS1/2 after getting your MPC? What am I gaining by waiting until I fully learn the free JJOS? Is there a practical reason to do this, maybe sorta like finishing prerequisites and freshman level courses before moving onto the tricky stuff?

Thanks fellas!

If I were you, I'd keep using the free one until JJOS2XL is out, then buy that straight away.

XL is out since yesterday.

license wrote:TL;DR: How soon did you buy JJOS1/2 after getting your MPC? What am I gaining by waiting until I fully learn the free JJOS? Is there a practical reason to do this, maybe sorta like finishing prerequisites and freshman level courses before moving onto the tricky stuff?

Thanks fellas!

my mpc came with the paid os1 and I went straight to jjos2 when it came out a couple weeks after i got my mpc - still never used the akai os.
you're not gaining much imo because all these os's operate slightly differently.
its kind of a waste of time unless money's tight, then by all means.
also remember that there are compatibility issues between all the os's.
so if you spend a bunch of time on an earlier os then go up to 2 you're going to have to spend alot of time porting your projects over to the new OS.

then only benefit i can think of is that the manuals arent really complete for each os, so while on os2 you may have to refer back to the os1 manual for help with a feature.
so learning each os incremental may help a little bit it still doesnt outweigh the other points, especially if you have a pdf reader with a search function.

if i was you id go straight into the newest one that you can afford which has the features you find most beneficial.

KidQuaalude, do you suggest this because a JJOS2 password is not prerequisite to JJOS2XL? I was under the impression that it is, but after reading this thread viewtopic.php?f=25&t=106916 it seems that may not be the case (although I want to see how that story ends), then a lightbulb went off about your suggestion.

Seasinz, good points. I was most excited about ADSRs, pitch envelopes (if they're steep enough for kicks...), and instrument programs (depending on how they respond for MIDI). Maybe I ought to pore over the comparison charts before I plunk down and examine what features do not carry over to newer versions.

license wrote: Maybe I ought to pore over the comparison charts before I plunk down and examine what features do not carry over to newer versions.

thats a good idea

Well I went ahead and bought JJOS1 the day I posted this. I just about drooled all over the MPC, there's so many nice things about it compared to the free version. Definitely worth the change. I'll probably end up getting OS2 soon, if not today...
Thanks for your input, guys.