Okay so… to answer my own question (which is also a recurring one from users):
Question: Can I upgrade from the PIB version to the ScalerMusic/ScalerDev version?
Answer: see Scaler 3 FAQ, last point (was only recently added!) - after the release of Scaler 3, PIB users that upgraded there can register at ScalerMusic and are “moved over”. The support will also change from PIB to ScalerMusic. This is long overdue!
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This leaves open my other questions from above.
Most notably:
1 - How do I sign up to a newsletter? Or am I already signed up? Considering I just got a mail via Brevo/SendInBlue with a referal to be * (at) scalermusic.com – and there is no way to sign up to a newsletter otherwise! (like… there is legit none!)
2 - Will I be able to install Scaler 3 without internal sounds? (I want to use it as barebones as possible)
3 - Will Scaler 3 need a license manager and/or something that constantly runs in background and does irregular “legal license” checks? (see Beatport Access debacle). This will make or break if I will upgrade or not.
4 - Can we only use a VSTi/AUi variant, or will Scaler 3 go a similar route like the competition (e.g. Divisimate) with a standalone/plugin hybrid and custom MIDI drivers running in the background?
Bonus:
5 - What are the minimal OS specs for Scaler 3? And will you drop VST2?