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  2. Sample Libraries
  3. Synchron Series
  4. MISSION COMPLETED: Moving from eLicenser to iLok
  • MackerM
    MackerM

    I've become a USB license-dongle convert!

    I use my iMac as a dual-boot system and have various machine-based licensing systems. It appears these licensing systems and a lot of my other 3rd party software insist on treating my two boot drives as two different "computers". This has led to a lot of inconveniences - and serious issues in the case of Waves and CodeMeter licensing,

    And yet in the midst of all these asinine problems involved in dual-booting, I've been able to rely upon two things without the slightest fuss or bother:- VSL licensing, and the VSL location databases for VI and Synchron sample libraries (spread across the 2 boot drives plus another drive).

    So I'll be going for the iLok dongle when the time comes. Even if the iLok Cloud wasn't so tyrannical I'd still prefer the dongle. (I have plenty of powered USB ports thanks to my big Sabrent hub.) All I ask is that the iLok system provides me with the same totally hassle-free and dependable service as my eLicense system.

    Never ever thought I'd be a dongle fan!
  • clruweC
    clruweC

    Very interesting, thank you Paul. I suppose the only remaining question is how often does iLok need to connect to the cloud once you've open a project? Assuming I'm away from Wi-Fi on my laptop, I can always use my phone to tether a quick connection, but will I require it continuously during the work session and if so, how will this affect latency and similar issues?

    All the best!
  • BillB
    BillB

    Hi Paul,

    During the purchase  process there's an option to buy an eLisencer too. Just the thing to bring the purchase up a little to qualify to use a voucher. But there's no reason to be buying more eLisncers. Please consider offering the purchase of an iLok dongle as an alternative.

    Thanks!

    Dorico, Notion, Sibelius, StudioOne, Cubase, Staffpad VE Pro, Synchon, VI, Kontakt Win11 x64, 64GB RAM, Focusrite Scarlett 18i20, August Forster 190
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    @clruwe said:

    Very interesting, thank you Paul. I suppose the only remaining question is how often does iLok need to connect to the cloud once you've open a project? Assuming I'm away from Wi-Fi on my laptop, I can always use my phone to tether a quick connection, but will I require it continuously during the work session and if so, how will this affect latency and similar issues?

    All the best!

    When using iLok Cloud it has to have a continuous connection; no dropouts at all. Lose that connection and you're stuck. Best to get a physical iLok and then you don't have to worry about iffy internet connections. Latency doesn't enter into this discussion.
  • clruweC
    clruweC

    Right, so the cloud is not very useful then... Especially on WiFi.
  • BenB
    VSL Team
    BenB

    I have not yet tested it on my notebook, but to my knowledge you have a certan grace-time until you need to reconnect to the internet. You will get a warning as soon as the connection is lost, and this should give you enough time to save everything and fix your connection.

    Ben@VSL | IT & Product Specialist
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    @clruwe said:

    Right, so the cloud is not very useful then... Especially on WiFi.

    Cloud anything is not useful or reliable
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    @Ben said:

    I have not yet tested it on my notebook, but to my knowledge you have a certan grace-time until you need to reconnect to the internet. You will get a warning as soon as the connection is lost, and this should give you enough time to save everything and fix your connection.

    A lot depends on how often the cloud gets checked/polled. I know it's barely a matter of seconds when I've tried it and PT dies. Nowheres near enough time to save. That was just a test to see what would happen. This is from home base and I'm just 10 feet from my router.
  • L
    L

    If user does not have ilok usb device, would you provide for those who own VEP6 with old eLicenser for free?
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    @Lionberg said:

    If user does not have ilok usb device, would you provide for those who own VEP6 with old eLicenser for free?

    I doubt it. Why not just buy an iLok? There's a lot of programs that use iLok and sooner or later you're going to need one. Besides - which eLicenser are you asking about - the s/w one or the hardware one? VEPro needs to see the hardware dongle and won't work with the s/w version as I recall.
  • PaulP
    VSL Team
    PaulP

    Hello Lionberg, 

    VE Pro 6 will not be available for iLok at all. There will be great upgrade options to VE Pro 7!

    Best, 
    Paul

    Paul Kopf Product Manager VSL
  • B
    B

    It seems to me that the whole point of this move is to get away from hardware licensers. I use Cubase and it will soon be rid of it's elicenser which is great for me as I have a new Macbook Air M1. If I have to have a dongle I might as well use the elicenser(s) I already have!
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    @beatpete said:

    It seems to me that the whole point of this move is to get away from hardware licensers. I use Cubase and it will soon be rid of it's elicenser which is great for me as I have a new Macbook Air M1. If I have to have a dongle I might as well use the elicenser(s) I already have!

    Don't know where you got that idea of this move is getting away from hardware dongles. Why Steinberg is dropping it's dongle - I have no idea. I'd rather have a dongle than a machine license or a cloud license. The cloud is not reliable and it means you have to have your daw computer online. Most studios don't allow their machines online. And a machine license restricts you from easily moving your asset to another machine - again the computers would have to be online.
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    @musicman691 said:

    The cloud is not reliable and it means you have to have your daw computer online. Most studios don't allow their machines online. And a machine license restricts you from easily moving your asset to another machine - again the computers would have to be online.

     

    I've used machine licenses for years and they have been just fine.
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    @musicman691 said:

    The cloud is not reliable and it means you have to have your daw computer online. Most studios don't allow their machines online. And a machine license restricts you from easily moving your asset to another machine - again the computers would have to be online.

     

    I've used machine licenses for years and they have been just fine.

    Had it happen where if I make a change in my system the machine license goes south. Besides if you want to use a licensed plugin that has a machine license on another machine you've got all kinds of hoops to jump through. Not so with an iLok or Vienna Key.
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    @musicman691 said:

     Besides if you want to use a licensed plugin that has a machine license on another machine you've got all kinds of hoops to jump through. Not so with an iLok or Vienna Key.

     

    No hoops at all! I have 3 VEP licenses using 3 dongles on three computers. Three machine licenses would be so much better! I've machine licensed hundreds of plugins and never had a problem.
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    @musicman691 said:

     Besides if you want to use a licensed plugin that has a machine license on another machine you've got all kinds of hoops to jump through. Not so with an iLok or Vienna Key.

     

    No hoops at all! I have 3 VEP licenses using 3 dongles on three computers. Three machine licenses would be so much better! I've machine licensed hundreds of plugins and never had a problem.

    With a dongle you can take your license anywheres to any machine in any studio.
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    @musicman691 said:

     

    With a dongle you can take your license anywheres to any machine in any studio.

     

    Why on earth would you want to?
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    @musicman691 said:

     

    With a dongle you can take your license anywheres to any machine in any studio.

     

    Why on earth would you want to?

    I gather you've never worked in in a studio other than you're own right? Been there/done that and not everyone has the same things you work with. Not all licenses are site-wide but only good for one person. And if I need to go to a backup machine having the license on a dongle makes it super easy. I guess you've never had a system take a dump on you.
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    [/quote]I gather you've never worked in in a studio other than you're own right? Been there/done that and not everyone has the same things you work with. Not all licenses are site-wide but only good for one person. And if I need to go to a backup machine having the license on a dongle makes it super easy. I guess you've never had a system take a dump on you.

    [/quote]

    I've worked in lots of other studios but not one that had VEP installed and didn't have a dongle!