The strange premise of Ilok

[beautypill]

If an instrument is designed to be used live with a laptop, does it make sense to force the user to use a dongle? Doesn't that invite physical awkwardness onstage?

I have a powerbook and I can't imagine using Ilok on tour. I don't get it!

In the four years (or whatever) since the product was introduced, I hope MOTU has had a chance to reconsider the Ilok thing. I hope the MachFive V2 is dongle free. I can't be taking an Ilok on tour with me and onto the stage!

--- C

[gabriels]

Yes, a big concern for me as well. I'm using the UVI player with X-treme FX, and can't imagine keeping the dongle plugged in during a performance. OK, so you can unplug it once you start the program up, but I'm afraid of losing the I-lok....then what. I guess I could tether it to the laptop. What a bother. I'd probably want to do something similar, I expect, if I had written the program, given all the pirating going on. So I acquiesce.
Gabriel

[blackcrayon]

I always use a short usb extender cable with my iLok... Can't afford to make one wrong move and decapitate the dongle at the usb connector

[emulatorloo]

If an instrument is designed to be used live with a laptop, does it make sense to force the user to use a dongle? Doesn't that invite physical awkwardness onstage?

I am no fan of dongles. However they are here to stay, thanks to the warez and kraker types. And in fact, as far as copy protection schemes go, I am starting to see the advantage of moving a dongle from one machine to another, carrying my plug-in authorizations with me. Additionally I like to format my drives and reinstall software now and again to keep things running fresh. I get real tired of calling and writing for new challenge response authorizations, especially from companies that limit your number of authorizations.

Back to the subject though

As to awkwardness on stage, have you seen an iLok? It is tiny and it plugs into your USB port.

Unless you are waving your laptop around like a Stratocaster I don't really see any problem.

Your audio connections are much more awkward than an iLok is.

--

[emulatorloo]

OK, so you can unplug it once you start the program up, but I'm afraid of losing the I-lok

Key ring.

[Shooshie]

Use an extension cable. Cuts down on some of the awkwardness, and is MUCH safer. You might also get one of those cables that locks into the computer an see if it will thread through the opening in the iLok. You could lock it to the computer that way.

Shooshie

[arth]

As late as last week, I found myself standing out in the parking lot without the keys to my car, because I'd forgotten that the key chain USB memory stick on it was plugged into a computer. So no, using a key chain for anything but keys is not a good idea for me.

The last time I used a USB dongle, I hooked it up into one of the spare USB heads on the motherboard. Out of sight, out of mind, and no chance of losing it. With a laptop, that might not be feasible, though.

[HCMarkus]

The last time I used a USB dongle, I hooked it up into one of the spare USB heads on the motherboard.

Do such "spare USB heads" still exist on current Macs? Sounds like a great place to put an iLok.

[gearboy]

OK, so you can unplug it once you start the program up...

I am officially an idiot. I did not know this.

I, too, have recently discovered the fun of having my iLok plug-ins on two machines, though taking an iLok out of the studio and into the field still freaks me out. I have my Waves stuff installed yet disabled on the Powerbook. If I have the iLok with me, I simply drag them back into the components folder.

Jeff