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I just got a new (used) computer and am having to reauthorize my plug-ins. . .when I requested a new authorization for Autotune 4, they sent me a "temporary" authorization and told me this would give me time to buy an iLok, because all authorizations in the future are gonna be iLok based.

I remember reading here and elsewhere that iLok is buggy and tends to crash and die.

Anybody have any advice about a CHEEP place to buy an iLok key (given that this antares plug is the only thing I have that needs this) or about the bugginess of the thing?

Thnx

I have the same problem.
I can't believe they're going to impose this bull$•••• iLok system on us.
Did you visit the iLok site?

basically, we now have an additional expense, and if we lose the thing, we're even more screwed.
So now, in addition to having to buy the stupid lock, we have to pay for insurance, in case anything goes wrong...

I wish I could return my copy of Autotune, cuz I will not support any company that treats their paying customers that way. Just another way in which corporations dump the expense of their issues on the customer.

If iLok were a rock-solid, safe method of protecting the software, I'd be all for it. I have no problem with a company trying to protect their goods.
But iLok sucks a$$. I've heard and seen it fail at the worst possible moments; and not to mention the hassles in getting the thing working again.

A shame. A real shame.

Oh well... lots of great bands and lots of great recordings have been made without these apps.
I guess we'll have to rely on that ol' "talent and creativity" thing again...lol

I might be not getting it... but what's the problem with ilok? am I just lucky? I have had logic pro 6.4 working for a year with no ilok problems whatsoever.... what's the deal... I would rather an ilok because it means if I format my HD i don't need to reauthorise right? I just plug the ilok thingie and way I go? am I missing something here... besides ilocks I think are less that $30... hardly an large expense in the scheme of things...

then again I might need some clarifications on the evils of ilok... I just see positives...

r.

I would buy one.

They are incredibly useful for most important pgms
as you can put Waves, Mach 5 and others on the same key.

Cheers,
G

<small>[ March 14, 2005, 11:17 AM: Message edited by: Timeline ]</small>

I agree, what is the big problem? You have just as much risk of your MIDI interface, audio card, mouse or whole computer going down. If you went by just what read on forums you would not want to use DP or even a Mac. How about a company that keeps changing it's OS and hardware formats (PCI voltage etc)? For the few people that have problems there are 1000's without. I think it is just business that they have to protect themselves.
BUT, the question does arise, is it right that they should ask you after you have already purchased the product to buy an ilok? No, if they must have you use it after the fact, at least send you one.

Obmit

Does anyone know how to move an Authorization from hard drive to an iLok for Waves Platnium native??
I'd like to make it mobile.

hit me

daddyunicorn, go here:

http://www.waves.com/content.asp?id=1397

I did the switch with my Waves Gold a while ago, and as I recall, the Authorizer removes the challenge/response authorization from your account when you complete your iLok authorization. I can't remember the exact details, but the guys at Waves will help if you email them -- I just remember that I had no problem making the switch.

In fact, I've had no problems with iLok at all (have 2 on different systems), and I love the concept -- WAY better than Challenge/Response tied to your machine.

mach five comes with an ilok and I've never have had any problems with it- worked good from day one-

And when your dongle falls off or is kinocked off and gets swept up by the cleaning crew and thrown away? You can't just buy another one. For people who must have their DAW on multiple plpatforms for mobility, this is a viable solution (until it gets lost) but for Antares to impose this crap after purchase is unconcionable and perhaps illegal - they are changing the conditions of your license without your consent. Sue them in Small Claims Court. It costs about the same as a dongle, and perhaps will send a message, win or lose. If everyone in this situation were to do the same, they might even consider changing their policy for legacy owoners...

I have no problem with challenge/response (as long as the company stays in business) but will NOT use a dongle no matter how much I want the the app. I have seen too many horro stories over the years, and it is too easy for something to happen to the little plug - lost, stolen, broken, etc. or for inter-company incompatibility issues to rear their ugly heads.

The other, quasi-legal method - buy the product, install it, register it, then download the cracked pirate copy, uninstall the 'legal' one and run the cracked one on your system. May not be legal(?) but it is ethical, IMHO.

Final solution - remove Auto-tune and learn to sing on pitch!

<small>[ March 15, 2005, 10:32 AM: Message edited by: The Soundsmith ]</small>

The Soundsmith: Downloading cracked warez versions is one of he reasons you have the Ilok in the first place. I don't know what all this fuss is about. Use the thing for heavens sake, it's what you gotta do if you want to use certain software. Put a USB extension on it and put the key somewhere you consider safer than the back of your Mac. I personally have no problems with it. But cracked apps., that is only going to makr the problrm worse.
Peace!

I dont see what the big problem is with iLok I have had it going for over a year or so. No problems. Your chance of your drive with all your authorizations on failing are probably greater than the chance of somehing with no moving parts failing. Just use it. The expence is minimal AND you get the portability of your plugs!

Also: if your iLok fails, you'll get a replacement, and your authorizations will be restored. If you're taking your iLok out on the road, it would be a real good idea to have it insured for the value of the authorized software.

I don't like copy protection at all -- who does? -- but since we gotta live with it, IMO iLok is a decent solution.

Originally posted by The Soundsmith:

Final solution - remove Auto-tune and learn to sing on pitch!

LOL! Soon you'll be telling me to really learn to play the keyboard and to give up on quantizing!

Originally posted by The Soundsmith:

I have no problem with challenge/response (as long as the company stays in business) but will NOT use a dongle no matter how much I want the the app. I have seen too many horro stories over the years, and it is too easy for something to happen to the little plug - lost, stolen, broken, etc. or for inter-company incompatibility issues to rear their ugly heads.

The other, quasi-legal method - buy the product, install it, register it, then download the cracked pirate copy, uninstall the 'legal' one and run the cracked one on your system. May not be legal(?) but it is ethical, IMHO.

Final solution - remove Auto-tune and learn to sing on pitch!

Look, the iLok thing is part scam in the sense that the software provider should be paying for the iLok, and should be supporting paid, registered customers when the dongle goes bad or is stolen (which does happen).

The iLok people want to charge $30 subscription fee per year per iLok to replace it should it break or get stolen. That is not right, and it should be part of the purchase contract when you buy the software. I shouldn't have to pay extra to protect a vendors software from illegal copying. I have three iLoks, which means $90 per year to iLok.com, which means I don't have an extra $90 to upgrade to AutoTune 4.0. Well, they lost a customer here.

That said, how does putting cracked software on your system solve your problem? I mean if you don't like the iLok, complain to the provider or don't buy their products. But if you use cracks, then you're simply helping to create the very reason said vendors use CP in the first place.

TimeMist, you said it best.
why are they passing the cost of protecting THEIR profits onto us?
It's not even a one time fee.
It's constant. And the more you use, the more expensive.

Hey, I'm really glad most of you here have personally not have any problems.
Unfortunately, it hasn't been the same here.
I've had 2 friends have disasters happen with the iLoks.
Sometimes they just stop working.

In the end, the legit users get unfairly punished.
the guys that are gonna crack it are gonna crack it anyway.
Why harass the legit folk? You can't stop piracy.
You never will. All you do is delay it.
but losing a customer is forever. I know i won't buy any iLok products anymore.

I'm not whining. I just think it's sneaky to alter the original contract AFTER buying something.
Now, when you buy this stuff, you have to factor in the cost of iLok.

And let's say you have a bad break.
Maybe you lost your job. maybe economic times are tough.
You don't have to sell your gear, but you can't keep up with the yearly payments?

Yeah, it's a more extreme example. but also, gee, musicians having financial difficulties?
Imagine that?

how quick we are to just accept the whims of greedy companies willing to inconvenience us, and now, even make us literally pay, so they can prevent mediocre pirates from easily taking their stuff.
Meanwhile, hard working musicians, usually already on a limited budget, have to now worry about the next corporate scam.

Anyway, rant over. I just won't buy their stuff. My loss, I guess.
But I've already sent out my email to them, and I'll just deal with.
But I ain't going out bobbing my head all 'ooh, i heart iLok'.. lol.

It's a ripoff.

((((end rant))))