Dongleless iLok Question

[Jez Corbett]

I don't use iLok plugins as I work on many computers and its both too risky and a pain to use dongles. iLok cloud is also a pain as you have to manually deauthorise and reauthorise every time you change machine, which I often do multiple times a day.

I am looking at one plugin now (Altiverb), that uses iLok, but apparently doesn't require a dongle and doesn't use iLok Cloud.

Any idea how that works? I can't seem to find up to date info on this. Emailed the developer's support for more info, but they replied just advising me to use an iLok dongle if I want to use it on multiple machines.

I assume this means installing it on multiple machines and being able to move between them without any faff isn't feasible?

[Eddy Deegan]

From their FAQ on the product page (Click 'Support', then 'FAQ' - it opens up way down the page):

You can use the software with a single license on more then one computer. Simply connect the ilok usb key with the license on it to a computer and you can install and use the software.

However you can use the software only at one computer at a time.

When you need to run the software in two locations (two rooms / two machines) at the same time this requires two licenses. This means purchasing two copies of the software. We do not offer any second license deals or discounts.

I spent most of the last 4 days setting up a new Mac and during the process I made a few notes. One of them, in bold, is to avoid plugins going forwards that don't support 2 or more active installations (I have both a Windows and a Mac DAW now). Fortunately I only had a small number of those plugins.

Due to the restrictive licensing rules I've written a couple of them off as bad purchases, and moved the only one I actually want and use (which unfortunately uses iLok) to the new system. I should have paid more attention to the small print in the first place so I can't complain really.

However I won't be buying any more that work in this way. I've also got iLok on my 'do not buy plugin if required' list as I hate the way that the separate application to manage it works.

[Jez Corbett]

I'm still confused by their FAQ, I'm not looking to run the plugin on different computers at the same time, so not sure what happens if I install it on multiple machines, but set up to not use dongle?

I guess something like I install the plugin, in runs the ilok software and registers it, I then install on another computer, it runs the ilok software and goes 'nope you have this installed on a different computer already', maybe? Or maybe it goes 'oh its not running anywhere else right now, that's cool carry on', but I suspect the former to be most likely.

But yeah, dongles are a pain that should have vanished with the turn of the century. They were common in professional software in the 90s IIRC but only audio software hung on to them. There's no way I'm carrying around a dongle with me everywhere I go and hope I never lose it or break it (I will lose it or break it within 2 weeks).

Anyone know of any other convolution reverb plugins that come with a big, varied library of really nicely recorded impulses, both music and post oriented (so nice concert halls and inside cupboards etc), supports 7.1.4 surround (important) and doesn't need a dongle?

Only thing I miss about Nuendo since moving to Reaper is the convolution reverb plugin. Shame you can't use their plugins in other DAWs.

[Eddy Deegan]

I'm still confused by their FAQ, I'm not looking to run the plugin on different computers at the same time, so not sure what happens if I install it on multiple machines, but set up to not use dongle?

I guess something like I install the plugin, in runs the ilok software and registers it, I then install on another computer, it runs the ilok software and goes 'nope you have this installed on a different computer already', maybe? Or maybe it goes 'oh its not running anywhere else right now, that's cool carry on', but I suspect the former to be most likely.

You have to install the iLok software on both machines. Then install the plugin on the first machine and activate the license to that machine. If you want to use the plugin on the second machine you have to go to the iLok manager on the first machine and deactivate the license. Then install the plugin on the second machine and activate it on there.

Once both machines have the plugin installed, to switch from one to the other you first need to deactivate the license from the machine it's active on, (using that machine!) and then activate it on the second (using the second machine).

The plugin will require an active license on the machine it's being run on.

The whole business is a royal pain in the proverbial and why anyone puts up with it if they need to switch between machines on any kind of regular basis I don't know. I believe you also need to be connected to the internet to deactivate or activate a license. You also need to create an iLok account for use with the management software.

Based on plenty of unhappy user-accounts online if something goes wrong during the process you end up in a potential support nightmare to get things working again as well.

It's arcane, inconvenient, restrictive and very, very annoying! Fortunately the single plugin I now have that uses it is unlikely to be needed again on my older DAW but there's no way I'm opting into that crummy process for future products

[SafeandSound Mastering]

My personal experience of iLok so far has been reasonable, luckily. I have 2 USB iLok2's.

One wacking great problem with not accepting it is you cut off the possibility of some truly amazing audio software products.

That can never be a good thing and for myself a price that is too high to pay.

I can understand the frustrations though.

[The Elf]

I will second the PITA comment. iLok is an abomination. I've lost access to software I've paid for due to the vagaries of iLok.

[James Perrett]

I used dongled software in the early days but no more. One company moved away from it fairly rapidly while the other company that used it refused to continue to support my software so I no longer recommend anyone buy anything from them.

I prefer to buy from companies that trust their customers by using serial numbers - or at least have licensing schemes that aren't invasive. I'm not sure what Izotope do but I have RX installed on 2 machines which may well be powered on at the same time although I only ever use one copy at a time.

[Drew Stephenson]

There are three kinds of iLok licence (as I understand it). Dongle, cloud, and computer.
So if what you're looking at is neither cloud nor dongle, it will be specific to a computer (or more than one depending on the manufacturer's licence).

[SafeandSound Mastering]

I much prefer serial myself, challenge / response, online activation that does not bug you all the time. Though had some problems with one company that sell pricey plug ins, even when on offer they are expensive. Having to deactivate cause of their stingy policy on licences and slow support on top. The only problem I had during migration to a new machine.

I won't buy anything more from them.

I feel I cannot do without my iLok plug ins, the feel, workflow and end results for my work have a high value, so I put up with it.

If I lost them I would buy them again, relative to what you get over many years professional use and the value I get from them, the money is relatively speaking, not a big deal in mind. I want to use what I consider the best tools only and won't let copy protection get in the way.

That is not because money means nothing to me or I am well of. It is just I have understood their working value to myself personally. It would probably be a grand or so to spend if I lost the lot.

Many people spend money on a lot worse than very enjoyable to use work tools.

If you have had hassle with it of course or you are not a pro, or for some practical reason, it will change your perspective, that's life.

You make your own decisions.

[amanise]

There are three kinds of iLok licence (as I understand it). Dongle, cloud, and computer.
So if what you're looking at is neither cloud nor dongle, it will be specific to a computer (or more than one depending on the manufacturer's licence).

As usual, I can't remember off the top of my head which one, but one of my plugin producers got me to re register everything I had from them with the serial numbers recently - so that they could shift all their licences into iLok Cloud from where they were as a mixture of serial number and machine licences. I had quite a few to do, so it may have been all the freebies I had accrued over the years from Plugin Boutique - or something like that. It all worked fine though, and I lost nothing. I wonder if others will start moving away from machine based licensing like that.

[Jez Corbett]

You have to install the iLok software on both machines. Then install the plugin on the first machine and activate the license to that machine. If you want to use the plugin on the second machine you have to go to the iLok manager on the first machine and deactivate the license. Then install the plugin on the second machine and activate it on there.

That's the experience I had with iLok Cloud, was hoping as this says its NOT iLok Cloud, it would be different. I'm going to email them again and ask for clarification, think that's the only way to know for sure.

[The Elf]

I have licenses on an iLok donlge, long since lost in the mists of time. I reported the dongle lost and was told the procedure to remove the licenses from the dongle... which requires me to have the dongle plugged in.

I gave up.

[resistorman]

I have two iloks and have never had a problem. in fact, some of the software I've bought that uses other authorization will refuse to work without internet access, which on my main machine is not feasible since it's offline. Though ilok-less companies like Arturia have made it really easy to use and authorize and de-authorize their software on multiple machines, most do not.

[Jez Corbett]

I have licenses on an iLok donlge, long since lost in the mists of time. I reported the dongle lost and was told the procedure to remove the licenses from the dongle... which requires me to have the dongle plugged in.

And I know someone who paid the extra for their 'Zero Down Time' or however it works, and when they had a broken/lost dongle one time, lets just say their experience was very much not zero down time, and they swore off iLok forever.

[Jez Corbett]

Heard back. iLok Non-Cloud Non-Dongle appears to be the same as iLok Cloud - you have to have deauthorise on one machine to use it on another.

No Altiverb or Speakerphone for me, then.

[Eddy Deegan]

Heard back. iLok Non-Cloud Non-Dongle appears to be the same as iLok Cloud - you have to have deauthorise on one machine to use it on another.

No Altiverb or Speakerphone for me, then.

Heard back. iLok Non-Cloud Non-Dongle appears to be the same as iLok Cloud - you have to have deauthorise on one machine to use it on another.

No Altiverb or Speakerphone for me, then.

Last night I had a chat with support for the plugin I could only authorise on one computer and they gave me a second license which I was able to use to activate it on both. If you contact them and say you'll only buy it if it can be activated on 2 computers the worst they can say is no. Might be worth a try

[Jez Corbett]

Considering I might need to add it to up to SIX machines, I expect they probably won't be so keen.

[Drew Stephenson]

Assuming that you're only working on one at a time, this is what iLok Cloud should allow you to do. Install on all 6 machines, sign in and sign out when you're using a machine to activate.
How well it actually works I don't know...

[IAA]

Assuming that you're only working on one at a time, this is what iLok Cloud should allow you to do. Install on all 6 machines, sign in and sign out when you're using a machine to activate.
How well it actually works I don't know...

I can say it works fairly well. A pop up asks if you want to install the license from the cloud on your other machine - in my case my Mac laptop , (my ilok dongle being in my main studio Mac) then all is well. My only issue is when I’ve finished on the laptop, booted up the main Mac, occasionally (not every time I’m sure IIRC) there is a problem with some plugins which I have to authorise again (UAD) through their app not ilok. Might just be my set up but I’d say it’s ok(ish). But I do prefer license codes or slick apps - like the Arturia one which seem straightforward and give you up to 6 activations I think.

Ian.