Questions about Philharmonik

[Rellik]

because the USB dongles don't cause much data traffic

Apparently, Steinberg's does. A *lot* of data traffic! That's what made SX3's protection so difficult to shatter - it's also what is causing the stability and performance problems.

Just so you're aware - if you're having no problems with your Scope card and the Steinberg USB, then no reason to start worrying now but if you are having any problems, that could be the root of the issue.

[telebunke]

because the USB dongles don't cause much data traffic

Apparently, Steinberg's does. A *lot* of data traffic! That's what made SX3's protection so difficult to shatter - it's also what is causing the stability and performance problems.

could you please name the source of this info?

tele

[dougsyo]

because the USB dongles don't cause much data traffic

Apparently, Steinberg's does. A *lot* of data traffic! That's what made SX3's protection so difficult to shatter - it's also what is causing the stability and performance problems.

could you please name the source of this info?

It was written by the team that broke the Cubase protection (also a synchrosoft dongle). You'll find that talking about hacks, warez, etc aren't welcome in this forum, but it was discussed in the Hosts forum about a month ago.

Doug

[Squids]

In terms of performance, it simply doesn't affect anything. I've been making tons of music with it, demonstrations etc. I've been able to compare a version with or without the key. No difference whatsoever. So, the myth of that is whatever it is but in terms of your actual experience with it... that is the most important thing and it works great! As I said before, with the send fx it is even more efficient than ST in many cases when using fx like reverb.

In terms of what happens if you break or lose the key, I have an answer. It is a general answer but it is as good as you can get. Each person's situation is different. It has to be looked into on a case by case basis and discretion is used. You need to keep track of it like you would any possession that you value. I recommend you insure your gear in case of theft etc. But, if anything should happen you can work it out with IK and give whatever information you need to support what you want to solve your problem. This is the same policy as several other companies and it is the best one because of so many variables. Overall, it is designed to make customers happy and secure but to filter out people that may be blatantly taking advantage of the system.

As far as esoundz goes, we offer one extra layer of support in that we follow the process of any technical problem you may have (not just with the key but anything). We rally hard to get any bugs fixed that we learn of from our customers (and here too... even if we don't ourselves have the power to correct them... and this goes for any of our products on the site which will increase as well and far beyond just IK and SR products) and we know our customers (and their order history with us as well) to give them extra benefit of the doubt and use OUR discretion as well to make sure you are all set with what you need. So, that is what I mean about not letting you down. Sure, each person has different expectations and some could want the moon, although most esoundz customers are very reasonable and just want to be treated fairly and we feel the same way.

Anyone who complains about THIS is thinking negatively. Please don't. If you think for a second that someone like Caleb is going to be stuck or anyone else who is a supporter of us you'd be wrong. Sure, people could test the system to see if they could take advantage. If that happened we might increase what we need to do to qualify the situation. Discretion is the only fair way. If you don't trust that you'll be able to keep track of the key or that we'll be able to handle the situation fairly then don't get it until you do feel comfortable.

[Squids]

because the USB dongles don't cause much data traffic

Apparently, Steinberg's does. A *lot* of data traffic! That's what made SX3's protection so difficult to shatter - it's also what is causing the stability and performance problems.

could you please name the source of this info?

It was written by the team that broke the Cubase protection (also a synchrosoft dongle). You'll find that talking about hacks, warez, etc aren't welcome in this forum, but it was discussed in the Hosts forum about a month ago.

Doug

As you know, even that we don't allow but I'll leave it only to comment on it. That information first of all is about another program and it can hardly be considered "official" information even if those people are skilled enough to do what they do. Some of that information I already know is incorrect from personal experience but anyway we can't really get into discussion about what "hackers" say here so...let's leave it at that. Only thing that matters is how it works for YOU and if it DOES work well then... ?????

[Trojan Badger]

About the dongle, and all other copy protection used by IK/Sonic Reality - In case the worst happens and the company goes belly-up, are there any legal continutity provisions made (outsourcing/escrow etc) so that clients don't lose everything should they move PCs etc?

[Squids]

About the dongle, and all other copy protection used by IK/Sonic Reality - In case the worst happens and the company goes belly-up, are there any legal continutity provisions made (outsourcing/escrow etc) so that clients don't lose everything should they move PCs etc?

I will try to find out what official word there is on this sort of thing. In fact, every company who does any copy protection regardless of which type should have a plan for that worste case scenario. How many do I don' tknow. But, I can tell you at least that from my point of view I personally would never support the users being stuck even if the company went belly up. So, if that ever happened you can bet that I would find a fair solution at least with products where SR was involved. I don't burn bridges and I won't be going belly up as a musician in this industry who has a reputation to maintain any time soon. Of course I am only the CEO of SR not of all other companies. But, SR jointly made this product specifically and it is also a library that we own so... at least you know that I personally care about our users to the end.

That said, it is always good to buy from companies that seem to be doing well. Right?

[sevenorchids]

When you are researching the "what happens if I lose my key" question, perhaps you can answer this question. As I understand it, I do not purchase a piece of software, but I purchase a license to use this piece of software (at least in the US). Therefore, my license to use this software is something that is kept, in electronic records or otherwise, by the company that sold me the license. What I am hearing said is, keep track of that key, it's worth a lot of money. Actually, the key is merely worth the $40 or so that it cost me or the company to buy it. The real value is the license for the software, which I purchase and own, seemingly in perpetuity. So, if I lose the key, I should merely be out the $40 it costs to buy a new key, as my license was never lost, it still exists with the company that sold it to me. Is this a correct assumption?

I have no personal issues with dongles or any other form of copy protection, as long as it doesn't interfere with my ability to exploit the license that I purchased. I also have no doubt that SR/eSoundz will bend over backwards for their customers. I would just like to make sure that when I buy something as ethereal as a "license" (i.e. I am not getting anything tangible), that the license will travel with me personally, and not with the key.

Hope this makes sense.

[baggio]

I feel what sevenorchids has stated is basically correct - if I lose the dongle (not saying I am but it could happen) then it shouldn't really be an issue about replacing it. However, where it can been shown that a person has abused their licence rights, then that licence should be revoked.

I presume that a dealt with on a case by case basis would basically mean that lose one and your are given the benefit of the doubt, lose two and you are being a bit careless.

[Squids]

The interesting thing is that this product is in the in between area between hardware and software. You are buying the license and you are buying the physical product. There are some advantages to it over just the usual soundware licenses because it can only be in one place at once time due to the hardware key. But, that's where the value of the hardware key becomes important. If there are two or more floating around with the same license then it defeats the whole purpose of it existing and it costs us extra money for this so it is something that has to be managed with discretion on a case by case basis.

This information about handling it case by case puts everything in a different light. It then just becomes a question of whether you think that in an understandable situation that you'd be treated fairly. You are buying a product that is attached to some hardware. Don't lose or break what you buy and you won't be in this situation. If you ARE in this situation then I think that will be evident and a fair solution will be made.

I don't want to go round and round on the key. My advice is to get it if you feel comfortable with it and really want the product. If you are a Steinberg user already then it should be even easier because you already own the key. If you are an esoundz customer already then you know we treat our customers right and would find a solution to whatever your problem was and that we have a lot of options to be able to do that.

So, if you guys have any other questions that haven't been answered about Philharmonik then please let me know. For those that want me to finish the riff demos for Miroslav then the less questions I have to answer the quicker I can get those done too. But, I am here when needed. Thanks!

[Caleb]

I WANT MORE RIFF DEMOS!!!!
No one has come forward stating any problems with Scope and IKEY at this point so I'll consider it a suck-and-see proposition.

I wish I had the damn thing now!!!!!!

Caleb

[nexussynth]

Well...

Getting back to the 'tuning' question, I believe what the person was actually wanting to know was if the'european' tuning of A=442 was used for the sessions and pitch-shifted down to the 'american' tuning standard of A=440?

The Siedlaczak libraries were like this. There were a few samples that were overlooked and I had to 'correct' them to match. I know I never had to retune the samples myself with the old Vitous library. Note I am not reffering to fixing musician performance pitch flucuations with Autotune or something.

Anyway..

It does impart a very slight change in timbre when this is done even with excellent software.

[Squids]

I see. Well, it's tuned to 440. But, each patch has a global fine tune knob to bring it to 442 or anything else you want. The new resampling engine sounds fantastic so it would really be fine at both tunings. We could have put a set of patches at 442 though. Perhaps we will as a download if it is requested enough. Us Americans tend to like things at 440.

[Left Headphone]

NI's registration is pretty cool. You get the key and SN sent to your email. If you wipe the hard drive, you just copy and paste the Key to activate the sw.

Why not use this method?

[Squids]

... have never considered using these products for any purpose whatsoever.

The fact that you are saying this makes your post not relevant to this company's forum. We provide this forum for people who ARE interested in the products we make. We understand that not everything people say is going to be what we want to hear. But, we don't provide a platform for anyone to just slam the company or our products when they admit that they're not even considering ever using the products for any purpose whatsoever. Sorry. Posts like this will be deleted.

Please read the company forum rules for anyone who doesn't often post in our forum. I haven't had to moderate much in a while but there is a line where one can cross and we don't want to let the forum become an unfriendly, disrespectful place. Thanks.