Cubase - Multiple upgrades in one go? AI to 10 Pro to 10.5 pro??

[Googly Smythe]

...
RE your comment "Create a folder outside of the Windows, Program Files or Program data folders, for future vst2 plugins..."
Is this in reference to the VST instruments (and fx) that come included with Cubase (i.e. Halion/Groove Agent etc) and assume get installed at the same time as cubase?
Or are you referring to 3rd party VST's?
...

This folder will be for 3rd party plugins.

...
RE your comment "You don't have to install Cubase to activate it! True!
Install the e-licencer, activate the AI version, buy the upgrade, activate it, download Cubase 10.5, install it. If you wait until November/December to activate it, you'll get the free upgrade to v11."

This is intriguing! But obviously still confusing to me lol
@Sahul mentioned that as I had not installed/activated my 10 pro upgrade licence yet it should fingers crossed get 10.5? "Yes. You can simply upgrade your AI license to Pro 10 first (it's even possible that Steinberg gives you a Pro 10.5 license instead if you haven't activated your serial yet),"

So I've already bought the 10 pro upgrade, your saying download 10 pro or 10.5 pro? Or are you saying buy the 10.5 upgrade as well, install that, then wait to activate til November to get 11 for free??

For the past 10 years Steinberg has released a paid update to Cubase in November or December. They have a grace period that allows people who bought Cubase just before the update to upgrade to the later version for free. Therefore, if you activate your v10 licence when v11 is released, Steinberg will upgrade it to v11 for free. A lot of people work the system this way. You just need to be patient. I'm not one of those people, I want the upgrade NOW!
Since you already have v10, you have the choice of activating it now and maybe get upgraded to v10.5 (I don't know if Steinberg does that), or you can wait until the end of the year to activate it and get v11.
There's no guarantee that any of this will still be applicable when v11 comes out - Steinberg could change their terms and conditions anytime. v11 may not get released until 2025. It's a gamble. But Steinberg is a conservative company. You won't lose your v10 licence in any case.

Since activation is accomplished via the e-licenser program, Cubase doesn't need to be installed. I don't think Steinberg cares if Cubase is installed or not.

EDIT:
Now I think about it, I'm not sure how many versions get upgraded - maybe someone more knowledgeable can chip in?
If memory serves, there's a whole thread somewhere here on the subject of Cubase activations.

[fmr]

EDIT:
Now I think about it, I'm not sure how many versions get upgraded - maybe someone more knowledgeable can chip in?
If memory serves, there's a whole thread somewhere here on the subject of Cubase activations.

When you insert the activation code (from within eLicenser Control Center) it shows you which version will be licensed by that code. Right now, if you activate a Cubase Pro code, you will get a license that covers UP TO 10.5 (what counts is the activation date). But since the license is activated NOW, in October/November when presumably Cubase 11 will be launched, you will need to purchase an update.

If you wait till then to activate the license, you will get Cubase 11. At least that's how it has been working till now. And no, you don't to have any version of Cubase installed. The licensing process is something that runs entirely inside eLicenser Control Center, and has nothing to do with which software is installed or not.

[S79]

Many thanks again for the replies.

Just watching videos and reading up about elicencer, download codes, activation codes etc etc trying to get my head around what i need to do for my situation!
I can see why having a cracked version ironically would be a lot less painful!

Apologies though in advance for this, as feel like I'm asking the same questions somehwat again!
But can someone, in the the most basic of terms explain what i need to do get 10/10.5 up and running on my new machine please?

Just to reclarify/correct what I have:
1) USB physical elicenser
2) UR-12 audio interface which has Cubase AI included (a download access code)
2) Cubase 10 pro licence (upgrade from AI version) that I purchased in the sale last year

I.e. is this right?

1) Download elicence control centre?
2) Plug in elicencer USB into PC?
2) Add the elicencer dongle serial number to elicence control centre and/or the online My Products on MySteinberg Online Account?
3) Add the Cubase AI download access code to elicence control centre and/or the online My Products on MySteinberg Online Account?
4) Add the 10 pro "Actvation code" to elicence control centre and/or the online My Products on MySteinberg Online Account?


And finally
1) Will i get a soft elicence number for Cubase AI download access code - does this affect anything?
2) Also does it matter if i do the elicence set up on a different machine to the one im going to use primarliy?

P.s. I don't think I can be bothered to wait till oct/november for version 11

Edit - ah the soft elicence is what gets created when you install the elicenser control centre aplication by default right? It's got nothing to do with indivual steinberg apps?

[jancivil]

'My Steinberg' is not an essential or necessary first step in activation of your license.
You register the key at My Steinberg and now you're part of the supported community.
Yes, your activation code should be generated here as well (I found, however, that this didn't happen with the trial license. "You have no products...").

EG: I just updated 10 to 10.5. Steinberg sends the activation with the order confirmation. All you need to do is enter the activation code into elicenser. You may do the My Steinberg bit after the fact; when Cubase prompts you to register, it's about registering the key. Everything registered on a key is remembered by My Steinberg now. When I bought 10 in the sale, it was thru Sweetwater and Sweetwater emailed me the activation. Before that I can't recall but it seemed normal.

[fmr]

1) Download eLicencer control centre?

YES

2) Plug in elicencer USB into PC?

YES

2) Add the elicencer dongle serial number to elicence control centre and/or the online My Products on MySteinberg Online Account?

No need to do that. You can do it IF/when you you want, and just when you have everything up and running.

3) Add the Cubase AI download access code to elicence control centre and/or the online My Products on MySteinberg Online Account?

Everything is added to your account via the eLicenser Control Center. Anywhere else will be unuseful

4) Add the 10 pro "Actvation code" to elicence control centre and/or the online My Products on MySteinberg Online Account?

As I said, everything is added to your account as soon as you purchase it or use the activation code. No need to do anything else. You may, of course (and it's advisable to) register the USB key at My Steinberg, but you can do it through the eLicenser Control Centre.

And finally
1) Will i get a soft elicence number for Cubase AI download access code - does this affect anything?

The Cubase AI activation code gets you a license for Cubase AI. You can install it in the soft eLicenser (you computer's hard drive) or in a USB key (hard eLicenser). If you install it in the USB key, you will not be able to move it anymore, while in the soft eLicenser you are able to deactivate it, and get it back to install in another computer, if you wish. Having it installed will not harm the Cubase Pro key (which is the USB key, anyway), but will not give you any extra utility either.

2) Also does it matter if i do the elicence set up on a different machine to the one im going to use primarliy?

For the soft eLicenser, each time you install the eLicenser Control Centre, you get a soft eLicenser created in THAT computer. For the hard eLicenser (the USB key) it doesn't matter. You just have to have the software (eLicenser Control Centre) installed, and plug the key in. You can't install the license in more than one computer - the eLicenser Control Centre software won't allow it.

Edit - ah the soft elicence is what gets created when you install the elicenser control centre aplication by default right? It's got nothing to do with indivual steinberg apps?

YES, it's what's created when you install eLicenser Control Centre software. It's a software "key" that is able to receive (some) licenses (but not the Cubase Pro license, for excample - that one is enforced to be installed in a hardware key).

[S79]

Thanks again for the replies! Hugely appreciated, and FMR thanks for breaking it down like that! I'm buying you all virtual beers!

One last question (he says...hopefully )...the reason i asked the following:

2) Also does it matter if i do the elicence set up on a different machine to the one im going to use primarliy?

Was because it would be really useful/nice to have if i could install AI on my laptop but obviously use Pro 10/10.5 on my new (main) DAW PC. Is this possible? I.e. does upgrading AI to 10 pro stop AI from working/replace it completely? And does it have to be on the same machine?
(I feel like they may be some repition in my quesrtions again...eek...sorry)

P.s. Am i the only one who gets super confused by Steinbergs process? Other DAW's aren't like this are they?

[Googly Smythe]

Using a dongle means you can put Cubase Pro on as many machines as you like. Just make sure the e-licencer software is installed as well, and plug in the dongle.
Forget the AI version. Once you get used to the Pro version, the AI version will be unbearable.

[fmr]

Using a dongle means you can put Cubase Pro on as many machines as you like. Just make sure the e-licencer software is installed as well, and plug in the dongle.
Forget the AI version. Once you get used to the Pro version, the AI version will be unbearable.

I'd say the same, but nevertheless, if you have the AI license installed on your laptop soft eLicenser, it will remain there, unless the upgrade you bought requires the surrendering of the old license (which I don't think it's the case, because Pro license can't even be installed in a soft eLicenser).

But yes, once you start using Pro, you probably will never want to open AI again. The difference is HUGE. And you can run Cubase Pro on ANY machine, as long as you plug the USB key before launching it.

[S79]

Thanks again guys and girls

But...just when you thought i couldn't ask any more questions...i have one last itsy bitsy one...

So i thought I'd try AI on my laptop (non main daw machine) just to get a feel for the installtion process, folder structure etc before trying 10 pro on the same laptop and on my main DAW PC.

To get AI I had to use MySteingberg->My Products->Software to enter the Download Access Code from the UR12 documentation and the UR12's serial number. This generated an activation code(? i think?).

I put this activation code into the elicenser control centre and everything looks OK, i.e the Cubase AI is assigned to my laptops soft elicense, my issue is the generated dowload link for my AI under MySteingberg->My Products->Software, the generated dowload link was for AI version 10, not 10.5?

Should it have not supplied 10.5 AI in the link? I've downloaded both i.e. AI 10 from the link and Ai 10.5 from the download manager, but not installed either. Will I be ok to install 10.5 or wiill the soft elince/activation only work for AI 10?

The reason I ask is when I come to do this for Pro, when it generates a link will it generate a link for 10 pro and i'll only be able to use that? I think someone mentioned that the link(?) fingers crossed should be for 10.5? But if AI is anything to go by maybe not?

Basically should I be entitled to the latest version of AI and pro regardless? Because I'm only just starting to activate my purchases?
Thanks!

[Sahul]

Steinberg changed their policy this year regarding Cubase AI. They offered a free update to AI 10.5 to everybody with an AI license, even old ones. So yes, your AI license should open AI 10.5, which you can download with the Steinberg Download Manager application.

[Sahul]

I'd say the same, but nevertheless, if you have the AI license installed on your laptop soft eLicenser, it will remain there, unless the upgrade you bought requires the surrendering of the old license (which I don't think it's the case, because Pro license can't even be installed in a soft eLicenser).

I think he won't be able to do the AI > Pro upgrade unless he transfers the AI license to the USB dongle first.

[chk071]

It should have generated a Cubase AI 10.5 activation code, yes. No idea what went wrong there. It always used to be the latest version whenever I registered AI.

Edit: Just saw Sahul's reply. Didn't know that they changed something about the procedure.