KVR Audio

midi_transmission · Post by **midi_transmission** » Tue Nov 21, 2023 4:34 pm

When they start to sell plugins that cheap, I wonder why the do the hassle with iLok and don't use something simpler like NI or PA?

I would even buy a couple of things just to compare them vs. the things I use now. But iLok is almost as much of an annoyance as the DSP chips are imho.

LoveEnigma18 · Post by **LoveEnigma18** » Tue Nov 21, 2023 4:48 pm

They should at least consider providing iLok Machine Authorization option.

heyheycnv · Post by **heyheycnv** » Tue Nov 21, 2023 4:56 pm

Now that the "complete" bundle has been offered multiple times for $150 I wouldn't pay anymore.

Even at that price I dunno. Already have the LA-2A collection. I think it's the best emulation of that compressor as are the Fairchilds. Love them both. The rest...I have so many other options as good or better.
The Ilok Cloud/UA Connect duo is a constant headache. Waiting more than 2 seconds for a plugin to load or having to reauthorize the entire group keeps me from reaching for them.

noiseboyuk · Post by **noiseboyuk** » Tue Nov 21, 2023 7:36 pm

LoveEnigma18 wrote: Tue Nov 21, 2023 4:48 pm They should at least consider providing iLok Machine Authorization option.

Yes indeed.

Out of interest, I just tried the free LA-2A (the only plugin with machine authorisation) and wifi switched off and UA Connect closed. Result adding it to a Cubase project - it opened UA Connect, and worked fine. That wouldn't work with anyone using any other native plugs with iLok Cloud.

Uncle E · Post by **Uncle E** » Tue Nov 21, 2023 7:48 pm

LoveEnigma18 wrote: Tue Nov 21, 2023 4:48 pm They should at least consider providing iLok Machine Authorization option.

UA's success with licensing hardware third parties was in part due to their nearly unhackable authorization system. I'm guessing they don't allow machine authorization because they've determined it to be less secure.

beely · Post by **beely** » Tue Nov 21, 2023 7:51 pm

noiseboyuk wrote: Tue Nov 21, 2023 7:36 pmOut of interest, I just tried the free LA-2A (the only plugin with machine authorisation) and wifi switched off and UA Connect closed. Result adding it to a Cubase project - it opened UA Connect, and worked fine. That wouldn't work with anyone using any other native plugs with iLok Cloud.

If it's not clear to people - *if* you are using iLok Cloud as an authorisation method, that's an online service (hence the "Cloud" part), so you must be online.

If being online is not viable for various reasons, then the only other solution for activating UADx plugins currently is to buy an iLok, and activate to the dongle. Now you have no requirement to use the online iLok Cloud service.

I would prefer machine authorisation for everything too, but as Pace informs clients it's a weaker protection method than the other two, the companies that are more concerned with piracy tend not to offer the option. I don't see UA adding the option, at least in the short term.

midi_transmission · Post by **midi_transmission** » Tue Nov 21, 2023 7:55 pm

heyheycnv wrote: Tue Nov 21, 2023 4:56 pm Now that the "complete" bundle has been offered multiple times for $150 I wouldn't pay anymore.

Even at that price I dunno. Already have the LA-2A collection. I think it's the best emulation of that compressor as are the Fairchilds. Love them both. The rest...I have so many other options as good or better.
The Ilok Cloud/UA Connect duo is a constant headache. Waiting more than 2 seconds for a plugin to load or having to reauthorize the entire group keeps me from reaching for them.

Yes same as Roland cloud. Very interesting products, but the ecosystem is such a hassle. Even if it's 10% better than other stuff, it's not worth it to me having to deal with this overhead.

However, the idea to be depended on a working online connection and activation servers to use your gear is not something I can support and should be seen even more critical than subscription only.

Uncle E · Post by **Uncle E** » Tue Nov 21, 2023 8:38 pm

midi_transmission wrote: Tue Nov 21, 2023 7:55 pm Yes same as Roland cloud. Very interesting products, but the ecosystem is such a hassle.

FWIW, UA provides Luna and Roland provides GALAXIAS, so there is some benefit to these ecosystems beyond license authorization.

miloszz · Post by **miloszz** » Tue Nov 21, 2023 10:24 pm

Kind of glad for the bundle price shenanigans - I would have bought the Signature Bundle for $150 (owning half of it already) for Sound City but now that it's out and I'm demoing it... meh.

midi_transmission · Post by **midi_transmission** » Tue Nov 21, 2023 10:43 pm

Uncle E wrote: Tue Nov 21, 2023 8:38 pm
midi_transmission wrote: Tue Nov 21, 2023 7:55 pm Yes same as Roland cloud. Very interesting products, but the ecosystem is such a hassle.
FWIW, UA provides Luna and Roland provides GALAXIAS, so there is some benefit to these ecosystems beyond license authorization.

You know, it somehow gives me Adobe vibes. I don't like to risk to get in this kind of situation again.

It's a pity, because I find the products very interesting and would buy them under different circumstances.

Agreed · Post by **Agreed** » Tue Nov 21, 2023 11:53 pm

miloszz wrote: Tue Nov 21, 2023 10:24 pm Kind of glad for the bundle price shenanigans - I would have bought the Signature Bundle for $150 (owning half of it already) for Sound City but now that it's out and I'm demoing it... meh.

Man, that's one that I think is really good - especially the guitar re-miking function, some really "live" tones that track well using it so far. I think I'll use it a lot like that, personally, which is funny because I didn't know about that part of it, didn't follow the development and thought it was "just" going to be more reverb spaces. Pleasant surprise to have this functionality from it. The re-micing through a PA sounds cool with synths too by the way!

Funkybot's Evil Twin · Wed Nov 22, 2023 12:05 am

I only got to play with it for a few minutes yesterday on electric guitar and Sound City sounded great.

LoveEnigma18 · Post by **LoveEnigma18** » Wed Nov 22, 2023 6:03 am

Uncle E wrote: Tue Nov 21, 2023 7:48 pm
LoveEnigma18 wrote: Tue Nov 21, 2023 4:48 pm They should at least consider providing iLok Machine Authorization option.
UA's success with licensing hardware third parties was in part due to their nearly unhackable authorization system. I'm guessing they don't allow machine authorization because they've determined it to be less secure.

Interesting. I don't understand the specifics of licensing security, but most companies are allowing machine authorization these days, so I hope UA (also) finds it feasible to offer it in the (near) future. Just makes things a little simpler. I am holding off of buying an iLok dongle, which I would only need for UA plugins and Slate Digital Fresh Air. All other plugins that I use support iLok MA.

Since the need of iLok dongle is mostly due to non-availability of internet access and portability, which are not a concern for me, I have not bought the iLok dongle yet.

Uncle E · Post by **Uncle E** » Wed Nov 22, 2023 6:11 am

Yes, I'm with you. It's crazy that you can get a 1TB thumb drive that barely protrudes from the USB port but an iLok sticks right out, exposed to being lost or broken.

SLiC · Post by **SLiC** » Wed Nov 22, 2023 6:15 am

I was able to authorise and use signature bundle and I don’t have a hardware ilok dongle so it must machine authorise?

UAD still worth it?