UAD still worth it?

[kmonkey]

Well, drama or not he has a point and his mockup of a screenshot could make some of the people like him (under that I mean not experienced with ilok) not purchase and go through the hassle.

Mind you I am using UA and tons of ilok but it's very unfair to say he is dramatic. He purchased something with some specific system requirements that were unclear, which caused him a loss of time. It always is subjective but you can not judge him because he has a point.

I think the loss of time alone is despicable and that alone should be viewed as a dramatic event because you can not get it back So it is the other way around IMO. For newcomers, it is dramatically shocking that UA (or any company) is not making it clear about ilok-related stuff. When I say clear I mean dead on to point like on his mockup.

Oh anyway. No one is harmed but I don't think he is responsible or should be called out for something that was caused entirely by a third party not being clear. Or middle means in this case not being clear.

[Hanz Meyzer]

Couple of clarification and I'll let it go then. I think it is perfectly fine to have strong opinions, but they should be rooted in reality.

It is not option, but facts. The company pretends selling a software, but in fact nothing is in the ownership of the user after payment. uaudio can remove the licenses anytime from ilok cloud.

Also the company pretends that you will get a fully working software, but you actually don't. The software requires a permanent internet connection (or an obsolete, not free usb dongle) to work, even though internet is not required for the actual functionality at all.

And this is not explained in the ordering / registration process, before you decide to actually buy this. This is just shady business.

The system requirements you quote very clearly state that you need to use iLok Cloud or iLok USB (2nd gen or better). Not quite sure why somebody would not get that.

Then repeat to read that whole text block again and again, until you get it. What the hell is a iLok Cloud, no idea, didn't implement that. Yes I have ilok cloud, but nowhere is stated that I require a permanent internet connection for a working plugin or a ilok dongle which costs additionally. Read it with the perspective of a normal user.

I really hope this company will fall hard on their noses until they finally realize how shady their selling practices appear.

But fine, if you never leave WLAN with your notebook and also do not care about data privacy, and are ok that you cannot sell it again, well then, use this and be happy. I will use better plugins instead.

[gaggle of hermits]

Sorry, but it is misleading what you are writing. If you do not have an ilok dongle (which most people don't have these days), you can't use these plugins without always-on internet connection.

how was it misleading? mgw explicitly mentioned the dongle.

I get why you don't want to use the ua stuff and that's fine but don't start attacking people just because they don't agree exactly with what you write.

[Mind Riot]

Also the company pretends that you will get a fully working software, but you actually don't. The software requires a permanent internet connection (or an obsolete, not free usb dongle) to work, even though internet is not required for the actual functionality at all.

I'll try to be brief.

The software requires a permanent internet connection (or an obsolete, not free usb dongle) to work

Translation: The software does not require a permanent internet connection.

You say plugs must have permanent internet connection to function. This is simply not true. The iLok is a time tested alternative, regardless of your laughable efforts to dismiss it.

Reality says plugs can be authorized on iLok so no internet connection is needed.

Your argument has a big hole in it.

You calling the iLok obsolete or complaining that it's not free doesn't make it stop working, as it's worked for literally decades at this point. It's not going to go away just because you're trying to dodge it disproving your entire argument.

It's actually humorously ironic that you're complaining that the plugs require permanent internet, yet you dismiss the one kind of authorization that actually frees you from needing the internet at all.

Don't want to rely on the internet for authorization? Go buy a damn iLok, that's what it's for.

[Hanz Meyzer]

Fanbois and uaudio employees or what is this.

[Mind Riot]

Fanbois and uaudio employees or what is this.

Surrender accepted.

[gaggle of hermits]

Fanbois and uaudio employees or what is this.

ah, the old trustworthy "anyone who doesn't agree 100% is a fanboi" line. don't ever change.

[DCrown]

Are UAD native plugins as good as with Apollo or even no difference at all?

[Hanz Meyzer]

No difference in algorithms, and the dongle now is smaller.

[mothra]

Couple of clarification and I'll let it go then. I think it is perfectly fine to have strong opinions, but they should be rooted in reality.

It is not option, but facts. The company pretends selling a software, but in fact nothing is in the ownership of the user after payment. uaudio can remove the licenses anytime from ilok cloud.

Also the company pretends that you will get a fully working software, but you actually don't. The software requires a permanent internet connection (or an obsolete, not free usb dongle) to work, even though internet is not required for the actual functionality at all.

And this is not explained in the ordering / registration process, before you decide to actually buy this. This is just shady business.

Maybe from now on instead of buying a plugin and waiting until the registration page, you should probably read UA's (and every other developers) System Requirements first before spending your money? They are clearly posted and every single plugin's page directs you there to see if they will work with your system. Looks to be the exact bit of text Plugin Boutique copied for their own website, which is also pretty plain and clear and in no way misleading.

Its not the manufacturers fault you choose not to educate yourself.

[martinjuenke]

Couple of clarification and I'll let it go then. I think it is perfectly fine to have strong opinions, but they should be rooted in reality.

It is not option, but facts. The company pretends selling a software, but in fact nothing is in the ownership of the user after payment. uaudio can remove the licenses anytime from ilok cloud.

Also the company pretends that you will get a fully working software, but you actually don't. The software requires a permanent internet connection (or an obsolete, not free usb dongle) to work, even though internet is not required for the actual functionality at all.

And this is not explained in the ordering / registration process, before you decide to actually buy this. This is just shady business.

Maybe from now on instead of buying a plugin and waiting until the registration page, you should probably read UA's (and every other developers) System Requirements first before spending your money? They are clearly posted and every single plugin's page directs you there to see if they will work with your system. Looks to be the exact bit of text Plugin Boutique copied for their own website, which is also pretty plain and clear and in no way misleading.

Its not the manufacturers fault you choose not to educate yourself.

NO!
With such a strange strategy you miss the joy of whining and moaning in your preferred audio forum. NO!

[Uncle E]

And this is not explained in the ordering / registration process, before you decide to actually buy this. This is just shady business.

I am critical of UA over many issues and I agree with some of your complaints. However, you can't call it "shady business" when they provide comprehensive demo versions and clearly explain the authorization requirements on their website.

[Hanz Meyzer]

Well, writing system requirements that contradict itself, actually stating that permanent internet connection is not required and trying to trick customers by hiding the truth about the degradation of the functionality behind marketing terms and lacking info - that’s what i would call shady business.

But what do I care, since you are not willing to change that.

Personally I also find such a selling strategy and the concept of ilok cloud just brain-dead. But go on hurting yourself, haha

[ghettosynth]

Well, as long as we're bitching and moaning and talking about UAD, I'll jump in with my own brand of spice. I've never had any UAD plugins until very recently. I dislike that you have to link your iLok account to their account thing. I'm going to install the plugins and then disconnect the link. I have just a few from their cheap bundle plus the Sweetwater one day deal on the 1176 bundle. I got them just to try out the UAD plugins.

I like iLok, but I don't like having to link my account to some other account. It's not necessary. Just sell me the license and let me put it on my dongle. So, I don't know if I can do that, it wasn't important enough to try right away, I'll get to it soon. Also, I'm perfectly fine with the mistreatment of plebes who don't have $50 for an iLok dongle. You need one, they're cheap, just get it and stop bellyaching already.

[Uncle E]

Well, writing system requirements that contradict itself, actually stating that permanent internet connection is not required and trying to trick customers by hiding the truth about the degradation of the functionality behind marketing terms and lacking info - that’s what i would call shady business.

These things can all be found out by demoing.

But what do I care, since you are not willing to change that.

Personally I also find such a selling strategy and the concept of ilok cloud just brain-dead. But go on hurting yourself, haha

This is where we agree. UA thinks they're the smartest guys in the room. It's been this way for years and is especially egregious because they were such a friendly company before.