Is TAL copy protection Challenge/Response now?

[Kr3eM]

In my case the prices of TAL products got out of my range, I'm not saying it's overpriced, I mean it will take me a decent amount of time to save up the money.

This would not be so much of an issue if there was not so many other products priced or offered at very tempting prices, which makes it hard to save up money long-term.

I already have so many plugins and more or less mostly buy stuff in order to support the developers who cater to my preferences as in custom friendly DRM and with offers or prices within my budget. The less I need a certain type of plugin the more the price becomes the deciding factor if I will buy it or not.

I would love to own all TAL stuff, it's great stuff and I own more than half of them, so when I update the products I own I also update all the others and have them in my Demo folder as a reminder and a teaser... I don't do that with many other developers.

The last TAL plugin I got I purchased second hand here on KVR and it turned out that I wasn't okay with Patrick not getting any of my money for that... so I have been trying to save up for another TAL synth but it's been unsuccessfull. I had my hope during black friday and x-mas sales but the competition was too much.

I know my preferences (when it comes to what and why I buy something) probably do not represent many in TAL's customer base and I most likely have much less money to spend than them as well, but I would not rule out the possiblity that I'm not the only one.

So while it's easy to blame pirating for loss of revenue I know at least that some of that loss has nothing to do with it at all and yes, I do understand that lowering prices may be very risky and be the wrong solution, saying it's not is naive. However, to blindy think a harder DRM even if fool proof is the end and be all solution to regain or increase sales/revenue is simplifying things to the level of retardation.

However, with that said, what I do know is that twice a year I get lottery tickets from my uncle and the day I hit it big the rest of TAL's line up is the first purchase I will make...well any products that still uses the old authorization system, that is.

No matter what, I wish Patrick all the success even if he goes full C/R, iLOK or even always online, cause even if that would mean me not being a customer any more, I rather have have a world that TAL products exists than not.

[sl23]

No DRM is foolproof. Air Music Tech use iLok, and there are cracked versions of everything they do. All this will do is take up more of the devs time.

I was interested in supporting TAL software by purchasing some of their plugins. But I just cannot do that if the plan is to use iLok or CR. These things just cause users more issues.

Go onto the MPC Forums to see how often people have trouble with CR license issues, where the connection or verification can't be substantiated.

I understand the reason for doing these things, however, no protection is infallible. Just takes up more time and effort for the devs and more hassle for consumers.

I personally won't use any software that asks to install copy protection software, such as iLok, as I had a PC die on me a few years ago because of it.

[ere2learn]

I was interested in supporting TAL software by purchasing some of their plugins.

Been here since 2008 & now you're "interested" in getting some TAL plugs

Screenshot 2024-12-18 213524.png

[sl23]

Yes, that's a problem why? Not all of us are obsessed with music production. I don't often make music. Just an occasional hobby. I have more deserving interests that I'd rather spend my spare time on.

I've used mostly free plugins for many years, recently TAL reverb and filter, and only the last few years started purchasing some plugins, uhbik, diva, zebra, hive, jp2k, op4x, so yes, only now am I looking to buy some TAL software. So you can take your moronic, egocentric, selfish attitude and stick it up your arse!

I registered to use XYplorer around 10 years before purchasing it, but never used it. Why is that so hard to believe that some people have principles and try to do the right thing.

You judge without any knowledge of me, my circumstance or my reasons. But then the Internet is full of that moronic, childish attitude. Your erroneous judgement and opinions need to be kept to your self in future. But I have no doubt you'll just reply with more abuse as that's what morons do!

I was looking to purchase Sampler and a couple of TAL synth. But looking at the state of things, perhaps not. I'll wait and see how this pans out. MuLab more than covers what Sampler does. The reason I wanted to purchase Sampler was to be Independant from MuLab. But really, I'm thinking I don't need to as MuLab is by far more than I need in just about every way wrt sampling and sequencing.

That said, I do like your synths and not sure whether to go for those or not...

[MorpherX]

What really bothers me is how it was quietly slipped into the FAQ, and not spoken of elsewhere. I feel somewhat betrayed. He knew that his simple serial number copy protection was important to many of his users, and yet did it anyway. It's his business and he is allowed to do what he wants, of course, but he apparently was more concerned about stopping the pirates than making the honest jump through hoops.

He does support Linux though, and he supports it well, so I'm not entirely sure about my feelings--I really, really depend upon TAL-Sampler. I love his products and product quality. He's been very responsive with support. He's a good guy! So, I'm really torn.

My biggest concern with challenge/response is the extra hassle, and potential loss of the ability to use the software if his business disappears. I keep thinking about moving to hardware as a possible solution. If developers could only find a way to activate their protection by checking just one time when you first install it, and then finding a way to allow users to reinstall as needed, even if the company is gone, there wouldn't be any problem. There's got to be a solution to this..... ILOK had a hardware key, but the drivers that get installed become the problem. Chickensys used to tie their protection to the install CD. That could probably be copied if written with software that bit by bit mirrored the original disk. I'm thinking aloud here, by the way.... I don't know a good answer...... It sucks that there are pirates in the first place--otherwise there wouldn't be any problem or need for copy protection.......it's saddening....

It's the same as with Serum2.
I am warning since many years people from buying Dongle or C-R Dongle software.
I also know some CR-Dongle software whitch disappeared from market with no solution, for example the PPG vsti software.
I own Tal-Drum, this has the simple and user-friendly key file.
I also have this Serum2, but don't use it until they remove that shit of CR-Dongle.

[seafire]

Has TAL explained why it's changed and why nobody will but their products anymore?

[ere2learn]

TAL did the math and your theory of "nobody will buy their products" didn't check out

[masterhiggins]

I’d prefer ilok as even if their servers go tits up your license still works.

[liquidsound]

Maybe the company is getting ready for a new owner that requires a better copy protection?

[fladd]

Has anyone contacted Patrick already to get more information on this issue?

[Sound Author]

I'm a bit late to the party here, but here's my two cents: I dislike any type of licensing system that's more complicated than a simple serial number. That said, there are a FEW developers who's plugins are so remarkable that they could drop a licensing system that would involve me having to wrestle a wild boar in the middle of the night in rural Arkansas...and I would be okay with it.

TAL is one of those developers.

[sprig]

Goodbye TAL

[seangm]

del

[sprig]

I found out that I can still download the latest old version for which the key files work. That's good

https://www.tal-software.com/products/tal-bassline-101 Under the "Old Downloads"
"v3.4.0 works with the old serial key"

Well no updates anymore for this versions, but at least I'll have my 'no-CR-installers' back. At least for the 101, MOD, and Sampler. Not for the drum, but maybe he didn't implement CR for it? His silence is deafening

[Kr3eM]

I found out that I can still download the latest old version for which the key files work. That's good

https://www.tal-software.com/products/tal-bassline-101 Under the "Old Downloads"
"v3.4.0 works with the old serial key"

Well no updates anymore for this versions, but at least I'll have my 'no-CR-installers' back. At least for the 101, MOD, and Sampler. Not for the drum, but maybe he didn't implement CR for it? His silence is deafening

AFAIK it's still works with a key file, but it's a new key file which you get in your account if you create one.... none of the TAL plugins I own (Sampler/DAC/U-NO-LX/Bassline101/DUB-X) have needed anything like a C/R yet. My DAW is offline/air gapped.