The new (forced) UnitedPlugins ​Manager is terrible

[starflakeprj]

I would also say for Macs, a fourth condition is that the manager is Apple Silicon native.

+ the ability to install all everything without having to enter your password for EVERY plugin individually.

[Sound_Bear]

United Plugins have created a legacy download page with individual installers for all plugins that were released until December 2024:

https://unitedplugins.com/download/old

These installers include 32-bit and 64-bit versions of VS2T, VST3 and AAX. Some of the files they will generate are dated January 10th 2025, so it looks like UP brought many of the plugins up to date before abandoning the 32-bit versions and individual installers.

This is a great move by UP, and to remind: even though one needs to use their new plugin manager to install new releases, the downloaded plugins and the activations will still be permanently reusable, as before.

(From the thread "Plugins/Companies using serial, a keyfile, or watermark copy protection". I haven't read most of this UP-specific thread here, but would like to propose to those who understandably dislike the download manager to remember that United Plugins are very user-friendly when it comes to licensing & activation. - viewtopic.php?p=9062339#p9062339)

[Christian_D]

Also, when you install the manager you are made to agree to data collection with no opt out.

[pekbro]

Ouch, fortunately I don’t really buy their plugins or even take them for free.

[Shalotta]

Bad, bad move UP!

I had the same response at GS, a manager is my way to go ...
fine, but what if not?
What if some guys have a reason to prefer offline?

Actually, do users need to give a reason why they prefer offline installers?

If users are fine with their managers, why not please offline users as well?
What the heck is wrong with it, why this either-or black/white logic?
Even logic paradigm allows an as-well-as approach.

A new kind of online copy protection would be the honest answer and the real reason why
and hiding behind flimsy excuses just feels ugly and incredible stupid.

Is it a rant?
Nah, just drop the stupid devs & support the ones with a minimum of decency.
Saves a lot of nerves and money.

I.e Softube is the way to go, online manager or offline individuals in parallel
no matter the protection and all users are happy.

[Held]

I.e Softube is the way to go, online manager or offline individuals in parallel
no matter the protection and all users are happy.

iLok? Really? UnitedPlugins has a simple license file offline activation.

[e@rs]

...why not please offline users as well?

They actually do, as there's an option in the manager to create an offline custom installer that includes chosen plugins setups, manager setups and licenses.

[Kr3eM]

...why not please offline users as well?

They actually do, as there's an option in the manager to create an offline custom installer that includes chosen plugins setups, manager setups and licenses.

That is all fine and dandy for windows & osx users, but since I am on Linux I have to install Wine and pray I have the space for the bloat and that it actually works running under Wine... usually things like this do if they as long as it's a simple downloader... but the more requirements the more points of failure... Melda solved it by offering an already created offline installer to download so you don't need to do it yourself.


( personally I do not need an installer, just give me the freaking files in a zip and I'll place them accordingly. )

[Sound_Bear]

United Plugins have created a legacy download page with individual installers for all plugins that were released until December 2024:

https://unitedplugins.com/download/old

These installers include 32-bit and 64-bit versions of VS2T, VST3 and AAX. Some of the files they will generate are dated January 10th 2025, so it looks like UP brought many of the plugins up to date before abandoning the 32-bit versions and individual installers.

This is a great move by UP, and to remind: even though one needs to use their new plugin manager to install new releases, the downloaded plugins and the activations will still be permanently reusable, as before.

(From the thread "Plugins/Companies using serial, a keyfile, or watermark copy protection". I haven't read most of this UP-specific thread here, but would like to propose to those who understandably dislike the download manager to remember that United Plugins are very user-friendly when it comes to licensing & activation. - viewtopic.php?p=9062339#p9062339)

Did anyone even read this ^ after I necrobumped the thread with it? It should alleviate most complaints unless you already have each existing UP plugin and are just concerned with future purchases.

[e@rs]

Melda solved it by offering an already created offline installer to download so you don't need to do it yourself.

UP also has an offline all-plugins installer that works exactly like Melda's, but the installation of the manager is still needed in both cases.

Making a custom installer removes the plugins not owned and reduces the file size.

I also hate managers, but I also want to have the latest versions of my plugins.

[Kr3eM]

Melda solved it by offering an already created offline installer to download so you don't need to do it yourself.

UP also has an offline all-plugins installer that works exactly like Melda's, but the installation of the manager is still needed in both cases.

Making a custom installer removes the plugins not owned and reduces the file size.

I also hate managers, but I also want to have the latest versions of my plugins.

Great, I was hoping they would do the same as Melda but that wasn't the case at the time when I last checked and it's the first time I see this...

[Shalotta]

...why not please offline users as well?

They actually do, as there's an option in the manager to create an offline custom installer that includes chosen plugins setups, manager setups and licenses.

I am aware of it, thanks.
The manager itself messed up my system ...
I went back to former OS image and the spook is wiped out & gone.
I am running my feelgood campaign since:
save your nerves and costs and delete developers standing in the way.
Feels good.

[Sound_Bear]

...why not please offline users as well?

They actually do, as there's an option in the manager to create an offline custom installer that includes chosen plugins setups, manager setups and licenses.

I am aware of it, thanks.
The manager itself messed up my system ...
I went back to former OS image and the spook is wiped out & gone.
I am running my feelgood campaign since:
save your nerves and costs and delete developers standing in the way.
Feels good.

Good for you. Personally I've always found United Plugins' customer support very helpful and friendly, and I suspect that their providing the individual legacy installers after all was a response to people pestering them about that. I'm getting the impression they care when users tell them about problems with their stuff.

[Alexander_D]

So many companies created their software managers... it's really annoying IMHO. So many companies, so many applications. Not my cup of tea... It's on of the reasons why I don't use waves, Arturia etc...

[onerob]

Trying to keep up with all the Arturia installers when they update multiple synths at the same time would be extremely time consuming. It's much easier with the Arturia Software Center.