Spitfire LABS is out (free and subscription)

[softska]

Offline usage is currently in development and is actually priority for the team. That was stated on the Labs discord side. Hope they'll release it for soon.

Their answer on discord honestly doesn't inspire a lot of confidence (on discord), but at least they're coming out to say it I suppose.

Raill: So I can't work on my projects without it :/ Will this feature be added in the next few months? I mean, is it more like 2024 or later?
LABS_joshieyee — 08/06/2024 12:21 PM
definitely this year! we're hoping within the next couple months yes, possibly sooner

Few interesting tibits from discord:

GRmusic: I will try this. As it stands, I can still hear anything I previously wrote if the machine is offline, but there is no way to tweak any settings via the plugin. I've been copying all the midi into another track so I can work on things/use another plugin and still keep my original takes.

Nemanja: Hi there! Just thought it would be ok to share some info. I’ve installed new version few days ago, and as a lot of offline people, i was shocked to see it can’t work offline. I read somewhere that there’s no going back to old one after that, so i uninstalled it, and the old one was still there, working again. I also backed up vst3 file just in case. Hope that helps. Cheers!

[Morty-C-137]

I think the subscription model is great. The ability to still have the instruments play/automate is very forward-thinking

I think Output Arcade should take note of this.

I actually like this LABS version. Plenty of cool stuff still in the free packs.

[soulata]

Compared to the UVI sub, this looks like a lot of money for not much content.

12.99€ is a lot for what you're getting.

Not to mention the online aspect of it.

[oobesan]

LOL there is no chance in hell that I am updating. I will just keep the old version and use what I got. What a shitty thing for Spitfire to do. You don't provide something like this, generate a lot of good will (and sell a lot of expensive sample libraries along the way), and then pull it. F that and F the new Spitfire.

[el-bo (formerly ebow)]

LOL there is no chance in hell that I am updating. I will just keep the old version and use what I got. What a shitty thing for Spitfire to do. You don't provide something like this, generate a lot of good will (and sell a lot of expensive sample libraries along the way), and then pull it. F that and F the new Spitfire.

They haven't pulled anything. The free libraries are still free and have increased in quantity. Offline use is on the way.

[holmer]

Offline use is on the way.

Good.
Presumably because of everyone bitching about the online thing.

[adl]

Labs with offline use is now available, the update came out yesterday I think.
Here's some info about how the offline usage is working:

Offline Mode
An 'Offline Mode' toggle has been added to the Settings menu.
You will need to be online for the first time before enabling this option. Once enabled, users will then be able to disconnect from the internet and use the plugin offline for up to 30 days before needing to reconnect. After the 30 days has elapsed, you'll need to log back into the plugin before again having access to offline mode. This is so that we're able to ensure correct verification of your entitlement status as well as provide access to the latest plugin updates and bug fixes. When offline mode is enabled, internet and APl-driven functions, such as searching and filtering, are not accessible. Simply, you will have access to your 'Downloaded Only' packs. The offline mode option is remembered when you close the plugin, and is shared across multiple instances when used as a plugin in a DAW.
In order to disable Offline Mode once enabled: If you have Offline Mode enabled, but are still actually connected to the internet: simply disable the toggle in the Settings menu,
If you have Offline Mode enabled, and you're disconnected from the internet: you'll need to log out to disable Offline Mode.
Other minor changes in this version The plugin interface is now the first page upon loading the plugin. The packs list can be navigated to by clicking the four squares icon or the preset browser at the top of the window. Loading a preset will automatically navigate to the plugin interface page.

[el-bo (formerly ebow)]

Labs with offline use is now available, the update came out yesterday I think.
Here's some info about how the offline usage is working:

Offline Mode
An 'Offline Mode' toggle has been added to the Settings menu.
You will need to be online for the first time before enabling this option. Once enabled, users will then be able to disconnect from the internet and use the plugin offline for up to 30 days before needing to reconnect. After the 30 days has elapsed, you'll need to log back into the plugin before again having access to offline mode. This is so that we're able to ensure correct verification of your entitlement status as well as provide access to the latest plugin updates and bug fixes. When offline mode is enabled, internet and APl-driven functions, such as searching and filtering, are not accessible. Simply, you will have access to your 'Downloaded Only' packs. The offline mode option is remembered when you close the plugin, and is shared across multiple instances when used as a plugin in a DAW.
In order to disable Offline Mode once enabled: If you have Offline Mode enabled, but are still actually connected to the internet: simply disable the toggle in the Settings menu,
If you have Offline Mode enabled, and you're disconnected from the internet: you'll need to log out to disable Offline Mode.
Other minor changes in this version The plugin interface is now the first page upon loading the plugin. The packs list can be navigated to by clicking the four squares icon or the preset browser at the top of the window. Loading a preset will automatically navigate to the plugin interface page.

Seems like a good compromise. Thanks for the update!

[C-note]

Don’t like the new labs - preferred the old labs pics and interface - no subscribing!

[gnu23]

VT has thoughts on LABS in this video:

[Flip64]

Just uninstalled the lot. The new version won't consistently find or load the 35gb of samples I had DLed over the years, can't find my ASIO, keeps showing me stuff to "upgrade" to even when I ask it to list "downloaded only" and the navigation to get from 1 pack to another now is beyond clunky.

Labs+ might even be a good idea and I don't begrudge them wanting to make it pay but turning the main application into a complete crock is not the way I'm persuaded to "upgrade".

[ere2learn]

Just uninstalled the lot.

I only installed labs 4 weeks ago & had the same issues, samples cant be found, re-indexed them would work for a session or two and then need re-indexing again

But the last update about a week ago fixed those issues for me & i see there is a update today, but will i update now thats its working fine, I dunno

[Flip64]

Just uninstalled the lot.

I only installed labs 4 weeks ago & had the same issues, samples cant be found, re-indexed them would work for a session or two and then need re-indexing again

But the last update about a week ago fixed those issues for me & i see there is a update today, but will i update now thats its working fine, I dunno

Yeah unfortunately I wrote that AFTER installing the latest update this morning. I even uninstalled and reinstalled.

Spending so much time navigating through packs is not good. It makes Kontakt seem lightning quick...

On the plus side, I got a whole heap of disk space back. And I can't remember ever using the sounds in a project, I just used them to doodle with, so no big loss.

[holmer]

After the 30 days has elapsed, you'll need to log back into the plugin before again having access to offline mode.

That doesn't mean offline, that means online with breaks.
Myself, I'll never install anything that requires me to do that, so f that.


Anyone know if the free LABS maybe hopefully doesn't need that?

[Mr Arkadin]

After the 30 days has elapsed, you'll need to log back into the plugin before again having access to offline mode.

That doesn't mean offline, that means online with breaks.
Myself, I'll never install anything that requires me to do that, so f that.


Anyone know if the free LABS maybe hopefully doesn't need that?

This is exactly why I dropped BFD3, same nonsense. I'll be uninstalling old LABS now as it won't be fixable when it loses the link to the content (which it occasionally does).

Luckily I have a few of the old Kontakt ones should I really feel the need, but I have so many unexplored Spitfire libraries from sales purchases that I have a lifetime's worth of instruments to learn.

This seems a big misstep by them. Seems a few things have gone awry since Christian Henson left.