Pace iLok problem

Have you done this?:

I activated my license. Why won’t the software run?
The first troubleshooting step with any iLok issue is to run a synchronize operation on the iLok. You can do this by right-clicking on the iLok within iLok License Manager and selecting "Synchronize". You will need to be signed into the account that the iLok is registered to in order to do this. Often, the iLok is able to repair itself.

This is exactly my nightmare with dongles and licensing programs.

I just thought about getting ilok, but between the internet requirement and now this, I'm not going to do it.

I’ve used ilok for years, only problem was when they botched their new server install, other than that bullet proof.

You don’t have to use cloud, it’s an option.

The internet requirement is only for using iLok cloud.  You're not required to use iLok cloud (and most plugs don't support it anyway).  If you don't use cloud, you don't have to connect to the web.

I can confirm this works, as thats what I did. Even cross platform—online machine being a Mac and the Win7 box down in the studio. Buy or initiate a demo on a new plug....which as always purchased on the online machine anyway, right? ...plug the dongle in, activate the license, then take it an a usb data installer to the studio box, install software and its all done. Forever. 

I'll give it a try.  

If it doesn't work I'll send you a paypal bill for the plugs and Ilok.

Cool?

Because if I use my recording machine every day for 6 years without a single hiccup and suddenly I start having issues that could have been avoided by not having external BS like Ilok..

I just went through the Waves debacle spending days trying to figure out how to get waves plugs back working on my machine, and while I haven't had a crash since I had to figure out how to get it all working through trickery, sometimes my machine now takes 5 minutes to "scan" plugins, the majority of which is sitting there stuck scanning the Waves plugs.

I should have never went waves either!  But now I find that I use a couple of their plugs pretty often.  If I do the same with Ilok and it eventually leaves me in the lurch, then what?

I have multiple dongles and USB "keys" at work and all their DRM bullshit steps on each other.  Sometimes I have to reinstall the licensing software, or I can't use one dongle while another is plugged in, etc.  Unfortunately I don't have a choice at work, but I do in my studio..

Do I really want to go through that in the studio too?

I never install the licenses for plugs on the system when I can avoid it. I’d much rather have my ilok and then another usb flash drive that has all my installers on it. If something ever happens, all I do is put the ilok in a new machine, install the plugs, and I’m up and running again in no time. 2 dongles and piece of mind!

I think there was 1 day a few years ago where the entirety of ilok went down but they had everything back up and running in like 6 or 7 hours. It’s the only time I’ve had them stumble in 15 years or so of dealing with it.

Couple thoughts= you went Waves without iLok? See, everyone I know who has tried their non iLok authorization has run into trouble. So, in a way, your experience is proving my point. Time spent scanning can be a problem. That’s because they package them as a single monolith rather than separate files. Thats not just Waves, its a lot of the big dev houses. Im sure its cheaper to support.

But, secondly you're 100% right that you will find plug ins you dont want to work without and be “stuck” using it. As to it leaving you in “a lurch”....i mean thats certainly possible with all tech. but see how this gave Don and issue....a major one....and then....globally fixed. All up and running. By using machine auths you just distribute both the risk and repair time.

Almost none.  I have other plugs that I've installed, then dropped their license files in a folder and have never had to worry about them ever again.

What works that way that isn't Reaper or Mixbus? Neither of which are "plug ins" specifically...but, I've literally NEVER used a piece of (music) software with a license file. I'm seriously asking because those devs need big props. Mixbus works that way. Specific path. Drop license files specific to me. All works. I've never seen another do that--the alternatives I've seen are straight "enter serial" which is basically no protection)...and the convoluted machine auths. I appreciate AirWindows lack of protection at all...but, also--I've not paid him. So...

To the other question, yes--Waves and Avid (use of iLok) are the reason iLok IS a thing. It's actually the VHS to eLicenser's Betamax, IMO/E, but those two big dogs had so much market share that the market went ilok. So--I've never NOT used Waves with an iLok in 15 or 20 years of use. 

I feel pretty sure that you can change the authorization management with WavesCentral if you wanted to put them on Ilok. But, that I wouldn't swear to having never done it (unlike the above with is normal OP). In fact, I sort of hate Waves Central, because that was put in JUST to manage the stupid alternate authorizations. I used to download the latest installer from their website (which is open for anyone to download) run it, selecting what I own, and Waves was DONE--because the licenses were put on the iLok whenever I bought them.

There IS a little hop jumping when you buy something...more than a machine auth, or certainly file/serial type protection...but, then it's DONE...the licenses is there.

But, I also understand if you have good alternatives without machine auth protection. Turn us all onto them. Machine auths are SOO much worse on nearly every level, so I get kind of passionate even though I'd rather not have a dongle either. But, the rise of machine auths has annoyed the buhjeeezus out of me.