Question about iLoks and the iLok manager

80 views
Skip to first unread message

Christopher Gilland

unread,
Jan 2, 2020, 8:54:42 PM1/2/20
to ptac...@googlegroups.com
For reasons which go beyond the scope of this e-mail, and would get way
too long-winded for me to attempt explaining, I won't bore you with why
I ask this question. I know typically, this isn't something most people
probably would do, all be it the option's there, but I have to ask at
least this much...


I know that 1 iLok costs around $50USD. Obviously, I already have one
which I'm using with ProTools, as well as some plugins which require it.
I see however that when activating a plugin through the iLok manager, I
either can put the asset on my physical iLok USB dongle, or I can
actually put it locally on my mac itself.


I guess my main question is, like there is on an iLok dongle, is there a
limit on how many assets will fit if I was to store them instead on my
mac? Also, having this option, does that mean that technically speaking,
as long as I don't plan to move around from one system to another, I
could theoreticly store the asset there instead of on my actual dongle
itself? Finally, what would be the disadvantages aside the obvious of no
portability from one system to another of having it stored locally on my
mac instead of the key itself?


Chris.

Slau Halatyn

unread,
Jan 2, 2020, 11:04:38 PM1/2/20
to PTAccess List
There are 3 main variables to iLok licensing as it relates to location and they are determined by the developer. It's up to the developer to determine whether a license can be activated to an iLok, a computer and the cloud. Some developers allow all three while some only allow one or two. The third generation iLok can store at least 512 licenses if not more. I'd imagine there's no theoretical maximum for computer activation slots. One disadvantage with computer activation is that you have to remove all license activations if you're formatting the drive. Apart from that, portability is a big factor for some users.
HTH,
Slau


-- 
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Pro Tools Accessibility" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to ptaccess+u...@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/ptaccess/580d2212-5a17-a67e-5d53-1d31c66678f2%40gmail.com.

Christopher Gilland

unread,
Jan 3, 2020, 9:09:01 AM1/3/20
to ptac...@googlegroups.com

Slau,


Thank you for your help. That's pretty much what i suspected for the answer, but I definitely do appreciate your confirmation on the matter.


Have a wonderful rest of your day.


Chris.

Ronald van Rhijn

unread,
Jan 3, 2020, 10:45:25 AM1/3/20
to ptac...@googlegroups.com
I have learned from my Pro Tools dealer that the Cloud only registration needs a wired internet connection, no wifi will do. , 
Anyone know why this is the case? I would definately like to have a ilok-less setup. 

Ronald


 

Slau Halatyn

unread,
Jan 3, 2020, 11:32:21 AM1/3/20
to PTAccess List
That's not correct. What it requires is an Internet connection which can certainly be wireless. The connection can technically even be over an iOS device. What it does not require is the iLok key itself but an Internet connection is the key, so to speak.
HTH,
Slau


Nick Gawronski

unread,
Jan 3, 2020, 1:48:38 PM1/3/20
to PTAccess List
Hi, What would happen if your hard drive crashed with the license on it
and you had no backup made could the license be restored? If say I did
have a full backup could I just restore everything back to the new
drive? I am just asking so I would know what I would have to do if
something happened. Nick Gawronski
On Fri, 3 Jan 2020, Slau Halatyn wrote:

> Date: Fri, 3 Jan 2020 11:32:18 -0500
> From: Slau Halatyn <slauh...@gmail.com>
> Reply-To: ptac...@googlegroups.com
> To: PTAccess List <ptac...@googlegroups.com>
> Subject: Re: Question about iLoks and the iLok manager
> To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/ptaccess/CEAA03A4-7136-4704-A7DC-37BB8F868728%40gmail.com.
>
>

Slau Halatyn

unread,
Jan 3, 2020, 2:24:46 PM1/3/20
to PTAccess List
My understanding is that the replacement of licenses is up to the discretion of the developer. To me, it's kind of a no-brainer to use an iLok key for everything if possible. That said, it's also been convenient to just throw a license on the drive to free up a USB slot if necessary. Horses for courses, I guess.
Slau


Ronald van Rhijn

unread,
Jan 3, 2020, 3:31:00 PM1/3/20
to ptac...@googlegroups.com
Well that sounds a lot more logical to me slau.
Weird my dealer told me wrong, he is a very experienced guy.
For now I don't really mind using an iLok either. Although I hear at Pro Tools startup something about Cloud also.

Ronald

Slau Halatyn

unread,
Jan 3, 2020, 3:54:29 PM1/3/20
to PTAccess List
Well, I suppose that, when you consider Internet connectivity, regardless of whether a wifi network is being used, there's a wire involved to get a network connection to a router. Maybe that's what he was thinking? Anyway, yeah, PT began supporting cloud activations last year. It's OK, I suppose.
Slau


Jesse Kragiel

unread,
Jan 3, 2020, 3:55:16 PM1/3/20
to Pro Tools Accessibility
One issue is that all the new Mac laptops are USB C, so in order to use the iLok key, you'd need an adapter or hub to make it happen. I use Main Stage in live settings, and I leave my iLok key at home because I don't want it damaged or stolen. However, I authorize PT in the cloud, and most of the instruments I use have 2 or 3 simultaneous activations allowed, so at least one is always on the iLok, which is always plugged into the studio iMac. That's just my scenario.

Nick Gawronski

unread,
Jan 3, 2020, 4:12:02 PM1/3/20
to Pro Tools Accessibility
Hi, Can you transfer the license back and forth from a key to your
computer should you say want to upgrade the operating system and just to
make sure you don't lose the license? Nick Gawronski
On Fri, 3 Jan 2020,
Jesse Kragiel wrote:

> Date: Fri, 3 Jan 2020 12:55:16 -0800 (PST)
> From: Jesse Kragiel <jessek...@gmail.com>
> Reply-To: ptac...@googlegroups.com
> To: Pro Tools Accessibility <ptac...@googlegroups.com>
> Subject: Re: Question about iLoks and the iLok manager
>

Slau Halatyn

unread,
Jan 3, 2020, 4:51:39 PM1/3/20
to PTAccess List
Actually, I think one of the announcements at NAMM will probably be a USB C iLok key. We'll see…
Slau


On Jan 3, 2020, at 3:55 PM, Jesse Kragiel <jessek...@gmail.com> wrote:

One issue is that all the new Mac laptops are USB C, so in order to use the iLok key, you'd need an adapter or hub to make it happen. I use Main Stage in live settings, and I leave my iLok key at home because I don't want it damaged or stolen. However, I authorize PT in the cloud, and most of the instruments I use have 2 or 3 simultaneous activations allowed, so at least one is always on the iLok, which is always plugged into the studio iMac. That's just my scenario.

-- 
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Pro Tools Accessibility" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to ptaccess+u...@googlegroups.com.

Slau Halatyn

unread,
Jan 3, 2020, 4:52:51 PM1/3/20
to PTAccess List
Yes, you can either transfer to a key or simply deactivate the license and it goes back to your iLok account and you can reactivate afterwards.
Slau


-- 
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Pro Tools Accessibility" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to ptaccess+u...@googlegroups.com.

Christopher Gilland

unread,
Jan 4, 2020, 4:27:23 AM1/4/20
to ptac...@googlegroups.com

Ewwww! I hope and pray that they will not get rid of the iLoks that're just regular USB type A. What about people like me who have older macs, and can't aford a newer one at the time.


By the way, what is NAMM? I feel dumb for asking, but...


Chris.

Christopher Gilland

unread,
Jan 4, 2020, 4:38:54 AM1/4/20
to ptac...@googlegroups.com

While we're on this subject, what happens if God forbid, I'm activating something, and have a power serge, or something just weird glitches, and my iLok gets toasted? Would Avid replace the asset? I know they wouldn't replace the iLok. That's understandable. I wouldn't expect for them to do that, but would they at least! replace the asset, provided I was willing to get another iLok at my own expense? If so, I might go ahead and order me another one just to have as a backup.


Quite frankly, I want to upgrade my iLok anyway, as I think I might have the 1st generation. I know this as, when Ron gots his iLok, I felt his, and man! it's physically dementionally in size much smaller, and his also doesn't have the little protection cap over the USB end of the apparatus.


I got my iLok included in the box with the DVD's to my m-Audio Fast Tracks C400 interface back in 2011 when I ordered from Sweetwater. I basically got the ProTools 9 MPower bundle with the interface. This is why I'm saying, I think I have the 1st gen. Also, it's already half full with licenses I need, I do believe. If I remember this correctly, Slau, you or someone else will have to confirm this, but didn't the 1st gens only give you 100 assets? I'm already up to 40. So, yeah...


Chris.

TheOreoMonster

unread,
Jan 4, 2020, 7:31:05 AM1/4/20
to ptac...@googlegroups.com
Chris, usb-c to usb A and vice versa converters are like $5. So if they ever do switch the iLok’s over which they probably will at some point in the distant future you will be fine. 


TheOreoMonster

unread,
Jan 4, 2020, 7:33:08 AM1/4/20
to ptac...@googlegroups.com
Chris you have a gen 2 iLok. I got mine earlier than 2011 with ProTools 9 also and it ws a gen 2. The really small ones are gen 3. Also Gen 1 is no longer supported by a lot of licenses so it’s safe to assume you have a gen 2. 


Ronald van Rhijn

unread,
Jan 4, 2020, 7:55:52 AM1/4/20
to ptac...@googlegroups.com
NAMM stands for the National Association of Music Merchants and is a trade organization for music gear ...
This years trade show is from january 16 to 19 january.

hth,
Ronald

Christopher Gilland

unread,
Jan 4, 2020, 11:50:35 AM1/4/20
to ptac...@googlegroups.com

Would you happen to know if they stream their presentations?


Chris.

Christopher Gilland

unread,
Jan 4, 2020, 11:56:51 AM1/4/20
to ptac...@googlegroups.com

Aa, OK then? How many licenses does the 2nd! um, I guess, LOL, iLok hold as aposed to the 3rd gen? Again, LOL!


Chris.

Slau Halatyn

unread,
Jan 4, 2020, 12:07:21 PM1/4/20
to PTAccess List
Pace's web site states the following:
. A single iLok USB can store up to 1500 separate licenses (3rd generation), 500 separate licenses (2nd generation), or 118 separate licenses (1st generation).

Ronald van Rhijn

unread,
Jan 4, 2020, 4:20:06 PM1/4/20
to ptac...@googlegroups.com
Don’t know, sorry.



Slau Halatyn

unread,
Jan 4, 2020, 5:52:13 PM1/4/20
to PTAccess List
Panels aren't streamed but sometimes recorded. Main show floor presentations are sometimes streamed. Not sure if this year's stuff will be. FWIW, the Pro Tools / Sibelius accessibility presentations by me and Chi will be on Saturday at 5 P.M. and Sunday at 3:30 P.M. Pacific Standard Time.
Slau


Ronald J. Glaser

unread,
Jan 5, 2020, 3:51:26 AM1/5/20
to ptac...@googlegroups.com
would you happen to know,  if namm has a YouTube channel?

A Smile on your face shows Gods grace!

On Jan 4, 2020, at 5:52 PM, Slau Halatyn <slauh...@gmail.com> wrote:

Panels aren't streamed but sometimes recorded. Main show floor presentations are sometimes streamed. Not sure if this year's stuff will be. FWIW, the Pro Tools / Sibelius accessibility presentations by me and Chi will be on Saturday at 5 P.M. and Sunday at 3:30 P.M. Pacific Standard Time.

Ronald J. Glaser

unread,
Jan 5, 2020, 3:55:33 AM1/5/20
to ptac...@googlegroups.com
my eye lock, is a third GEN. I’m glad to know that. Because then I can start a lot more assets. Then on a second GEN. That is really good to know. Thanks for letting us know that.


A Smile on your face shows Gods grace!

On Jan 4, 2020, at 12:07 PM, Slau Halatyn <slauh...@gmail.com> wrote:

Pace's web site states the following:

John André Lium-Netland

unread,
Jan 5, 2020, 10:02:09 AM1/5/20
to PT access group
Does anyone here have bad experience with using cloud-only licences instead of the USB iLok? Except for the obvious one that you’ll not be able to use your DAW and plugins if your internet connection is down…..?

Slau Halatyn

unread,
Jan 5, 2020, 11:17:49 AM1/5/20
to PTAccess List
No idea whether they do anything on YouTube. I'd imagine they'd simply host it on their web site.
Slau


TheOreoMonster

unread,
Jan 5, 2020, 11:26:52 AM1/5/20
to ptac...@googlegroups.com
The different brands may do stuff from their booths or press conferences on youtube. The panels put on by the NAMM organizations or brands on the other hand are a little harder to find online after the fact if you didn’t attend them in person. 


Ronald van Rhijn

unread,
Jan 6, 2020, 11:26:01 AM1/6/20
to ptac...@googlegroups.com
Havent done much in Pro Tools yet but have probably opted for the Cloud only licensing because when I start pro Tools without an iLok connected it checks the Cloud and Pro Tools starts working. And this is indeed on a Wifi connection only.
Perhaps it checks the Cloud now because there’s no iLok found, this I don’t know. I only have Pro Tools installed at the moment FYI.

Ronald

Cultuurzoeker

unread,
Jan 7, 2020, 11:18:53 AM1/7/20
to ptac...@googlegroups.com

Christopher Gilland

unread,
Jan 7, 2020, 11:33:09 AM1/7/20
to ptac...@googlegroups.com
Excuse me? Were you trying to ask a question on here? If so, it didn't
come through, from what I can tell. Sorry 'bout that.


Chris.

On 01/07/2020 11:18 AM, Cultuurzoeker wrote:
>
>
Reply all
Reply to author
Forward
0 new messages