Steinberg announces new licensing system for 2022

EB5AGV

Say goodbye to eLicensers on Steinberg products and for sure on other manufacturers ones. More info here:

https://www.steinberg.net/licensing/

HZPiano

EB5AGV Thanks for posting!

On a personal note, all these systems, and the dozens and dozens of accounts and 'security' systems we need(??) to have everywhere drive me utterly nuts.

In particular, the notion that all of this hassle we have to put up with is 'just' because they (a dominant minority of people) can't (won't) behave themselves respectfully, decently, and constructively, makes me bitter and resentful.

Oh how sweet fully acoustic and authentic musical instruments are…

Cheers and happy preserving our integrity,

Deleted

HZPiano In particular, the notion that all of this hassle we have to put up with is 'just' because they (a dominant minority of people) can't (won't) behave themselves respectfully, decently, and constructively, makes me bitter and resentful.

A majority (as in: almost anyone) is going to pirate software, if it's easy and convenient. It's just that creators can decide to make it more convenient for paying customers and don't care about the dark side at all (many independent video game creators go this way or even just ask for donations), or make it very cumbersome for everyone.

However nobody really cares about some "minority" sitting with balaclavas and coats in front of their computer and shaving of a few percent of revenue. Companies hassle you, because they believe, that you are going to pirate their stuff, if eLicenser (or something else) doesn't prevent you from it.

And they are completely right with their assessment. About 95 % the audience would never pay for a single VST, if it weren't for DRM. That's the reality of the market and lead to introduction of dongles in the 1980s already.

Killomiter

It is why the music industry is completely shot, everyone expects stuff for free

Deleted

Killomiter The general principle isn't limited to any specific industry. Two examples:

Supermarkets encumber their customers with one-way barriers and queues at the checkout, not because of a small minority of shoplifters. It's because if they just provide a house full of stuff with a free walk in and out, not many people wouldn't line up at the register placed in some corner to pay for the stuff in their cart.

Gas stations are a perfect example, too. At some places you just drive up to a fuel pump and fill 100 bucks worth of fuel into your car right away. Then you have to go to the cash register to actually pay for what's already in your tank. This system works, because only a very small minority steals fuel there. However once you're in wrong neighborhood, no fuel pump is going to do anything before you have inserted a valid credit card. That's because a majority there would just take the "free" fuel and drive away.

Conclusion: It's you, who the vendor does trust or doesn't, not some cliché "minority" everyone else has to suffer from.

vagfilm

And this explains the VSL move towards iLok...

EB5AGV

I should be the exception, all my music software is paid by me or either free from its origin. And, yes, I have a plethora of piano VIs. And, no, I am no rich by any extent.

I find that I enjoy lots more an item which has had some non-trivial cost and so some work to get it, as VSL pianos which, even on offer, are not cheap.

Perhaps having programmed for some decades makes me appreciate the work behind any piece of software.

Of course, YMMV.

Jose

HZPiano

EB5AGV I should be the exception, all my music software is paid by me or either free from its origin

Here lives another such exception. Just a matter of decency and integrity. Happily paid full price for Modern U, which has an excellent price-to-quality ratio. Those makers are quite literally worth their money.

I do regret a couple of Production Voices purchases which are not worth their money, even at the silly sales price of $29 that I paid for each of them. Being someone with next to no budget, that still is quite a bit of money to unnecessarily lose to unfounded promises. Of course it was learning money -- now I will never buy anything anymore that can't be thoroughly tried or has a decent return/refund policy. Modern U was a wild/lucky shot based on my trust in @David B's YouTube review. I still cherish my luck (and David's integrity) that wasn't a lemon (at all).

I learned a lot from using and studying the free .sfz Salamander Grand Piano, which is quite nicely done for someone's hobby project. Respect for the maker. But it is not in use anymore.

Anyway, no piracy here either.

Cheers and happy integrity,

MacMacMac

I understand your point, HZ. But you're ten years to late for me! I've spend many, many hundreds of dollars on trash-worthy instruments.

Frédéric L

Usually, I am quite happy buying some virtual pianos… even VSL models : they are expensive, but the quality is here. There are some exceptions like some Truekeys by VILabs with nasty clicks embedded in samples (acknowledged by the support even if we didn’t agree on the term, they prefer « quick chiff ») or EWQL Bechstein with huge velocity gaps. They have made me regret my purchases.

Del Vento

Frédéric L

What does "chiff" means? The same as whiff?

burkey

Frédéric L or EWQL Bechstein with huge velocity gaps

Was this the one?

https://www.altomusic.com/eastwest-pianos-bechstein-d-280-platinum-ew-322d#child_index=1611

Another reason not to buy it:

'Warning: This product can expose you to chemicals that are known to the State of California to cause cancer or birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information, go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov'

I've never seen samples that cause cancer and birth defects (well obviously excluding Quindon Tarver, Michael Bolton, and Billy Ray Cyrus!) … that's actually some pretty janky audio!

MacMacMac

Del Vento What does "chiff" means?

Google says that chiff is the initial sound made by air leaving the mouth of a wind instrument.

Frédéric L

Del Vento It was their words, I didn’t try to guess what they mean by it.

Frédéric L

burkey Was this the one?

https://www.altomusic.com/eastwest-pianos-bechstein-d-280-platinum-ew-322d#child_index=1611

Yes, this one.