CSistine

IMHO they only update the plugin manager, not most plugins anymore! What a farce!

Frankly, I was aware of this before. But I assume that the re-activation for the new Free Sonar is the same as it has been for CbB in the last months, i.e. re-activation each month. But I don't know if there is still an offline (re-)activation available as with CbB.

As far as I have seen, in the beginning of this deal there were more exceptions, but they have dropped some!

Sadly they have also taken away the possibility to download installers by yourself. Frankly, I still prefer to install manually, especially if there is no information in the Installation Manager what has changed on a plugin! There are so many PA updates that I could skip, because they only effect Mac, Apple, other daws or trivialities. But YMMV. By the way most of the time I just had to download 1 single installer. Now the IM has to update itself, I have to search after the appropriate plugin and the IM has to download and install. Also, it misses a configurable download path.

I think nowadays there are so many warnings and nag screens that almost no one (not only fools!) reads them all. Be honest, have you always read all of them (nag screens, EULAs, terms of service ...)? By the way it's the same with those modern European cars with 1000 warning sounds: Almost no one will take them seriously! Sometimes less is more!

But in this case there is no automatic re-activation as someone mentioned above. IMO the offline re-activation is quite cumbersome (if it still exists at all) to do each month on 2 systems (in the past when it had been after half a year I accomplished it though).

Note: This is only true if you are always online! I don't think that the majority of users are always online or can always guarantee that a connection is possible all the time (whether it's on their end, at the internet provider, somewhere in the internet access path or at the provider (BandLab) side).

IMHO that's a misconception that subs go to updates and fixes that the users really want. But it is true that it supports the developers, but they are free to use it for whatever they want (fancy ideas), i.e. they don't have to follow the customer demands. It is like with state organisations, mostly it leads to dissipation, they get lazy in this way. I think it is better if a developer has perpetual major versions and then the customer has to pay again for a next major version. With this concept the customer has the last word whether the new version is worth it, i.e. the developer has to implement asked requirements to get new payments. Also the customers have more control over their budget. But YMMV.

This is exactly the point that many don't understand! Especially re-activation is a PITA! I've had a lot of software turning suddenly to non-authorized, even if I did not install any new hardware! I am a fan of the old authorization way (like Sonar X3) as some probably have understood. 😆 IMHO it's the only fair way to the customer. But nowadays there are many companies that try to enslave their users using some kind of obscure, murky online authorization and installation to manipulate them, to snatch their money and to force them updates. This is even true for so called "free" software. Just look how many don't clarify on their sites how authorization is managed, nor what is going on behind the scene! This is also the reason why I prefer iLok over online authorization, it is definitely more transparent and clearly only used for authorization!

I like it. It seems to be something similar like DeEdger of Tokyo Dawn Labs. Though if you don't like iLok authorization (Sonnox Soften), then DeEdger is for you, because with this one you get a simple authorization file (it can be used without internet connection! 👍). By the way DeEdger is currently on sale at AudioDeluxe ($29.00).

I advise everyone to ditch the new Sonar exactly because of such reasons. It is very risky, especially if you want to use projects in a longer term. But YMMV, use it to your own risk!

Strange, that never happened to me for Sonnox plugins neither in offline nor in online usage.

That's what I meant with "innovative". But your're right my wording is a bit overdone. 😆

At last, a really innovative new idea for a plugin! This is very rare, as most plugin providers redo the plugins we have since 15+ years! I am very excited to test it. I have seen a lot of issues with transient detection in plugins and daws, particularly on non percussion stuff. I hope they do better!

What I have noticed: Some companies have implemented some kind of iLok authorization "help" that is online and IMHO it is not of help at all (UAD is a very bad example)! But in most cases you can avoid that this code performs by doing the iLok authorization first with the iLok manager (either on a dongle or on the machine), i.e. before you scan the plugin. By the way, sometimes there are issues with other authorization types, too. E.g. since United Plugins use the Melda authorization code (by the way both use a good file authorization), I had several times the DAW process hanging. I think it has some dependence on the windows and popups coming up, i.e. when I was not patient enough (oh, it took sooo long), it hijacked the process. 😒