iLok Information - Page 2 - Legacy Upgrades & Updates

Additional iLok Information, Links, Related Documents

• iLok Usage Guide (748 k)
• Update Your PACE Interlok & iLok Drivers (link)
• iLok.com (link)

Pro Tools 6 on Mac OS X with Pro Tools Systems

With the release of Pro Tools 6 software on Mac OS X, floppy based copy protection authorizations will no longer work.

Pace's iLok technology will be the only means by which users can authorize Digidesign and Digidesign-distributed Development Partner plug-ins and software options on Pro Tools TDM and LE systems running 6 software. To help facilitate this process, a new site — www.ilok.com — has been created. All users who utilize iLok authorizations can use iLok.com to manage their authorizations, regardless of their Pro Tools version. Along with authorizing new 6-compatible plug-ins and options, Pro Tools 6 customers will need an iLok.com account in order to transition floppy-based authorizations to their 6-based systems.

Pace's iLok protection is essentially comprised of two components: a new, database-backed, secure website (www.ilok.com) and an iLok USB Smart Key. The iLok website facilitates the creation of customer accounts, the deposit of plug-in assets by Digidesign to user accounts, a record of those assets, and the download of the assets to an iLok Key by the customer at his/her discretion. The USB iLok Smart Key, available via the Digi Web Store and Digidesign dealers, and included with new Pro Tools|HD TDM systems, securely stores authorizations for Pro Tools plug-ins — both those that are transferred from an iLok.com account, and those that are added via iLok license cards (which are temporarily inserted into and read by the iLok Key).

Customers Upgrading to Pro Tools 6

The Pro Tools 6 application and included DigiRack Plug-ins DO NOT REQUIRE AN ILOK FOR AUTHORIZATION. Only optional Digidesign and Digidesign-distributed Development Partner plug-ins and software options on Pro Tools TDM and LE systems running version 6.0 or higher software have changed from floppy disk to iLok authorization (as have many third-party software manufacturers). If you do not own any floppy-authorized plug-ins or software that you need to upgrade for use with Pro Tools 6, you do not need an iLok.

For more information, see the "DigiRack Plug-Ins & Optional Digidesign Software" link in each Mac OS X product subsection in the Digidesign Compatibility Documents

Customers who purchase the Pro Tools 6 upgrade that own optional Digidesign or Digi-distributed plug-ins with floppy disk authorizations should follow these steps:

1. If you don't already own an iLok Key, purchase one from either a Digidesign dealer or from the Digidesign Web Store.
2. Visit www.ilok.com and follow the instructions required to create an iLok.com account.
3. Upon receipt of your Pro Tools 6 upgrade software, complete the accompanying registration card, making sure to include your new iLok.com account User ID as requested. The product registration card that comes with Pro Tools 6 asks you to go to iLok.com to set up an account and subsequently to provide your iLok.com account number on the card. Instead of a number, this is actually the unique User ID that you choose when you create your iLok.com account.
4. Once Digidesign Customer Service receives either your Pro Tools 6 upgrade registration or new Pro Tools system registration (via fax, mail, or online), you will be eligible to have any appropriate, previously registered, plug-ins added your iLok.com account. You may request these licenses by emailing us: Contact your local Digidesign office
5. Please make sure that you have synchronized your iLok(s) to your account prior to contacting us. If your account is ready, we will typically deposit any qualified authorization assets into your iLok.com account within 7 to 10 business days of your request. Based on that timeframe, check your iLok.com account for your new plug-in authorization assets.
6. From your iLok.com account, follow the instructions for transferring the new authorization assets to your iLok Key.
7. If you find that any of your plug-ins aren't registered, they can be registered by FAXing a copy of your original plug-in registration card or purchase receipt from an authorized dealer to Digidesign Customer Service Administration.

If you have any questions, please Contact your local Digidesign office.

iLok and Pro Tools 6 Q & A

Q: Do you need to have an iLok to use Pro Tools 6?
A: Not to use the Pro Tools application and the included DigiRack plug-ins. You only need an iLok to authorize optional Digidesign and Digidesign-distributed Development Partner plug-ins and software options on Pro Tools TDM and LE systems running 6 software. Check with third-party developers for their Mac OS X authorization method. (floppy authorizations will not work on Mac OS X, regardless of manufacturer)

Q: Do you have to supply an iLok.com User ID on Digidesign registration cards?
A: Yes, a user must register for an iLok.com account before completing their Pro Tools 6 registration and supply it on the Pro Tools 6 upgrade registration card in order to receive iLok-compatible authorizations from Digidesign Customer Service.

Q: Do you have to have an iLok USB key to register for an iLok.com account?
A: No, you can register for an iLok.com account, and then register individual iLok USB keys at a later date. However, you do need to have at least one iLok Key registered on your iLok.com account in order to receive iLok.com asset/authorization deposits. If no iLok has been registered on the account Digidesign Customer Service will not be able to tell if the account exists.

Q: Does the Pro Tools system need to be connected to the Internet in order to receive assets/authorizations via iLok.com?
A: No. You can download assets to an iLok Key from any Internet-connected computer with a USB port and one of the following operating systems: Mac OS 9.2 or later, and Mac OS X v10.1.5 and later. For Windows you need Windows98, ME, 2000 or XP. You can then use those downloaded iLok authorizations on any Pro Tools system. However, the Internet-connected computer must have the iLok Client Software application installed, which is provided as a download when registering for an iLok.com account.

Q: What platforms support iLok.com?
A: iLok.com now works on both Macintosh and Windows, using Internet Explorer as the default browser. You need a computer with a USB port and one of the following operating systems: Mac OS 9.2 or later, and Mac OS X v10.2 and later. For Windows you need Windows98, ME, 2000 or XP.

Q: What platforms does the iLok USB Hardware Key work on?
A: iLok is compatible with both Macintosh and Windows. You need a computer with a USB port and one of the following operating systems: Mac OS 8.6 or later (including Mac OS X), Windows 98, Windows ME, Windows 2000, or Window XP.

Q: When will the Windows iLok.com client software will be available?
A: It is available now and can be downloaded after you log in at iLok.com. Please select the Downloads menu item and choose your platform to download. You can now use both Mac and Windows machines to access and use the functionality on iLok.com. The Windows iLok Client software is currently compatible with Internet Explorer only.

Q: What happens if an iLok stops working?
A: Please confirm that the iLok Key is plugged into a working USB port and that the light on the iLok Key is on. For more information,go to iLok.com and click on the Help section of the iLok.com website. You will need to create an iLok.com account (for free) in order to use the website.

For replacement of a broken or defective iLok Key, regardless of which authorizations it contains, customers will need to follow the iLok RMA process (Return Merchandise Authorization) as detailed in the Help section on the iLok.com website.

If a customer needs to send their iLok to PACE for replacement, Digidesign Technical Support will accommodate them with temporary 30 day authorizations for all of their registered Digidesign plug-ins. Customers can purchase a blank iLok from their local Digidesign dealer or the online DigiStore to register to their iLok.com account. Digidesign will then deposit the necessary temporary assets to the customer's iLok.com account. These temporary authorizations expire 30 days after they are first deposited on iLok.com.

Q: Are iLok Keys included with plug-in purchases?
A: Individual plug-ins do not include an iLok Key. In order to authorize a plug-in via iLok.com or using iLok License Cards, you must have an iLok Key. The iLok Key is included with some Pro Tools systems (MIXpack promotional bundles, Digi 001 Factory bundle, and all Pro Tools|HD systems) and can be purchased separately from Digidesign Dealers or online from the Digidesign Web Store.

Exceptions:

• Digi 002 Factory, Digi 002 Rack Factory, and Mbox Factory hardware & software bundled products include a pre-authorized iLok with the Factory Software Bundle. See the Pro Tools LE Products section for more information
• Purchases of the 002 Factory or Mbox Factory sofware-only bundles sold separately also include a pre-authorized iLok.
• Pro Tools M-Powered software for M-Audio hardware includes a pre-authorized red iLok with the Pro Tools M-Powered software authorization.
• Pro Tools|HD and HD Accel systems with the HDpack v6.0 and higher include a pre-authorized iLok with the HDpack software.
• Pro Tools|HD and HD Accel systems with HDpack v1.0 through v5.0 include a blank HD iLok and license cards with the HDpack authorizations

Q: I have more than one iLok Key. Is there a way to combine authorizations onto a single Key to free up a USB port?
A: Yes! With the new features of v2.0 at iLok.com, you can now move authorizations from any iLok Key in your iLok account to any other iLok key on that account. You can arrange your licenses in anyway you like on your multiple iLoks. If you wish to use multiple iLoks, purchasing a powered USB hub will allow you to employ multiple iLok Keys if you do not currently have additional USB ports available on your system.

Q: Which USB port should I plug the iLok Key into?
A: The iLok Key should work in any available USB port on your system; this includes the ports on Apple USB keyboards. However, some users have reported problems with their computer failing to recognize the iLok Key when installed in an Apple keyboard port. If you experience this problem, insert the iLok Key into one of the available USB ports on the CPU, or use a powered USB hub.

Q: Can I assign a password to my iLok?
A: Digidesign does not support assigning passwords to an iLok Key. You will not be able to register your iLok at iLok.com if it has been password protected.

If you attempt to use this feature, you should document your password. Make sure not to lose it as there is no way to reset the password without returning the iLok to PACE. If you lose your password, you will need to arrange for this with PACE using the RMA (Return Merchandise Authorization) Form located on the Support pages at www.ilok.com — in order to get an RMA number. PACE charges $10.00 plus shipping to remove the password from your iLok and return it.

New Internet Activation Feature

Q: What is Internet Activation and how can I use it for authorizing plug-ins?
A: Internet Activation is a new feature introduced with Pro Tools 6.4 that allows you to purchase and authorize plug-ins directly from the Pro Tools application. In order to use Internet Activation an iLok USB dongle needs to be connected to your system and your computer needs to be connected to the Internet.

Note: Internet Activation is not available for all Digidesign and Digidesign-distributed plug-ins at this time.

To use Internet Activation:

1. After installing a new plug-in you will be prompted for authorization the next time you launch Pro Tools.
2. To obtain a demo authorization click the button that says "Try". To purchase a plug-in and obtain the full license, click the "Authorize" button.
3. In the next window, make sure the "use license card" box is not checked and click Next.
4. Select the option for Internet Activation and click Next. You will be linked to the Digidesign Internet Activation page online where you will be required to log-in.
5. If you have chosen to download a demo authorization, follow the prompts on the screen.
6. If you have chosen "Authorize" to purchase a plug-in, select Full License and click the Buy Now tab.
7. Follow the instruction for entering your shipping and credit card information.
8. Once the transaction is processed the demo or full license will be transferred directly to your iLok.

Pro Tools|HD Systems on Mac OS 9

Many customers are upgrading Digidesign systems and currently own Digi distributed plug-ins. The following plug-ins will work on your new HD system with Mac OS 9 using your existing floppy based key disks:

• D-Fi
• D-FX
• Focusrite d2 and d3
• Maxim
• Soundreplacer
• SurroundScope

Just make sure that the plug-ins are installed in your plug-ins folder and authorize them via your floppy disk drive and key disks. These floppy authorized versions can be installed from the Plug-In Updaters folder on the Pro Tools CD ROM provided with your HD system.

• D-Verb is included as a DigiRack plug-in with Pro Tools|HD systems and does not require authorization.
• DPP-1 is authorized by the code given to you by Digidesign Customer Service when you register your new HD system.

Some customers have plug-ins that authorize with the MIXpack iLok USB Hardware Key they received during our 2001 MIXpack promotion. The MIXpack iLok USB Hardware Key can still be used to authorize the following plug-ins on an HD system:

• Focusrite d2 v1.7
• Drawmer Dynamics v2.1
• DPP-1 v1.8

In order to use the MIXpack iLok USB Hardware Key to authorize these plug-ins, the correct versions must be installed. The MIXpack plug-ins can be installed from the iLok MIXpack Installer located on the Pro Tools CD ROM included with the HD system. (Note: the MIXpack iLok USB Hardware Key will not authorize any other versions of these plug-ins.)

The following plug-ins utilize new copy protection technology and will only work on your new HD system with iLok authorizations (Note: Your existing floppy based key disks will not authorize these plug-ins on your HD system.)

• Access Virus
• Access Virus Indigo
• Aphex Aural Exciter
• Aphex Big Bottom Pro
• Bruno/Reso
• DINR
• Line 6 Amp Farm
• Line 6 Echo Farm
• Reverb One

Every new Digidesign HD core system sold includes an iLok USB Hardware Key. This HD iLok is pre-authorized with the following "demo" authorizations:

• Access Virus
• Access Virus Indigo
• Bruno/Reso
• DINR
• Line 6 Amp Farm
• Reverb One
• Sonic NoNoise

These demo authorizations will activate these plug-ins provided on the Pro Tools CD ROM provided with your HD system.

Please make sure to install these new versions of plug-ins into your plug-in folder, as the iLok authorizations will not authorize older versions of these plug-ins.

By plugging in your iLok USB Hardware Key and authorizing your plug-ins you will have these plug-ins available immediately as fully functional demo versions for 15 days.

If you currently own, and are registered, for any of these plug-ins, upon registration of your HD system Digidesign Customer Service Administration will mail to your registered address iLok License Cards that will modify the demo authorization on your HD iLok USB Hardware Key to a full authorization.

Note: These iLok License Cards will update the demo authorization on the iLok USB Hardware Key that comes with your HD system and must be used with this specific iLok USB Hardware Key. They will not authorize a standard iLok USB Hardware Key that does not contain the specific demo authorization.

Pro Tools|24 & Pro Tools|24 MIX Systems on Mac OS 9

Pro Tools|24 and Pro Tools|24 MIX systems can utilize either floppy disk authorization or iLok License Card authorization for plug-ins.

Notes:

• New purchases of Digidesign distributed plug-ins and optional software include an iLok License Card. and separate installers for different systems.
• iLok USB Hardware Key sold separately, available from your Authorized Digidesign Dealer or the DigiStore
• iLok License Cards are not available at this time for previous owners of key disk authorized plug-ins.

Plug-ins for Digidesign Mix Systems can still utilize floppy disk authorization as well as new iLok authorized plug-ins. New purchases of plug-ins include an iLok License Card, and installers for both Pro Tools|HD and non-HD systems.

Pro Tools LE Systems on Mac OS 9

Pro Tools LE Systems can utilize either floppy disk authorization or iLok License Card authorization for plug-ins.

Notes:

• New purchases of Digidesign distributed plug-ins and optional software include an iLok License Card. and separate installers for different systems.
• iLok USB Hardware Key sold separately, available from your Authorized Digidesign Dealer or the DigiStore
• iLok License Cards are not available at this time for previous owners of key disk authorized plug-ins.
• The Digi 001 Factory Bundle included software pre-authorized on the included iLok USB Hardware Key.
• The Digi 002pack promotional bundled software does not require an iLok USB Hardware Key

Additional Q & A

Q: What about new Digidesign-distributed plug-ins I might buy?
A: During the early transition period new Digidesign and Digi-distributed plug-ins sold via an authorized Digi retailer included an iLok License Card, AND a floppy disk based authorization key. Two versions of the software were included. One for iLok authorization, one for floppy based authorization. Current Digidesign and Digi-distributed plug-ins ONLY include an iLok authorization.

Keep in mind that the following plug-ins utilize new copy protection technology and will only work on Pro Tools|HD systems with iLok authorizations:

• Access Virus
• Access Virus Indigo
• Aphex Aural Exciter
• Aphex Big Bottom Pro
• Bruno/Reso
• DINR
• Line 6 Amp Farm
• Line 6 Echo Farm
• Reverb One

These plug-ins will work on non-Pro Tools|HD systems with either floppy or iLok authorization if both were included in the new purchase of these products. Cross-platform plug-ins that work on both Mac and Windows systems may have included floppy disks for Mac & Windows systems and a single iLok License Card that works on the iLok USB Hardware Key for both Mac & Windows systems. (iLok USB Hardware Key sold separately, available from your Authorized Digidesign Dealer or the DigiStore)

Exceptions & Notes:

• Retail purchases of Access Virus do not include iLok License Cards. If you are registered for a Pro Tools|HD system, when you register Access Virus you will automatically be sent an iLok License Card for Virus. Pro Tools|24 and MIX systems should use the floppy disk authorization. Access Virus is not compatible with Pro Tools|HD systems on Windows XP. (Access Virus Indigo is compatible with MIX and HD systems on Mac and Windows)
• Retail purchases of Access Virus Indigo and upgrades from Access Virus to Indigo include iLok License Cards, and do not include or work with floppy disk authorizations.
• DigiTranslator 2.0 does not include a Windows floppy disk, so users must use the included DigiTranslator iLok License Card and an iLok USB Hardware Key (sold separately) to authorize on Windows Pro Tools systems.

Backup floppy key disks are no longer sent upon registration of new plug-in purchases, if these products included both a key disk and an iLok License Card. Newer software will include only an iLok License Card and no floppy key disks. If a key disk is not included with retail purchases, key disk authorization is not available for that product.

Q: I'm getting error codes when I try to authorize my plug-in. How does the whole plug-in update thing work?
A: This is where most customers usually run into problems, getting error messages when trying to authorize a plug-in. In layman's terms each Digi distributed plug-in application is "wrapped" with copy protection information telling the plug-in application to look for a specific copy protection authorization. iLok "wrapping" is different than floppy key "wrapping". If you have a version of a plug-in application in the Digi plug-in folder that has floppy key "wrapping" and you try to authorize that plug-in with an iLok authorization, you will get an error message. Same story if you try to authorize a version of a plug-in application "wrapped" for iLok with a floppy key. It won't work. So, make sure that the plug-in version equals the type of authorization you are using.

Q: Will all of my HD iLok authorized plug-ins work on a MIX system?
A: Yes they will. iLok authorizations are the same regardless of which Pro Tools hardware/system you are using. Make sure to download the iLok versions of plug-ins for your system.

Q: How can I make sure I have the right plug-in?
A: If the following is true:

• You have run the Update Plug-Ins application from your Pro Tools installation CD
• You have already downloaded any newer updates
• You are not experiencing any authorization problems

Then you should not have to do anything. If you are experiencing authorization problems with plug-ins that you own:

Download the correct Floppy Disk, iLok, or Text-code authorized version of the plug-ins that you own for your particular Pro Tools System: