Protools without iLock?

[mboeni]

Hi all

We are currently evaluating audio tools for our studio and would like to consider ProTools. One this is important for us: we do not accept dongle-based software (nothing but trouble for us in the past) so I would like to ask whether Avid offers an alternative to the Dongle.

Does anyone know if there is an alternative (i.e. license number, license file, etc)?

Thanks & regards,
Michael

[Chief Technician]

Not for Pro Tools.

AVID Media Composer and Symphony allow you to use software activation, however the drawback with that is you cannot use a previous version. For example, if you have Media Composer or Symphony v6.5 with software activation, you cannot use v6.0 of the same software. With a dongle, you can.

Personally, I wish AVID video would adopt the iLok instead of using their own dongle which they charge a ridiculous $280 for. That thing is not even worth $28, let alone $280. But I digress...the answer to your question is "No".

[mboeni]

Hi Jonathan

Thanks for the fast reply!

Hmm, that counts against ProTools then...We dont really require the "backwards" compatibility so we would not have much of an advantage using a dongle based software.

Thanks anyway & cheers,
michael

[WernerF]

Using an iLok is really not a problem for the thousands of Pro Tools users out there. It's not a perfect system but it is simple and easy nontheless. The many many really great features of Pro Tools will far outweigh any past bad experience with dongles. Don't let fear drive your descision making process.

[JFreak]

Originally Posted by WernerF

Using an iLok is really not a problem for the thousands of Pro Tools users out there. It's not a perfect system but it is simple and easy nontheless. The many many really great features of Pro Tools will far outweigh any past bad experience with dongles. Don't let fear drive your descision making process.

Yep, and the 2nd generation iLok is really quite durable. I've been trying to abuse one a lot but it's tough. A whole lot tougher than the original.