FAQs

Why do I have to pay a fee for my Alliance upgrades?

Plugin licenses bought before May 1st, 2011 require a fee of 20 US$ for one plugin or 50 US$ (max) for your whole account, in case you have several older licenses.

These fees are charged for offering 64-bit support for MAC and PC for all plugins now, and for adding AAX Native (new ProTools 10 format) to the system.

If you don´t need these features you may go on using the "legacy installers" for the older ilok versions, which we will keep online. We do not force users to move to the new Alliance system.

>> If you own a "bx_ALL" or "SPL ALL" bundle bought anytime (even before May 1st, 2011), please contact us and you will get a FREE upgrade to the Plugin Alliance system for ALL your plugins in your account.

I have an old SPL Attacker plugin, a promotion from 2009. Can I renew or upgrade it?

Sorry, but we don´t renew old SPL promotional Attacker plugins.

These plugins were given away for "one install", "one machine", "one time".

You may go on using the old version, but if you need a new Attacker you are required to purchase one in our online store.

System Requirements, MAC OS 10.4 ? etc.

Here you can find a list of our minimum system requirements:

https://www.plugin-alliance.com/en/compatibility.html

Please note that MAC OS 10.4 is NOT supported anymore.

When I enter my ilok account e-mail address, I get "no matching account found".

We are importing licenses that were bought in December manually right now and will take a few days to finish.

You can open a fresh account USING THE SAME EMAIL ADDRESS you use at www.ilok.com and start a free 30 day trial.

 

We will add the full license in a few days then.

THANK YOU for being patient.

The PASSWORD REQUEST and/or SECURITY CHECK isn´t working for me. Why?

We are aware of the fact that some browsers have problems handling the security check / captcha.

PLEASE TRY WITH A DIFFERENT BROWSER.

Copy the link manually into a new browser, or open this page with a new browser and click HERE to get to the PASSWORD REQUEST form.

I am missing some ilok licenses in my account. Where are they?

If you sent us a Support Request about missing iLok auths in your account we will fix them.
If you have not sent a ticket yet, please don´t... we will still fix your issue, of course.

Please check back in your account Jan 20th. If you don´t see your license in the account then, please contact us.
We are sure that support will be much less busy by then as well.

iLok Licenses bought after Nov 30.:
These have not been added to your account automatically as we had to start the migration process at some point.
We are manually working on importing your auths to your Alliance account.
FIX: Please start a Trial phase for the missing plugins, they will run for 30(!) days right now, and we will surely have added your license much earlier.

What is the PLUGIN ALLIANCE?

We have started the Alliance to offer some of the best audio plugins available under one unified standard which does not require any hardware dongle or DSP card.

Easy license management, hassle-free installation, great sound and reliability.
One license file for all your plugins, that´s it.

Our goal was to create ONE big “development framework” which hosts ALL of the plugins available on plugin-alliance.com and make sure that these plugins are and stay compatible with all major hosts.

This means: we maintain all of the plugins in one centralized development system (our 'framework') and if there are needs for changes we can apply them to ALL the plugins at once and make sure they will all run smoothly again in future versions.

I need HELP. What do I do?

If you can´t find the answer to your question in this list please go to www.plugin-alliance.com/support and file a new support request.

We will need some info about your computer, your user account and your plugin and the problem you are experiencing, so please be prepared to submit solid information.

WE DO NOT ANSWER SUPPORT EMAILS SENT IN DIRECTLY.

All support requests are required to go through our ticket system.

How can I talk to a member of the PLUGIN ALLIANCE staff?

Please feel to contact us via support anytime, we will gladly call you back.

It would be great though if you would check the FAQs first.

Our plugins are used by tens of thousands of users world-wide, so there could be a queue in the support line.

Is the PLUGIN ALLIANCE authorized officially by the companies it represents?

YES. As you can see on the individual company websites (for example www.spl.info or www.elysia.com) the PLUGIN ALLIANCE is the exclusive place to try and buy their plugins, to get the installers and tech support.

Who is behind the PLUGIN ALLIANCE?

PLUGIN ALLIANCE LLC was founded by Dirk Ulrich. Dirk is also the owner / CEO of Brainworx.

Brainworx again is responsible for developing some (but not all) of the plugins you can get from the plugin-alliance.com website.

Which plugin formats are supported?

In general we support AAX, RTAS, TDM, Audiosuite, VST2.4, VST3 and AU formats in 32 and 64 Bits.

A few plugins are not available in TDM.

Please check the product info page to make sure that the formats you need are supported by the plugin you are going for.

We cannot fully guarantee that our products support each specific system. However, we try our best to make sure our plugins run in all major hosts and on all up-to-date systems, including 32-bit and 64-bit systems on Mac (OSX) and PC (Windows XP, Vista, 7).

PLEASE NOTE: we offer free 14 day demo licenses and encourage you to try them on YOUR system to make sure you only buy what works for you 100%.

Which companies are members of the PLUGIN ALLIANCE?

Please check our Product section and the "Coming soon" section as well.

All brands behind the plugins you see there are officially “Members” and have agreed to offer their plugins as a part of the Plugin Alliance system for maximum stability and ease of use.

Can I sell my PLUGIN ALLIANCE plugins?

You cannot sell plugin licenses at this time.
We´re working on a solution to let you do this from within your "myPLUGINS" account.

Need to sell NOW? There will be a fee per plugin sold, similar to what you pay to transfer an ilok auth.
Please contact sales support for assistance and pricing of transfer fees.

Are there known bugs or issues with your plugins?

First of all the Plugin Alliance standard is built upon one of the most reliable and most compatible plugin frameworks out there, the bx_framework by Brainworx. It supports all major plugin formats (see list above) for MAC and PC.

If there are bugs we know of we will fix them asap, and until that is done we list open bugs and potential work-arounds here: www.plugin-alliance.com/knownbugs

Do you offer discounts?

We offer discounts and promotions through user accounts (via our so called “Alliance Dollar$” and voucher codes) from time to time. Please use these vouchers and the Alliance Dollar$, they will save you some bucks.

To inquire about all kinds of special sales (group buys, EDU pricing for schools, etc.) please contact sales through www.plugin-alliance.com/sales

Do you offer demos?

Absolutely.

Demos are free, they run for 14 days, and there are no limitations to the demos.

You can automate the plugins, save settings, render tracks, etc.

Please just grab the installers and activate the demo(s) when you launch a plugin for the first time.

Are demos free of charge?

Absolutely.

Demos are free, they run for 14 days, and there are no limitations to the demos.

You can automate the plugins, save settings, render tracks, etc.

Please just grab the installers and activate the demo(s) when you launch a plugin for the first time.

How do demo activations work?

Just open a free account, download some installer(s), and start the plugin(s) in your audio program (ProTools, Cubase, Logic etc.). When you first open a new plugin now the plugin will show a screen "Activation needed." Enter the email address and your password (same info you use to login on our site), that´s it.

Please check www.plugin-alliance.com/activation for all the details.

All demos and licenses will be authorized by one license file. You can authorize them online, that´s the easiest way.
Then the license file will be copied to your sytem automatically, this only takes 3 seconds.

Or you can download a license file on a computer that has internet connection and transfer the file to an offline studio computer if needed.

No more ILOK or eLicenser / USB dongles / hardware needed?

No. No more USB dongle and no more hardwaer card needed to use our plugins at all.

We got rid of all hardware dongles and offer our own software based hassle-free license management system now.

Our system simply requires ONE license file which covers ALL of your Alliance plugins.
This file gets copied to your music computer, that´s it.

Can I use the plugins on several computers?

Yes.

You can authorize 3 computers simultaneously and work on all of them at the same time if needed.

PLease check www.plugin-alliance.com/activation for all the details.

What happened to my ilok licenses (BX, SPL, ELysia, Vertigo)?

If you own 'old' iLok licenses by Brainworx, SPL, Elysia or Vertigo we have already moved them into our new system, they will be “waiting” there for you to activate them.

You should have received an email about this. Please let us know if this was not the case.

If you contact us PLEASE SEND US YOUR ILOK USER ID, YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS and YOUR NAME and a list of the LICENSES you own. Maybe attach a screenshot of your ilok.com account if you think it will help us look into your scenario.

Can I use my old ilok licenses?

If you own 'old' iLok licenses by Brainworx, SPL, Elysia or Vertigo we have already moved them into our new system, they will be “waiting” there for you to activate them.

You should have received an email about this. Please let us know if this was not the case.

If you email us PLEASE SEND US YOUR ILOK USER ID and YOUR NAME and a list of the LICENSES you own.

If you bought your ilok licenses at the original webstores from BX, SPL or Elysia MAY 1st, 2011 or later, you qualify for a FREE upgrade to the new Plugin Alliance licenses.

If your licenses were bought before that date we offer you a very fair paid upgrade.
Please check your Plugin Alliance account. Single plugin upgrades are 20 US$ each, or upgrade ALL of the Aliance plugins in one account for just 50 US$ (that´s the maximum).

This includes updating bx_control V1, bx_dynEQ V1 and bx_digital V1 to the current, V2 versions.

Is updating my old ilok licenses free then?

This depends. When did you buy the plugin?

If you bought your licenses MAY 1st, 2011 or later: FREE update.
Just grab the new installers for these plugins and you will be fine.

If your license was bought BEFORE MAY 1st, 2011: PAID update.
Don´t worry, updates for older plugins are only 20 US$ for single plugins or 50$ for ALL of your Alliance plugins in one account.

This includes updating bx_control V1, bx_dynEQ V1 and bx_digital V1 to the current, V2 versions.

I want to go on using my old ilok licenses. How does that work?

Sure, no problem.

If you don´t need 64 Bit support and AAX formats you can go on using what you have bought initially forever, of course.

All old ilok based plugin installers are still available at www.plugin-alliance.com/legacy
They will be available online free of charge all the time.

Please understand that we will not continue to update these old plugin versions after Dec 31st, 2011, though.

I bought a new ALLIANCE plugin. How do I activate / authorize it?

You can authorize it ONLINE (best! easiest!) or OFFLINE.

For detailed info please check www.plugin-alliance.com/activation

ONLINE AUTHORIZATION:
(do THIS! it´s easy and fast!)

just enter your registered email address and your password in the plugin window when asked for it, the rest will be done automatically if you are online.

OFFLINE AUTHORIZATION:
(authorize ONLINE if possible, see above)

if your music computer is offline please copy the music computer MACHINE ID to an USB stick or similar.

Then login to your Plugin Alliance account (www.plugin-alliance.com/myplugins) with any internet computer and activate your new plugin there. Copy the MACHINE ID file to the internet computer to do so. Then download your new license file (which now includes the new license) and copy it to your studio computer using an USB stick or a CD-R.

You can authorize each plugin for up to 3 computers, no matter how you authorize them!

How do I install and activate ALLIANCE Plugins on a VENUE mixer?

There's no difference between activation on VENUE systems and OFFLINE ACTIVATION on normal computers, so please read the corresponding paragraph in the activation manual (www.plugin-alliance.com/activation). After a show you can deactivate the consoles using the "Deactivate" button under "View Registered Machines" in your myPlugins account (www.plugin-alliance.com/myplugins).


INSTALLATION / ACTIVATION PROCEDURE ON VENUE CONSOLES

Get the latest VENUE installer on our website. Install the plugin just like any other plugin you would put on a VENUE. After installing the plugin it will be displayed with a blue overlay on your console stating "This plugin needs activation" when put on a track. Once you click on it the activation dialog will pop-up.

The activation protocol is as follows:

  1. Click "I'm offline".
  2. Save the MACHINE ID to a file on your USB-Stick using the "Save to file..." button.
  3. Transfer that file to a machine with internet access and login into your myPlugins account on the plugin-alliance website (the dialog needs to remain open on the console).
  4. If you are going to use a demo or create a license for a free plugin pick the respective plugin under "Create Demo / Free License (Offline activation only)".
  5. Choose the product you are going to activate under "Manage Registered Plugins".
  6. Choose "Authorize Machine", add the machine_id.txt file from above using the "Add File" button and click "Authorize from file".
  7. Download your new license file using the "Download License File (Offline Activation)" link on the  "Manage Registered Plugins" site to your USB-Stick.
  8. Transfer and connect the USB-Stick to your VENUE.
  9. Click on "Open license..." in the activation dialog and locate the pa.license file on your USB-Stick.
  10. Click "Activate".

 

If everything went fine, your plugin should be up and running now. Sometimes it's necessary to refresh the GUI on VENUEs using the "Recreate Thumbnail" function to make it remove the overlay in the preview screen.

I need my plugins to run on more than 3 computers. How can I do that?

We offer multi-license updates, please check our online offers or contact our sales team.

Please let us know how many authorizations you will need.

Schools and universities: we offer EDU pricing for bigger quantities. Please contact www.plugin-alliance.com/sales.

Do I need to register to demo your plugins?

You can just go ahead and download all the installers without registering, but to activate the plugin(s) you need an account.

We do not need to know many personal details about you, just your email address (which is your login name also), and your first name and last name.

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