Beyond All Reason
As sure as night follows day, the moment Sweden’s top music making software developer Propellerhead announces a new release, in this case Reason 6, the internet sees a rise in people afflicted with a bad case of the stupid and we (those of us in music making circles, anyway) get inundated with posts, messages and diatribe on two, very distinct and never changing subjects.
A week last Tuesday, those two ever present gems were joined by another equally tedious question.
When Record, Reason’s audio focused sibling, was released, it was the first Propellerhead product to be protected by a dongle, or as the Props call it, an Ignition Key. Until then, they had predominantly used a printed licence key. The product arrived with a credit card sized piece of plastic with which you unlocked the app once and then registered that licence directly with Propellerhead. Simple, unobtrusive and ever so easily cracked. Within days of a new Reason release, a cracked version would be available on-line. But still, Propellerhead still managed to carry on, selling enough units to stay in business and develop bigger and better products. I even heard tell once that one of their founders said of pirated copies of his software that he didn’t mind so much because the people who used those illegal versions probably wouldn’t have bought it at all in the first place and it was almost like a form of advertising or marketing. I’m not sure how true that story is, but I can certainly see the point behind it.
My experience with dongles dates back to the mid to late 90′s, when I first acquired my own copy of Cubase. Until then, I had used other people’s computers and sequencers or hardware. Inside the large blue box, apart from the CD-ROM’s and the hefty user manuals was a large dongle, designed to fit into the LPT port on your computer, with a socket on the end so you could still connect your printer.
You plugged it in, secured the screws, installed the software and off you went. Happy as Larry. It never once got in your way and you forgot it was even there. A few years later, with the advent of Cubase SX, they changed to a USB dongle. This worked in a similar way except it installed a tiny bit of software to authorise the dongle, but again, that was it. Plug it in, leave it there and get on with the business of making music.
As time wore on, dongles became increasingly popular with manufacturers and much less so with users. And at this point, I could understand many of the gripes. Behind all the irrational paranoia of some people claiming intrusions on their privacy and rights (what rights???), there was the real problem that back then, most computers only came with, at best, four USB ports, max. Plug in a printer, keyboard and mouse and that one remaining port became incredibly precious all of a sudden. If you were running Cubase and then bought a VST instrument that needed a dongle, you were screwed. Thankfully, USB hubs started to proliferate and become incredibly cheap and soon these concerns became things of the past. I say that, but laptop users weren’t so lucky. I mean, the whole point of a laptop is portability, but to then add a USB hub, especially one that might also need power and all of a sudden that lightweight studio set up isn’t so lightweight any more. But even so, hubs got smaller, some laptops even featured powered ports and there was probably a solution for most users out there. And eventually, a bit of common sense prevailed when manufacturers started using common dongle technology and the dongle manufacturers created dongles that could store multiple licences.
So, that’s the history. Dongles have been with us for years, and their increased usage can only suggest two things.
Face it, if dongles didn’t work, why are so many companies using them? No company is going to carry on doing something if their bottom line is suffering. That’s just not good business.
Propellerhead Ignition Key
And so, a week ago, the angry brigade poured onto the forums en mass and now they had a new enemy. Reason 6 was announced and Reason 6 was going to use the Ignition Key, just like Record 1.5 had done so successfully. How do I know it’s a success? Go and find me a fully operational cracked copy of Record 1.5 that successfully eliminates the Ignition Key. And the people behind the Ignition Key, Wibu, can boast a claim not made by many protection systems. At the end of 2010, they offered 138 Chinese software developers, students, professors, and other high-tech gurus $15,000 dollars to crack their Codemeter system. They gave them four weeks to do it. Everyone went home empty handed 
I rest my case.
Someone posited last week that the reason (excuse the pun) that Record hadn’t been cracked was because it was unpopular and no one wanted to crack it! Er, yeah, that’s why Reason 6 is, for all intents and purposes, Record but with the Reason name. So unsuccessful that Propellerheads have decided to make it its sole DAW product. Give me strength. I could, if I were so inclined, grab a gazillion quotes from these people, but trust me, go out and look on any electronic music forum, be it Propellerheads own forums of KvR or some such, you won’t be disappointed by the stupidity, idiocy and sheer ignorance of some people.
Vast swathes of people (although I reckon in the grand scheme of things, they represent a tiny percentage of legitimate users) are posting all kinds of paranoid rubbish and complaining that their rights have been infringed. Some even dismiss the very reason (excuse more puns, none intended) behind the dongles existence by saying they don’t care about the “pirates” who use cracked and illegal software, “but please don’t punish me for being loyal and trustworthy”.
I asked a question on the Propellerhead forum the other day, asking for someone, anyone to give me a rational explanation as to why dongles are so bad. I’m still waiting for a rational reply, but with irrational people, the last thing you will ever get is a rational argument. All I’ve had is wave after wave of “they don’t trust me anymore” or “dongles don’t work” or “They’re punishing legitimate users”. How can you expect a business to “trust” it’s users when some of it’s users fuck them over? How can you say dongles don’t work when they clearly do?! And dongles punish illegitimate users. For fucks sake, how hard is it now to plug a USB stick in and forget about it?
Some people are bemoaning the build quality of the dongle, saying it’s flimsy and breaks. Others say that should they lose the dongle, they’re screwed. And others say it impedes the live use of the application it is designed to protect. Allow me to retort. If the build quality is not good, the manufacturer should sort it under warranty. If you lose the dongle, apart from that being your own stupid fault, you can buy replacements for €30. If you are a professional musician, whose livelihood depends on you having a fully operational piece of equipment, you should have a redundancy plan. Do drummers go gigging without a spare set of sticks? Do guitarists go out without a spare set of plectrums or strings? Do vocalists go out without a spare mic or ego (sorry, I can’t help but have a dig at front men/women!)?
The answer is of course not. So why should you not have a spare Ignition Key? If it was €300, I’d understand, but €30 is nothing when considering lost earnings or credibility. Trust me, if I was gigging a laptop that needed a dongle, I’d have at least three. You can also buy secure USB hubs where you can keep all your precious dongles in one, lockable receptacle that comes with it’s own tether…
But failing that, Propellerhead have other options. No Ignition Key? That’s ok, because as a legitimate, registered user, you can activate your session on-line. Takes a few seconds. Job done. No internet connection? That’s covered as you can start the app in demo mode, have full functionality including saving, but you can’t open previously saved files or projects.
Record Auth Screen
So there are options. I’ve had an Ignition Key for a year now. I forget I have it. It quietly protects my investment and the IP of Propellerhead. My music making is entirely unaffected and I can even install the software on to my laptop so that if inspiration strikes at work, and I have left my Ignition Key in the safety of my studio at home, I can authorise my session on-line and away I go.
Of course, we all use these apps for different things and we all have different modus operandi, but surely you assessed the viability of the product before paying for it? Surely you saw the chosen protection system and made a decision based on that? Much like the fools who continuously bang on about Reason not being able to host VST plug ins. Did you not read the box? Did you not read the thousands upon thousands of blog and forum posts that have quoted and reiterated the Propellerheads team who categorically shun plug ins, preferring a closed and infinitely more stable environment that has been successful for over 10 years??
I’m sorry, but why should any manufacturer who clearly states a product spec be held accountable for something an individual doesn’t particularly like? It’s a free market. You research your requirements, you research the available options and you make an informed choice.
And why oh why do these people feel the need to go on and on and on about it? Surely, if you don’t like something, go find something you DO like and get on with whatever it is you do! But oh no, this is the internet. Everyone has a voice and regardless of whether they are right or wrong, they’re gonna make sure we all hear them.
Well, this is my response to you. Shut up. Go and find something that DOES work for you, something that ticks all, or most, of your boxes. I went through a number of DAW’s before deciding that Reason/Record was the one for me. And when you’ve found the ideal tool, that is dongle free, VST compatible and has MIDI out, channel your energy into making some music, FFS!!! Leave those of us who don’t care about MIDI out (although this is achievable, after a fashion, using the ReWire protocol, connecting Reason to another, VST comaptible DAW… I favour Reaper) and those of us who don’t want or need VST’s (although this again can be addressed by using the ReWire protocol to connect to a VST host) or those of us for whom a dongle is completely worthwhile and utterly unintrusive. Go and find YOUR tool, as we have found ours.
Well said. I wish they would do something about the Line 6 devices though. R/R has an unlimited amount of synth refills. Why not some cool Line 6 guitar refills?
“if dongles didn’t work, why are so many companies using them?”
They don’t. Haven’t for years.
Now ask why not.
I look forward to your article explaining why it doesn’t matter that only a subset of existing customers have bought Reason 6.
K5,
Dongles don’t work, eh? In what respect? As in they don’t work in protecting the IP of the developer? A little clarity wouldn’t go amiss if you’re trying to counter my argument.
Haven’t for years? Oh really? That would be why back in the 80′s, companies like Steinberg were using dongles and still do to this day. Propellerheads have been using them for over 2 years and they will continue to do so with Reason 6. Rather than having me ask why they, in your opinion, don’t work, how about asking yourself this question. If dongles don’t work, why would a company continue to use something that harms their sales and profitability? It doesn’t make business sense for them to do so. So, clearly, they DO work.
As for any future article on who does or doesn’t buy Reason 6, being that it isn’t out for another 8 weeks, I will defer my response until at least 2012, unless of course, the Propellerhead’s world comes crashing down about their uber successful ears and they remove the dongle from all existing and future products. Not that I give a damn if they do or don’t as the dongle has never bothered me, nor many thousands of other users so far. Not with Record, Reason 6 or the other dongle protected apps I have used over the last 25+ years.
The only thing that needs to change is the paranoid attitudes of sheep like fearmongers who feel it more productive to bitch about something that makes no difference to their lives than channel that pent up energy into using the bloody products in the first place.
Before you, or anyone decides to retort, may I ask that you come back with cast iron proof that dongles don’t work, such as sales figures, statements from companies that used to use dongles and now don’t for the specific reason of the fact they harmed sales, etc., etc.
The only proof I need to say dongles aren’t as bad as you make out is the continued use and existence of the technology. Bottom line is, if people don’t like apps that use dongles, don’t use them, find something else to use instead and go bitch about something a bit more important.
It’s been over a month, you won’t get any rebuttal from “KS.” That’s because he is a troll. You can always weed out the trolls by asking them to offer evidence to support their claims or statements.
Perhaps “KS” is angry (perhaps many people are angry) that they can’t steal something off the Internet anymore.
The only people who complain about the ignition key are people who don’t have Record. And the only reason (no pun intended) they don’t like it is because they can’t steal it.
Complaining about an ignition key is like complaining that a car has locks on its doors. Pathetic.
Great post btw… Good to see well researched articles… It’s a rarity these days.
Wow, it’s one thing for a consumer to complain about a product but you’ve taken the time to, basically, insult (“Shut up!”)those who are not happy with the Reason 6 required dongle usb key.
You wonder why people complain? It’s a free market and consumers can sometimes determine the course of a product with buying power (or lack of) Also, it can serve as a warning to other potential buyers. Unfortunately, as a very happy Reason owner since version 1, I never expected them to implement something like this so I upgraded without much research. It’s my own fault. However, I can still do my bit to warn others. I remember when Logic required a dongle but they were able to develop a work-around. My dongle failed twice and I had to wait for replacements while projects were on hold.
I know plenty of traveling/ gigging Reason owners who don’t want the liability of losing a dongle and hoping there’s an internet connection at the club to play their sets. Demo mode? Uh, yeah, that’s real helpful. “Failed Muso”? Well that explains your condescending attitude and insults towards others – just another bitter person in the world.
Why so hurt? It’s my blog, my opinion so deal with it
Compared to the large number of vocal detractors of the dongle, of which you clearly are one, I am but a tiny whimper in a sea of insults, vulgarity and pure bile ridden vitriol that spouts forth from the mouths of people who feel so fucking hard done by because a company has the gall, the audacity to protect its intellectual property. Trust me, db, if you had created a piece of software that was being butt fucked out of business, you’d be straight on the phone to a company to help provide you with some protection. When, and only when, your own livelihood is at risk will you understand what it is to be the victim of theft on this scale.
Logic has a better, more subtle dongle now. It’s called a Mac
And you say you never expected Propellerhead to implement a dongle. Why is that? Just because you bought one version of their software, you feel they owe you an explanation for what they do with another version? They owe you, and me, nothing. Niente. Nada. Zip. Sweet fuck all.
If you’re a travelling/gigging Reason user and you think the dongle is flaky, you’ve got a few options. 1. don’t use it. 2. buy spares. 3. put up and shut up. Simple, really. As well as “Demo Mode” you also have the internet verification mode. Name me one product that is secure from theft yet gives its legitimate users that many options to get on and work.
Oh, and the name calling. Well done. Very good. Very “original”. I am far from bitter, and if I was it’s not because I failed at anything. Since creating this blog and it’s title, I have actually become more successful than you could ever imagine. Chances are, if you’re using a computer or piece of hardware to make music, I’ve probably had input into it. Heck, you might have been using some of my sounds for a long time!
And I like the paradox. I’m happy with it, but I don’t expect you to be. And I couldn’t care less. Name calling is the last resort of ignorance. I’d have far more respect for your argument and post if you had the intelligence to come up with something far more clever than resorting to name calling.
Hence the tone of this response to you
Have a nice day, won’t you xxx
They are telling me that they like the money over the culture and knowledge. A profesional will buy it, obviously (at least that’s what I think), but… someone who wants to learn won’t pay 400$, so he won’t learn, so he won’t buy it (in most of the cases). The problem is not the key, believe me…
Failed Muso, is there any way i can contact you?
i have some news you might want to hear
You can email me at failedmuso@gmail.com
What a stupid cocksucker article.
Nobody talks about Reason 6 anymore, and I have discussed about it with tons (hundreds) of independant, professional or novice producers…they don’t give a shit and completely gave up Reason for Ableton Live.
And you know why? Precisely because of the usb dongle, which you tried to rationalized why it’s good or okay to have one, you cocksucker.
Turns out it is not, and there is a reason why other companies don’t use it. It could be a matter of usb port, privacy or it could be even simplier, people don’t want to fucking have a usb dongle or have to be always connected to the internet for a fucking software, especially if they bought it.
But the truth is simply, what most non-cocksucking hypocritical producers of music or software (yeah mainly these two ironically) learned with the Internet: if your product can’t be copied or pirated YOU ARE SIMPLY GOING TO SELL LESS, this is basic marketing.
Having a customer base and a good communication about your product is not simply about those who buy it, it’s about all those who will never buy it because they don’t have the money, are learning or casual users but will listen to/use it, share it and talk about it to make more people know about it, use it AND eventually buy it. Propellerhead simply cut all these people out of the circuit, which is the biggest dumb shit they ever done.
I’m ready to bet that Reason 6.5 is being released for this specific reason, and if Ableton 9 is good and crackable, bye bye Reason.
Good evening, Mr & Mrs “Augure” (I’m assuming that’s your name as that is all you left me. Apologies if it is not)
Right, well, where do I start?
Let’s begin with your spectacular opening gambit,
Hmmm… not quite sure on your use of the vernacular here (and in other significant portions of your tirade) but one can only assume you are somewhat displeased by my stance on the subject of the Propellerhead Ignition Key Copy Protection System. You, as I, are perfectly entitled to your opinion, and of course, I defend your right to have one, and express it. However, what I won’t
defend is an opinion based on incorrect information and conjecture. If you want to have an argument, the very least you can do is ensure you have your facts straight.
So, let me help you out.
Your first point states, “Nobody talks about Reason 6 anymore, and I have discussed about it with tons (hundreds) of independant, professional or novice producers…they don’t give a shit and completely gave up Reason for Ableton Live”
So, nobody talks about Reason 6 any more? Could you, at the very least, quantify that? Nobody? Aside from a vast community that exists over at the Propellerhead’s own forums, Reason is a much discussed subject within the music community as a whole. A simple Google search will show you that. The frenzy that surrounded the Rack Extension announcement last month was proof of that. If you are referring to “real world” discussions, again, I’m having conversations on a daily basis with many people at the heart of the industry, and Reason is often a topic of these chats.
Now, you claim to have, and I quote, “discussed about it with tons (hundreds) of independant [sic], professional or novice producers”. I’m thinking that “hundreds” is a big exaggeration and novice is about the peak of talent you have probably discussed this subject with. Which is, in itself, a massive contradiction to your first statement that nobody is talking about it. By your own admission, you’ve had hundreds of conversations about it. Which is it to be, my angry friend?
Next up, you say,
Well, I can’t really argue with that. People migrate from one format to another on a regular basis. But everyone? All those “hundreds” of people? All dumped Reason for another product? Ok, I’ll let you have that one purely because it’s a “nothing” statement backed up with zero fact.
Right, what’s next? Ah yes… “And you know why? Precisely because of the usb dongle, which you tried to rationalized why it’s good or okay to have one, you cocksucker”.
So, “everyone” dropped Reason like a hot potato because of the Ignition Key? And because I argued that the Ignition Key was a good thing, you immediately deduce that I partake of oral sex with another man? Come to think of it, your comment is riddled with references to male fellatio. Now, I’m wondering if that says more about you than it does me. To be perfectly honest, I’ve never had the pleasure of feeling another man’s genitals resting in my mouth, and doubt I ever will. Maybe you would care to enlighten me on its particular delights, seeing as it seems to be a major preoccupation of yours?
Moving swiftly along, you then go on to try and justify your previous statement with this…
Ok, first of all, strangely enough, Propellerhead aren’t the only ones using a dongle based protection system. Way before you were probably born, I was using Cubase, with it’s lovely, chunky LPT port based dongle. And to this day, Steinberg still use a dongle. Doesn’t seem to have harmed them. Pro Tools, for many years, required you to have, not only a Mac, but also dedicated hardware. Now that’s a dongle and a half right there! Logic, another long running contender, requires you to have a Mac. Dongles are everywhere, and they seem to be working just fine and dandy, thank you very much.
You mention privacy. Would you be able to explain how a dongle impedes on your privacy? And when you buy a web-cam, or a new mouse, maybe a mobile phone, and you see that it needs to be connected via your USB port, do you throw a hissy fit and run off spamming message boards and blogs protesting the audacity of the manufacturers? No, didn’t think so.
Just to clarify, with the Propellerhead Ignition Key, you only have to have it plugged in when you fire up the application. You can then remove it and tuck it safely away. Same principle applies if you use the Internet Verification. Once you’re authorised, you can drop your connection or disconnect from the network.
One interesting point I’d like to challenge you on. The last bit of that statement, “people don’t want to fucking have a usb dongle or have to be always connected to the internet for a fucking software, especially if they bought it”.
This statement, and do correct me if I’m wrong, implies that, right up until this point, you’ve been arguing the case for people who have Reason, but HAVEN’T bought it. So, is that the real issue here? Is it the very fact that maybe, you and all of your “professional or novice producers”, have significantly invested time in using a cracked and pirated application, only for the developers to come along and throw a spanner in the works with an as yet unbroken method of copy protection and now you can’t keep up with the rest of us, legitimate, fee paying customers? Is that the problem here? Hmmmmm….
Right, what was next..? Ah yes…
There you go again with the cock sucking reference. I think you’re a little obsessed. Might be worth talking this out with a therapist or your doctor. Anyway, let’s deal with the rest of this statement. First up, in the same sentence you say, “what most non-cocksucking hypocritical producers of music or software (yeah mainly these two ironically)”. So, let me see if I understand you correctly here. Is this supposed to be an abusive statement? Having used the term cock sucking as a verbal weapon previously, I first assumed that you calling someone a “non-cocksucker” was, in your eyes, a good thing? But then you immediately follow that up with “hypocritical”. I’m not sure who is more confused, you or I? Anyway, let’s move on. You suggest that these people (good or bad) learned via the internet that if you make your software impossible to copy or pirate, they will sell less of that product? That this is a basic marketing principle?
First of all, please take a moment of your time to watch the first part of this video, especially the words that Ernst Nathorst-Böös says, starting at 2m 20s in…
Yup, that’s right. Go back and listen again if you have to. The simple fact is, NEW Reason 6 sales, with the dongle you hate so much, were UP 250%. Yes, that’s right. Propellerhead shipped NEW product, not upgrades, 250% up on any other Reason launch. So, 2 and a half times the existing new user base decided, in their infinite, cock sucking wisdom, that Reason with a dongle was worth having. Kinda blows your theory, not only out of the water, but pretty much out of the known universe.
250% increase in new Reason sales. That, my friend, is a fact. Facts are what you should be using if you want to have an argument. Have that little tip from me, on the house.
Ok, let’s cut to the chase here. There is no such business model in existence that says that deliberately making your product easy to copy is a prudent and profitable way of marketing the aforementioned product. Now, I will concede a point here, to a degree. I recall a conversation with the head of a music software manufacturer, who said that he wasn’t too worried about pirate copies of his software because those that used a pirated copy probably didn’t have the funds to buy it anyway, so that’s money he wasn’t going to have and these people weren’t ever likely to make money from his work, and those that did have the funds were usually the honest type who, after trying it out, would happily go and buy a legitimate copy to use, just because they’re decent, honest people. But then this was in the day before high speed internet. Nowadays, you can download a fully functional demo version of his software that gives you more than enough of the experience to judge whether it is for you or not. But let’s face the facts here. People make and sell stuff to make money so that they can pay the bills, feed their families and carry on making and selling stuff. It’s the way of the world.
Now, you seem to allude to this in the next part of your statement…
In a way, you’re right. WOM Marketing is a big thing. But what you are completely, totally and utterly wrong in your assumption that it’s the people who will never buy it, that don’t have the money to buy it, the so called “casual users” that do this for them. No, no and thrice no. Trust me, no one cares about those people. They are so far under the radar that they simply don’t exist to companies like Propellerhead. The people that buy Reason, and any other product for that matter, will buy it because the word of mouth is coming from knowledgeable, reliable, legitimate people. Take a look at the Props videos over at their website. When they get Ad-Rock from the Beastie Boys talking about Reason and how he’s used it for years, THAT sells copies of Reason. Not some thieving little toe rag who’s downloaded a warez torrent file, riddled with spyware and pretending to be the next big thing in his squalid bedroom at home with mum and dad.
As for selling less…. I have one thing to say, and forgive me for repeating myself…
250% more new copies of Reason shipped than ever before!!
Really?? They cut ALL those people, and I’m assuming you’re one of them, hence the reason (excuse the pun) you’ve got your panties in a twist over this, and yet new sales went through the roof at a rate of, dare I say it again, 250% more than before?
Oh yeah. That really is big, dumb shit. Big, dumb, super-profitable shit
Talking of dumb shit, here’s your closing statement…
What specific reason is that then? Reason 6.5 adds in a major upgrade called Rack Extensions, and probably a slew of tweaks too. That’s the reason.
And yet again, you show your true colours, and the very reason you’ve chosen to string a few words together in probably the weakest argument I’ve ever seen. I think I can safely assume that you have never paid for Reason, or for any other piece of software or music in your life. I can only imagine you are part of the segment of society that is embroiled in this culture of entitlement, that thinks the world owes them whatever they want, that they are entitled to have and possess things without paying for them. Well, I’m sorry buddy, but your free ride in Propellerhead-land is now over. And I can’t stop chuckling at that fact. Rather than being the very people they need, you and your ilk are the very people they don’t need, and you have been suitably, clinically and effectively eradicated from the host that you have leached from for far too long. And as such, you’ll wither and die.
If Ableton 9 is cracked, and I’m sure you’ll have a damn good go, then off you trot. But mark my words. The industry took a great deal of notice when one of the major players reported that after successfully locking down its product to legitimate users, they saw an increase in new sales of 250%
And one more thing…
If you’re going to have an argument, at least have the sense and wherewithal to come into it armed with cold, hard facts. You can leave the sulky child attitude at the door. Mama’s taken away your toy now. When you’re old enough to earn a living wage, you’ll begin to appreciate the simple mechanic of paying for what you use.
Now, don’t go away angry. Just go away
Dude,
I have read this reply to your post with growing disbelief. My reply will probably put you on your staggering horse again but chill and follow along.
First of all, I think it’s completely right what you post in your reply to Augure, but the tone of your article is asking to reply to you.
You feel probably a don that you have a dongle, right?
Like Reason 6 is not crackable, you can only use it without a dongle, right? Like no hacking crew was able to crack the fool proof security?..
Well guess again fool, because we don’t need a crack! It’s build in in the free demo you can download from the Props site..
There is a workaround (Google it yourself, smart ass), so the only thing I had to do was download the demo version and I can use it as a full version, saving, exporting, opening, the whole 9 yards..
Now who’s a fool now??
This made just my day…
Sincerely.
Mr Johnny B. Good
*Dude,
Good morning sir (yes, that’s what is known as a polite greeting. I am not your “dude”
I saw this comment whilst out at dinner last night and almost spat out my fajitas as I tried to contain my copious laughter!!
Allow me to explain why.
*I have read this reply to your post with growing disbelief. My reply will probably put you on your staggering horse again but chill and follow along.
Staggering horse? No idea what that actually means besides describing an equine beast with traction issues, but I will “chill”, as you say, and follow along…
*First of all, I think it’s completely right what you post in your reply to Augure, but the tone of your article is asking to reply to you.
Why thank you. And yes, I certainly do encourage debate and the exchange of opinions on here, so I welcome you taking the time to reply.
*You feel probably a don that you have a dongle, right?
Nope, sorry… you lost me there. All I can think of is that you were trying to say that I may believe that you personally don’t have a dongle, If so, then yes, you’re probably correct, or else why would you write the following…
*Like Reason 6 is not crackable, you can only use it without a dongle, right? Like no hacking crew was able to crack the fool proof security?..
Let’s answer those questions in order…
Yes, currently, Reason is not “crackable.
Yes, you can only use it fully with a dongle
No, no hacking crew has currently been able to crack the Codemeter security
*Well guess again fool
Woah, are you Mr.T? Coooooool! I’m a HUGE fan!
*because we don’t need a crack! It’s build in in the free demo you can download from the Props site..
You’re right. Reason does have a free demo, freely available and well advertised on the Propellerhead site, and you don’t need a crack to use it, but it is just a demo, and therefore has limited functionality, more of which I will come to in a bit.
*There is a workaround (Google it yourself, smart ass),
Well, I did, smart ass, and found nothing except spam and malware ridden links that don’t actually offer the solution you speak of. And I do believe the burden of proof is on you to supply evidence to the contrary, so please do go ahead and furnish me with this holy grail of information.
*so the only thing I had to do was download the demo version and I can use it as a full version, saving, exporting, opening, the whole 9 yards..
Well, yes, you can download the demo, use it as a full version and yes, unlike many other products whose demos limit you to 30 minutes of use, or limited save functionality, Propellerheads have seen fit to let you use as much of the program as possible. However, you can’t open song files, export them to audio or use Rack Extensions. So all those lovely tunes you create can’t be reopened until you buy a licence. Want to export your masterpiece (and I’m sure you’re a man who creates many a musical masterpiece) to share with the world? Oops, sorry, no can do, unless you front up the cash for a licence. And how are you finding the amazing new addition of Rack Extension plug ins? Oh, wait… sorry, you can’t use those either. So no GForce Re-Tron for you. Or Korg Polysix. And you will never know the wonder of Predator RE, Polar, Edge Red, Echobode, Uhbik Q or Radical Piano. Never mind, eh?
Sure, you could cobble together some way of manual recording audio via some other application but it is not a “workaround” as you put it. A workaround, by definition, is a method or plan of action that can be used to achieve the same results by a different way of doing things. Sadly, you cannot achieve full Reason functionality without purchasing a full license and the using either the internet authorisation or the dongle, be it the Ignition Key or Balance unit.
*Now who’s a fool now??
Er, you? But seriously, if you’re Mr.T, can I at least get your autograph? And those Snickers commercials… awesome!
*This made just my day…
Mine too
*Sincerely.
Mr Johnny B. Good
I think you will find it is Johnny B. Goode.
Man, these pirates sure do have a lot of audacity these days, getting mad at companies because they can’t steal from them anymore. Eat shit you cheap assholes!
I believe the “staggering horse” he might be referring to would be one like the one he must own, in that he doesn’t believe in the need for an ignition key. Thus he must not own an automobile.
Are these idiots (and yes I mean that) ever going to find something worthwhile to rant about? How about removing Essentials from the Balance package so the price will be lower? :Þ
Regards,
BW@
Hm. A lot of venom and anger aimed at folks who would prefer not to deal with the dongle… Not sure where this is all coming from, but some of us ARE legitimate users with a legitimate preference not to be encumbered with the dongle, and we wanted to share our opinion with the P-Heads. For that, we get maligned, scolded, and informed that we must be thieves or morons to not want the dongle. I’m just pointing out that your diatribe is pretty wide-flung, and you are alienating some folks who you probably don’t intend to… I’m a long-time Reason user (started with Version 1 in 2001) and one of the things I really enjoyed about using P-Heads products was that they seemed to be more concerned with promoting the culture of music-making, and those involved in it, working to improve Reason with every new release to be better, more powerful, and easier to use… Then the dongle arrived in Record, and I among others took the time to express my displeasure to the P-Heads. No, it’s not Earth-shatteringly bad. No, it hasn’t (yet) prevented me from making music when I want to. No, I don’t like it, and yes, I find it an annoying encumbrance using a laptop with limited USB ports, and no, despite acknowledging that concern, you didn’t address any solution to it. Foam at the mouth if you must, but my respect for you has diminished a little as a result of this campaign against folks who don’t like the dongle. Just because it doesn’t bother you, that’s no reason to assume that it is not a legitimate annoyance to others. Thanks for your time.
_Dave_
Well, of course, that’s your prerogative and I don’t have a problem with that, but it still doesn’t explain the irrational hatred of the thing! You say yourself it hasn’t prevented you from using the software as intended, and the reasons you give, such as diminished USB ports is not an issue at all. I don’t address a solution to that because I don’t believe there to be a problem. And nor do the people that have bought Reason and just get on and use it. 250% increase in sales does not demonstrate an unhappy user base.
I do not believe it to be a legitimate annoyance because I have yet to be shown a legitimate reason. It really is as simple as that.
And I am carrying out no campaign. The original piece was written well over a year ago. I merely expressed my view, backed up by fact, knowledge and reason (forgive the pun) and some people decide to jump in and become abusive. I can reply to them as I see fit, and if they open themselves up to ridicule, well, I’m going to call them out on it, because if they had spent some time composing a response that was more like yours, i.e. polite, respectful and thought through, there would be no need for me to call them out in the first place.
Well, this is my blog, my corner of the internet, and you are perfectly welcome to voice your opinion here, so long as that opinion is an educated one, backed up by facts and a rational argument. If your respect for me has diminished, well, I can’t help that. I shan’t lose sleep over it, I’m afraid. If you dock people respect points because they express an informed opinion, whether it is aligned with your own or not, that is your choice. In my book, that gains them points.
The bottom line is, if you don’t like dongles and it impedes you that much, the choice is simple. Find something that fits your bill better. But there is no need to lambast a company for trying to protect its intellectual property so that it may carry on developing cool toys for us to play with. At the end of the day, if their sales are 250% up AFTER introducing the Ignition Key, can you see them turning back?
And no… thank YOU for your time