Software dongles, aka usb keys, are a pain to use sometimes and are an annoyance all the time. A few years ago, Appleimplemented a usb key for Logic 7, and I hated it. Apart from taking up usb inputs on my computer, if it’s accidently removed,the software shuts down and all data is lost. If your key is lost, damaged, or stolen, then you lose access to Logic, and Apple does not replace a big problem if you don’t have insurance or cash to replace it. Another problem with some of these software dongles is software driver issues; I never had to worry about software drivers on a Mac until I got software that required Pace iLok USB Key.The process is tedius and time-consuming. The key and software registration had to be approved online by a sales rep, and the drivers had compatibility issues that I was only able to solve because of my tech background at the time. After considering all the timeissues with these software dongles, I decided to never to use them again. I’ll just find alternatives; there’s always an alternative when choosing music production software and hardware. I’m happy Apple has abandoned the usb key in Logic and if they ever go back, I won’t upgrade. So to producers, studios, and artists: I recommend that you avoid them at all costs.
You can find alternatives to software that uses dongles when browsing catalogs both online and offline. You can also visit sites like :
