Cracked software?

[TimS]

as an aside.. apologies if I came off sounding heavy on the cracks thing. I react pretty strongly to piracy as it affects my bottom line... and will continue to do so with the plans I currently have.

its all good Kristian.. we know what you meant..

[heathen]

I found a Russian site where you could download anything free, software included. Long gone now though.

Anyway after demoing alot of plugins and apps on mates computers (people who will always do naughty things) I have come to the conclusion that I really don't need many plugins at all.

So who wins here? Me because I hav'nt paid thousands on plugs I'll ever need or useor worse still ruin workflow? Or the software company who makes a good stable product which I will buy?

I think we are both winners. Seriously most "bedroom producers" are never going to make anything from these things so it's really no worry to me if I've paid and they hav'nt.

Kris I totally get what you're saying and it surely is frustrating but I'm sure most people hire you for your knowledge and capabilities in getting a job done, rather than your plugin list.

I think the net has ruined a big chunk of the world economy at large, not just plugin manufacturers, musicians/record companies and audio geeks. I can buy anything under $1000 from almost anywhere without paying any tax, how can local suppliers of anything under a grand compete?

[musikwerks]

Actually, music is very low on my list of daily work.... it pays quite poorly in comparison to TV. The stuff that I'm targeting mostly is film and TV which have very long royalty trails. Particularly as I create/produce/distribute all in one. But yeah, I know what you mean.

[heathen]

Actually, music is very low on my list of daily work.... it pays quite poorly in comparison to TV. The stuff that I'm targeting mostly is film and TV which have very long royalty trails. Particularly as I create/produce/distribute all in one. But yeah, I know what you mean.

Yeah I knew you were doing mostly that type of stuff, it's good work and pays well, which is a good thing for sure.

[JulienG]

Cracked software is just plain wrong. There is no argument that can support it in my opinion. Make sure you don't come near me with it because I will turn you in for it.

The one and only case in which I don't have a problem cracking software is when you have a legit copy, that for whatever reason (activation, bad DRM, whatever) won't work and cracking makes it work. As long as you're otherwise within the licence bought I don't see a real problem.

[HA_DA_JA]

Why have I never experience one of the above mentioned problems on my Mac in the 15 years I have owned, bought and used plug-ins.
Is this just a PC problem?
Talking about problems has anyone had any ilok problems develop - like failing to recognise. It looks like it might be more common than I think and I am wondering wherther I need to prepare for the worst if it were to ever happen.

[HA_DA_JA]

oh look my user name has gone to Valued Contributor. I should save this to show my wife.
I wonder if she thinks the same as to my input into our marriage.
Can I get a badge made up titled "I'm a TRM Valued Contributor". Maybe I could wear one at Integrate 2009 and see who notices.

[tunetown]

nIC is offering a free crack inspection for all those who attend his next listening session.

:-)

[heathen]

Why have I never experience one of the above mentioned problems on my Mac in the 15 years I have owned, bought and used plug-ins.
Is this just a PC problem?
Talking about problems has anyone had any ilok problems develop - like failing to recognise. It looks like it might be more common than I think and I am wondering wherther I need to prepare for the worst if it were to ever happen.

It may happen Dale, I've read some horror stories on GS about ilok's failing and then there being no customer support for the weekend or whatever. But it's probebly quite rare. I think this has caused a few legitimate customers to run cracks just to get the job finished.

[heathen]

nIC is offering a free crack inspection for all those who attend his next listening session.

:-)

That's only recommended for people over 40, looks like I'm fine. :)

I reckon we should all smoke some crack at the next listening session, could be lots of fun.








Yeah that was a joke. :)

[Ausrock]

nIC is offering a free crack inspection for all those who attend his next listening session.

:-)

That requires a VERY, CAREFUL response.....................it's not coming from me.

[HA_DA_JA]

you dont mean the hairy crack do you??

[jkhuri44]

plumber's crack.



hahaha, couldnt get anymore poetic.

[tunetown]

plumber's crack

Perfect.

:-)

[Hybrid88]

...I think most software is used in home studios/bedrooms however, in those cases there is less imperative to buy your plugs.

This is the situation I'm in, not making any money from my hobby and having the need for semi-decent software raises the question should I go cracked? I have a mate that I used to do music with and have just heard from, he uses pretty much all cracked plugs, even his main sequencer. We both use macs, I supported a couple of software companies by getting 3 pieces of software second-hand (and they're so old, I can't make shit with them) and can't afford better stuff new, so what do I do? Do people in my situation just get cracked software or what? I've no problem supporting, say my main DAW and synth plugs but it's just too expensive to buy more than that as a hobbyist, in the meantime my mate is making great music with way more plugs than I could afford. As an Electronic producer, I do pretty much all of my music in the box. On top of this my local music stores don't even sell plugs, so I can't really try them out first unless they've got demo versions. I've tried to do it legit but it just isn't working, I just want to start making music, not saving up for years for software that'll be outdated by the time I can afford it.

Hybrid88

[heathen]

...I think most software is used in home studios/bedrooms however, in those cases there is less imperative to buy your plugs.

This is the situation I'm in, not making any money from my hobby and having the need for semi-decent software raises the question should I go cracked? I have a mate that I used to do music with and have just heard from, he uses pretty much all cracked plugs, even his main sequencer. We both use macs, I supported a couple of software companies by getting 3 pieces of software second-hand (and they're so old, I can't make shit with them) and can't afford better stuff new, so what do I do? Do people in my situation just get cracked software or what? I've no problem supporting, say my main DAW and synth plugs but it's just too expensive to buy more than that as a hobbyist, in the meantime my mate is making great music with way more plugs than I could afford. As an Electronic producer, I do pretty much all of my music in the box. I've tried to do it legit but it just isn't working, I just want to start making music, not saving up for years for software that'll be outdated by the time I can afford it.

Hybrid88

Most hobbies are expensive, probably even knitting would be these days.

[Hybrid88]

Trust me, my mum does knitting and it's nowhere near comparable...

nice try at trying to justify the cost though... ;)

[Chinagraf]

Open source stuff can be good and cheap, even free. Reaper is pretty good for something that is donation-ware. Good enough to make a decent track if you have the skillz. Then sell your track and trade up. Simple, hey? :)

[no-fi]

This is the situation I'm in, not making any money from my hobby and having the need for semi-decent software raises the question should I go cracked?

software is the CHEAPEST way to get into music production - the latest full cubase is what? $1200?
it comes with a whole bunch of plugins...

you're on a mac, too.. isn't logic, like $500 or something?? with even more synths and plugins for free??

basic ableton live 8 is $800-ish now isn't it? ignore the sample libraries and maybe grab operator and the subtractive synth, then bulk it up with freeware plugins..

thats 3 the main pro electronic music choices.. you only need one of them. and you can buy ANY of these legitimately 2nd hand for even less money.



Sure - you can't afford waves platinum, but who cares? it's not going to be any benefit for you at a beginner level anyway.

if you want to use cracks, well, no one here can stop you... but if you come on here complaining about the cost of the cheapest way to get into producing/recording/mixing music there has ever been, and asking for people to justify it for you, i can't see that happening.

[ChrisW]

Garageband comes free on a Mac.

Honestly I just don't buy the I'm too poor to buy things excuse these days.
I would have thought many people were too poor to afford Foxtel and skiing at Mt Buller every year but millions find a financial way to do it.
It's just that cracked plug-ins can be obtained free.

Reaper was mentioned. iDrum is cheap. Goldbaby offer amazing drum samples very, very cheaply (some samples are free).
There are quite a few freeware soft synths.
Really if you are broke you have to do more research to find legitimate free, or cheap sounds, but they are out there.

[chris p]

This is the situation I'm in, not making any money from my hobby and having the need for semi-decent software raises the question should I go cracked?

No, you should not. It is theft in the vast majority of cases (I'm leaving an open mind on the case where you buy a legit copy but the software protection goes haywire). If a guy nicks my TV, I don't really care what sob story he wants to sell me about drugs or whatever, and I certainly don't want to hear that its just his hobby and he's not making any money out of it.

If its just a hobby, why the "need" for stolen "semi-decent" software anyway, especially on Macs where there is so much available legitimately for free or shareware that is better than "semi-decent".

You obviously have a different meaning for the word "need" than the one I understand.

[HA_DA_JA]

I bought Logic 8 express 2nd hand for less than $150 and it comes with about 100 plug-ins. There is never an excuse for cracked plug-in . I think this may also be more of a generational thing. I can pretty much bet Hybrid88 is just a kid or not much older.

[Hybrid88]

Fair enough if everone wants to get antsy, the point I was making was that the mac freeware is shit (you and I both know it) and here is my mate with a load of shit ready to do just about anything he needs on a budget of zero. The point is It's a hobby, BUT you all seem to think i'm a kid with no idea, I know enough that I need to progress my sounds and freeware IS a big part of my plugs but there is only so much you can do with it, and on a mac there is much less than you my think (more than half of the freeware I've taken hours downloading has not passed the AU validation in Logic, that cuts down on many useable plug-ins, plus they can only be AU). I guess I've just always had an issue spending 1000+ on a list of software you know is going to be worthless in 5 years, thats the big concern for me.

PS; you do realise I've bought ALL of my software, I'm just a bit dissilusioned with the whole get it free thing my mates been doing, hardly seems important to me anymore.

[rick]

yeah my mate deals cocaine and he has a ferrari and i can only afford a ford falcon
i am disillusioned too
i mean he gets away with breaking the law , and has a great car why should i miss out ..?

err simply because its wrong its against the law .

if you dont have cracks then you understand right from wrong , if your mate doesn't understand right from wrong and we all have a mate that doesnt
big deal.

if you wake up one morning and realize you cannot afford the things you want , you have two choices either want less or work more .

i cannot believe ANY body hobbyists and all cannot not make great music just using the plugs that come free with logic.

you are imagining that you need for that ferrari my friend nothing more
the speed limit around town is 60 ks an hour
my falcon is good enough for me

[musikwerks]

Lame argument Hybrid88 (with no name).

Everyone here works hard at whatever job they have, supporting families in most cases, and you come in bitching about the price of sub $1,500 software. Give me a break. If you're so strapped for cash, dob your cracker mate in and pick up some reward money.

[ChrisW]

I don't think a lot of the pirates realise we were all in their shoes at some point.
Anyone who has done anything with music has done it extremely tough at some point.
Back in my day (cue Python voice), if you wanted to record you had to save up for weeks or get a bank loan to go into a sh**ty local studio for a day.
To say that contemporary software/freeware that allows you to produce professional results in your bedroom is 'shit' is a bit sad IMO.

[Chris H]

I use Logic and only the plugs that came with it. I don't own any 3nd party plugs. I recently did a live recording for an artist on a limited budget. Stage split straight into the preamps on my converters. Exept for the vox went through an Amek pre and the avalon 747. The mix was completley in logic and the trax were comp limited as at the end of each mix as part of the bounce down. The mode of work was done so i could still pull a reasonable hourly rate because on principle i wont work for a lousy wage. The two Eddie Cole trax on my space page are examples of this quicky project. You can call it shitty if you like but i think they are worth what he paid for an give neither the artist or me a bad rep.

[heathen]

Fair enough if everone wants to get antsy, the point I was making was that the mac freeware is shit (you and I both know it) and here is my mate with a load of shit ready to do just about anything he needs on a budget of zero. The point is It's a hobby, BUT you all seem to think i'm a kid with no idea, I know enough that I need to progress my sounds and freeware IS a big part of my plugs but there is only so much you can do with it, and on a mac there is much less than you my think (more than half of the freeware I've taken hours downloading has not passed the AU validation in Logic, that cuts down on many useable plug-ins, plus they can only be AU). I guess I've just always had an issue spending 1000+ on a list of software you know is going to be worthless in 5 years, thats the big concern for me.

PS; you do realise I've bought ALL of my software, I'm just a bit dissilusioned with the whole get it free thing my mates been doing, hardly seems important to me anymore.

Buy hardware is my only answer, will still be worth something in 5 years.

[Hybrid88]

Lame argument Hybrid88 (with no name).

Everyone here works hard at whatever job they have, supporting families in most cases, and you come in bitching about the price of sub $1,500 software. Give me a break. If you're so strapped for cash, dob your cracker mate in and pick up some reward money.

I don't think you get the point, for a hobbyist (obviously not you) software IS expensive, paying $200 to $500 for a CD worth nothing is lame, not the argument...

This is going nowhere, everyone here obviuosly earns way more than I do, forget I said anything - I'll just go earn that dough...

[HA_DA_JA]

Your mate remains anonymous and yet by some co-incidence so do you ??
This forum requires you to add your real name here.

"Hey All,

Rick is sick and tired of people hiding behind a shield of anonymity that usernames coupled with the internet provide.

That being said, this is not the end of user names, just the end of anonymity.

Of course, no-one on this forum is known to be particularly rude or anything, but heres how its going to work.

Username can be whatever you want, but in your signature, you must use your real name.

I for one think this is a great thing and should be encouraged on a wider scale.

So can we all please respect Ricks wishes and remove the stockings from our virtual faces?

Any questions, let me know.

Cheers,

- Ry

PS. Im exempt from the rule because my user name is my exact name...

Amendment

Because I've seen every second person ask the question... No, you don't have to tick the attach signature box everytime you post, in your profile just tick the radio button "Always attach my signature" and its doneski for goodski.

Furthermore, no need to apoligise for test posts, go nuts, I don't mind and anyone who does, (unless its Rick) should get over it :)"

Cheers