You have invested quite some money in your home studio gear. Follow these suggested steps to ensure that the equipment lives longer 🙂

Note: We recommend you use a UPS power supply between the mains supply and your computer and also with other powered devices.

TURNING ON:

• Step 1: Turn on the computer. Wait for it to reach the desktop screen status and be ready for use.
• Step 2: Turn on your audio interface now.
• Step 3: Turn on the studio monitors one by one.
• Step 4: Turn on the MIDI Keyboard, then external hard drives (if any).
• Step 5: Start your DAW.

TURNING OFF:

• Step 1: Save your project. Quit your DAW.
• Step 2: Switch off your MIDI keyboard. Eject your external drive (if any).
• Step 3: Switch off your studio monitors one by one.
• Step 4: Switch off your audio interface.
• Step 5: Shut down your computer now.

Other important points:
– never pull out a USB pen drive or any external hard disk into your computer without ejecting it using the icon tray option (in PCs) and command+E in Macs.
It could get corrupted if you simply remove it from the slot when the computer is on.

– never hotplug a sound card into your USB or FireWire or Thunderbolt ports – whether in the studio, or on stage.

These are suggested tweaks for Mac OS 10.15. But most are also applicable to 10.12 or higher versions.

macOS System Preferences optimizations:

Producing music on a Mac typically means connecting external Audio or MIDI devices and then synchronizing them with your DAW software. Macs are built to handle audio production but require some additional configuration to maintain system performance. While every setup is a little bit different, the optimizations below will prevent common performance issues and keep your system synchronized. Continue below to configure your macOS System Preferences for working with audio or music.

General Settings:

There aren’t many General preferences that affect your devices or DAW software, but you may want to disable Handoff to prevent unintended connections with your other Apple devices.

Desktop & Screen Saver:

The Desktop and Screen Saver preferences do not negatively affect performance bandwidth, but you may choose to use a simple background and no screensaver for optimization.

Disable Gatekeeper:

The Gatekeeper feature on macOS keeps your Mac safe from installing software from third-party developers. When installing trusted drivers or DAW software/updates, allow them access to macOS. You can also allow access after installation by going to the General menu within Security & Privacy. Learn more from Apple about how to safely open apps on your Mac.

Spotlight:

In the Privacy menu, remove all listed drives so your apps can access them with Spotlight features. Select the drives and click the – icon.

Notifications:

macOS notifications are useful automatic reminders. While they do not severely impact your Mac’s performance they can play sounds and be a distraction. For optimum performance and without distractions, disable all unnecessary notifications and select “None” for each Calendar alert style.

Displays:

Use the optimal resolution for your monitor display. You can choose Default for display, which is automatic, or Scaled to select all of the available resolution configurations. Using the maximum available resolution will give you the most screen real estate. If you find the display too small, try using a smaller resolution.

Energy Saver:

Once your Mac is optimized, the next thing to do is configure your external devices and music production software. Audio and MIDI devices often require driver installation and hardware configuration. DAWs typically need to be set up and synchronized with the audio and MIDI devices.

If your hardware or software is not supported on macOS 10.15 Catalina their performance cannot be guaranteed. That means they could work just fine or not at all. Losing functionality of a DAW or audio interface can be a real damper, and you may have to reinstall another version of macOS to get back up and running. Before upgrading to macOS 10.15 Catalina or purchasing a new Mac or device, check to see that it is supported by the manufacturer.

Audio and MIDI device settings

Inputs from: Google, SweetCare

– Firstly, read about protecting the USB elicense keys – physically as well as with a protection insurance plan – here >>
– To know about which eLicenser key to buy, read this article >>

Here are some troubleshooting tips you can try before hitting the panic button 🙂

Reconnect the eLicenser key

When your licenses are stored onto a USB eLicenser key, the first thing to do is try and reconnect it. While eLicenser keys can work perfectly fine on USB hubs, they sometimes may not appear if the hub isn’t supplying enough power; particularly with passive hubs. If you do need to use a USB hub, choose one with a dedicated power supply. This will ensure each connected device receives enough power from the hub.

If the USB dongle still isn’t showing up, connect it directly to your computer and try different ports. If the eLicenser key still isn’t showing up, the next step is to run maintenance tasks.

Run the Maintenance tasks

Performing the maintenance tasks on a regular basis can help fix issues with both soft and hardware eLicenser keys. It’s a six-step process which includes recovering soft e-licenses, cleaning the eLCC memory, and updating the database. To perform the maintenance tasks, all you need to do is click the Gear icon in the top of the main eLCC window. We recommend checking the box which allows the Maintenance tasks to be performed every time you launch the eLCC app.

If you are still receiving errors, the next step is to reinstall the latest version of eLicenser Control Center.

PC users: Be sure to launch the eLicenser installer and eLCC as Administrator. Do this by right-clicking the installer then selecting Run as Administrator.

Run eLC Helper application (Soft-eLicensers only)

Some products like Cubase Elements do not ship with an eLicenser key. They can work on soft-eLicensers also. However, you may buy the eLicenser USB key separately and transfer the soft-license onto the physical USB key.

IMPORTANT: Only run the eLC Helper app if you receive Soft-eLicenser errors. Running the app will delete any existing Soft e-Licensers.

In rare cases that you receive an error stating your Soft-eLicenser is missing, this means the license failed to be created during installation. When this happens, you cannot request the activation code needed for permanent activation of the program nor can you download licenses. Running the eLC Helper app will automatically reinstall eLicenser Control Center and force the system to create the unique Soft-eLicenser key necessary to activate your software.

PC/Mac installation: 

1. Close all programs and download eLC Installation Helper for your OS version from here >>
2. MAC: Navigate to your Downloads folder, double-click the .dmg file, and run eLC Installation Helper.app
   PC: Navigate to your Downloads folder, right-click the installer, and click Run as Administrator.
3. Launch eLicenser Control Center.

Contact vendor support

If your USB eLicenser dongle still isn’t being recognized, there may be an issue with the key itself. If the USB dongle is broken, lost, or stolen, you will need to purchase a new eLicenser key and contact vendor support to resolve the issue. If you have bought it from SudeepAudio.com, contact us here >>

Read about eLicenser and also iLok protection plans here >>

Inputs: experience, Steinberg, SweetCare

What do I need to install to use my iLok?

Your iLok holds licenses that authorize the associated iLok-protected software to run.

To manage your iLok with the iLok License Manager application: install the iLok License Manager application from the Download page.

To use your iLok: The License Support software and your iLok-protected software must be installed. Most protected software automatically installs the driver along with the software, but the latest iLok driver is included in the iLok License Manager installer and can always be downloaded from the Download page.

iLok not recognized by system or software

If your iLok is not being recognized, the problem could be with the iLok, the iLok software, or the protected software.

Rule out iLok Software:

If the iLok lights up, but does not appear as connected in the iLok License Manager application, download and install the latest version of the iLok License Manager. Be sure to uninstall prior to doing a clean install. If your iLok appears as connected in the list, it should now work to authorize your iLok-protected software. If it does not, open the iLok Details and click on the Synchronize link.

Rule out network/internet connection:

If the steps above do not resolve this issue, please try your iLok on a different computer on a different internet connection

Rule out hardware:

Plug in the iLok. Does the iLok light up when plugged into a known working USB port? If not, or if the iLok is physically damaged, this indicates a problem with the iLok, and it should be submitted for License Recovery and Replacement through the Submit RMA process.

Broken iLoks

My iLok has a damaged connector, or the light on the iLok does not light up when I plug it in.

Your iLok needs to be replaced through the RMA License Recovery & Replacement process.

Once we (PACE Anti-Piracy Inc., USA) receive your broken iLok, we will recover your licenses from it and deposit your replacement licenses in your iLok.com account.

You can immediately get temporary licenses to use during the RMA processing time if your iLok is covered by Zero Downtime™ coverage. This coverage is available for purchase during the RMA order process if your registered iLok is not already covered.

Lost iLoks

How do I get my replacement licenses?

If your iLok is broken, lost or stolen, the first step in getting replacement licenses is to place a Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) report for the iLok. If you need access to your licenses immediately, Zero Downtime™ (ZDT) coverage allows you to receive temporary licenses in your iLok.com account as part of the RMA process.

While Zero Downtime™ works the same in both a Broken iLok RMA and a Lost/Stolen iLok RMA, the actual license replacement works differently. In either type of RMA, if the iLok is covered by ZDT, 2-week temporary licenses are immediately deposited in your account for all eligible licenses last seen on the iLok by the iLok servers.

For a broken iLok RMA, we are authorized by the software publishers to provide permanent replacement licenses for those that we recover from your broken iLok. Once we receive your broken iLok, we recover the licenses from it and deposit permanent replacement licenses in your account.

For a Lost/Stolen iLok RMA, if your iLok has Theft & Loss Coverage enabled, we replace your licenses. If the Lost/Stolen iLok did not have Theft & Loss Coverage, we are not authorized by the software companies to do the permanent license replacements. You would need to contact the software companies directly regarding getting replacements for the lost licenses.

If you have already placed your RMA report and have a question about it, please reply to the RMA confirmation email you received.

Stolen iLoks

My iLok was Lost or Stolen. What do I do?

First, be ABSOLUTELY certain that you have no hope of finding your iLok. Reporting an iLok as Lost or Stolen is irreversible.

If your iLok did not have Theft & Loss Coverage enabled:

You will need to seek replacement licenses from the individual software publishers directly. Once the RMA report is completed, the software companies whose licenses were last seen on the iLok will be automatically notified. You can then contact them to ask about replacement licenses.

If your iLok did have Theft & Loss Coverage enabled:

Good news! We are able to provide replacement licenses for the licenses last seen on the iLok by our server. Once the Lost/Stolen iLok License Replacement RMA order is placed, our RMA technicians will be able to process your order and deposit replacement licenses in your account.

Please note this is a manual process – although the turnaround time is generally very quick, please allow up to 2-3 business days.

If you are certain you cannot find your iLok, please use the Submit RMA button to proceed to the RMA submission page.

Submit an RMA

Inputs: ilok.com

One of the most common issues faced by software buyers is their serial number not working, or shows as invalid! Sounds scary inspite of it being an original purchase! First of all, relax. It is all going to be good.

When you buy software (download / electronic version) from SudeepAudio.com, you are sent the links and instructions to register along with the product’s serial. These are how different companies label their licenses as:

• serial number
• activation code / key
• passcode
• voucher
• license key

If you find that the message you see on-screen while registering this serial is, “invalid serial” or “does not exist”, do not panic!

Most common mistakes that one could have made:
1. wrong URL visited!
in many cases, the registration URL for software bought from dealers is different from software bought directly from the manufacturer
2. serial not copy/pasted correctly in the box
3. there could be a blank space before or after a serial number that you copy/pasted
4. you could have typed it in wrongly
5. maybe the “-” (dashes) in the serial you got were (or were not) typed into the registration field

Ideally one should type the serial, as copy/paste from our email could create a blank space before or after when you select it with your mouse. And rest assured that your product will get registered when you enter the number carefully and manually as it is supposed to be.

If you still are unable to register the product after checking the above points, send us an email without any hesitation. We will sort your problem at the earliest.