I’m already on the new licenser and Cubase 13, but in reading posts here and on Reddit, I just recently picked up on something big I missed before: people won’t be able to upgrade older versions of Cubase that were using the e-Licenser after 2025.
Just curious about the reason/logic/business-driver for that? Hope Steinberg is planning on some good last minute upgrade sales for people.
The older versions can be transferred to the new licensing system (Activation Manager), as Steinberg announced early enough. This should be done. From there, further upgrades can be performed as usual.
Hi,
Please, read the source informations here.
You should be careful with a Statement like this. You can NOT simply transfer older versions to the new licensing system.
Cubase 11 and earlier can’t be transfered to the new licensing, you need to update to Cubase 12 or higher (Cubase 13 at the moment).
The same needs to be done for Instruments like HALion or packages Like Absolute.
@Martin.Jirsak already posted the Link to the complete documentation of this process.
Its the server, plain and simple. Without it, the whole eLicenser system is dead. The server handles all the licensing/transfers/updates/etc when it comes to the dongle. The host software merely checks the dongle has an active/authorized license and lets it run if it does.
Once the server is gone, the mechanism for updating/transferring/etc will be gone. There is no way to move licenses to or from the dongle after the server is turned off.
I suppose Steinberg could just leave it running until it dies and say YMMV with it, but you know people will still call or email in for support about it, and considering it only runs for outdated/no longer supported software, might as well just turn it off altogether.
For users on MacOS versions prior to Sonoma, updating to Cubase 13 is not an option since it doesn’t support those versions. For intel-based Macs Steinberg need t provide a licensing update.
You can Install and run all Prior Version with that license, including Cubase 11 and prior.
See above, simply use one of the prior releases. Cubase Runs on Intel as well as Silikon.
Hi and welcome to the forum,
You can update a license without installong Cubase.
I am unable to switch the e-license for Cubase Pro 11 to the new license.
And Cubase 11 has not been supported for about 3 years now. Its lifespan is over and that is not Steinberg’s responsibility to accommodate you because you choose to stay on an older OS they don’t support (and neither does Apple).
That’s ridiculous! Other DAWs like Reaper continue to support MacOS 10.15.7. at half the cost. It is their job to remain relevant, or get dropped like AVID’s ProTools…an expensive DAW like Cubase should provide better support for older systems that produce music just fine as they are. It is very expensive to update every three years just for the sake of it. This seems like a money grab.
It continues working with your eLicenser
eLicenser is ending in roughly 6 months
The service to modify the license on the dongle is ending, not the dongle itself. The dongle will continues to work until it breaks or you lose it. It doesn’t need the Server to work.
Read the support document, which explains in detail how that works
It also means paying an upgrade price from Cubase 11 Pro will not be possible from 2025 on.
That is the reason Steinberg announced it one year in advance
Announcing it a year in advance doesn’t help customers running on older systems—especially who aren’t updating for new but merely for a license server change. It demonstrates a lack of customer loyalty…especially when your competitors have no problem supporting older MacOS version on the same license. If Steinberg can’t license Cubase 11, then it will be time to support a different company.
I am staying on the dongle with Cubase 11 Elements, as I see no reason to upgrade with my current set up that works fine. Once I got side chaining I didn’t need anything else on offer. The root of all this goes back to the very vocal and often aggressive feedback about how much users hated the dongle. The battle raged for years in the forums with many users often ‘screaming’ in CAPSLOCK about it. It took some time but Steinberg listened to feedback and implemented a more modern licensing system. It’s what the majority of users wanted. There are ways to manage our set ups going forward if we stay on the dongle. We could also buy an upgraded version of Cubase before 2025 if we want a bridgehead into the new system for later.
It is possible to update but not install the software or using a slot for the new license. You can upgrade to Cubase 13, now, receive also a Cubase 11 (marked as upgraded on the elicenser) and just use that for the time being (and update later with the Cubase 13 on the new system).