Hi
I’m looking at getting a 2nd license for Cubase 14 pro as I’d like to be running 2 instances of Cubase simultaneously in my studio at times (and I believe this is not permitted with a single license).
As there currently is a sale, and I have an eligible cross-grade product, would paying the cross grade fee give me a second separate license? (Or could I get another upgrade from C13 that would give me the 2nd license?)
Thanks for any help
Steve
You can activate Cubase on three systems but only use one at a time because it is a single user license. That’s correct.
You can buy another crossgrade license if the product is eligible.
It is not possible to buy a second update from a single license because the first upgrade “inherits” the original C13 license. As a result, the former C13 license is now part of your updated C14 license and therefore non-existent as a basis for further updates.
I don’t know either way, but are you sure that’s how the limitation works? ‘Single user’ could also mean exactly what it says - 1 user. Seems to me there are lots of legit reasons for a single user to run Cubase simultaneously on 2 computers - migrating to a new computer, taking advantage of different hardware configs, DYI Vienna Ensemble Pro, upstairs downstairs, etc.
Hi @Raino,
I’m with you. No idea if Steinberg would tolerate this or not. However, they made it quite clear that it’s not allowed to use Cubase on more than one computer at the same time if you got a single user license. This is the official statement by Steinberg:
How many systems can I install Cubase 14
on?
You can find it here
Edit: The link looks weird. In case it doesn’t work you can find the quote in the FAQs.
I raised this question some time ago and was told by forum admins I could happily disregard that limitation. Something like “it’s only lawyer legal speak” and that Cubase doesn’t phone home to check if you’re running the software on more than one computer.
If it’s just you, one individual using it, I don’t think Steinberg would be bothered if you run Cubase on three computers simultaneously! Can’t see how it’d be physically possible for you to use Cubase on all two or three computers at the same time, unless you’re an octopus?!
If it’s a pro studio where different users are using it, then I can see how that would be a problem, legally and morally.
Yeah, this is all about good will and Steinberg probably won’t take legal actions (given that they’d find out in the first place) if it’s a single user. But that’s not for me to decide how they handle things or if someone is willing to take the risk. I was just pointing at the official statement. The rest is everyone’s own business 
Please double-check this but, it is my somewhat uniformed opinion, that if this is just you, one user, different installs, same time, then it doesn’t go against the spirit of the T&Cs.
IMO the restrictions were for multiple users and multiple setups etc.
Nah, the legal position is very clear about it (see my post above). This is more about good will rather than legal grounds. There is also the option of a multiple user license, e.g. in classroom situations. Maybe you had this in mind?
Thanks, though maybe a misunderstanding— I wasn’t disputing the wording, that’s why I mentioned the ‘spirit’ of the terms as opposed to the letter of the agreement. These things - T&Cs - are clearly there to cover and protect their interests, but IMO, OP’s, is a niche case that may well fall outside those boundaries.
It’s just a thought.
Indeed, we have the same understanding of the situation 
I was just pointing out that you won’t find anything that is up for interpretation in the official statement. They are unmistakenly clear about their legal position. As I wrote, I would like to think that they are okay with use cases like that. But you can’t know that based on the wording of their legal claims. The spirit, which is usually very user-orientated and generous, is something that is beyond reach because they can’t officially contradict their own legal statements.
IMHO this is not fully precise. Single person, yes, so starting Cubase on two systems and have you and your buddy working at the same time, no go, but if it is just you, you cannot physically “use” the software at the same time. Just starting Cubase is not “using the software”, I’d say.
I don’t quite think we have the same outlook ) but anyway, as mentioned, it’s likely best Steinberg confirms with OP, if necessary.
@fese Well, I’m not a lawyer and you may be right and I may as well be wrong! That’s just my interpretation of simultaneous use. And of course, there is a difference between the legal and the practical side.
Again: I can’t tell if starting and using is the same from a legal point of you. Please forgive me, now there is this image that I just can’t get rid off:
Imagine a single user who has just started Cubase on two different computers. Now, there’s a web cam streaming a live stream from his studio and Steinberg HQ is logged in. The user works on his main rig. Then he looks at the other rig and moves his chair swiftly to his second workplace. He is about to press Play but all of a sudden he halts and looks up straight into the cam: “Haha, Steinbeeeerg - gotcha!!! Juuuuust looking - no touching!” 
Please, don’t take this the wrong way, dear Fese, we are all on the same side here! I just had to giggle when this image popped up in my head… 
That would be perfect if they did. However, I don’t expect them to do it due to legal reasons as I pointed out before. But yes, that would be fantastic!!!
Just putting this here in case anyone was wondering:
I would think Martin is well informed on how Steinberg’s licenses work.
I also have a PM from a different admin stating pretty much the same thing.
Thanks @mlib - that helps a lot! 
I’d be fine with this information if I had to use two rigs simultaneously… It’s not so much an official statement but that would be more than enough for me anyways
Thank you for confirming this. It was somewhat odd to me it might work any other way.
I use two different PC’s running Nuendo at the same time using VST System Link. Works wonderfully. I use one PC for composition and the other one for dialog, SFX, etc. editing. This way I don’t have to print out the composition prior to having the final edit.
As correctly mentioned by some, one purchase enables 3 simultaneous activations. Unlike old elicenser-based which would stop you after 1.
I have a synchronized daw farm system…Nuendo 14 sometimes running on three pc machines, Cubase 14 sometimes running on 2 machines (I can do 3 CB14 of course).
All simultaneous.
Steinberg’s announcement of this capability back when the new licensing system kicked in was one of many wonderful…and generous…gestures on their part.
Like if you got yourself a Mac? LIKE THAT???
From a technical perspective, does SB already support provisioning of multiple licenses to the same account? It doesn’t necessarily matter in my case, but I’m just wondering if the user would have to get a “second account” to activate with a “second license” or not. I don’t see any “counts” in my SAM or anything.