I work for a client who uses Cubase 8.5 in their studio. They’re setting up a new studio and we have Cubase 14 installed and running on that, but client is very comfortable and familiar with 8.5 and doesn’t want to continue with C14. They are unhappy with certain feature and UI changes, that sadly, I can’t really do anything about.
I myself have a C15 licence (we have separate Steinberg accounts). So, given what’s happened with the dongle discontinuation, are we just out of luck? The two studios are in different cities and moving the dongle back and forth isn’t really an option. I suppose trying to track down someone reselling with a dongle, if that is even a thing anymore. I can download the full 8.5 installer at least, but not much help without a dongle.
Trying to find someone who sells a dongle with a valid license is the only option in this case. What you need is a dongle with a license up to Cubase 11, because that allows you to run the earlier releases as well.
So we do have access to a licence for Cubase 11, which I can try. There are some specific UI changes around VariAudio and UI elements that might be lessened somewhat at that version. I’m less concerned about it functioning fine on Windows 11, as I’ve heard it should be fine.
Other option is edit prefs as much as possible to get the appearance of that era back, but a lot of what she problems with is baked in. I do find it incredibly annoying that ancient versions are locked behind dongles in this way.
At this point, surely Cubase customers should have free access to previous versions if they want to use them.
even if you had a Cubase 8.5 version: It is highly unlikely that both your client’s and your systems will be anywhere near identical so you might as well remain on C15 (due to non-matching effects, presets, VSTis, to name just a few). So, basically it boils down to an exchange of rendered audio tracks and MIDI files and stripped down project files.
People were asking Steinberg to chang the licensing system in order to get rid of physical dongles for many many years. Now, it’s a done deal.
Moreoever, if you owned a Cubase version prior to Cubase 12 you surely had a USB eLicenser, no? In other words - are you complaining about Steinberg not giving away freebies for customers who didn’t purchase these old licenses in the first place…? Hmmm
Nonetheless, if you still want to buy a used Cubase 11 version you could have a look at knobcloud.com .
To be clear, I have no concern about our systems being identical. I use C15, she uses 8.5. I personally dont care what version she has at the new studio. I’m just trying to help her out. We are not going to be sharing project files.
She has been using Cubase since the VST version lol. I have used it and updated it since SX3. I’m saying they have done this before - with offering SX3 licenses for free to users of current versions of Cubase so they can open older projects that utilised the .arr file format. Understandably that was a more critical need in some cases.
I’m not questioning Steinbergs decision to get rid of the dongle, but obivously there some people who fall through the cracks in this process. If we never had the dongle in the first place this would be a complete non-issue, like pretty much any other DAW.
I’m just asking, beyond trying to source a second-hand copy of C8.5, if there’s any other workarounds.
As I said her main studio is in a different city than this new one. She isusing the dongle in her main studio already. Yes she could physically bring the dongle there, back and forth every time, but its not really feasible. There is a possibility that we would be working separately in both studios simultaneously, in which case I am fine with using C14 there while she is on C8.5 in such a scenario.
I have migrated my own personal licence and no longer need a dongle, but I still have the dongle, collecting dust in my own studio. I noticed in my own Account I have a licence for Cubase Pro 15, and another entry referencing the e-licenser for Cubase Pro 11 (Upgraded to Cubase with Steinberg Licensing). I am happy to hand that dongle over for that studio.
Would that actually cover Cubase 8.5? Anyway, will try it next time I’m there. But I’m assuming it is simply the same licence just updated, but god knows how that works with a dongle and non-dongle protected copy of Cubase.
OK great! As I dont need mine any more for my studio I’ll just try using that. I foun the full C8 installer in the archives, and the 8.5 update, and already installed the ELC so that should cover it.
