I found this on the KVR Forum:
“if you buy the full version of SX2 or SX3, the dongle that comes in the box has the license already activated and installed in it. you don’t need to connect to the internet, or download or authorize anything to use cubase.”
Is this still correct? I believe that does not apply after updates, and also it looks like any downloads of SX3 from Steinberg require an internet connection and a legit current license or properly transferred one.
I suppose if you actually found new old-stock from two decades ago, yes. But this is quite unlikely. You have a better chance of finding that used. Anyone can download and install the software, you don’t have to own it. Obviously, to launch it you need a license.
In practice though, owners of software understand that its resale value is based on the cost of updating, so during the years SX 3 was valid for an update discount, anyone getting rid of SX 3 would have updated it their own self, and then sold it, or sold without updating for an amount equaling the price of the update to the current version, plus a some profit.
You do not say what your OS is, but you can always download a trial of the current version.
Really, what @Dean0 is offering is pretty good.
Steve, I was actually considering what DeanO mentioned about the process involved in the transfer and the effort involved. From that quote I was wondering if Cubase SX3 was similar to CubaseVST5 in that the dongle itself was sufficient for licensing. With VST5 the software, a code in written form, and the dongle was all that was necessary to install and run the program.
If this was true also of SX3, he would only have to send the disk, the code and the dongle, as the dongle would transfer the license to me. Cubase 4 changed the licensing system, I know. But I would like to know if the SX3 changing from Printer port dongle to usb changed other factors. If not, that would save everyone some time.
DeanO, I tried to send you a private message, but I am not sure if it was sent. I am interested in your offer. I am in Columbus, Ohio, USA, I do not know how much the shipping would be or if the transfer would take too much of your time. Let me know what you think in a private message if you like.
Yes I have been looking at KVR and GearSpace. Right now it looks like mostly retail venders selling. One thing I am still unclear on with the idea of getting a dongle for a later version. I am guessing that the licensing software requires a later windows system. If I can get a 4-11 dongle activated for my use and try to run SX3, will it work on the older Windows XP that SX3 is bests suited for?
All is revealed when you scroll through https://helpcenter.steinberg.de/hc/en-us/articles/360008841379-eLicenser-Control-Center-License-Management#current_elcc
This forum has been very helpful and I have learned a lot. I think it is really good that Steinberg has made this option to run older versions on later licenses. I hope I can get a license from 4-11 before something changes. I am in my seventies now and it is very time consuming to learn a new system. If I can get used to SX3 and then move to 5, I might just find out what all the new features of the later versions after that are all about and decide I want them.
Does 250 us dollars for cubase 10 pro on ebay sound legitimate? Some mention an activation code. If that is not supplied, will Steinberg give it to the owner of the usb license?
A brand new/unlicensed copy won’t work. You need to buy someones already activated old dongle for 11 or below. If you buy any NEW copy of Cubase, when you enter in the activation/download code at Steinberg’s website, it’s going to give you a license for Cubase 12. That’s how it’s always worked for the most part. When you buy a copy of Cubase and register/activate it, regardless of what version you actually bought, you get the latest version when activated.
Lots of folks used to buy their .5 upgrades on sale every year and hold on to the codes until the next major version came out, and THEN activated them to get the newest one. Still works the same way. If the copy of 10 has never been activated, as soon as it is, you’ll get Cubase 12 added to your account instead.
The copy on Ebay is a used one. I understood that 12 and later will not allow for the backward compatibility. I was wondering what risks are involved with the two used ones now on Ebay and if I need the original activation codes from the seller. I almost got stung on a dongle that is selling as a version 7 dongle. That is how ignorant I am about these things. Thanks to Steve I learned about the deception.
Today I ordered from Ebay a usb license for Cubase Pro 9. If I can use it to install and activate the SX3 downloaded from Steinberg, and possibly Cubase 5 I will check this question as solved. Thanks for the help. I forget where I read this, but as I understood it, the same dongle can be used on several PC’s and with different versions as long as they are activated on the dongle with Steinberg. Is this true? Is there a limit to the number of different systems?
If a license is on a USB elicenser, no more action is needed, aside from plugging it into a computer that has the appropriate version of the Elicenser Control software.
Aside from the fact it made Cubase’s copy protection bulletproof, that was the beauty of the eLicenser. You could install Cubase anywhere you wanted, but Cubase only ran if that USB dongle was plugged in. Install it on your laptop, your desktop, your machine at work, at the studio, etc. As long as you have the eLicenser with you, you can Cubase on any computer its installed on.
That was always the case before the usb dongle. I had Cubase VST5 on several computers as long as they had parallel ports.
I think it was you who explained how a license could be used for older versions of cubase back to the SX series. Would it be necessary to install the version I am getting (Pro 7) before trying to activating a previous version? Can I use the dongle for 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 as well? I intend to do some research as to which features I really want or need. In fact I do not know what many of the features advertised are all about. I realize there are conveniences of use that might be better or worse from one version to the other. VST5 is very capable but a major annoyance was the undo would only go back once, and some times not at all.
Dan
I think all you need to do is install the eLicenser software and once that is ready to go, you can install any of the versions below the one you purchased and just run them. I don’t think you HAVE to run the licensed version first or anything.
I still have two of those dongles out in the garage haha. Got a red one and a blue one still in the old boxes. Now that was some classic copy protection there!
Yesterday I received the used usb dongle for Cubase 7. I was able to install Cubase SX3 with no problems after installing the eLicenser software on a Windows 7 laptop. Everything seems to be working so far. I have to learn the differences of course. Thanks everyone for the information!
Now to try one of the later versions to see what cool features I gain and the older plugins I have lost.
Congrats!
Sorry to revive an old post … I too was interested in buying an e-Licenser from a guy that’s selling it ( it’s Cubase 10 Pro ), so I can download and use Cubase Sx .
2 Questions :
Will it work plug&play with my E-Licenser manager software ? Or do I need a License Transfer ?
Will I be able to use it when the Usb-Dongle will get discontinued ?
Thanks for your time .
Andy