A question for people who keep their studio computer offline.
How do you send files to clients?

EDIT:
How to install legit plugins like softube/NI/UAD (and etc) that use own software center instillation methods ???

 

Last edited: Aug 29, 2024

I'm using a 2nd computer just for internet stuff, so when I need to send something, I take the file on a USB and make the transfert using this computer.

Another option could be having the computer offline but with the possibility to connect but not by itself (if no wifi card, you can use a USB wifi key), so you just connect it when needed (and don't forget to desactivate auto update if that's the reason you're offline).

 

my studio PC didn't even know what internet is like

I use a notebook and a tablet to do the dirty work
I tranfer files from the offline PC to notebook with a pendrive and the tablet I just plug in the USB

 

I sync files across my LAN with Syncthing. I hit 'Save' in my DAW and the project file / folder gets synced to two other computers, from where the folder is then synced to cloud storage, no user interaction required. (I don't fully keep my DAW PC offline though.)

 

I'm thinking of create new working system on Windows and configure it with The Chris Titus Tech WinUtil. The various updates over time take up a lot of space but I'm also need internet for fast client connect via messengers and cloud sync for my projects.

And of course some plugins need one time internet connection to their servers for authorization

Interesting...

 

as inexpensive as off lease business laptops have become, a decent one can be had for 100$. its cheap insurance to use one of those for an internet mail browser, etc to download software etc, and then transfer things with a 25$ 256gb usb3 drive. This allows your main music computer to be kept off line forever.

if your eyes are good, I favor a
Dell Latitude 7280

easy to upgrade or service, a few screws and the entire base plate comes off, providing access to memory, and drives. Screen comes in 2 different resolutions, make sure you get the 1080p if you need the resolution. battery life is very good.

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=m570.l1313&_nkw=Dell+Latitude+E7280&_sacat=0

 

"offline" with LAN access, manually or automatically syncing files to NAS, then automatically syncing files from NAS to cloud(s) or manually create share links

 

at this point you should probably learn more about networking, network segmentation, firewalls, ACLs...
you could configure a specific VLAN and rules in order to have full control over your studio PC network access, regardless of windows firewall and hosts files in windows,

I highly recommend OPNsense (open source firewall, router, dhcp server...) - https://opnsense.org/
and if you want flexibility, you can install it as a virtual machine, preferably on top of something like Proxmox - https://www.proxmox.com/en/

 

thanks for this info. I got second PC and should try this LAN network option.

and what's the best way to install that kind of plugins ?

 

Last edited: Aug 29, 2024

get a cracked version that doesn't need to be online, they ususally run faster anyhow...

 

ppl buy a license but use cracked version .
...and this is not only going on on bedroom level.

if you dont have (certain )clients and industry ppl sitting with you in front of your workstation its equal .

 

I have no problem installing cracked versions of those plugins that I have a licence for.
But because of some plug-ins I still have to switch on the internet once.

 

Via the internet machine. There are two ethernet vlans segmented on my cisco switch. One that is internet facing and one that only connects to machines on a private backend lan. The media (studio) machines are never connected to the internet vlan but are connected to the local private backend lan. Files can be easily and quickly moved to the internet machine (which is dual homed) via local private connection and then sent anywhere.

Scene released Softube, NI, etc, do not require use of internet. Scene releases is all I will even use anymore. The UA stuff is not used at all because it's not cracked. But, just a matter of time now.

Regarding "updates". Mickeysoft is going to extra lengths to defeat users from disabling their forced update tech which they keep ramming down the throats of anyone who uses their shit. Most all of the privacy and tweak tools that used to give one control over when and where and how updates are processed are no longer working in that capacity. With the advent of 22H2 the update police have even setup tasks to re-start and deny access to those who would want to take control of the update process. When attempting the disabling of tasks and services one runs into the, what I have named, "extra microsoft FuckYou security level" wherein certain tasks and services are tempered with an extra layer of security that even local machine admins can't get around. There are luckily still ways to defeat it and control when where and how, but it requires a bit more effort. For those who insist on keeping studio computers connected to internet they would do well to research it.

 

Last edited: Aug 30, 2024

also one important thing to remind - many plugins rely on network interface physical/mac address, so even with a completely offline machine, you need an actual network interface (preferably NOT wifi, but ethernet) with functional driver, and enabled (with cable unplugged eventually) in order for plugins to have an available licensing device to begin with

 

Dropbox to phone then phone to email

 

there is the microsoft loopback adapter

 

I find Bluetooth to Phone is one of the best ways

 

I can recommend both.