I buy the things I use to support the developers, BUT I still use the proper cracked versions to avoid stupid copy protection (iLok for example). Win-Win. If a plugin or software uses stupid protection AND it ain't properly cracked, I don't usually buy it.

It has saved me SO many times to use proper cracked/keygen versions instead of original installers. For example Steinberg removed support for older plugins that were tied to Steinberg-hosts, so it was impossible to use old legit versions in later versions of Cubase......

iLok is somewhat OK as long as you don't happen to switch any hardware in your computer or somethings breaks so that you need to re-install. Some dev's only allows for 1 installation... how incredibly stupid is that.

I only use original versions if the copy protection is non-invasive and runs just as fast as the cracked versions, like U-he and Synapse Audio for example.

 

Agreed. Softubes download manager is crap and installs everything.. I had to manually remove the plugins to get rid of it, uninstaller does not work 100%. Btw, are you Kluster from StoneAge Rec?