Hi Guys,

I have a Noob Query -

If I have Warez plugin from some brands, but Legit plugins from other brands.

1) Is there a way my iLok can still be flagged?
(like some Brands have Tie-ups like Slate Digital and SSL etc, so might share data)

2) If at all my iLok gets flagged, can iLok ban my full account/all legit plugins?
or it will just Disable that flagged plugin?

Over time we all Install a lot of plugins, so its impossible to keep track.
So, need Advice please.

Note - I don't wanna lose my iLok plugins (like Soundtoys etc) due to some random mishap

Thanks

 

Last edited: Aug 1, 2025 at 3:16 PM

The only time I have ever heard of anything like this was from Acustica. Their Aquarius software manager app would try to find r2r versions and would "ban" a user. I'm still unsure that is even legal to do, and most real companies would never even consider trying that.

Your purchase and use of something should not be conditioned upon other contents of your hard disks. That is basically spyware. They could do that, technically speaking. But do you think (example) Soundtoys want to hear their users are getting the plugins they purchased from them blocked/banned because iLok cares about some other developers program getting shared?

 

1) No.
therefore it follows that 2) is also No.

 

You know funny that today only I saw Luca/Studio DMI using R2R plugin. Haha, I could not have ever imagined!
Also to your point, I read same thing on sister that - Acustica took a "screenshot" of a warez user - and shared to him on mail.
So, Acustica is 100% Spyware

For other point, my query is slightly specific.
Im talking about "Tie up Brands/partners" like Slate Digital and SSL- which might care about each other.
Ex - I own SSL iLok, so I should not warez Slate Digital plugins

Conclusion -
1) So can we conclude that IF any plugin is flagged, only that Plugin/plugins from same brand - will/might get banned in iLok?
And that will NOT affect my other plugins in iLok
2) If I buy any iLok plugin, I should not use any warez plugin from same brand - that is Good enough safe?

 

Very rarely there are developers who will deactivate legitimate purchases because they detect you have something illegal. The only one that comes to mind is Acustica, but even that I believe didn't come through once the shit hit the fan. I have plugins from all sides because that's how I work, sometimes I buy stuff and I use the R2R version because that means I don't have to install a third party software just to install and keep my product activated. Never had any issues. Worst that can happen, is that you need to keep your connection open for a legit plugin to work, and some other pirated plugin from the same developer needs the hosts closed so it can't be deactivated. But for that, we're now seeing groups patch the hosts directly from within the VST files.

 

I can't speak for all manufacturers but on my side I run both legit and cracked Softube plugins with no issues whatsoever

 

Exactly! R2R plugins are so better that even Top Engineers who even own that plugin - use R2R version :D I was mindblown to see Luca using R2R. Acustica is Nasty yes .. I use R2R method for all its plugins

So, I keep my Net on obviously cuz iLok - and have blocked some hosts (not all) to be safe for warez. Groups patch sounds Interesting, tho Im not such Techie to deeply understand it, tbh

But from all the replies, I feel so relieved :D Think its safe and I can use Legit + Warez both without worrying

 

That's some next level trickery bro :D Glad to hear no issues coming, so we can focus on Production
I use R2R for softube ..

 

On Windows, use GlassWire. On Mac, use Little Snitch. These apps give you full control over what apps can connect to the internet. It is recommended to have LESS plugins anyway. I get that people want to try things, but having hundreds of plugins does not make your journey easier...it has already proven to be a headache by everyone with more than 10 years professional experience. Less bloat is more productive.

 

Kush.Audio.Hammer.Mk2.v1.0.2 - R2R

A witch says,

* iLok License Manager isn't required to run.
* Our release loads faster and uses less memory than legit version.

 

I can't say anything about iLok, as I don't really use those plugins. But so far anything else simply sticks the k'd plugins and (if detected) into demo mode, like Plugin Alliance and Native Instruments. The only exceptions have been Acustica and Tone2, but I might be wrong about those too as I don't use them either.

So if a pirated release bypasses the downloader/activator then you're golden. And even then you're still good.

 

Regarding the Acustica thing. I don't think they were just scanning your entire system, they only checked their known locations, like where their framework files were and the system vst / au folder. I created a fake account with them, and bought a cheap plugin second hand. I then installed a bunch of cracks, but installed them to a custom vst3 folder on my desktop. I opened their software manager Aquarius, and installed the legit one, plus their freebies, and had zero issues. i tried multiple times, uninstalling, and moving the custom folder a few times. Never got flagged.

 

That's some really Smart work bro! It dint happen to me tho, someone on sister website claimed that Acustica send him a screenshot as a reason why he got banned etc. I just used R2R expert framework for Acustica :D It works Great

I also had R2R Soundradix - it used to randomly call for Authentication on iLok due to some loophole (so I got scared that iLok might identify crack and penalize me somehow) - so I can ignore this I guess

Thanks for all your help

 

Thanks bro, I actually already have Malwarebyte WFC which does similar job
And I agree with Lotta plugins make workflow confusing - but Im just in trying/testing mode tbh - for creating my Workflow - now I will focus on Mastering few select plugins

 

I've been installing and downloading plugins since 2010, I've never had a virus, and my iLOk has always worked flawlessly.
I have purchased and cracked plugins, and in the end, I can say it's a miracle to me that everything works together.

Of course, sometimes things don't work, and sometimes you have to work hard to make it all work. Yes, Tone2 is spyware, but he was actually just fighting against illegal software. He's a two-man operation, and please buy software from the manufacturers sometimes.

 

What I've found is that you can install both, just try to install without using plugin install managers that the developers provide. Arturia for sure will deactivate any cracked versions their plugin manager finds

 

Most devs don't play that game.
Because they know it will blow back.

Tone2 tried it ... burned. They closed their KVR forum and modified Gladiator to remove protection.
but they still do fishy things, even on free products :
www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=389095&start=240
Acustica ... burned once.

Only examples i know. And frankly, it was a bad move.
I'm wondering how many potential clients they lost ...

PS : funny thing : Markus Krause scan for his OTHER company products (ex : Refx vanguard ...) at the same time

 

Markus Feil is Markus Krause, unfortunately they had a falling out at reFX and from then on each did their own thing!

 

Nice! How come no virus sir? Do you install just from r2r or other as well ?
Yeah I buy as well, I have bought from SSL, UAD, Sound toys, Shaperbox etc

I worry about virus also, so I keep scanning deep clean ever week or so

 

Noted brother will follow that