The licensing and activation of Cubase AI is very difficult my opinion - Is it possible that Steinberg/Yamaha can look into this please?

A necessary evil - that allows you, as a qualified user of the software, to get proper support. We are constantly looking for better ways to protect the software and your right to use it. It is not that difficult, really... no more than anything new. Agreed the first time you register a product it seems complicated - but you can always ask for help. And once you have registered one Steinberg item - you are in, and all subsequent things you register or purchase will be handled by your MySteinberg Account. It is like a club of legitimate users.

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Why should I have to create a Steinberg account online, download software, register codes, wait for email, enter confirmation codes from email, download eLicenser software everytime there is a major system update, etc

You have to create a Steinberg account so that you can: Move your license to a new computer.

Say that the worst thing happens and your computer crashes, or is stolen or wiped out in a flood... or say a great thing happens, like you win the lottery and purchase a brand new high powered computer... Your MySteinberg account will allow you to simple move your license to your new computer. Your software does not go down with the ship.

I could give you tons more reasons, but that single one should suffice (worth every frustrating moment of initial confusion)! Hopefully, the worst never happens, we wish that only the great things happen. But you will really appreciate having a MySteinberg account when, for example, YOU NEED HELP!
🙂

the eLicenser allows you to freely move your software wherever you go... you authorize your software on a particular computer - and you can move the authorization from computer to computer, take it with you wherever you go. This was not entered in without great study and thought (believe it or not), and is a necessary evil. Musicians often work out ideas at home, but go to a studio to record. You can, as a Steinberg user, move your authorization to the studio's computer (you can even put it on a USB-licensing device to make it easy to take with you). It is secure for our end and your end.

Software, in case you had not heard, is pirated at an alarming rate. Seriously, alarming. Musicians take it for granted that there will always be professional software... well, from this side of the table, you can really see how important it is to protect the legitimate owners/users of the software and make it difficult for those who insist on stealing (sorry for the Debbie-Downer side of the reality but that's the truth). We hope that most users will not find it too difficult and will be able to go through the few setup. It is to protect you, in the long run.

Hope that helps. Life in the computer age 21st Century

If you have any questions concerning the license process, registering, activation/reactivation, installation simply drop a message (via your MySteinberg Account) and you will get a response. And they would really like to hear your complaints directly - please put your thoughts in an email to Steinberg... now that you have a MySteinberg Account, put it to good use!

🙂

Ooops, not sure what has happened but this post seems to have moved to 'off topic' when I put it in the 'MX' group.

It was such a useful answer that MX users ask about. Mainly because it is a requirement to activate the 'FREE Cubase AI' product that comes with the MX - without Cubase how would I integrate the two items as sold.

Why is this seen as 'off topic' ?

The question is not about the MX specifically. We could open a Forum heading for questions about installing/registering/authorizing Steinberg's Cubase, but since that is so thoroughly handled by registering your MySteinberg Account, it would be a duplication of efforts. If your question was about specifically addressing the MX49/MX61 with Cubase it would be OnTopic for the MX Forum. But it is a question that concerns all Yamaha Synth purchasers, not MX users only.

And as mentioned, if you have issues with the process (which they have streamlined, by the way) they would like to hear from you directly. Improving the process is certainly something they are interested in.

Did you contact Steinberg? Let us know.

I'll have a look, but if Yamaha cannot be bothered to pass on feedback from this forum to Steinberg I suspect it will fall on deaf ears as usual - just as any message in the 'off_topic' group.

When I'm looking for information about the MX (and Cubase as sold with this product) I would look in the 'MX' group on this forum.

...Well they are your rules!!

There is some helpful information detailed here and I would hate for it to be missed by people looking for help.

Just been on... look at number 1 lol
Conclusion: Nothing will happen, so thank you for listening. 😉

Licensing hoops for baby versions of Cubase are ridiculous. I don't think people will be stealing it with so many unlicensed working copies floating around and availability of Reaper being what it is.

At least it doesn't require a dongle and it is a very capable DAW for most people's needs. The SQL server installs I do are easier than than Cubase. 🙂 I installed AI on a Dell laptop and had problems with the 3 step security but tech support was very good and very patient. Cubase Customer Support is very good.

I agree that the difficulties and to license Cubase AI7 are ridiculous. The Steinberg web page is very poorly setup, and gives no confirmation that a step you have clicked on has been acheived. Very poor and confusing setup for the lay person. I've wasted a fair bit of time to get thie "free" software that came with a mixer, but I'm now getting only 6 days to use my software unless I put the activation code in. When I do key in that code it tells me it doesn't apply etc etc. In a nutshell the MySteinburg registration page is a round in round in circles extremely frustrating experience.
This needs to be sorted, and improved!!!

I'm a little nervous about the Cubase software itself. Is it going to be a similar difficult experience to try and use??

Oh, the woes when you try to give something away.

I highly recommend you drop a simple email (Support Ticket) to Steinberg via your MySteinberg Account. You have one, it is the first thing you needed to do to license your version of the software. Log in to your account, and reprint your post above - they will not only appreciate your feedback, but I bet they resolve your problem.

Please let us know.

Didn't realize this was here when I responded many months after on the Montage forum

https://www.yamahasynth.com/forum/basic-question#reply-14700

I'm with BM on this one when it comes to the rationale for the process and also on eventually the ease of dealing with the Cubase AI (free) vs. something that requires a dongle.

BM's response (in the thread above) would have been a great cut/paste had I known about this thread - since he covers most of the bases in an eloquent and positive manner here.

Probably shouldn't "kick up the dirt" on such an old thread - but I use google search to find old posts that are "interesting" AND that I've participated in - so here's my participation which will ensure a hit if i search for the licensing information again.