New iLok System
You can get full details on using the new system, and download the new iLok License Manager application here.

Follow the link for the latest KNOWN ISSUES direct from the folks at iLok.

To answer a few questions:

•  Does this require a new iLok 2? No, it does not require iLok 2. Your original old-school iLoks will still work with SoundToys plug-ins.
• It says transfer to disk, can I do that? Not yet, but maybe some day.
• Do I need a new license or SoundToys version for this? No, you should be all set.

Issues?
There have been cases of some issues with authorizations, but they are typically easily corrected.  If you experience issues with the new iLok License Manager saying you have “Temporary” licenses, or if your license shows as product but your host application still asks for authorizations, follow these steps to correct the problem.

Download and install the newest version of the iLok License Manager. It’s changing fast so it’s worth it even if you just did it.

NEW!! Updated trouble shooting straight from the iLok.com webpage.

“We now have steps for you to follow to correct the license information and restore your authorizations to their proper state.
IMPORTANT: For the quickest and best result, we recommend going through these steps with each iLok individually, with ONLY that iLok plugged in.

The first generation iLok is not as speedy as the second generation iLok; please be patient as this type of iLok will take longer and the process may seem slow or like nothing is happening. Don’t quit the process, leave it alone until it is finished. Seriously! Don’t touch the keyboard.

- Unplug all iLoks from your computer.
- Launch iLok License Manager. If you see “operation in progress” immediately upon launching, wait until the message clears before signing in. BE PATIENT. Do not close the application. When the initial operation is finished, sign in.
- Plug in ONE iLok.
- Double-click the plugged in iLok in the left-hand location column to open the Details Pane.
- Click the “Sync/Repair” link, and wait until the process completes. Again, be patient and let it do its job. The progress bar may flicker and at some points it may look like nothing is happening but you need to wait for the confirmation that the process is finished. This may take some time, especially for a first generation iLok.
- Verify that all expected licenses are now seen on your iLok, or in some cases, a license may be in your account instead of on the iLok.
- Repeat steps 3-6 until you have performed a Sync/Repair on each iLok.”

Here’s were the original instructions that were posted with the initial issues that popped up, but we’ve seen less and less success with these steps that initially seemed to be working. This was for those who updated in the first 24 hours.

- Open the iLok License Manager with your iLok attached, log-in, and select the license that’s in question.
- Right click, or control click the license (you can also Double Click).
- From the drop down menu select “Deactivate”.
- Then repeat the process and select “Activate”.
- Do this for all affected licenses.

This should clear the problem. If not, you will want to contact iLok.com for additional support. www.ilok.com

Sonic Scoop posted a great write up from Bassy Bob on using Decapitator in the mix. He talks about the subtle side and how small amounts can do big things. Here’s a snip:

“My most recent experience has been using Decapitator in a very subtle way on vocals.
My current lead vocal chain usually consists of an EQ, a De-Esser and a Compressor. Recently I’ve been replacing the EQ with the Decapitator, which is a saturation/distortion plug, but the effect is that it adds harmonics to the vocal, and that equates to more high or low frequency detail, which sounds really musical inside the track”

Check out the full article here

Bassy Bob is a multiple Grammy winning mixer/producer, tech entrepreneur, and trumpet and bass player in New York City. He often lectures and teaches on the subject of the art of mixing.

We have launched round two of our public beta. This round will include all seven of our real-time native plug-ins in 64-bit Audio Units. Round one gave us some great feedback and we’re really looking forward to finalizing Audio Units and getting it out the door officially. SoundToys Native Effects owners can get the Public Beta installer from their SoundToys accounts now.

With the recent announcement of the pending release of Pro Tools 11 a lot of questions about AAX are popping up, so here’s the scoop from our side. We’re deep in development for AAX native and hope to get it into a public beta soon. Our goal is to have a solid official release before Pro Tools 11 hits the streets.

Waking Windows III is a two day music festival in Winooski, VT on May 10th and 11th. This is an “All Ages” event featuring multiple bands, shows, and venues to showcase music in Vermont. This year SoundToys will be sponsoring to show support for local music, and to Waking Windows efforts to bring more music to the community. Tickets for the two day festival are only $20 and available here.

The Public Beta for 64-bit support has begun. The first round is limited to EchoBoy and Decapitator for Audio Units (Mac) and currently only available for SoundToys Native Effects bundle owners. More plug-ins, more products, and more platforms will be added as they become available, and users will be notified via email when they are eligible to participate. Public Beta installers will be available through SoundToys accounts, so users can check their accounts periodically to see if access is available for their products.

Announcing the all new Little MicroShift, with a limited time offer and contest (Offer and contest end March 29th, 2013). Little MicroShift is a recreation of classic micro pitch-shifting techniques from two of the hardware units that made this sound famous. It’s available free for a limited time and can be shared, free, with friends for a chance to win more prizes. For full details on Little MicroShift, the contest, and the prizes click here.

We’ve been putting in many long days over the past year to get 64-bit support working for all of our plug-ins, and for our customers! It’s been a huge amount of work, and we’re not done yet, but we have made great progress. Here’s where we are:

Windows VST
All native plug-ins are working as 64-bit Windows VSTs. These are currently in internal testing as we work to fix a couple of annoying little bugs.

Audio Units
EchoBoy, Decapitator, Crystallizer, PanMan, Tremolator, Radiator, Devil-Loc, and PhaseMistress are now working as 64-bit Audio Units, and are in various stages of internal and external beta testing. FilterFreak and Speed are in the process of being finished up, and should be in internal beta in a couple of weeks.

Mac VST
VST/64 for the Mac still needs some work. Most of the hard work has already been done as part of the 64-bit AU porting process. We expect this to take about a month of development time.

Mac AAX
We have also been hard at work on porting our plug-ins to Avid’s new AAX native format for Pro Tools 10 and on. We have a little more work to do on this, but expect to get the full native line working on AAX native fairly soon.

Windows AAX
We still have a fair amount of work to do here. This will come after Mac AAX.

Public Beta
Everyone here at SoundToys is working hard to get these updates out to our users as fast as reasonably possible. To do that, we will begin a phased public beta program starting next week. We are starting small, with a limited selection of plug-ins and customers, and will expand the program as our testing and development moves along.

The first public-beta phase will start with EchoBoy and Decapitator for AudioUnits, for SoundToys Native Effects bundle owners only. Windows VST public beta will be released as soon as we fix those pesky bugs. The beta installers will be accessible from users SoundToys account, and users will notified via e-mail when they are eligible for public beta.

We thank you for your patience and support.

SoundToys Native Effects wins “Best Software Plug-in Effects” in the Sound On Sound 2013 awards, as voted by their readers.

SoundToys is proud to be the exclusive sponsor for the annual Tape Op party during SXSW. March 14th at the Lucky Lounge from 2-6pm. This is an invitation only event for Tape Op subscribers, held each year in Austin TX, during the gigantic music festival. SoundToys will have gifts for party goers, door prizes, and something special for all party goers to take home and share their excitement.