Now let's say you were able to get it to work, the real issue is with the extra amount of processing added. Also, remember you do not need to have eLicenser installed on the Master Machine only the slaves, eLicenser just sucks the Big Donkey! Bottom line, VMware Workstation or Fusion is a bad idea. Now, this may be hard, b/c some have other plugins or DAWs like Cubase, that rely on the same eLicenser USB key, which is not possible. The trick is to not have the eLicenser app installed on the host machine. Example, If the USB is attached to a Windows virtual machine, and you have the app installed on the host machine, the Licenser app will try to access and it crashes your local plugins and DAW. The real problem I see with local VMware apps like Virtual Box, VM Fusion or VM workstation is how eLicenser checks. I have found that VEP does not work well in a Local VM environment, like OSX VMware fusion or VMware workstation, My theory is not so much with the VM app, because, VM Fusion offers USB passthrough and should be able to pick it up. The problem with VEP 6 is the painful eLicenser app, it was never designed to be used in a virtual environment. Yes, the eLicenser key is a big let down and why Vienna forces us to use it when other companies have moved away to a virtual solution leaves me to question the validity of its purpose. The good news is the Master does not need an activation or license.
You will have to buy a brand new VE Pro 6, USB keys not included. VEP 6 only gives you a limited amount of activations for three slaves. However my idea using VEP 6 came crashing down after I purchased it and found I had to buy a F'n GD USB eLicenser key, which limits me to only one slave, I now have to spend another $80 in USB keys to get my remaining activations working with my other machines, $40 per key. All connected to a Master computer where I have over 200 tracks synced to an amazing virtual orchestra. Aren't we all?Īnyhow, the other day I had visions of grandeur like a mad scientist creating an EPIC montage of VMs running VEP 6 as slave for each VM.
Yes, I'm quite aware of the released version of Vienna Pro 5 and was able to get it to work flawlessly on two slaves and then I heard that Vienna Ensemble Pro 6 (VEP 6) supports Reason as a slave: so I had to go to Sweetwater and pull the trigger on three month payment plan, as I'm a struggling musician and old IT guy.
Maybe it will spur some new ideas on how to get around this horrible thing called eLicenser. This is post is more me venting than a question.