How do I find my iLok User ID?
Your iLok User ID is the same as the User ID that you use to log into the iLok License Manager application or iLok.com.
When registering iLok-protected software, your iLok User ID is required so that a license can be deposited in your iLok account.
If you do not know what your iLok User ID is, you should go to iLok.com and verify that you have the correct User ID.
If you have not previously created a user account at iLok.com, you will need to do that first in order to get your User ID. You can go here if you have forgotten your iLok User ID.
It is displayed in the top left corner of iLok License Manager:
Plug-In Does Not Appear In My SSL Account
There are three reasons why you may not see a license in your account:
- You purchased the plugin via a 3rd party. Only purchases made from store.solidstatelogic.com will appear in accounts at this time.
- If you purchased your plugins before the new account portal (Summer 2021), see Where can I find my purchased plug-ins?
- If you have just purchased a new plugin directly from SSL see below:
If you have just purchased an SSL plug-in and do not see a license deposited in your account, the reason is most likely that you filled the order form with your email address instead of your active iLok ID before pressing REVIEW ORDER.
To correct this, please submit a ticket with a screenshot of your iLok License Manager with Change iLok account as the subject.
License Activations
Activating Licenses To a Location
Please note that plug-ins purchased on the SSL Web Store are deposited directly into your iLok account.
If you do not see licenses you have just purchased, you may have used your email address instead of your iLok ID at time of order. Submit a ticket with a screenshot of your iLok License Manager to correct this.
Please note that SSL Native plug-ins v6.2 and earlier can only use the iLok 2 or 3 Smart Key location. Machine location was added for plug-ins after SSL Native v6.3.
1. Plug iLok into the machine that you want the licenses to based on.
2. Log into iLok License Manager.
3. Go to your available licenses.
4. Select the licenses you wish to activate.
5. Right Click on those licenses and select Activate. Then choose your desired location by clicking on that location in the window below:
6. Select Activate. You have now activated to your preferred location.
Please note that Delta Control must be on iLok 2 dongle or higher.
Do I Need an Activation Code For My SSL Plug-Ins?
I purchased from the SSL Web Store
Plug-ins purchased in the SSL Web Store are deposited directly into your iLok account.
When opening your DAW or inserting the plug-in for the first time, you will see an activation prompt. Press skip and sign into your iLok account.
Once signed in, the DAW will be able to successfully activate your plug-ins.
I purchased from a third-party (i.e. Sweetwater)Plug-in licenses purchased through third-parties must be redeemed from an activation code. To redeem the activation code, open the plug-in in your DAW.
When opening your DAW or inserting the plug-in for the first time, you will see an activation prompt. Follow the instructions and enter your activation code.
Acquiring Plugins With an iLok Activation Code
If you purchased Native or other SSL product from a retailer instead of directly from SSL, you may have received an iLok Activation Code or printed card.
Within iLok License Manager enter the code in the Licenses > Redeem activation code menu.
To redeem this code, you must have an iLok account and iLok License Manager installed on your computer. Find these at www.ilok.com.
To use the plug-ins you will need to activate the licenses to a location. Native 6.4 and higher can activate to machine or iLok 2 or 3 USB Smart Key.
Earlier versions can only activate to iLok 2 or 3 USB Smart Key.
The original first gen iLok is not supported.
In some cases you may have received a card with a CodeMeter Ticket ID instead of an iLok Activation Code. CodeMeter was the copy protection system used before iLok on Duende V4. SSL offered a free crossgrade from CodeMeter from 2011 to 2018.
Nucleus sales that included Duende Native were valid for the original sale only.
2 Activations Per License
As of February 2021, SSL provide two activations per license.
To use plug-ins across more than two machines, you may use the iLok 2 or 3 USB Smart Key, deactivate and reactive to each machine in iLok License Manager, or buy additional licenses.
If you have activations stuck on an inaccessible machine, reach out to support for assistance.
Transferring Activations From Your Physical iLok To Your Computer
Detailed below is the process to transfer your iLok 2 or 3 Smart Key-based licenses to machine-location licensing.
1. Plug iLok into the machine that you want the licenses to based on.
2. Log into iLok License Manager.
3. Select the licenses that you want to remove from the iLok
4. Right click (windows) Cmd+Click (Mac) and select deactivate.
5. Click on your account in the top left of the Window and look to the available licenses.
6. Select the licenses you wish to activate.
7. Right click on those licenses and select Activate. Then choose your activation location by clicking on that location in the window below
8. Select Activate.
You have now transferred your activation location.
iLok Activation Code Messages When I Open My DAW
Please read below for what to do if you have activation code messages in your DAW.
SSL do not use activation codes when you purchase directly from our website.
Licenses are deposited directly to your iLok ID given at time of order. If you received plugins as part of a hardware purchase, you will deposit plugins to iLok directly within your SSL account, or via a physical printed card included with legacy products.
SSL Native
The SSL Native installer includes all plugins of the Native range.
If you have installed plugins that you do not have licenses for, iLok activation warnings will occur when you open your DAW.
To resolve, please uninstall the plug-ins and reinstall, and do not install plugins you do not have licenses for.
Wrong iLok ID used
Have you purchased plugins with your email address instead of your iLok ID, or have used the incorrect ID? That is why you are not seeing plugins. Submit a request to the Help Centre with the correct information you would like to use. For information on finding your correct iLok ID, see How do I find my iLok ID?
iLok
If using the machine-based location licensing, ensure that the licenses are activated on your system within iLok License Manager (machine activation is available for Native 6.3 and higher).
If your licenses are activated to a physical iLok smart key, please check that your iLok smart key is correctly inserted into your computer; this is indicated by a solid LED.
Demo Native licenses
If you are using a demo license for SSL Native, the pop-up may be an expiration warning; closing the window will allow your DAW to continue to open.
Your demo licenses may also have expired, in which case you will need to either purchase the plugin or uninstall them.
Machine-Based iLok Authorization Not Working
Machine-based iLok licensing is only compatible with SSL plug-ins after SSL Native v6.3 and higher.
SSL Native v6.2 and earlier can only use iLok 2 and 3 Smart Key licensing.
This is indicated by the key and machine icons within iLok License Manager.
Please ensure you have installed the latest version of the SSL plug-ins.
If you are using a non-current OS, you may need to download 6.3 or earlier. For reference, SSL Native v6.3 is the last version that works with macOS 10.11. SSL Native v6.4 and higher cannot be installed on macOS 10.11 or earlier.
Deprecated License
Within the iLok License Manager app you may see the word deprecated next to plugin bundles.
This is not cause for alarm.
Specific promotional packs and bundle sales may be discontinued by SSL, but the individual plugin license remains intact.
As long as 1) the individual license is active to your iLok ID, 2) you are running an updated iLok License Manager, and 3) you have downloaded and installed the plugin, your plugins will remain intact and available to use.
Using SSL Native v6 With Duende Native Licenses
SSL Native V6 is a free update for existing Duende Native customers.
All existing Duende Native licenses will license the SSL Native counterpart (eg SSL Duende Native Channelstrip will also license the SSL Native Channelstrip).
Transferring Or Selling iLok Licenses
This can be achieved using the iLok License Manager app.
Please see iLok's website for instructions: Transferring iLok licenses to another account
GarageBand and iLok
There is an issue with GarageBand obtaining authorization information from Pace (iLok).
At this time SSL plug-ins cannot be authorized in GarageBand.
Our software team is working with Pace and Apple on the issue and we hope to have the issue resolved shortly but we do not have a timeline.
Channel Strip 2 Fails Validation In Logic Pro On M1 Mac
There is currently a bug which affects validation only when running Logic Pro natively on M1 (outside of Rosetta 2).
Here's the workaround:
- Run Logic Pro with Rosetta enabled (right click Logic Pro > Get Info > tick ‘Open using Rosetta’).
- Re-validate Channel Strip 2 in Logic Pro’s plug-in manager.
At this point you may keep Rosetta mode enabled or turn it off.
Repeat the steps above if the plug-in should ever become invalidated again.
Using Vocalstrip Licenses With Vocalstrip2
Vocalstrip 2 can be used with an existing Vocalstrip iLok license; a free upgrade for existing Vocalstrip customers.
SSL Native subscription holders will automatically see their Vocalstrip iLok license change to a Vocalstrip 2 license for the duration of their subscription as part of the SSL Native plug-in suite.