Reactivating an SeL Product

Cubase versions such as AI and LE, which are bundled for free with various hardware, and certain retail products such as Sequel and Wavelab Essential 6 are protected with a Soft-eLicenser (SeL) instead of a USB Steinberg Key.  The SeL is a software component that can hold certain Steinberg licenses, and it is specific to your machine.

Because of this, you will need to create and register a new SeL if you buy a new computer.  You might also need to do this if your computer's hardware configuration changes.  Perhaps you reformatted your system, or had to replace a hard drive.  In this case, your old SeL number may not work, because it no longer recognizes the new hardware configuration.

The good news is that you can manage this yourself from within your MySteinberg account.  Follow these steps to register your new SeL and get a new license activation code.

Step 1 - Reinstall your Steinberg software.  

This will typically install the Syncrosoft license control software and create an SeL if one isn't there already.  (It's also a good idea to grab the latest version once that's done.)  You're going to need the Syncrosoft software open so that you can get your new SeL number and download your license once you get an activation code, so fire it up before you get started.

Step 2 - Log into your MySteinberg Account.

The login is located at www.steinberg.net/registration.  Log into the account you used when you requested the previous license for your product.  The main window should look like this:

Step 3 - Select the product you wish to reactivate.

Click the name of the product you wish to activate in the list above.  This will bring you to a screen that looks like the one below.  Note that the options may vary depending on which product you select.  Click on the "Reactivation" option.

Step 4 - Enter your new SeL number and your old activation code.

Your SeL number will be visible in the main window of the Syncrosoft eLicenser Control (eLC) software.  The main window looks like this (version 6 shown, previous versions have a slightly different interface):

You can check the history of any activation codes you've received online via the "Show Registered Products" link on the left of the MySteinberg account window.

Enter that information and click on the "Request Activation Code" button.  Your new activation code will be sent to you via email, and you can also check it from within your MySteinberg account.

Step 5 - Enter the code into the eLC.

Go to the eLC software window and click on the "Enter Activation Code" button.

Enter the code you just received and follow the instructions onscreen to download your new permanent license.  Then get back to making music!

Cubase AI Offline Registration

Normally, Cubase AI - and, if I understand correctly, any software which uses the Syncrosoft Soft-eLicenser (SeL) for protection, such as Cubase LE4 - requires that you request your activation on the computer on which you have installed the software.

That is great for those of us with our studio computers online (a practice I personally recommend), but less great for those who can't or won't connect their production system from the web.

If you're in the second boat, then I've got good news and I've got bad news. The good news is that you can still get your license. The bad news is that you have to buy a Steinberg Key to do it, which will probably run you somewhere in the neighbourhood of an evening at the movies for two, plus snacks. (Or, thought of another way, around one month of internet service, so think about it.)

You can buy the Steinberg Key at your favourite Steinberg dealer, or perhaps you might already have one if you own another Steinberg retail product.

So once you've got your key, follow these steps. I'm going to refer to the two computers you need to use as your "studio system" (the computer on which you're going to install Cubase AI) and your "web system" (the computer on which you'll get the license).

1. Install Cubase AI on your studio system. This will install the Syncrosoft eLC software (update to version 6.x or later if necessary once the install has completed) and create your SeL. (If you don't know what the hell I'm talking about, go back and read the previous post.)

2. Go into the eLC and write down your SeL ID number.

3. On your web system, go to www.steinberg.net/registration and log into your MySteinberg account (create one if you haven't already).

4. Follow the instructions in the previous post to enter your SeL number from your host system and request a Cubase AI license activation code for the version you have.

5. Download and install the latest eLC to your web system.

6. Connect your Steinberg Key to the web system.

7. Use the License Activation Code to download a license, but download the license to your Steinberg Key.

8. Note the ID number of the Steinberg Key in the eLC. Go to your MySteinberg account and register the key. (This step is optional, but it's a really good habit.)

9. Once the license is downloaded, disconnect your Steinberg Key from your web system and bring it back to the Studio System. Cubase AI will now run, plus you have a key you can conveniently move between computers, which is great if you have a desktop and a laptop for music production, for instance, or a studio machine and a live machine. Plus, it saves you from ever having to go through the registration process again if you get a new machine or format your hard drive.

Enjoy!

Cubase AI Registration

One thing that seems to confuse a lot of people is the registration and activation process for Cubase AI. (Note that the process is the same for newer versions of Cubase LE which use the Syncrosoft copy protection.)

It's actually a really simple and straightforward process. There are just four easy steps, and you need three applications: Cubase AI, the Syncrosoft eLicenser Control (eLC), and your web browser.

Note that there is a great video available at the Yamaha Synth website which shows this process for both Mac and PC. The video is available in the Library section for any product which includes Cubase AI. The only detail to note is that these videos use the older Syncrosoft software (5.x), and things changed pretty significantly with the new eLC (6.x or later), which this tutorial presumes you are using.

Please note that you must have the computer on which you will be installing Cubase connected to the internet to follow these instructions. There is an option for an offline activation if you absolutely cannot connect your studio machine to the internet, but it means you have to buy some extra stuff. I'll cover that in my next tutorial.

Step 1 - Install.

The first thing you need to do is install your copy of Cubase AI. Note that as of November 20, 2009, Cubase AI 4 and Cubase AI 5 have been certified for use with Windows 7, and they will be updated for compatibility with OS X Snow Leopard with a maintenance release expected in mid-December.

The installation process will also install the Syncrosoft license control software, which lives in Applications >> License Control Center on the Mac, and Program Files >> Syncrosoft on the PC. I usually recommend updating to the newest version after you've completed your install, to make sure you have the latest license libraries, support for the latest operating systems, etc. The latest update is available from the Steinberg website or from Elicenser.net.


Step 2 - Get your SeL number.

This process will also create a Soft-eLicenser (SeL) on your computer. The SeL is a software component that holds select Steinberg licenses. Think of it as an emulated dongle. You need to know the ID number of your SeL, which is conveniently available within the main program window. So load the eLC and get the number. I'll wait. It's okay, I brought a book.



Step 3 - Register your SeL and request a license code.

Now that you have your SeL number, you need to create a MySteinberg account at the Steinberg site. This is where you will register your stuff and manage your licenses.

So create an account and log in. Because we want to activate your Cubase AI, select the version of the software you have under "Activation & Reactivation".



On the next screen, it asks if you want to do a permanent activation (meaning this is your first time activating the software) or a reactivation (meaning you need to get a new license code because you got a new computer, reformatted your hard drive, etc.). This tutorial assumes that you're doing this for the first time, so click on Permanent Activation.



On the next screen, you're asked to enter your SeL number, which you grabbed in Step 2. Take a brief moment to bask in how well-prepared you were, enter the ID number, and click on "Request Activation Code".

The code will be sent to your email address, but you can also view any code you've been sent from within your MySteinberg account. Just click on "Show Registered Products" in the menu on the left.



Step 4 - Enter the License Activation Code into the eLC.

This is where the actual license gets downloaded onto your SeL. Go back to the eLC software and click on the "Enter License Activation Code". This brings up the window where you get to - astonishingly enough - enter a license activation code. I know, I was surprised too.


Once you've done that, a license will download from the license server and store permanently on your SeL. Congratulations - you have now activated your Cubase AI and can use it as long as you like!