Should I just suck it up and not say anything? My main problem is that I have friends in 3 different bands that use this studio. It seems like he has the money (you can't download mics, keyboards, control surfaces, and accoustical treatment!) to pay for software, but doesn't. I guess it's none of my business except perhaps to tell my friends that use him.

Honestly speaking (and I could be wrong), your friends probally go to him because of the sound he is able to provide them with and they just like his service. If you see his success and desire to get your friends business then compete by providing a better service not by tearing down what he does because it does not change his sound or the service he provides. Other than that, whisteblowers aren't cool! and just because you see gear in his studio doesn't mean he had the money to pay for it. In my early stages I acquire a lot of gear from clients that I did work for for free, friends that invested, and presents that were given. I am not saying that his choice to use crack software is right but I am saying it is none of your business. And for the record, (before the slayers and judgers come out) my software is legal. I have never been fond of Whistle blowers. That is just me! It's so kindergarden and punkish...... And please, lets not get into the whole thing about

if I payed for my software, he should be able to pay for his as well

or

it hurts the developer

. Cakewalk has been dongle free for years and they have loyal customer. This guys pirating will eventually catch up with him. Pirating is like messing with a whore; if you keep on sooner or later you will get burn because she has been passed around to everybody..........

www.mddmoderndaydavid.com

Well, I guess the majority rules. I will "bring it up" with my friends, and if they aren't bothered, then neither am I. I will just let the studio guy do his thing. I am not so concerned with pirated software (I have quite a collection used as demos), but for the fact that he would charge people pro rates to use his studio IF (and as I have no proof of pirating, I must assume the best) he is not paying for the recording software. But hey, if he's really good and starts making money, pretty soon he'll have a Protools HD system with all the bells and whistles and I'll be envious more than suspicious. Guess I gotta just chill and worry about myself more...Thanks for the responses

ORIGINAL: Geokauf

In response to other statements in this thread:

- I don’t know that it is common for “some studios to purchase legitimate software but to run cracked versions in order to simplify the intrusiveness that can become a real problem when two or more dongles don't get along with each other.” What size sampling of studios do you need to be sure that a practice is “common.”

- “Sorry my friend, but only your conscience believes you're innocent. According to the law, you have pirated software sitting on your computer - you are a thief. Period.” Law enforcement is reactive. The law doesn’t apply until you get caught.

- “I SERIOUSLY doubt that if the poilce came to investigate me, and all I have is legit software, and this work around for the dongle,…” Violating a software EULA is not a criminal act. The police are primarily concerned with violent crime. When are the police going to find the time to make a house-to-house search for unauthorized software?

First of all, it should be noted that there was a misunderstanding; Ogis was not using pirated software, but rather a crack for the dongle. Having said that, I have to disagree with the three points above.

1) It used to be fairly "common" for studios to use cracked versons of Waves plugs because of the Pace software that 'protected' it. This is why Waves changed to dongle protection inthe past year or so. Now I obviously can't give an actual number of studios that did this, but I've heard it said plenty, both on forums and in real life.

2) Law enforcement is reactive yes, but the rule of law is not. The law always applies, only the enforcement of the law doesn't apply until you get caught. There is a difference. If someone has pirated software on their computer, they are breaking the law, regardless of whether they ever get caught.

3) Whether the police are "primarily concerned with violent crime" is not the issue here, and that's your opinion anyway. This is the difference I was trying to make about "practical morality" verses "the actual law". The police may never do a house-to-house search for unauthorized software, but again that doesn't make it legal to have it just because you probably won't get caught.

J-Walking is illegal in many cities, but of course that's probably not a high priority compared to murderers and bank robbers...but that doesn't mean you won't get a ticket for it if you're caught. Heck, cops will sit for hours at the bottom of a hill just to catch you speeding! The law is the law, period.

Once again I will conclude that I'm not trying to be on any moral high-horse, I have no personal judgement here. Nobody's perfect, everybody's got a skeleton or two in their closet. I agree with Frank's sentiments on page one (post #18). Live and let live, but let's be honest with ourselves about what is and is not breaking the law...

That's "Yor"da. Ifn ya please.

I think you mean OTFAI, MFALO!!! (On the floor am I, My f***ing ass laughing off!!!) but explaining the joke kills it...sorry..

Larry Kriz wrote:

For the past 6 years or so I have been running my studio as a full-time job. I have recorded all sorts of music - rock based stuff being the bread and butter business and maybe rappers a distant second. I can't remember a "rocker" ever asking me for a copy of my software but rappers were constantly hitting me up. Rap artists would come into my studio with illegal software - in their possession - and try to trade me for my own legal software (I'll give you a copy of Cubase for your copy of Sonar).

Beats they stole from the internet. Hardly anyone I had dealt with was using legitimately acquired beats. I heard stories of rappers breaking into other rappers homes to steal their software and beats. Which is one of the reasons I don't do rap projects here anymore. After a lot of soul-searching, I decided I didn't want to be a party to that sort of stuff anymore. It was becoming a mental burden to me. I'm certainly no angel but I do have limits.

First, to pen this down to a certain genre is not only ignorant but underlining racist. As if rappers are the only ones to use crack software and all rappers are theives. I produce all genre and I have major label credits and guess what; I have had rockers ask me if I have any plug-ins and a pop artist trying to walk out of my studio with a mic. Most people use crack software simply because they can't afford or don't want to go out and spend 1800.00 on Waves plug-ins. There are rappers, rockers, pop heads, and all sort of people streched out across a variety of genres that use crack software. And, just in case you don't understand where the racist part come in, everyone knows that black people are the poster boys for the rap industry. Once again, I do not use crack software. The question is about whether or not Jinga8 should tell his friends that the studio owner they are given there business too uses crack software. I am not a rapper but there are rappers in this forum and they would not disrespect you so why disrepect them. We are all united on this forum we are Cakewalk users! Rappers, singers, producers, mix engineers, mastering engineers, etc.............Cakewalk users.

Also rap isn't race-specific.
Don't you have that enema guy over there?

You're into Christianity and you call him "Ignorant" and "Borderline Racist"? You should be ashamed. You've talked yourself in a circle. Judge not...

ORIGINAL: mddmoderndaydavid

David, you made it about race, Larry did not. Cracking software is a crime, but it is not what he's talking about. He's talking about having his studio broken into

.

That is your opinion and if you read Larry's qoute his studio was not broken into. He said he heard (read above). And, his response did not have anything to do with the question. It was his personal opinion that target a selective group. Now, as far as your example in regards to your friend that owns the club. It is the message of those particular act that drew that type of crowd. Rap is not all violent. I am into Holy Hip Hop and express the message of Christianity. It is the integrity of the music. Now that I can agree with totally. Your friend just played a part in what major labels have shamefully done that have corrupted a part of the music industry and that is ignore the shameful messages and violent conduct of the music and pushed it to make a buck and he learned the hard way.

I like a lot of the beats, sounds, production, and rapping of hip hop. But the lyrics....ughh. I haven't heard any rap act that didn't at some point start with the bravado and boasting crap. That just bores me as much as if I was sitting next to someone and they started boasting. I guess I don't get it. But Holy Hip Hop sounds interesting. Maybe post some stuff in the song forum.

Anyway....krizrox didn't mention any particular ethnicity (there is only one race. Human)

Hey Sandman:
Check out groups like Cross Movement, The Truth & Twyse.

Peace
MDD

mddmoderndaydavid

HA HA HA Ha!!!

You say that was racial ? LMAO. To say rappers steal is raciest ? LMAO, have you ever heard a rap CD ??

"I'm gonna steal your car, then ___ your girl, then shoot you in the face"

^^^ Thats what they sing about CONSTANTLY, and you think it is suprising that rappers steal ?

I think you are "underline raciest" by thinking all black people are part of this hardcore rap, ganster life style.

I think you need to rethink what you are saying

ORIGINAL: sandman5000

Well there are no human races. It's just one race. The human race. That is a fact. Racist (or ethnicity-ist ) euro centrics came up with the whole "race" classifications as a way to further separate and justify their hatred. I just don't feel like partaking in their ignorant definitions. Much like I don't do 'black' or 'white'. I prefer short, tall, heavy, thin, etc.., There is ethnicities and cultures. But only one human race.

Yeah... I seriously doubt krizrox gives a damn if the rappers that were coming into his studio were white, black, mexican, or whatever. If the rappers were the ones bringing in the illegal software and beats (which makes sence with the whole "break the law mutha --ucker!!!" attatude they have) then he has the right to deny those guys, WITHOUT being called raciest by some misguided member of this forum.

I have to say it's a fair question if you believe that working with the studio in question may make you liable. If using the studio can get you sued, then it's fair to ask. Don't ask about specifics; IMO it's best to just get some sort of confirmation that everything you're using is properly licensed.

Otherwise if you find it's not a risk, don't be nosy. It is impossible for you to know whether a) the software they'll use is truly unlicensed, b) whether they have a license and just haven't installed the dongle, c) have the dongle internal, d) have a "legal" image and a "sandbox" image for their drives, or dual-boot, or e) and most importantly, you don't know whether Steiny, et al, will care. It's often not worth going after a single offender.

If you want to turn them in, do so anonymously... just understand that in the end, you may be doing more harm. CYA, and move on.

Wait, I have the Waves Diamond version 5.0, and it does not need a dongle. I also have C4 and have the dongle in a USB hub behind a Tascam Burner, also plenty of ANtares stuff that does not use a dongle. Support your claim. Did you check versions. So far all I see is accusations and no proof. I could be wrong though as I sometimes make assumptions myself.

You friendly neighborhood,
KoiKane

ORIGINAL: Ogis

Me = Bought Cubase.

Me = Don't, and will never use a dongle.

Was it cracked ? = Yep.

But did Stienberg get payed ? = Yes.

Not trying to judge you but Steinberg was not compensated for your copy. 2 Versions are being used by 2 different consumers but Steinberg was only compensated for one.