Steinberg UR44 Install Fiasco

I purchased a Steinberg UR44 as a backup for my rack mounted Octa-Capture and to use with on-site recordings.  The UR44 installed OK and initial tests in Sonar are OK.  However, the included software activation was a nightmare.  The e-licenser Control Center application supplied and the one on the Steinberg downloads would not allow any activations and was only looking for an e-licenser key (USB dongle).  I finally found a fix on the Sweetwater site with a download of a different version that allowed "software" activations.  This allowed entering the activation code for the included "Basic FX Suite", however the VST3's in the suite still were not activated when I tried one in Sonar.  I finally had to download and install Cubase AI8 (included with the UR44) and activate that.  Running Cubase AI, the Basic FX Suite VST's finally got activated and I was able to use them in Sonar.  I don't really want Cubase but had to install it to get all the included software working.
 
End of Rant.

I have a UR44 and had to get Support to help me with the soft install. I did not have to install Cubase but did afterwards.
Once it is installed, I think it works very well. 
 

I don't use a dongle with my UR44...
 
And the UR44 is one heck of a good unit. What it can do is amazing for the price. PC and iOS support, cue mix, 4 mic inputs, zero monitor latency.... on and on. 

Hey mixmkr,
 
You don't need a dongle for anything UR44 related. I use their eLicenser for all of it. 
 
I even use the VST's it comes with in my DAWS. 

Well if longevity and taking Steinberg at their word is important look on the Steinberg forum for the thread "mr816 and Windows 10". After 6 months of promised win 10 drivers and absolutely zero response to owners I won't buy another Steinberg product. 

scottfa , FYI--my mr816 works great on windows 10

Scottfa, ah I understand !  

I too had issues with the install but managed to slog through it. I really hate the fact that if you install the light Cubase, you can never get rid of it. When I look at programs and features in windows there's a bunch of Steinberg stuff listed as installed but if I try and remove it I'm told that the programs are not accessible. 
 
The interface is great and the reverb plugs included are real nice.

See page 9 of the UR Operation Manual:
http://manualzz.com/doc/8..7/ur44-operation-manual
 
http://manualzz.com/doc/8..7/ur44-operation-manual] [/link]

kitekrazy1
... I'm seeing conflicting reports on the UR22.

I know there was a defect found in an early production run, but they were quickly identified (by serial number) and a free fix offered.  Not aware of any other known issues. 

True, if you ONLY want to install the UR44 then the driver is all that is needed.  If you want to install the included plug-ins I agree that Cubase should not be needed.  But, in my case that was the only way they got "fully" activated. They were activated by their e-licenser program but were showing not activated when I tried to use one in Sonar.  Only after installing Cubase AI8 were the VST's activated/useable in Sonar.

Besides all of the software problems I can get a Steinberg UR22 20% off at Guitar Center.  Sounds like a deal?
I'm interested in the hardware so what do you say?

I still haven't figured out how to get the remnants of the bundled Cubase off my computer. Their stuff really sinks its hooks into your system.

I wouldn't worry about it, It will create a shared plug in folder that a lot of software seems to find easily. I don't find it invasive unless you use the e key software which I no long need..