Just a heads up to anyone who might be considering purchasing something from xln.audio:
 
An internet connection is required to install most if not all of their products, with the exception of Addictive Drums, which for some reason, they do allow an off-line install method for.

Also, MF has nothing on their site about this either - no warning about this or that your purchase may or may not be a physical package vs. just a download.
 
Just thought I'd let unsuspecting buyers be aware.
 
 

I got tripped by on-line-only-registration buying Jamvox. So...wasted my money.
I did not know this about XLN-products, so thanks for the heads-up.
 
Although, having a download-version only of, say, VSTs, is more like the rule today, but not being able to install/register without the end-use PC being webbed is a PITA.

The Electric Grand offers was not valid if you purchase the $30 XLN Audio Addictive Keys Studio Collection Promo Pak from MF.
It's not listed as one of the pianos on the MF website and every thread I've seen (including the couple here on the Cake forums) talking about that deal mentions that the Grand is not included.**
**but you already know that because your posts are in some of those threads
 
On the other hand if you purchased the "Additive Keys Studio Collection" off the XLN website the Grand should have appeared in your registered product list when you registered the Collection - if not contact XLN at support@xlnaudio.com.  XLN Audio has great support and they'll get you straightened out, they are very responsive.
  
Regarding the required Internet connection - yeah that's bummer if your DAW PC is not connected but it does seem to be becoming more of a requirement as time goes on.  I've got a 150' Ethernet cable that I use to connect my desktop up when I need to connect it to the Internet for various things.  Some folk here recommend a wireless USB stick that you can plug-in when needed.
 
 
 
 
 

Kalle Rantaaho
I got tripped by on-line-only-registration buying Jamvox. So...wasted my money.
I did not know this about XLN-products, so thanks for the heads-up.
 
Although, having a download-version only of, say, VSTs, is more like the rule today, but not being able to install/register without the end-use PC being webbed is a PITA.

I just have to have a quick laugh here 1st:
 
After my user name & password, my 4 letters to sign in were 'e z l a'.
 
Well, I might be cheap drunk, but I've never been an easy lay!!! Hahaha!
.....................................................................................................
 
Yeah, your welcome on the heads up.
 
I'm totally ok with having a download-version only.
 
In fact I prefer it. It seems a total waste of waiting time & money to pay for shipping for a box with a disk & a serial number in it, when I could just as easily got the download from their site.
 
My guess is they had some old stock to get rid of at MF.
 
Almost always now, I just download onto a USB drive and transfer it, starting with copying a version to an external USB 3 drive where everything VST & DAW related resides as a store house for every product & update, etc. That way I have them safe & handy if I ever need to re-install or add another drive, etc.
 
But basically I paid shipping for a disk that I can't install anything from and a serial number that, as TheStephen said, instantly tells xln.audio to exclude me from getting a freebie most other companies wouldn't be too concerned about giving away, I'm sure. 

http://www.xlnaudio.com/en/support-knowledge_base-offline_installation_of_addictive_keys
 
This may work.

 
I agree that getting a disk for a download only product is odd but I can see 3 benefits (unfortunately not for us the end users) to that system.
 
1) the retailer doesn't have to setup or maintain a licensing database system to support the merchandise. Any retailer that can sell physical merchandise can sell it.
2) inventory control -vendor can't oversell or double sell licenses
3) license control - no worries about hackers or employees getting into store databases.
 
Not saying I like the system, I much prefer getting my license# in my email and getting to play with my new toy immediately, just saying that I can see reasons for it existing.
 
 

clintmartin
http://www.xlnaudio.com/en/support-knowledge_base-offline_installation_of_addictive_keys
 
This may work.

Thanks for that - I also got that from xln in an email.
Unfortunately all my other computers are 32 bit, while my DAW rig is 64 Bit.
 
There's a statement that says that they must be the same for this to work.  
 
I am considering putting it on-line for this after all - just for the install, although I'm still undecided.

can you guyz confirm that addictive is 100 % off line compatible ?

You can't do an offline installation of the newest addictive drums(version 1.5.4), but you can do 1.5.3. I installed it but then for some reason couldn't get the auth code, so I ran it in demo. It really didn't sound as good as what I already had so I uninstalled it.

Zo
can you guyz confirm that addictive is 100 % off line compatible ?

If you're talking about installing off-line, I'd say no.
But if you mean can you run & use it off-line after it's installed, then yes, I believe so.