Plug-In Power
Online Shopping: Demo and Download UA TDM Plug-Ins With iLok
by Dave Crane

Pro Tools users can now buy Universal Audio's TDM plug-ins using our phenomenally successful UAD-1 online store, my.uaudio.com. The process is very similar to purchasing a UAD-1 plug-in authorization, as the store is seamlessly integrated with iLok.com's authorization server. Demoing or purchasing a UA TDM plug-in is now a simple, straightforward, and streamlined process that will get you up and running in just a couple of minutes. All that's required is an account at my.uaudio.com and a valid account at iLok.com.

“Demo’ing or purchasing a UA TDM plug-in is now a simple, straightforward, and streamlined process that will get you up and running in just a couple of minutes.”

iLok USB dongle
If you already use TDM plug-ins, then you most likely already have an iLok USB dongle, and are familiar with iLok.com. If you are not familiar with the iLok, it was developed by PACE, an industry leader in copy protection. There are two ways to get an authorization onto an iLok dongle: via iLok.com, or via a license card. In the case of iLok.com, you create an account there and register your iLok. Once your iLok is registered, companies like UA can place demo or full-authorization "assets" on your account, and those can be transferred to your iLok.

Until now, the only place to buy TDM plug-ins was through your dealer, and various bundles were available, like the Compressor Bundle, EQ bundle, and Studio Pack, which consisted of the LA2A, 1176LN/SE, and Pultec EQ. Included in the package were license cards to authorize your iLok. If you wanted to demo a UA TDM plug-in, you had to fill out an online form, and we would manually place a demo asset into your iLok.com account, and then send you an email message letting you know when you could get it. This was not the most efficient way to do this process, and only worked during business hours.

Now, the only bundle available through dealers is the Quad Pak, which retails for $995 and includes the LA2A, 1176LN/SE, Pultec EQ, and Cambridge EQ. All other bundles have been discontinued. Individual plug-ins are available only through our online store and sell for $249, and no bundles will be available. Individual plug-ins used to retail for $395 at dealers.

Demoing or buying a plug-in from the online store is simple, and is fully automated and available 24 hours a day worldwide. The first thing to understand is there is no "demo" and "fully functioning" version of UA's TDM plug-ins, there is only one installer. What makes a plug-in run in Demo mode or become fully authorized is the type of asset on your iLok.

All of the TDM product pages have "Try" (demo) and "Buy" (purchase) buttons. Let's say you are new to UA's site and you want to demo a plug-in. Once you click on the "Try" button, you will be prompted to make an account on my.uaudio.com (don't forget your iLok.com User ID!). Once your account is made and iLok.com User ID verified, the demo asset will be deposited into your iLok.com account, and you will be forwarded to a page called "My Systems" (UAD-1 users are very familiar with this page). On the My Systems page, you will find a notice that the demo asset was successfully deposited into your iLok.com account, as well as links to iLok.com and the UA TDM plug-in installers. This whole process takes two to three minutes.
TDM section of My Systems page showing record of demo
and full authorizations for UA TDM plug-ins for this account

If you decide you want to buy the plug-in you demoed, simply go to the TDM area of the online store and click the Buy button that corresponds to the plug-in you want. Since you have already made a UA account with an iLok.com user ID, you might be automatically logged in and you'll get right to the payment area. If you are not automatically logged in, you will be asked to login, after which you'll be forwarded to the payment area. Once the transaction is complete, you'll be greeted by a invoice page along with a link to iLok.com. Then, just go to iLok.com and load your shiny new authorization asset onto your iLok, and you're ready to keep making great music! Since you have already downloaded the UA TDM software to demo it, you don't need to download it again.

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