[PC only] How to use Cubase VST 5.x on a system w/o LPT port

Eckhard Doll

Apart from using additional hardware (e.g. a PCI card) to add a LPT port to your system you can switch to our current Steinberg USB Key device.
This knowledge base article describes how to do it:

How to use Cubase VST on a computer without printer port

The Steinberg Key is available as a seperate product at local music stores. If you have trouble buying the key, please contact our distributor in your country.

http://www.steinberg.net/en/company/distributor.html

Please keep in mind that this procedure only works with the blue Cubase VST/Score/VST 32 5.x dongles but not with the older red dongles! The license will be moved to the Steinberg Key and you cannot transfer it back onto the parallel port dongle.
_________________
Support Manager
Steinberg Media Technologies

Support Knowledge Base
Steinberg on MySpace
Steinberg on Youtube
Steinberg on Twitter
Steinberg on Facebook
Steinberg Sequel on MySpace

Suprawill1 · Member Joined: 08 Aug 2007 Posts: 651 Location: USA

Hi,
I'm trying to relicense my Cubase VST 5.1 program. I bought the Cubase Studio 4 and installed it and in the process, VST no longer sees the parallel protection key. I am trying to use this prcedure that let's me transfer the license from the parallel key to the USB key to see if that works. I am in the process of doing so and the license download wizard is asking for my activation code. Where do I find this? I really need to finish my projects on VST before I can learn Studio 4. Please help.

Sincerely
Will

djaychela · Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2008 1:38 pm Post subject:

You probably need to download an older version of the syncrosoft software - I think the LPT support was removed in later versions.
_________________
Darren
Core 2 Quad E6600, Win XP/7x64 Cubase 5.1.1, Profire 2626, ADA8000, Midex 8, Mackie Control, UAD-1
P4 2.4GHz, Profire 2626, ADA8000x2, DDX3216 (Mobile rig)
T6600 Win7x64 Laptop, M-Audio Fast Track Pro

noisebeam · New Member Joined: 16 May 2008 Posts: 10

I am a long time user of VST/5.1, am building a new PC system and the motherboard choices I want don't have a parallel port. I've read the knowledge base article in this sticky and it seems I do have two (or three) choices and wanted some feedback as to pro/con.

The 'cleanest' is to purchase a Steinberg key ($25 USD) and it appears these are available from online shops. A few concerns:
-Does this transfer always work? Its seems there could be a risk that the transfer of key errors.
-It seems I need a system that has both internet access, a parallel port and USB. I have no such system (all my audio systems are net-free). Can I use a friends system to transfer the key from the blue parallel dongle to the Steinberg key?
-Does VST 5.1 really recognize the USB Steinberg key? Just double checking as it seems strange the code is in 5.1 to look for USB key when the software was written to look for the parallel port dongle.

The other choice I have it to purchase ($10 USD) a PCI card with parallel port. Assuming my system has a free slot is there any reason not to do this? It seems less risky.

I am just asking these questions as the sticky is one year old that I want to confirm it is still up to date and I make the right transition choice. Will both option result in the same performance?

Thanks-
Al

pwr · New Member Joined: 19 Jul 2008 Posts: 4

is it also possible to buy a new license cubase vst32 5.2?
grds
pwr

MikeW · New Member Joined: 07 Apr 2009 Posts: 3

L0W99 · Member Joined: 28 May 2005 Posts: 212

The Cubase app wasn't written to recognise any kind of key. Cubase is written to only work if the Syncrosoft Software is running correctly. The Syncrosoft software does the 'recognising' of the key. When you transfer your licence key from parallel port to USB dongle, you also have to update the Syncrosoft drivers/software and that's why Cubase VST 5.1 can work with either parallel port or USB key.
_________________
www.l-music.co.uk

woozles40 · New Member Joined: 12 Dec 2009 Posts: 4

is there any option for transferring from a red dongle? will a parallel to usb adapter work?

Georg Bruns · Administrative Moderator Joined: 28 Jun 2006 Posts: 1159

No, sorry, red dongles are not supported and no, USB/LPT adapters do not work with the eLicenser Control Center. But PCI-based LPT cards may work.
_________________
www.steinberg.net

Jim Lad · New Member Joined: 15 Nov 2009 Posts: 13

I was up 'til four in the morning trying to transfer my license over from the VST 32.5 Blue Dongle to the E License.
Unfortunately, I already have the Cubase LE 4 and Wavelab 6 Essentials on that license.
However, I followed the instructions (Which include opening "Run" in the start menu)
to the letter and am having no luck.
Syncrosoft does recognize the VST License but not the E License. Therefore there is nowhere to drag the license to.
Alternatively, I can run the E-License but it will not find the VST license.
One or the other but not both.
If I try to open VST 32.5, nothing works.
I'm no genius at this stuff but any help would be appreciated.
_________________
Cubase VST 32.5
Cubase LE 4
Wavelab 6 Essential
Mixcraft 5
Magix Music Studio 12
Korg D3200
Echo Mona
Behringer ADA8000
Behringer 2030a Truths
Joe Meeks 3Q
Keyrig 25
Nady 8 channel preamp
and a gaggle of Nady ribbons, Behringer & AKG condensers plus a couple of other Chinese ribbon mics.

TheHobbit · Member Joined: 17 Jan 2009 Posts: 474 Location: U.K

I really dont understand with such an old legacy product that those with Cubase 4/5 version dongles cant get the old license. Its not supported by SB since several years ago. It would be a nice gesture - not like you can buy it. My red dongle went in the bin in a recent house move (unfortunately not by me!)...but I guess there are other sources...unfortunately. Sad

_________________
○ PC • Synths • Audio Interface • Mixer • Ext FX • Plugins ○

"Music is the language of the spirit. It opens the secret of life bringing peace, abolishing strife. "

weswilliams · Junior Member Joined: 22 Jan 2007 Posts: 47 Location: UK

MattGreer · Junior Member Joined: 21 Mar 2008 Posts: 21

Does anyone have an updated knowledgebase link? The one in the original post simply takes me to a general 'kb' page.

edit: Ah, here it is: https://www.steinberg.net/en/support/knowledgebase_new/show_details/kb_show/how-to-use-cubase-vst-on-a-computer-without-printer-port/kb_back/2025.html?tx_p77sbknowledgebase_pi1[keyword_search]=Parallel%20Port

QUESTION, can I put both Cubase 4 and Cubase VST 5.0 on the same Steinberg USB dongle?

Thanks.
_________________
Onwards,

Matt

System: Pentium i7-950; Asus P6X58D; 6 GB Ram; XFX 5870; Midiman 4x4 USB; Yamaha S90ES; Roland TD-6V; Windows XP SP3, WIN7 Pro

Georg Bruns · Administrative Moderator Joined: 28 Jun 2006 Posts: 1159

Yes, of course. You can put all licenses that are managed by the the eLicense Control Center on one dongle, licenses from other software companies, too. Only licenses from other USB protection systems like, for example, iLok won't make it on an USB-eLicenser.
_________________
www.steinberg.net

Georg Bruns · Administrative Moderator Joined: 28 Jun 2006 Posts: 1159

L0W99 · Member Joined: 28 May 2005 Posts: 212

A few tips that might help:

To find out your Syncrosoft licence version, just START>ALL PROGRAMS>SYNCROSOFT>LICENCE CONTROL CENTER.

The version is shown in the top bar of the program window.

I think I remember that I had to roll back to version 5.0.2.4 to get the dongle to transfer from the LPT port to USB - more recent versions would not recognise my LPT port/licence. Then after the licence transfer was completed, I re-upgraded back to my current version.

You not have to buy a USB Dongle from Steinberg, I eg just used the one that came with my VSL package as it uses the same elicensing system.
_________________
www.l-music.co.uk