SoundID Reference does not have an offline mode and the license would have to be activated while connected to a network connection. Once you have completed the activation process, the software can be used for up to 10 days on an offline machine.
Does it work offline?
We recommend using SoundID Reference on an online machine as the software runs an automated license check. As a result, it can be used for up to 10 days and the current activation license will expire. This means, that you will be required to access your Sonarworks Account and activate your SoundID Reference license again. The process will use activation seats, therefore, you will reach a deactivation limit eventually.
Things to look out for
There are several cases when SoundID Reference may request you to reactivate its license before the automated license check. Here are the most common reasons for the reactivation request:
- Clicking “Log out” will not change your license status, but you won’t be able to log in without a connection to the internet.
- Manipulations with your license information. If you move or delete license.json or user.json, SoundID Reference will deactivate your license.
- Hardware Changes - if you add or remove a device, SoundID Reference will run a hardware check that will cause a license check and the reactivation request.
- A time-limited license (e.g. trials, special offers) will make SoundID Reference check for further activations once coming to an end.
4 comments
Your decision to move to a mandatory online form of copy protection with a regular and extremely short re-activation period ensures that I will never upgrade beyond version 4. If I have to ask your permission every ten days to use the product I purchased, I don't really own my license. A perpetual license should work whether the company (or more accurately, the authentication server) exists or not.
Please consider removing this customer-hostile approach and returning an option for permanent offline use. The previous .swic file would be ok, though I would prefer a non-machine specific option like iLok.
As recently as maybe a few months ago, I think, many more comments about offline use were displayed on what I thought was this webpage. The thrust of all the comments was that Sonarworks users are frustrated over this issue. I had written one of those comments and had hoped that Sonarworks would eventually adapt its practice to allow for perpetual offline use. But Sonarworks hasn't.
Sonarworks: It's of course a given that you aren't in business to give your products away. That said, the overwhelming majority of software vendors manage to support perpetual offline use of their products and yet still turn enough of a profit.
The other commenter referred to your non-offline use practice as customer-hostile. That is absolutely what it feels like. Your company, by virtue of the creative products it sells, must have many creative people on the payroll. Can't you please direct some of that creativity toward remedying this problem? Can't you please muster the willingness to be responsive to your customers regarding this issue?
I've been posting about this crap for 3 years now. I made the mistake of upgrading before realizing it locks up after 10 days without a connection, and I guess that's a wasted $25 or whatever it was. They already got my money, and there's no one to hold them accountable, so why would they care? I just won't buy their products again and urge others to avoid them as well.
Thank you all for posting your feature request here!
Soundid reference is currently indeed not available for offline activation and use. This decision has been made based on our current business strategy. While we understand the inconvenience this may cause, please be assured that we are continually reviewing our offerings, and this policy may be subject to change in the future. However, at this time, we are unable to provide a specific timeline for any potential updates.
Rest assured, your feedback has been shared with our Product team for further consideration. We appreciate your input!
If any questions remain, certainly don't hesitate to reach out to us by submitting a support ticket at the bottom of this article.