Licenses & Installation

Everything you need to receive, activate and install your plugins. Can't find your answer? Contact our support with your order number.

General questions

When will I receive my license?

Most licenses are delivered by email within minutes of payment. Some brands issue codes manually, which can take up to 24–48 business hours. Check your spam/promotions folder first.

Where is my serial number / license code?

In your order confirmation email and in your PluginsMasters account under Orders. Some brands send the license directly from their own system — search your inbox for the brand name.

Do I need an account with the brand?

In most cases yes. You register the code on the brand's website or app (iLok, Waves, UA Connect, Auto-Tune Central…) using the same email as your order when possible.

How many computers can I activate?

It depends on the brand: for example Soundtoys and Antares allow 2 activations, Universal Audio native plugins up to 3, and Waves 1 (2 with an active Waves Update Plan). You can deactivate one machine to move the license to another.

Can I resell or transfer my license?

Transfers are handled by each brand under its own policy, sometimes for a fee. Contact the brand directly.

Are digital licenses refundable?

Once a license has been registered or activated, or the download has started, it cannot be refunded. Before that, refunds are reviewed case by case within 14 days of purchase (defective product, not as described, or bought twice). See our Refund Policy.

My code says "already used" or "invalid".

Check for typos (0/O, 1/I) and that you are on the right brand portal. If it still fails, contact our support with your order number and a screenshot — we will check it with the brand.

Is it compatible with my computer / DAW?

System requirements (macOS/Windows, Apple Silicon, VST3/AU/AAX) are listed on each product page. Ask us before buying if you are unsure.

Activation by system

iLok License Manager (PACE)

Brands: Avid, EastWest Sounds, Eventide, McDSP, Newfangled Audio, Nugen Audio, Sonnox, Sound Radix, SoundToys, Steven Slate Drums, Synchro Arts, Leapwing, Zynaptiq

  1. Create a free account at ilok.com.
  2. Install iLok License Manager.
  3. Go to Licenses > Redeem Activation Code and paste your code.
  4. Activate on your computer or iLok USB key.

Sonnox: first register your 12-digit Sonnox key at sonnox.com/register with your iLok User ID; the confirmation email links to the installers and deposits the license in your iLok account.

Auto-Tune Central (Antares)

Brands: Antares (Auto-Tune)

  1. Install Auto-Tune Central and log in with your Antares account.
  2. Open the Redeem a License tab, enter your code and click Redeem and Activate.
  3. Install your product. Each license can be active on up to 2 locations at once.

iZotope Product Portal

Brands: iZotope

  1. Install and open the iZotope Product Portal.
  2. Add your serial number with the + button and follow the authorization steps.

iZotope subscriptions are managed in Native Access instead.

Native Access (Native Instruments)

Brands: Kontakt Player libraries (some Best Service, Soundiron, Impact Soundworks titles)

  1. Install Native Access and log in.
  2. Click Add serial and paste your code.
  3. Install the product from the Not installed tab.

UA Connect

Brands: Universal Audio (native UADx plugins)

  1. Redeem your code at uaudio.com/redeem with your UA account.
  2. Open UA Connect, log in and click Refresh.
  3. Click Redeem / Activate License next to the plugin. An iLok account is required (UA Connect can create one for you).

Waves Central

Brands: WAVES

  1. Register your serial number at waves.com under Account > Register New Products.
  2. Install Waves Central and log in.
  3. Go to Install Products > My Products, select your plugins and click Install & Activate on your computer or a USB drive (exFAT).

Arturia Software Center

Brands: Arturia

  1. Register the serial and unlock code in your Arturia account.
  2. Install Arturia Software Center, log in and click Activate.

IK Product Manager

Brands: IK Multimedia

  1. Register the serial in your IK user area.
  2. Install IK Product Manager, log in, then install and authorize.

inMusic Software Center

Brands: Akai Pro, Air Music

  1. Register the serial in your inMusic profile.
  2. Install inMusic Software Center and download your products.

EastWest Installation Center

Brands: EastWest Sounds

If you bought from a dealer, first register your product with EastWest. Then sign in to the EastWest Installation Center, open the Licenses tab, click Activate (iLok USB key or this computer) and download your library from New Downloads.

FabFilter

If you received an activation code, register it at fabfilter.com/activate to receive your license key by email. Then open the plugin in your DAW, choose Enter License (Help menu), paste the full license text and restart your DAW.

Brand app or account

Brands: Cherry Audio, Melodyne, Pianoteq, Reason Studios, Serato, Sonarworks, Sound Particles, UJAM, XLN Audio, FL Studio, Dreamtonics

Create an account on the brand's website, register the code, then install with the brand's installer and log in inside the plugin or app.

Serial in the plugin

Brands: U-HE Software, Baby Audio, TAL Software, D16 Group, Kuassa, Initial Audio, Melda, Tone 2, Wave Alchemy

Download the installer from the brand's website, open the plugin in your DAW and paste the license key when asked.

Other brands

Follow the instructions in your license email. If unclear, contact our support with your order number.

Troubleshooting

The plugin does not show up in my DAW.

  1. Check the format: Pro Tools needs AAX, Logic needs AU, Ableton uses VST3 or AU.
  2. Rescan plugins in your DAW. Logic: Logic Pro > Settings > Plug-in Manager, then Full Audio Unit Reset if the plugin isn't listed, or Reset & Rescan Selection if it failed validation. Ableton: Settings > Plug-Ins > Rescan.
  3. Make sure the plugin was installed in the default folder.
  4. Restart the DAW after activation.

The plugin opens in demo mode / asks for activation again.

Open the brand's manager (iLok, Waves Central, UA Connect…) and check that the license is activated on this computer. Log out and back in if needed.

I have a Mac with Apple Silicon (M1–M4).

Most current plugins run natively. If one doesn't, check the product page or the brand's site for an update.

I changed computers.

Deactivate the license on the old computer from the brand's manager, then activate it on the new one. If the old computer is lost, the brand's support can reset activations.

The installer won't open on Mac.

Try to open it once, then go to System Settings > Privacy & Security, scroll to Security, click Open Anyway and confirm with Open.

Still stuck?

Contact our support with your order number, your OS, your DAW and a screenshot of the error.