Is ilok Required?

I'm still trying to get my mpc one plus installed and operating. I have everything set up, and I'm trying to install my mpc 2 software so that I can install my expansions on my device. I installed the software, and noticed it installed ilok on my computer. I should have signed up here before I bought my device, because I honestly didn't see any mention of a required ilok. I just want to install my expansions to my device. I don't intend on using the mpc 2 software on my computer. I don't even want to install it, I've just read that is the only way to install the expansions included with my device. How required is ilok? Can I install the included expansions without running into ilok?

I'm not knocking ilok. It's just really not for me. I still have an old account that I haven't used for years. I always wanted an mpc, but I don't think I would have bought one had I known it was dependent on ilok, Do the older mpc models require ilok? Sorry. I don't mean to drone on, but is ilok required for me to use my mpc one plus in a standalone mode (including using the libraries that were included with it)? I mean the sample libraries- not instruments. Thank you.

Thank you very much for your reply, but I meant this to be more of a "is there a way to install the included expansions without ilok" question. The libraries included with my mpc one plus are only .exe files, and everything I've read or seen says that the only way I can install them on my mpc is to connect my mpc to my computer and open the mpc 2 software, install the expansion programs then export to my connected mpc. I can't use the mpc 2 software without ilok activation.

I know that I can use the mpc in standalone mode without ilok, but I was hoping to be able to use the libraries included with my purchase. If I can't, then I guess I just can't. I'll write them off and either purchase others or make my own.

Well. It looks like installing the mpc 2 software sets up the directory structure that the expansions install to. I'm installing a library now, and it looks like it's installing to that directory. If it is just decompressing and copying to the hard drive, then it looks like I won't need the mpc 2 software at all, and I can just use the sd card to install to my device.

Thank you for taking the time to respond to me.

Some expansions only come with a computer installer and need to be exported from the mpc software to standalone disk, it’s possible to move them over manually but you can just install the mpc software and skip the activation, it will just start in trial mode (intermittent hiss). Exporting still works fine

I appreciate the follow up. I just gave up on the included content. My MPC 2 software has three buttons- Activate, Try and Quit. If you use Try it says that the trial requires you to have an ilok.com account. I did not find the files in an exportable format on my hard drive. I will probably buy kit maker soon. My desire was really to use what came with the MPC. I will be using more custom sample sets anyway. I am working with MPC tutorials and so far find it to be rather easy to use.

omac12 wrote:I appreciate the follow up. I just gave up on the included content. My MPC 2 software has three buttons- Activate, Try and Quit. If you use Try it says that the trial requires you to have an ilok.com account. I did not find the files in an exportable format on my hard drive. I will probably buy kit maker soon. My desire was really to use what came with the MPC. I will be using more custom sample sets anyway. I am working with MPC tutorials and so far find it to be rather easy to use.

Of course you have your reasons but why not just make a ilok accont ? The mpc software will be tied to it but your expansions won’t be .

Then you never have to worry about ilok again and can use all the expansions that are in your inmusic account that weren’t pre installed on your one.

And doesn’t the MPC One Plus come with your choice of a free plug in ? Don’t pass up on Jura plugin due to ilok , it’s so non intrusive nowadays!!!

iLok? Yuck, even more reason to stay away. Some people don't eat meat, or don't want to fly, or don't use stuff produced using slave workers, or don't buy Russian products. And I don't think anyone says why don't you "just" do it, because you would get short-term benefits and gratification.

Forget the plugin activation shit and learn to make your own sounds. Outboard gear. WAV files.

HouseWithoutMouse wrote:iLok? Yuck, even more reason to stay away. Some people don't eat meat, or don't want to fly, or don't use stuff produced using slave workers, or don't buy Russian products. And I don't think anyone says why don't you "just" do it, because you would get short-term benefits and gratification.

Forget the plugin activation shit and learn to make your own sounds. Outboard gear. WAV files.

The user already spent their money in this case, why not get everything he/she/they/them already paid for?

l

kaydigi wrote:The user already spent their money in this case, why not get everything he/she/they/them already paid for?

It's because the user realizes that starting to use this "free" thing this will cause harm in the long term. It's not worth it.

This is for official Akai expansions, installed via their MPC Software installers (exe, pkg etc).

In your computer, go to (edited to correct mistake in pc path):

Mac: /Library/Application Support/Akai/MPC

PC: C:\ProgramData\Akai\MPC

Your expansions are split across two folders; 'Content' and 'Expansions'. Inside 'Content' you'll see your expansion folders (one for each expansion)

'com.akaipro.mpc.expansion.mvp.thevault'

and inside the 'Expansions' folder you'll see, for each expansion, an image and an XML file, all with the same name as the above folder.

com.akaipro.mpc.expansion.mvp.thevault.jpg
com.akaipro.mpc.expansion.mvp.thevault.xml

Copy the image and the XML file inside the associated folder in 'Content'. Repeat for all expansions. Now copy these individual folders (i.e. com.akaipro.mpc.expansion.mvp.thevault) over to your standalone MPC disk. You must place them in a folder called 'Expansions'. Boot up MPC into standalone mode.

Thanks again for the lengthy writeup. I have been able to get all the sounds (I think) transferred. My directory structure is a little different on my Windows 10 computer. I had found the Akai Pro directory yesterday but gave up when I noticed there were no changes to that directory after installing the expansions. There were no expansion and content folders.
Today when I read your second reply I searched for them and found them at "C:\ProgramData\Akai\MPC". I followed your instructions and got them added to my mpc.

I just noticed there are MPC fx in the synths folder in the Program Files Akai Pro directory. I didn't check yesterday, because I knew the synths were AIR synths that required ilok.

I wasn't trying to start an ilok bashing discussion. I know there are people who like it. I just had enough quite a few years ago and won't do it again. Thank you for all the help. I'm now going to see if those fx are detectable as well.

Yes sorry, I mixed up the Windows paths. I've edited my original post to correct it. On Windows, Akai installed expansions are in this location, split across the 'Expansions' and 'content' folders

C:\ProgramData\Akai\MPC

User/third party expansions (using XPN installers) are here (these not split across folders, all files are contained entirely in the 'expansion folder)

C:\ProgramData\Akai\MPC\Expansions

While MPC synth plugins (including factory presets) are here: (along with stuff like core progressions files)

C:\Program Files\Akai Pro\MPC

I think I used to open the expansions pkg files with 7zip. Still do it with xpn's