Calm down. This is because you opted for cloud authorization. Opt for machine authorization instead, and it will work offline.
But yes, iLok is (generally) a big piece of shit.
Totally, it’s annoying as fuck. KVR maintains a list of plugins using keyfile-only auth because so many people hate this.
And it’s really irritating for games because for a while a lot of publishers were doing the live service only model and causing problems not only with this but with FOMO too. It was super toxic.
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Not possible with UAD!!! That’s my whole point. It’s not a lack of possibilities. It is torture 
LOL yes it is:
All machine, not cloud. When I saw they offered Cloud I literally LOLed. No way.
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Answer from UAD:
Thanks for reaching out to Universal Audio.
I just wanted to clarify that Native UAD does require an iLok authorization to run. However, you can choose to locate your authorization in one of two places or both places if you have both available and your licenses support the desired location(s):
• iLok Cloud (requires active internet access)
• iLok USB Key (does not require active internet access)
• iLok Local Machine (is not available, except for the LA-2A Tube Compressor and LUNA. Promotional Native UAD plug-ins can only be authorized via iLok Local Machine)
Look here:
Maybe try Plugin Alliance…I use alot of their stuff
they have many compressors and other things and often have sales
this is probably the one if you want a LA2A style one
its on sale but might still be too expensive
they have lots of other great compressors and even have some nice little free plugins like this ‘pedal’ version of the bx opto comp
e.g. https://www.plugin-alliance.com/en/products/bx_opto_pedal.html
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Ahh so I got lucky with LA-2A then? lol. Well that sucks.
iLok is the worst of all the auths. The only benefit it has over vendor online auth is if for some reason the plugin vendor bites it, iLok will still work and your stuff won’t die. It’s like DRM herpes, it will never go away.
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Yeah - and if you want to give others (DRM) herpes (= transfer a license), you have to pay 50€.
In real life I get breakfast after that
Will try that one - thanks!
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Yeah it’s 25 per license or 50 for a bulk transfer. Massive scam.
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For reference; companies in that list should be okay with offline auth. Some of the best are in there too.
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I just looked at my BIAS FX. It also has a LA-2A clone:
Tomorrow I will have a listen if it sounds ok!
That indeed looks like a LA-2A.
Bias has a great reputation.
I hated the Spark so much 
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haha yes maybe their hardware is not so stronk
LOL!
Me too … but only since BIAS FX crashed A LOT last year (I just remember: I did have crashes with plugins! I was in complete denial about that - sorry :-)) … and … f#cking latency with the Spark GO and Spark MINI (not instr-in, but USB-in and aux-in).
I had the feeling that BIAS FX is more stable now … but maybe cause I did not use it as much and switched to Amplitube and TH-U.
sounded quite like those to me
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Yeah. I’ll stick to good’ol hardware.
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(I have no problem with software really, to be honest I think software sounds excellent nowadays. Just not my habbit and I don’t wanna deal with crashes, online licencing and such issues. But the software approach is great really, no problem with that.)
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No need to elaborate, there’s tons of faults with software too. It’s really about picking the approach that works best for your own workflow and working around the cons of each.
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