Lithophone

The instrument cannot be faulted and I would give it five stars. The samples are realistic and very playable. It is a sound that I have begun to use more and more, and it fits into arrangements in the most unexpected ways. But... I can only give it three stars. The reason is the archaic and very clunky USB security key process through which you have to go in order to register the instrument. Years ago I ditched a set of Antares plugins which were great when they worked, but the process of continually having to authenticate them was such a struggle that I eventually gave up. I really needed the lithophone sound for a particular project, so I persevered and ultimately, after several conversations with the Vienna help desk (and the gentleman with whom I dealt, Andrea, was very helpful) I had the software working. Conclusion- buy this if you have the patience. Other manufacturers use a security key method to authenticate their products and prevent unlawful sharing and copying. As a result, a plugin may be registered and used within minutes of being purchased. Why can't Vienna do the same?