Installation & Activation

System requirements

• Windows 10 version 1607 or later, or Windows 11, 64-bit — VST3.
• macOS 12 Monterey or later — AU and VST3, native on Intel and Apple Silicon.
• A compatible host application (DAW) that can load VST3 or AU plugins.
• An internet connection for licence activation.

CLAP and AAX versions are planned for 2027 and Linux is not currently available or guaranteed. Planned formats are not a commitment to a release date.

Windows installation

1. Download the Windows installer from the download page.
2. Close your DAW before running the installer.
3. Run the installer and keep the default VST3 folder unless your studio uses a custom one.
4. Open your DAW and load 1994 Channel Drive on a channel.
5. If the plugin does not appear, run your DAW's plugin rescan function.

macOS installation

1. Download the macOS installer from the download page.
2. Close your DAW before running the installer.
3. Run the installer package and allow the AU and VST3 components to be installed.
4. Open your DAW and load 1994 Channel Drive. Logic Pro validates new AU plugins on first launch.
5. If the plugin does not appear, run your DAW's plugin rescan or AU validation function.

Trial period

1994 Channel Drive is fully functional for 14 days from its first launch. Nothing is limited during the trial.

After the trial expires, the plugin periodically emits low-level noise until it is activated with a valid licence. Sessions and settings are kept; activating removes the noise.

Licence activation

1. Open 1994 Channel Drive in your DAW.
2. Open the Settings menu using the gear icon and select “Register”.
3. Enter the email address associated with your purchase.
4. Enter the complete serial number from your licence email.
5. Click “CONFIRM”. An internet connection is required to complete activation.

Successful activation displays “Registered. Thank you!”.

Two-computer activation limit

Each licence allows up to two activated computers. This is a limit on activated computers, not on how many instances of the plugin you can use in a session.

To activate a second computer, install the plugin there and register it with the same purchase email and serial number. No extra licence is needed.

Moving an activation to another computer

If an activation slot is free: install the plugin on the new computer, open Settings → Register, enter your purchase email and complete serial number and click “CONFIRM”. Normal activation is enough.

If both slots are occupied: follow the same steps. The plugin then shows your activated devices. Select the device whose activation you want to replace and click “CONFIRM” to move that activation to the new computer.

You do not need access to the old computer, and you do not need to open the plugin there first. A move replaces an existing activation — it does not grant a third activation. The replaced installation stops being licensed the next time it checks in; an offline machine is not disabled remotely at that moment.

Moving an activation between your own computers is not the same as transferring licence ownership to another person. Version 1.0 has no separate manual deactivation button, so the move procedure above is how you free a computer.

Move limits

Each licence allows up to four activation moves within a rolling 12-month period — the previous 12 months, not a calendar year.

Your first activation, and activating into a free second slot, do not count as moves. If you reach the limit and need another move, contact support.

Reactivation and troubleshooting

After a system reinstall or a hardware change, the plugin may ask for activation again. Open Settings → Register and use your existing purchase email and serial number. Whether a reinstalled system is still recognised as the same device cannot be guaranteed.

If it is recognised as a new device and both slots are occupied, use the activation-move procedure above. If activation still fails, check your internet connection, confirm the serial number is complete, and contact support with your purchase email and order details.

Licence usage terms

1994 Channel Drive uses a perpetual licence bought with a one-time payment — it is not a subscription. The licence covers your own use on up to two activated computers.

Sharing serial numbers or accounts with people not covered by your licence is not permitted. Music, mixes and masters you create with a validly licensed copy are yours and may be used commercially with no further payment or credit.

Full conditions are in the Terms and in the product licence terms supplied with your purchase.

Factory presets

Presets are stored in:

• Windows: Documents\IDA DSP\1994 Channel Drive\Presets
• macOS: ~/Documents/IDA DSP/1994 Channel Drive/Presets/

The folder is created and the factory presets are copied there the first time the plugin is opened. To restore the originals, open Settings and select “Restore factory presets”.

Licence help and support

Cannot find your licence email? Check your spam or junk folder and confirm which address you used at checkout.

For anything else — activation problems, move limits or order questions — email [email protected] with your purchase email and order details.