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How do I authorize Max?
Max 7-9 authorizations are tied to your Cycling '74 user account. In order to authorize Max, you must have a Cycling '74 account. You can sign up for an account on our website. For more information on user accounts, please see this article.
If you already have a Cycling '74 account, follow the below steps to authorize Max 7-9. Please note that an internet connection is required to initially authorize Max with your account.
- Open Max.
- Navigate to Help > User Account and Licenses.
- Log in with your Cycling '74 account + password.
- Click the 'Authorize' button next to the license you want to authorize.
If you own a permanent license of Max, you may use iLok, which will allow you to authorize Max without an internet connection. Visit our iLok FAQ page for more information. Please note that subscription licenses cannot be authorized via iLok.
If you were given an activation code (AC), please read this guide for instructions on how to activate your license.
I followed the above steps, but can't authorize Max.
If you are unable to authorize Max, first check our System Status page for any recent Authorization outages. At the top of the page, it will list if Authorization is currently operational. Directly below, all past incidents are listed. If there was a recent incident, restart Max and try to authorize again. If Authorization is currently down, hang tight while we fix it.
If you are unable to authorize Max for a different reason, reach out to us at support@cycling74.com.
What are the system requirements?
For a full list of system requirements, and to download the latest version of Max, please visit this page.
Is there a Max demo?
Yes! We offer a 30-day demo for first-time users. In order to activate the demo, first download and install the latest version of Max. Once installed, launch Max, go to Help > User Account and Licenses, and sign into your Cycling '74 account (or create a new one). After signing in you should see a demo license appear on your account.
With the 30-day demo you can run, edit and save Max patches. After 30 days, you can still run and edit Max patches, but you cannot save your changes without purchasing a license.
If you have any difficulties activating your demo license, please contact us at support@cycling74.com.
Can I use Max 7-9 without authorizing?
You can run and edit patches in Max without authorization. However, you will not be able to save your changes. In order to save, you have to purchase a license.
Can I authorize Max on both my Windows and Mac machines? Will my patches work on both platforms?
Yes, you can authorize both. And, yes, patches will work on both.
How many authorizations do I get?
If you own one license, then Max can run on one computer at a time. However, we understand many people have multiple computers and need more than one authorization. Therefore, you can authorize up to 3 computers as long as they’re not running Max simultaneously.
I need to run Max simultaneously on multiple machines. Can I have extra authorizations for this?
No. Instead, we suggest using Max in an unauthorized state. This allows you to run patches, you just can't save any edits. If you need to save edits on multiple machines simultaneously, then you should purchase another license.
I want to move my Max install from one machine to another. How do I do that? Do I need to de-authorize?
You can authorize up to 3 computers at once, as long as they’re not running Max simultaneously. To authorize a second or third machine, launch Max, go to Help > User Account and Licenses, sign in with your Cycling '74 account, then click the 'Authorize' button next to your license.
Once you have authorized a machine, you cannot remove that machine from your account. Please contact support if you need to remove an authorized machine from your account.
Is a Student license, or the 30-day demo, a different application than the regular, permanent Max license?
No. There is only one installer for the Max application. The only difference between student, subscription, and permanent licenses is the amount paid for the program and/or whether or not your license expires after some period of time (e.g. the student annual subscription). The 30-day demo simply refers to the fact that Max will run without copy protection for the first 30 days. There are no limitations to the program during that period.
If I own Live Suite or Live Standard with the Max for Live add-on, should I also authorize Max?
Max for Live and Max are two separate products. You do not need to authorize Max in order to use Max for Live. For further information on Max for Live authorization, please read this article.
If you have any trouble authorizing Max for Live, please contact Ableton support.
I have a full license of Max (7, 8, or 9), but my computer isn't always connected to the internet. Will Max still run?
Yes, Max will remain authorized offline for up to 180 days before you need to connect to the internet again. Max will prompt you when you get close to that time to reconnect to our authorization server.
If your computer needs to be offline for longer than 180 days, you can transfer your license to iLok. Please note that iLok authorization is only available for permanent licenses, not subscriptions.
What if I have a subscription and my computer isn't connected to the internet?
When you first purchase a subscription, your computer must be connected to the internet to receive the authorization. If you have purchased a monthly subscription, you must then be connected to the internet once every 30 days. If you have purchased an annual subscription, you must be connected to the internet once every 180 days.
Does Max 7-9 have serial numbers?
No. Max 7-9 licenses are tied to your Cycling '74 user account, rather than serial numbers. In order to authorize Max, you must have a Cycling '74 account. You can sign up for an account on our website.