Tue Mar 14, 2023 7:40 pm
Einer von Weitem,
There are good reasons why many new sample sets are not compatible with obsolete versions of Hauptwerk, and indeed it is unrealistic to expect that they should be. The reason why the standard changed from version 5 onwards was that the encryption system of the dongle used was hacked, enabling sample sets (and Hauptwerk itself) to be pirated. The newer system uses iLok, which is more secure.
Not all sample set producers use encryption to secure their products. In the case of Sonus Paradisi, there appear to be two categories of sample sets with different target customers. There are some that are sold relatively cheaply and are not encrypted, which means that they can be used with HW 4.2 as well as with later versions, and there are others that are sold at a premium and are encrypted to protect that. These ones are not compatible with HW 4.2 and some require version 7 (I am not sure what has changed between HW 6 and HW 7). St Martinikerk, Groningen is one of their premium organs, for example, and although the stereo semi-dry version works with HW 4.2, all the other versions (including the surround options) require HW 7.
I don't think Piotr Grabowski's sample sets are encrypted, which is why they work on both 4.2 and more recent versions of HW.
You will find that some sample sets require other features of HW 5 onwards besides the encryption system. Some, for instance, include an impulse response definition file for the acoustics of the church where the organ was recorded; the sample is supplied dry and IR reverberation is added using HW; advocates of this system say that it gives more realistic results than recording wet in the first place.
You have the choice of continuing to use HW 4.2 and confining yourself to sample sets that are compatible with it, of which there are a great many (including most of those from Pipeloops), or of upgrading to the current version, with additional features (that may or may not appeal to you), compatibility with all recent sample sets, continued support from Milan Digital Audio, and, crucially in my opinion, much better sound quality.
I don't think you will find many software manufacturers releasing new products that are compatible with obsolete or unsupported systems. To announce that Pipeloops have lost you as a customer and an advocate simply because they have chosen to protect their newer (and arguably more desirable) products from hackers seems a little churlish, particularly as they are continuing to offer most of their catalogue in an unencrypted format.