Spitfire plug-in libraries are authorised per machine when installing. By default, you can not currently share a library between two computers from the same drive. We have detailed a workaround for this below, but please be advised that this will disable the Mode Switching feature in BBC Symphony Orchestra.
Install
1) Download and install your library on your main computer to your portable drive.
2) Plug your hard drive into your second computer.
3) Inside the library folder, create a sub folder called Laptop, or iMac
(it is important this folder is identifiable to the system)
4) Inside the above folder, create a folder with the exact library name. For example: Spitfire Audio - Hans Zimmer Strings.
Note: The above image shows a holder for the second install as described in point 4. The Patches, Presets and Samples folder are for the previous install on the original computer. (Do not overwrite these)
5) On your second system, open the Spitfire Audio App. Repair the library into the custom created location. In this case
Spitfire Audio - Hans Zimmer Strings > iMac > Spitfire Audio - Hans Zimmer Strings
This link shows you how to repair a library
6) Once repaired, you see new patches and presets set up for your second system.
Relocating the Samples
Having repaired the files, you need to locate the sample content.
1) Open Spitfire.Properties in a text document. (Mac OS: Text Edit) (Windows: Note Pad)
Windows: C:/Users/[username]/AppData/Roaming/Spitfire Audio/Settings/spitfire.properties
Note: The above location is hidden by default. Instruction on displaying hidden folders in Windows 10 can be found here.
Mac OS: User/Music/Spitfire Audio/Settings/spitfire.properties
Note: Prior to this, on MAC, ensure smart quote are not enabled in the Text Edit Preferences.
2) Find the library in this text document.
Edit the samples line to reflect the samples folder location.
In this case the samples folder is two above so the user would need to remove:
iMac\/Spitfire Audio - Hans Zimmer Strings\/
Comments
20 comments
I bought albion one on a harddrive but always when I want to load a patch I get missing samples, what can I do?
albion one walter rothe, die.rothen@outlook.com
Hi Walter, I have created a support case on your behalf. One of our agents will reply shortly.
Finally got round to trying this with BBC SO but with no avail - triple checking myself now
Joe, this can be quite a tricky process and may require some resets. I will create a ticket so if you need help you can message me directly.
Jack
Hi. I was thinking/hoping when I do buy a library other than free labs, I could download onto an external HD to use on my main iMac at home, and then take the HD on the road with me to use Spitfire on my MacBook Pro. Is this article saying I can after following these steps, or not ever? Thanks!
Jesus. What a hacking disaster of many steps. Isn't there a way to automate this?
This is not working for AROne, and the Spitfire.properties file constantly gets converted into a Spitfire.properties.bad file and all the SF Plugins stop working. For the premium price you´re asking this feels a tad amateurish tbh. Working on multiple projects with deadlines and this is not really helpful. Slightly annoyed customer, never had any kind of problem with a kontakt library..
Just bought BBC SO Professional and run to this issue when trying to switch between win and mac workstations. Being able to do an easily portable install on an external drive should be a basic requirement IMHO when marketing these things as professional tools. I have an NTFS drive for the samples and have no problems with any kontakt libraries when going back and forth between win and mac.
I really hope Spitfire prioritise making it easy for us to swap our instrument sample SSD between our desktop and laptop. Allowing us to work how we want helps the creative process instead of being a barrier. I can't remember the number of times I abandoned a creative session because I couldn't access my Spitfire samples.
Hi Reece Robinson, we're actively working on an entirely new version of the Application which we hope will resolve some of the issues surrounding shared hard drive use. We do not have a set date for release yet, but the aim is to make this live later this year.
All the best,
Angus
Hi there,
Will this work around also work for the LABS libraries? If so the LABS library consist of 36 different libraries. Do I need to repeat this process for each libraries? Thank you for your help.
Found this after having the same problem - moving all libraries to an external SSD to share between laptop and desktop. All other libraries worked perfectly but can't do Spitfire. Luckily I was only trying out a few Labs and BBC Discover, but will definitely not purchase any Spitfire products while they work this way.
It looks like it's been a problem for a long time. I can't complain too much since I'm only using the free LABS products for now. It makes me question if I really want to invest in the paid ones? Like you said Tim, I will probably wait until they fix this problem.
I love Spitfire Audio Instruments and use them in my work daily, but this is a disaster and I hope this will be fixed soon. I am losing hours with this and things are still not working.
an absolute nightmare..
now I don't have resets left..!?! SERIOUSLY?
I tried the work-around and it didn't work for me. So yeah, this is still a nightmare. If I have to install my Spitfire libraries TWICE on the same hard drive for two different users.... that's just ridiculous. No new libraries for me until that's fixed, for sure!
Hi Everyone,
Yes this workaround is tricky and I appreciate it is highly frustrating. At this time, it is much more simple to use 1 drive per machine.
As Angus mentioned earlier, we are working on a whole new app which will make this process much more user friendly for all users. I hope we can share this with you all before too long.
Thanks for your patience whilst we update this process.
Best Wishes
Jack
Angus and Jack,
Thanks for the update. I'm anxiously waiting for an easier solution to this.
In addition, in my case, I currently have an M1 Mac where some Spitfire Libraries are not compatible (yet). (I do have a backup Intel Mac that I use as needed).
Do you all need any beta testers for the new app? :)
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