--- title: Setting up Symphony Desktop and redeeming included Plugin Alliance plugins description: Using Symphony Desktop with Plugin Alliance --- [Skip to content](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/redeem-pa-plugins#main-content) English Show submenu for translations [Contact us](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/kb-tickets/new?hsLang=en) ![Apogee Logo White.png\]](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Apogee%20Logo%20White.png?height=40&name=Apogee%20Logo%20White.png) Open main navigation Close main navigation - English Show submenu for translations - [Contact us](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/kb-tickets/new) - Go to apogeedigital.com Go to apogeedigital.com How can we help you? - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [Knowledge Base](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/?hsLang=en) 2. [Plugins](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/plugins?hsLang=en) # Setting up Symphony Desktop and redeeming included Plugin Alliance plugins ## After registering Symphony Desktop on the Apogee website, here's how to redeem the Plugin Alliance version of the included plugins, and how to install the Control 2 software for Symphony Desktop compatible with the Plugin Alliance plugins: - [How to use the Plugin Alliance redeem code](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/redeem-pa-plugins#Redeem-Licenses) - [Install Control 2 software for Symphony Desktop](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/redeem-pa-plugins#Install-Control2) - [Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/redeem-pa-plugins#FAQ) --- ### **Step 1**: Redeem the Plugin Alliance Licenses When you register the Symphony Desktop in your Apogee Account, and enter the Access Code that came in the box with the unit, you are given a Plugin Alliance redemption code.![Professional Redemption Code Callout UI](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Professional%20Redemption%20Code%20Callout%20UI.png?width=670&height=286&name=Professional%20Redemption%20Code%20Callout%20UI.png) This code provides a free Plugin Alliance license for the following Apogee plugins: - ECS2 Channel Strip - Clearmountain’s Spaces - Pultec EQP-1A - Pultec MEQ-5 To redeem the code, click this link to view the Apogee Hardware Bundle: [https://www.plugin-alliance.com/products/apogee-hardware-bundle](https://www.plugin-alliance.com/products/apogee-hardware-bundle) Click the "Add to cart" button, then the Check out button: ![PA ApogeeHardwareBundle\_AddToCart](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/hs-fs/hubfs/PA%20ApogeeHardwareBundle_AddToCart.png?width=367&height=277&name=PA%20ApogeeHardwareBundle_AddToCart.png)  ![PA ApogeeHardwareBundle\_Check\_out](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/hs-fs/hubfs/PA%20ApogeeHardwareBundle_Check_out.png?width=262&height=176&name=PA%20ApogeeHardwareBundle_Check_out.png) Enter the redemption code into the Discount Code field. This will bring the cost of the bundle down to $0. ![PA ApogeeHardwareBundle\_Checkout](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/hs-fs/hubfs/PA%20ApogeeHardwareBundle_Checkout.png?width=368&height=288&name=PA%20ApogeeHardwareBundle_Checkout.png) Fill out the remaining fields and complete the Checkout process. The plugin licenses will appear in your Plugin Alliance account. Use the Plugin Alliance Installation Manager to download and install the plugin software: [https://www.plugin-alliance.com/pages/installation-manager](https://www.plugin-alliance.com/pages/installation-manager) --- ### **Step 2**: Download and install the no iLok version of Control 2 software for Symphony Desktop Here's a direct link to this installer for your convenience: - Mac: [ApogeeControl2-DualPath-macOS-ilokfree](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/hubfs/Software%20Installers/Control%202/ApogeeControl2-DualPath-macOS-ilokfree.zip?hsLang=en) - Windows: [ApogeeControl2-DualPath-Windows-ilokfree](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/hubfs/Software%20Installers/Control%202/ApogeeControl2-DualPath-Windows-ilokfree.zip?hsLang=en) Open the installer and follow the prompts to complete the installation process. ***NOTE***: On the Windows installer, you may encounter a Microsoft Defender warning screen:![Windows protected your PC - Microsoft Defender SmartScreen](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Windows%20Defender%20Warning.png?width=263&height=246&name=Windows%20Defender%20Warning.png) Click "More Info", then an option will appear that will allow you to continue. Do this, and follow the prompts to complete the installation process. --- ### **FAQ:** #### **I registered my Symphony Desktop and activated its included plugins through PACE/iLok before October 1, 2026.** You do not need to change your Symphony Desktop software simply because of the October 1 transition. If you previously registered your Symphony Desktop and activated its included plugins through PACE/iLok, you can continue using your existing Symphony Desktop software and plugin licenses. Your existing iLok plugin licenses will continue to work, and the Symphony Desktop software you already have installed is designed to work with these versions. #### **If your Symphony Desktop plugins have not previously been activated** If your Symphony Desktop has not previously had its included plugin licenses activated through PACE/iLok, you will need to use the new *Symphony Desktop Control 2 software installer.* This updated version of the Symphony Desktop Control 2 software is designed to work with the new Plugin Alliance versions native plugins rather than the previous PACE/iLok versions. Your included native plugins will be redeemed through Plugin Alliance and installed using the Plugin Alliance Installation Manager. #### **Why does Symphony Desktop need a different installer?** Symphony Desktop can connect to a compatible computer and pass audio without installing the Symphony Desktop control software. However, the control software is required to access Symphony Desktop’s complete feature set, including *DualPath*. DualPath integrates processing running on Symphony Desktop’s onboard DSP with corresponding native plugins running on your computer. Because the native versions of Apogee plugins are moving from PACE/iLok to Plugin Alliance, Symphony Desktop needs updated control software that recognizes and works with the new Plugin Alliance versions. The original Symphony Desktop software works with the PACE/iLok plugin versions. The new Symphony Desktop software works with the Plugin Alliance versions. #### **ECS and ECS 2** There is one important difference between the native and DSP versions of ECS. With the Plugin Alliance transition, the **native Symphony ECS Channel Strip becomes Symphony ECS 2**, which includes an updated interface and additional native features. The ECS processing built into Symphony Desktop’s DSP does **not** become ECS 2. It remains the existing Symphony ECS DSP implementation. There are no plans to update Symphony Desktop (and Duet 3, and Boom) to use ECS 2. As a result, some features available in the native ECS 2 plugin may not have corresponding controls or processing available on Symphony Desktop’s onboard DSP. #### **What if I only need to pass audio?** Symphony Desktop can connect to a compatible computer and pass audio without the Apogee Control 2 software installed. 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