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Acceptable Use Policy & End User License Agreement

Overview of Our Acceptable Use Policy & End User License Agreement

This document combines two related policies into a single reference: the Acceptable Use Policy, which governs how you interact with the Access Analog platform and hardware, and the End User License Agreement (EULA), which governs your installation and use of the Analog Matrix plugin and standalone application.

Together, these policies are part of the legal framework that governs your relationship with Access Analog, LLC (“Access Analog,” “we,” “us,” or “our”). They supplement and are incorporated into our Terms of Service. Capitalized terms not defined here have the meanings assigned to them in the Terms of Service.

Access Analog is not a typical software service. When you use our platform, you are remotely controlling real, physical analog audio equipment — gear worth over $300,000, including rare and vintage units that cannot easily be replaced. The policies below reflect that reality. Our community of users shares this equipment, and responsible use ensures that every user has a great experience.

By creating an account, downloading the Analog Matrix plugin, or using any part of the Service, you agree to comply with the terms set forth in this document. Violation of these terms may result in suspension or permanent termination of your account.

PART I: ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY

The Acceptable Use Policy (“AUP”) sets the rules for how you use the Access Analog platform, including all hardware, software, infrastructure, and associated services. This policy protects our equipment, our infrastructure, and the experience of every user in our community.

1. Fair Use of Hardware

1.1 Equipment Care and Signal Integrity

The analog equipment available through Access Analog is professionally maintained and calibrated daily. Each piece of gear is a shared resource used by musicians, engineers, and producers around the world. You agree to treat all equipment with the same care and respect you would extend to gear in your own studio or a colleague’s facility.

You must not:

  • Send damaging signals: Do not intentionally transmit sustained full-scale DC offset, extreme or prolonged clipping, out-of-spec voltage levels, or any signal specifically designed to stress, degrade, or damage the hardware. While our equipment is built to handle professional audio signals, deliberate abuse can cause physical harm to components that may be rare, vintage, or irreplaceable.
  • Exceed normal operating parameters: Each piece of equipment has a designed operating range. Sustained signals at the maximum input level for extended periods, or rapidly cycling extreme parameter changes for purposes unrelated to audio production, are considered misuse.
  • Attempt to bypass robotic controls: Our patented robotic control system (U.S. Patent #10,140,08) is the sole authorized method for adjusting hardware parameters. Any attempt to circumvent, override, manipulate, or interfere with the robotic control mechanisms is strictly prohibited.
  • Tamper with converter or routing infrastructure: Do not attempt to alter, redirect, or interfere with the audio conversion path (or the signal routing between devices.

1.2 Calibration and Maintenance

Access Analog calibrates equipment daily and maintains a target of 99% uptime per device. If you notice a piece of equipment behaving abnormally during your session – unusual noise, unexpected distortion, unresponsive controls, or meter readings that do not match the plugin interface – please report it immediately to [email protected] or via the website chat. Early reporting helps us maintain the quality of the gear for all users and may entitle you to a session credit.

2. Reservations and Session Conduct

2.1 Reservation Integrity

Access Analog’s reservation system ensures that users can schedule dedicated, exclusive time on specific equipment. Because each analog unit can only be used by one person at a time, reservation integrity is essential to a fair user experience.

You must not:

  • Block equipment: Reserve gear with no genuine intent to use it. Blocking reservations prevents other paying users from accessing equipment.
  • Hoard reservations: Reserve unreasonable amounts of time across multiple devices for the purpose of monopolizing equipment availability.
  • Use automated tools for reservations: Scripts, bots, browser automation, or any programmatic method to make reservations, manipulate availability, or gain priority access is prohibited.
  • Speculate on reservations: Reserve equipment at popular times with the intent to transfer, sell, or trade the reservation to another user.

Cancellation terms (including the 10-minute cancellation window and late-cancellation fees) are governed by our Refund & Cancellation Policy.

2.2 Session Limits

Unless your subscription tier explicitly provides for multiple simultaneous sessions, each account is limited to one active hardware session at a time. An “active session” means one instance of the Analog Matrix plugin or standalone application connected to and controlling equipment.

You may use the Analog Matrix plugin on multiple instances within a single DAW session (e.g., one instance on your drum bus and another on your mix bus), provided each is connected to a different piece of equipment and you have sufficient credits or subscription access for both.

2.3 On-Demand Use

When using equipment in on-demand mode (without a reservation), you are accessing gear on a first-come, first-served basis. On-demand access begins with a free preview period (currently 45 seconds for subscribers), after which credits are deducted at the posted rate. You should not use the preview period repeatedly on the same device to avoid credit charges — the preview is intended for evaluation, not extended use.

2.4 No Reselling or Redistribution

Your access to the Service is personal to your account. You may not:

  • Sell, lease, rent, or otherwise transfer your session time or equipment access to any other person.
  • Operate a commercial service (e.g., a mixing/mastering studio for hire) that brands Access Analog’s equipment as your own facility’s hardware without disclosure.
  • Allow anyone else to control equipment through your account during your session.

Clarification: Using Access Analog in the normal course of professional audio work is encouraged and expected. A mix engineer processing a client’s project, a producer applying analog processing to an artist’s stems, or a mastering engineer running an album through our chains – these are all intended uses. What is prohibited is misrepresenting the equipment as locally owned hardware or reselling raw session access.

3. Account Security and Credentials

  • Share your username, password, or any other authentication token with any other person.
  • Allow multiple individuals to access the Service through a single account.
  • Create multiple accounts to circumvent usage limits, exploit free trial credits, or gain any other unfair advantage.
  • Attempt to access another user’s account, session, or data.

If you suspect that your account has been compromised, notify us immediately at [email protected]. You are responsible for all activity that occurs under your account until you report the compromise and we have taken reasonable steps to secure it.

4. Audio Content

4.1 Content Responsibility

You are solely responsible for all audio content that you transmit through the Service. Access Analog does not and cannot monitor, listen to, or review your audio. Audio streams pass through the selected hardware and return to your plugin in real time; we have no ability to hear what you are processing. However, you agree that you will not use the Service to process audio that:

  • You do not have the legal right to use, modify, or process (e.g., copyrighted material for which you lack a license or authorization).
  • Is intended to be used in connection with any illegal activity.
  • Infringes on the intellectual property, privacy, or other rights of any third party.
  • Contains content that is unlawful under the laws of the United States or your jurisdiction.

4.2 No Monitoring, No Liability

Because Access Analog cannot hear your audio, we bear no responsibility for the content of any audio processed through the Service. Our audio routing is designed so that your signal passes exclusively through the analog hardware you have selected — it is not routed to any monitoring system, storage system, or other user’s session. For more information about how we handle audio data, please see our Privacy Policy.

4.3 AI and Machine Learning

Access Analog does not use any audio processed through the Service for AI training, machine learning, data analytics, audio fingerprinting, or any purpose other than delivering the analog hardware processing you have requested. Your audio is yours.

5. System Integrity and Security

The Access Analog platform comprises the Analog Matrix plugin, cloud server infrastructure, audio conversion equipment, robotic control systems, and analog hardware. The security and integrity of this system is essential to the Service.

You must not:

  • Reverse engineer, decompile, disassemble, or otherwise attempt to derive the source code, algorithms, or architecture of the Analog Matrix plugin, the server infrastructure, the robotic control systems, or any other component of the Service.
  • Probe, scan, or test the vulnerability of the Service or any related system or network without prior written authorization.
  • Intercept, monitor, or attempt to capture audio streams, control data, or telemetry between the plugin and our servers — whether your own or another user’s.
  • Introduce viruses, worms, Trojan horses, malware, or any other harmful code or data into the Service.
  • Interfere with, disrupt, or degrade the Service for any other user, including by consuming disproportionate network or server resources.
  • Attempt to access any server, system, database, or network associated with the Service that is not intended for your use.
  • Use any method to send audio to the Service faster than real time (e.g., oversampling plugins or speed-adjusted playback), as the physical hardware cannot process faster than real-time audio and such signals will overflow the processing queue.

6. Enforcement and Consequences

6.1 Graduated Response

Access Analog takes a graduated approach to policy enforcement. Depending on the severity and nature of the violation, we may take one or more of the following actions:

  • Warning: For minor or first-time violations, we may issue a written warning to the email address on your account, identifying the violation and requesting that you cease the behavior.
  • Temporary Suspension: For repeated violations or more serious infractions, we may temporarily suspend your access to the Service for a period determined at our discretion (typically 7–30 days). During suspension, active subscriptions continue to bill unless cancelled.
  • Permanent Termination: For severe violations — including intentional equipment damage, system intrusion, or persistent abuse after warnings — we may permanently terminate your account. Terminated accounts forfeit all credits and subscription benefits. Refunds for prepaid amounts are not available when termination is for cause.

6.2 Immediate Action

Notwithstanding the graduated approach above, Access Analog reserves the right to immediately suspend or terminate your account without prior warning if we reasonably believe that:

  • Your actions pose an imminent risk of physical damage to equipment.
  • Your actions threaten the security or integrity of our systems or infrastructure.
  • Your account is being used for fraudulent activity.
  • Continued access would violate applicable law or expose Access Analog to legal liability.

6.3 Equipment Damage Liability

If your intentional or grossly negligent misuse of the Service causes physical damage to any piece of analog equipment, you may be held financially liable for the cost of repair or replacement. This includes damage caused by transmitting signals outside of normal operating parameters, attempting to bypass robotic controls, or any other action that directly results in harm to the hardware. Access Analog will provide documentation of the damage and associated costs before seeking compensation.

6.4 Reporting Violations

If you believe another user is violating this policy, or if you observe equipment behaving unusually, please report it to [email protected]. We take all reports seriously and will investigate promptly while keeping reporter information confidential.

6.5 Appeals

If your account has been suspended or terminated and you believe the action was taken in error, you may appeal by emailing [email protected] with the subject line “Policy Enforcement Appeal.” We will review your appeal and respond within ten (10) business days.

PART II: END USER LICENSE AGREEMENT (EULA)

This End User License Agreement (“EULA”) governs your download, installation, and use of the Analog Matrix plugin and the Analog Matrix standalone application (collectively, the “Software”). The Software is developed and owned by Access Analog, LLC.

By downloading, installing, copying, or otherwise using the Software, you agree to be bound by the terms of this EULA. If you do not agree to these terms, do not download, install, or use the Software.

7. License Grant

7.1 Grant of License

Subject to the terms of this EULA and your compliance with the Terms of Service, Access Analog grants you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable license to:

  • Download and install the Software on computers that you own or control.
  • Use the Software for the sole purpose of accessing the Access Analog Service and controlling analog hardware made available through the Service.
  • Create a reasonable number of backup copies of the Software installation files for personal archival purposes.

7.2 Scope of License

This license is:

  • Personal: The license is granted to you as an individual (or, if you registered as a business entity, to that entity). You may install the Software on multiple personal machines (e.g., your studio computer and your laptop) provided they are all used by the licensed account holder.
  • Non-transferable: You may not transfer, assign, sublicense, or sell your license to any other person or entity.
  • Revocable: Access Analog may revoke this license at any time in accordance with the termination provisions of this EULA and the Terms of Service.
  • Conditional: The license is contingent on your having an active Access Analog account in good standing. The Software requires an authenticated connection to our servers to function; it has no standalone processing capability independent of the Service.

7.3 Free Download

The Software is available as a free download. No purchase is required to download and install the Software. However, using the Software to process audio through analog hardware requires credits, a subscription, or a reservation, as described in the Terms of Service.

8. License Restrictions

You may not, and you may not permit any third party to:

  • Reverse engineer: Reverse engineer, decompile, disassemble, or otherwise attempt to discover the source code, object code, underlying structure, algorithms, or ideas of the Software, except to the extent that such activity is expressly permitted by applicable law notwithstanding this limitation.
  • Modify or create derivative works: Modify, adapt, translate, or create derivative works based on the Software or any portion thereof.
  • Redistribute: Copy, distribute, publish, transmit, sell, lease, rent, sublicense, or otherwise make the Software available to any third party, except by directing them to the official Access Analog Downloads page (accessanalog.com/downloads).
  • Remove proprietary notices: Remove, obscure, or alter any copyright notice, trademark, patent notice, or other proprietary legend displayed in or on the Software.
  • Unauthorized access: Use the Software to connect to any server, service, or hardware other than the Access Analog Service, or to access any hardware or system not assigned to your session.
  • Circumvent protections: Circumvent, disable, or interfere with any technological protection measures, authentication systems, or access controls implemented in the Software.
  • Benchmark or analyze: Use the Software for competitive analysis, benchmarking, or to build a competing product or service without prior written consent from Access Analog.

9. Intellectual Property

9.1 Ownership

The Software and all copies thereof are the intellectual property of and are owned by Access Analog, LLC. The Software is licensed, not sold. Access Analog retains all rights, title, and interest in and to the Software, including but not limited to:

  • All source code, object code, and compiled binaries.
  • The user interface design, layout, graphics, icons, and visual elements.
  • The audio routing architecture and signal chain management logic.
  • The communication protocols between the Software and the Access Analog servers.
  • All documentation, help files, and tutorial content distributed with the Software.

 

9.2 Patent Protection

The technology underlying the Software and the Service is protected by U.S. Patent #10,140,08 and potentially additional patents or patent applications. The patented technology includes, but is not limited to, the methods and systems for remote robotic control of analog audio hardware, real-time audio streaming and processing, and the Analog Matrix’s signal chain management capabilities.

9.3 Trademarks

“Access Analog,” “Analog Matrix,” and all associated logos, icons, and visual identities used in connection with the Software are trademarks or service marks of Access Analog, LLC. You may not use these marks without prior written permission, except to truthfully refer to the Software or Service (e.g., in a blog post, review, or tutorial).

9.4 Feedback

If you provide Access Analog with any feedback, suggestions, or ideas regarding the Software or Service (collectively, “Feedback”), you grant Access Analog a perpetual, irrevocable, worldwide, royalty-free, fully-paid, sublicensable license to use, reproduce, modify, and incorporate such Feedback into the Software and Service without attribution or compensation.

10. Updates and Modifications

10.1 Software Updates

Access Analog may, from time to time, release updates, patches, bug fixes, or new versions of the Software. These updates may be delivered automatically through the Software’s built-in update mechanism or may require you to download a new version from our website.

By installing the Software, you consent to receiving automatic updates. Updates may include:

  • Bug fixes and stability improvements.
  • New features or interface changes.
  • Security patches.
  • Changes to supported plugin formats, DAW compatibility, or operating system requirements.
  • Changes to the communication protocols between the Software and our servers.

10.2 Minimum Version Requirements

Access Analog may, at its discretion, require users to update to a minimum version of the Software in order to continue accessing the Service. When we establish a new minimum version requirement, we will provide at least fourteen (14) days’ notice via email, the website, or an in-app notification. After the notice period, older versions may no longer be able to connect to our servers.

10.3 Discontinuation

Access Analog reserves the right to discontinue the Software or any specific version, plugin format, or platform build at any time. If we discontinue support for a plugin format (e.g., a hypothetical discontinuation of the 32-bit version), we will provide reasonable advance notice. Discontinuation of a specific build does not affect your license to use currently supported versions of the Software.

11. System Requirements and Compatibility

11.1 Supported Platforms

The Software is currently available for:

  • macOS: Intel and Apple Silicon (M-series) processors.
  • Windows: Compatible with current and recent versions as specified on the Downloads page.

11.2 Plugin Formats

The Analog Matrix plugin is available in the following formats:

  • AU (Audio Units) — for macOS hosts such as Logic Pro, GarageBand, and others.
  • AAX — for Avid Pro Tools.
  • VST — for compatible hosts on macOS and Windows.
  • VST3 — for compatible hosts on macOS and Windows.

11.3 Network Requirements

The Software requires a persistent internet connection to function. Specifically:

  • TCP Port 47300 must be open in your firewall, router, or network configuration for audio streaming.
  • A stable broadband connection (wired Ethernet recommended) is required for reliable real-time audio streaming.
  • Connection quality affects audio performance. Users with limited bandwidth should use compressed streaming formats and larger buffer sizes (up to 2,500 ms), as documented on the Support page.

11.4 DAW-Specific Requirements

Certain digital audio workstations have specific configuration requirements when using the Analog Matrix plugin:

  • Reaper: Disable “Anticipative FX Processing” in Preferences → Buffering.
  • Pro Tools: Maximum delay compensation of 340 ms. Use a buffer size of 340 ms or less for individual tracks.
  • Logic Pro: Maximum delay compensation of 1,000 ms. Use a buffer size of 1,000 ms or less for tracks with parallel processing elements.
  • Ableton Live: Disable “Warp” on clips containing bounced audio from the offline processor.
  • Cubase: Set Audio Pre-Record Time to 0.
  • Mixbus (macOS): Not currently compatible on macOS due to plugin sandboxing restrictions. The Windows version works normally.

These requirements are documented in detail on the Support page and in the FAQs. Additional DAW-specific requirements may be added as the Software and third-party DAWs evolve.

11.5 No Compatibility Guarantee

Access Analog makes reasonable efforts to ensure broad compatibility, but we do not guarantee that the Software will function with every DAW, operating system version, hardware configuration, or audio interface. New operating system releases, DAW updates, or changes to audio driver standards may temporarily or permanently affect compatibility. We will make commercially reasonable efforts to update the Software to maintain compatibility with current, widely used platforms.

12. Warranty Disclaimer

THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE,” WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, TITLE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT.

Without limiting the foregoing, Access Analog does not warrant that:

  • The Software will be compatible with your specific DAW, operating system, hardware, or audio interface configuration.
  • The Software will operate uninterrupted, error-free, or without bugs.
  • Any defects in the Software will be corrected within a specific timeframe.
  • The Software will produce any specific sonic result, audio quality, or latency performance.
  • The real-time audio streaming will be free from dropouts, artifacts, or interruptions caused by network conditions.

You acknowledge that the Software is a gateway to a real-time, internet-dependent service involving physical hardware, and that performance will inherently vary based on factors outside of Access Analog’s control, including your internet connection, geographic location, and local network conditions.

13. License Termination

13.1 Automatic Termination

This license terminates automatically if:

  • Your Access Analog account is terminated (by you or by us) for any reason.
  • You breach any term of this EULA or the Terms of Service.
  • Access Analog discontinues the Service entirely.

13.2 Effect of Termination

Upon termination of this license, you must:

  • Immediately cease all use of the Software.
  • Uninstall and delete the Software and all copies from all devices under your control.
  • Destroy any backup copies of the Software installation files.

Termination of this license does not entitle you to any refund. Any right to refunds is governed by the Refund & Cancellation Policy.

13.3 Survival

The following provisions survive termination of this EULA: Intellectual Property (Section 9), Warranty Disclaimer (Section 12), the limitation of liability provisions in the Terms of Service, and any other provisions that by their nature should survive.

14. General Provisions

14.1 Relationship to Terms of Service

This document is incorporated into and forms part of the Access Analog Terms of Service. In the event of a conflict between this document and the Terms of Service, the Terms of Service shall control except with respect to EULA-specific provisions (Sections 7 through 13), which control with respect to the Software.

14.2 Entire Agreement

Together with the Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, Cookie Policy, and Refund & Cancellation Policy, this document constitutes the entire agreement between you and Access Analog regarding the subject matter herein and supersedes all prior or contemporaneous agreements, understandings, and representations.

14.3 Severability

If any provision of this document is found to be unenforceable or invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, that provision will be limited or eliminated to the minimum extent necessary, and the remaining provisions will remain in full force and effect.

14.4 Governing Law

This document is governed by the laws of the State of Colorado, United States, consistent with the governing law provisions in the Terms of Service.

Contact Us

Questions about this Policy should be directed to:

Email: [email protected]

Website: accessanalog.com/contact

Chat: Available via the chat icon on our website