ASPR, ARMA question

This is not a ASPR vs ARMA question. I've used Search.

I would like an app to be pretty much tied to a machine, with enough protection to keep out the casual neophyte. I'm well aware that any protection can get taken out, I've personally taken out quite a number of them.

My question may sound kind of odd, but for a developer wanting to protect an app using off the shelf protection, how does it work (from a keygen perspective)? Do I as a developer create my own keys, or do they have to go to someplace else? (ie. DR or aspack, or a 3rd party?).

It would be in my best interest, above all else, to keep the per unit charge as low as physically possible (preferably $0), even at the expense of piracy, but still would like to discourage casual pirate.

Both ASPR and ARMA's websites are very ambigious on if they gen the keys (or even if they charge a per unit fee).

I may not be asking the correct question? /me thinks it might a lot easier to take out a protection than to find an economical one...