Anyone else have horrible luck with Komplete Kontrol s88 mk2?

galactic · 2023-02-04T15:33:11+00:00

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I bought a new s88 mk2 2 months ago. After a month of regular use the F above middle C started making an obscene clicking noise even on fairly light touch. See (and hear) 1st movie attached in zip.

kk-issues.zip

Since I was out of the retail return policy I filed a warranty issue. After $100 out of my pocket for packaging / box materials to ship back, NI sent me a replacement unit.

This unit had scratches all over it, there was food crumbs / sticky stuff by the "pattern' button, and the low A makes a crunchy / grinding sound when touched even lightly. For the key issue see (and hear) the 2nd video attached in the zip. I actually use the low keys quite a bit for key switches so this would be terribly frustrating...

IMG_0572.jpeg

IMG_0568.jpeg

Curious if others have had other issues both with the units, and NI sending obviously used and abused units for replacement.

I've lost quite a chunk of faith in NI through this experience - and hope they can resolve this either by delivering a unit in full working order or compensating for loss - been a loyal user for 20+ years.

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Comments

DunedinDragon

I bought a S49 about 6 months ago and it gets used pretty much daily for several hours. I've had nothing weird or flaky happen and it just plain works as expected every time I turn it on. The difference is mine sits in my studio and never gets moved so it's very clean (except for a little dust) and has no damage at all. It's been plugged in the same way as the day I brought it home and connected it, so that could be the difference.

galactic

Never moved it either, it's a studio keyboard only - and the s49 is quite a different key action. It maybe got 5-10 hours of total use before it flaked - and the 2nd unit out of the box was garbage. Curious on experiences with an s88...

Jeremy_NI

@galactic Depending on cases some refurbished units can be sent as replacement but they should be in perfect shape and thoroughly checked, which is obviously not the case here. I see that you are already in contact with our hardware department, I'm sure they will find a satisfying solution in your case.

seadragon

Yep. I had bad luck with the S88 also…

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/8440/new-s88-mk2-key-noise#latest

galactic

Crickets from the NI hardware support team after sending me a trashed unit...

Jeremy_NI

@galactic I see that you finally worked it out with Sweetwater. Our hardware department will workout how to deal with the rest with Sweetwater, hoping that this time you get a perfect condition unit. Our apologies for the bad experience so far.

galactic

Update here…

I did receive a new unit from Sweetwater and at least on day one there are no issues and it is in much better shape (even better action) than the original unit.

A shame that I encountered bad luck with not 1, but 2 consecutive S88s - but despite the arduous support process, NI was very accommodating in the end to lighten the blow.

Sajan K

I have had my S88 for over 2 years now. When they work they are FABULOUS. Every now and then (especially when there is a Mac OS upgrade) it can be frustrating. Now all of sudden, I have lost touch control (all keys perform at 127 just touching the key), my middle C has shifted (but I sort of fixed that) and the last 6 keys dont work.

Its just a shame that these things happen - especially being one of the best keyboards out there.

Simchris

Zero issues with any of my three komplete kontrol keyboards, thankfully.

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