Why can't the Komplete Kontrol S series send MIDI out on the DIN port while powered over USB?

Perceptes
Perceptes Member Posts: 3 Newcomer
in Komplete Kontrol

I have my Komplete Kontrol S61 Mk2 connected to my computer through a powered USB hub, but I also connected it to a MIDI interface for controlling hardware synths in MIDI mode. After a lot of confusion that the MIDI interface wasn't receiving input from the keyboard, I discovered that plugging it in via USB prevents MIDI data from being sent over the MIDI out port. Why?? This means that if I want to use the keyboard to control external gear without turning my computer on, I have to manually unplug the USB cable and buy a dedicated power cable for it. This makes absolutely no sense to me.

Best Answer

  • JesterMgee
    JesterMgee Member Posts: 2,110 Expert
    Answer ✓

    Yep, poor design. When USB power is applied it sets to PC controller mode and the MIDI is suppose to be used as an OS output but as you find, for people that like to use it for actual hardware it makes it useless without the adapter.

    Its what happens when engineers design products instead of musicians.

Answers

  • JesterMgee
    JesterMgee Member Posts: 2,110 Expert
    Answer ✓

    Yep, poor design. When USB power is applied it sets to PC controller mode and the MIDI is suppose to be used as an OS output but as you find, for people that like to use it for actual hardware it makes it useless without the adapter.

    Its what happens when engineers design products instead of musicians.

  • R_E_D
    R_E_D Member Posts: 25 Helper
    edited July 24

    Some dev could have skipped a coffee break all these years and implement a basic Shift+MIDI shortcut to switch between the two. There is literally no way around it. I am sure the commit note reads something like "This keyboard is so good, let's inject the worst UX idea on the surface of this planet: you have to literally plug/unplug cables to change modes, LOL. Don't you touch this!"

  • JesterMgee
    JesterMgee Member Posts: 2,110 Expert

    Could have also just been an option in the dedicated SETUP button along with several other useful options but what I have learned over the years, most of this stuff is not really designed with users needs in mind, it's almost always a catalyst to upsell into more products such as Kontakt instruments and expansion libraries. Making it actually work with other stuff is just not really the focus, that is left to users to figure out...

  • Perceptes
    Perceptes Member Posts: 3 Newcomer

    For anyone who comes across this thread, Matthew from NI confirmed that this still doesn't work even on the Kontrol S MK3: https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/95293#Comment_95293

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