S61 Mk3 bricked by firmware update

Chris Cologne

As i said, the firmware update was no problem on the Mac of my colleague with the original cable. No problems, connection was stable.

Back home i was trying to connect it to my Windows system also with the original cable. But it's not working.

Tried a cheap cable from my smartphone and tatdaaa...i am connected.

Don't understand it, but perhabs the cable is the problem. I will buy a better one now.

lucantastic

For what it's worth, I've had the same issue, and I believe the updater software simply does not prevent the Mac (in my case) from going into sleep mode, as it should have by any common sense.

Power goes out during update, the keyboard gets bricked.

I'm sending mine back today, dealing with a lot of frustration, and will hope to get a replacement soon. Then, I'll make sure I have all possible power backups in place, instead of relying solely on the USB-C connection.

Damn.

pascalve

Same thing for me.I receive my S61 today and I Tried to start it but the keyboard is not resetting. On the computer the keyboard can be found in the updater but it shows firmware 0.0.0.1 and when i try to update it i get an error -2 And my display now stay white

Chris Cologne

It now works very well for me. The problem for me was a defective USB port on the Mainboard. It had a loose contact, which caused the firmware update to fail.

I was unable to solve the problem on various Windows PCs. The update only ran without problems on a colleague's Mac and then the keyboard could be found again on the Windows PCs.

So it wasn't the cable in my case, but the USB port. I replaced the mainboard today and since then it has been running without any problems.

Of course, if you don't have a Mac available, it's stupid. No idea why the problem with the 0.0.0.1 firmware cannot be solved under Windows.

What was strange, however, is that it also didn't work with the USB-A ports on my old mainboard (MSI Mortar B450M) with an additional power supply. They had no problems as far as I know. 

Well, now it works. And feels pretty great. The keyboard and Kontakt software controls are great, even if I'm missing some features for my other plug-ins and enough ports for external hardware.

Milkman

A loose motherboard USB riser - that didnt reveal itself until the new keyboard tried to update firmware? Weird. I suppose that's plausible though ehh.

I think my decision to go with novation's 61SL MK3 was probably me dodging a bullet. The poly AT thing as well as larger screens was important to me, but I think overall the direction the brand is going in indicates I should probably move on. Jürgen Moßgraber here I cooooome! 😁

Good luck with all the "AI" tools and sampler instruments, etc, friends. Ill check back at some point, perhaps to verify when its time to air-gap my workstation to stop native access from EOL'ing my products some day, lol.

Chris Cologne

I hadn't used the USB-C port before, so I never noticed it. Since the problems seem to occur more frequently, there are probably many things that come together. As already mentioned, it didn't work with the USB-A ports on the old board either.

After the change, at least everything works.

I switched from an MSI Mortar b450m to a b650m

Kymeia

For Mac users a powered hub is recommended- would the hub built into my Apple Studio Display be sufficient? It is powered

BIF

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/105960#Comment_105960

"I think my decision to go with novation's 61SL MK3 was probably me dodging a bullet."

Yeah, I'm always on the hunt...The MK3 does look very nice.

Darthpanda

Just got mine today (S61 MK3 $850). Same thing happened as OP. 1Glad I bought from Amazon. Returns are easy. What a disappointment. My first NI product and not finding an easy way to contact support, this will be my last. Back to Roland

tejeguitar

Received my S49 mk3 a few days ago as well, and happened the same as stated here: updater error 2 and a damn white screen on my kontrol keyboard... I've tried changing ports, cables and all that. Even with different computers, but still happening the same issue.

I've sent a ticket a couple days ago, but I am quite hopeless, frankly... And quite pissed as well. Like, dude, why would you put out on the market a non properly tested item (hardawre-software)? I mean: it is not a cheap purchase by any means. What I am suposed to do now? Wait until they feel like replying to my ticket (after days or weeks of waiting) and see what type of automatic or stupid answer they come up to ("try changing ports, try using another computer...")? I am fcked, as I have bought it straight from their website, and good luck to me returning that useless keyboard...

Anyone resolved the issue apart from having another keyboard sent to them?

Thanks in advance, and excuse my manners, as I am not in the mood after troubleshooting for countless hours... And specially having bought that keyboard expecting it to work properly without serious issues...

Expat

My S88 Mk3 started with the firmware problem. With NI help, that got fixed (they sent me the right driver). However even with the right firmware it does not work at all usefully. They were very helpful with ideas to solve the problem, to no avail. They eventually suggested that I return it and get my money back.”I will put you in touch with the appropriate department”. Since when silence. Meanwhile I have been forced to purchase a second hand Mk2 to continue my work. But I am really out of pocket. HOW DO GET MY MONEY BACK AND AND RETURN THIS USELESS PRODUCT?

BIF

@tejeguitar and @Expat

Please tell us the exact model of computer you are using.

If it's a computer that you built yourself, please tell us what motherboard you have installed, which CPU, and whether or not you are connecting USBC directly to the KK MK3 keyboard, or if you are using a hub. If using a hub, can you provide us a model number?

Sorry to be nosy, asking about device model numbers and so forth. But I assure you, there is a method to my madness.

Thanks in advance!

Oh, and if you REALLY REALLY still want to send your MK3 back to NI, you will probably need to open a ticket and get an RMA # as well as shipping address information.

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