MK3 Keyboard S61 freezing when going from DAW to BROWSE

johnstep55

My MKS S61 is freezing when I go from daw mode to browse mode. I can't control any volume or anything else. I have a Mac Studio with the M2 chip. I'm starting to think these keyboards are not for the public. I had a difficult time installing the firmware update. I'm using logic ProX. Any help would be appreciated.

zentrain

Problem solved (I think) I tried a couple of USB hubs -- one of them worked without power but did not solve the problem. I then tried the S61 USB C cable in the first USB C port (far left port on the back of my Mac Mini) and everything seems to be stable. I worked last night, using multiple NI, Arturia and Spitfire instruments and the S61 didn't crash and need to be restarted.

Hopefully it will remain as is -- curious as to why a different port would solve the problem?

PoorFellow

The amount of issues with the Kontrol S Series MK3 considered then you should contact support both to make support aware of the issue , be that with MAC , Logic Pro X or whatever , and of course for yourself to have the best chance to have the issue solved , though there will be a wait of at least some time while the issue gets investigated and maybe hopefully fixed : https://support.native-instruments.com/hc/en-us

@Martin_NI , Noticed that you are around (roaming the forum 😉) , the above appear as could need your attention and your skills !

reffahcs

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/18209/mk3-keyboard-s61

Are you by chance using the factory supplied USB cable? I have a M2 Mac Studio as well and had similar issues with the controls not working and other weird issues. Thought it was a firmware thing so I tried to update, but that kept failing too. I swapped to the USB cable that came with the Ableton Push 3 and then my MK3 started working fine. Also I'm using one of the front two tbolt ports on the Mac.

johnstep55

Yes, I'm using the factor cable. It's funny that you would mention that because I had to use a different USB-C cable to install the firmware update. I will try it and let you know how that works.

Thanks

Jeremy_NI

@johnstep55 Did you make it work? We made an article to cover these issues: Kontrol S-Series MK3: Avoiding Connection Issues by Using the Right USB-C Hubs and Cables

noumansaeed

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/105027#Comment_105027

Let me try out this one too.

Thanks buddy.

Matthew_NI

The most reliable workaround is to use a USB-C hub instead of the direct USB-C input on your machine.

This bypasses some inconsistent issues USB-C ports on certain machines may have, which affect peripherals such as ours.

Changing the cable may be a clue, but not a reliable long term solution.

zentrain

Having the same issue - brand new S61 using cubase 13. Mac Mini m1.

I just tried using mac usb c hub. It won't power up the keyboard. Do I need to buy a power supply when going through a hub?

My keyboard freezes up randomly. Or at least I have not found a consistent flow that does it.

The komplete kontril software on my Mac M1 still works and I can still play notes, but the keyboard gets stuck in daw mode (which still enables me to record and control my faders).

I'm using NI, Arturia and Spitfire instruments.

At a loss as to what I should do.

Jeremy_NI

@zentrain Yes, if the hub does not offer power and data, the best option is to buy an external power supply, please use a USB-C power supply (5 V, 7.5 W or higher, 1.5 A or higher) with its own USB-C cable. These are the specs for a regular USB-C charger that you might have along with your smartphone.

FRom that artclie: Kontrol S-Series MK3: "You're low on power. Please connect a USB-C power supply"

Matthew_NI

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/110873#Comment_110873

The randomness is VERY suggestive of the issue I described. For which the fix is a USB-C hub. It should provide enough power, but you can try a USB-C charger for auxiliary power if not.

zentrain

Problem solved (I think) I tried a couple of USB hubs -- one of them worked without power but did not solve the problem. I then tried the S61 USB C cable in the first USB C port (far left port on the back of my Mac Mini) and everything seems to be stable. I worked last night, using multiple NI, Arturia and Spitfire instruments and the S61 didn't crash and need to be restarted.

Hopefully it will remain as is -- curious as to why a different port would solve the problem?

Matthew_NI

You may find the problem occurs on that port also, at random.

The only reliable workaround if such an issue occurs is to use a USB-C hub.

Note the post I just made here: https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/111829/#Comment_111829