New Mac and NI compatibility without upgrading

ShibuyaRob
ShibuyaRob Member Posts: 15 Member
edited October 2024 in Other Software & Hardware

Hi, I'm pretty confused by the NI compatibility page.

I'm looking at buying a new Macbook Pro or Macbook Air.

I have NI Komplete Ultimate 12 and the Komplete Kontrol mk2 (49key).

How can I find out which Mac I could purchase that is compatible with my NI set up or, what NI I would need to upgrade depending on the Mac I choose?

Best Answers

Answers

  • PoorFellow
    PoorFellow Moderator Posts: 5,334 mod
    Answer ✓

    Personally I think that N.I. would refer you to the :

    Compatibility of Native Instruments Products on macOS : https://support.native-instruments.com/hc/en-us/articles/360014900358-Compatibility-of-Native-Instruments-Products-on-macOS

    and the :

    macOS 14 Sonoma Compatibility Statement : https://support.native-instruments.com/hc/en-us/articles/13671802084765-macOS-14-Sonoma-Compatibility-Statement

    I am sure though that a lot of those using Macs personally might have more information for you so let us just hope that they spot your thread ! 🙂

  • ShibuyaRob
    ShibuyaRob Member Posts: 15 Member

    @PoorFellow

    Thanks, yes, I had of course read these. I feel this is a complicated subject by its very nature. From what I understand, NI are not upto date with apple's latest Macs /OS. Therefore anyone buying a new Mac would either not be able to run most of the latest NI suite of software or hardware out of the box, let alone run older NI software and devices such as mine.

    I doubt many customers buying a new mac would immediately want to downgrade the OS.

    I guess this is a case of NI getting up to speed which could take some time. Oddly though, when I bought my current Mac and NI products, they were compatible out of the box.

    I do think the way NI are explaining this could be improved. Some kind of interface would help customers in my opinion e.g. I type in the NI products I have and the interface tells me what Mac OS and MAC device versions are compatible, while also recommending what to upgrade by means of purchase from NI.

    Just my opinion.

  • reffahcs
    reffahcs Member Posts: 848 Guru
    https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/135316#Comment_135316

    I think the issue you're going to have is running legacy software on a modern machine.

    Questions I have based on your post:

    What version of Native Access is required to download and install Komplete Ultimate 12? People have asked about Guitar Rig 5 and NI has basically said it's no longer available.

    What version of Kontact is capable of running libraries that come with 12? Is that version of Kontakt compatible with a newer Mac platform (ie ARM) and is it compatible with the latest MacOS.

    If not, is it possible to run an older version of NI software on a modern Mac OS. Where would I obtain an older more compatible version.

    These are just a few of the dozen or so questions I have if I was in your situation.

  • ShibuyaRob
    ShibuyaRob Member Posts: 15 Member

    Yep, agreed. This should be simple to figure out though, although I would add, and to reiterate, NI latest products don't seem to be up to date, let alone versions like mine.

    Do you know how to ask NI directly? I've done this before with an issue I was having but can't recall how.

    If only there was a chat function...

  • Vocalpoint
    Vocalpoint Member Posts: 2,998 Expert
    edited February 2024

    @ShibuyaRob

    "NI latest products don't seem to be up to date, let alone versions like mine."

    To be fair - we are on Komplete 14 now (not 12) so your version is what is holding you back.

    If you want to purchase a new machine and not upgrade your software - you should be basing your choice around what is best to run Komplete 12 and forget trying to be "current"

    From what I can see - Sonoma remains a minefield for not just NI - but many vendors. If you are insistent on getting new Mac - the smart play is probably making sure it will run Ventura - where you should be able to get back to work with little hassle factor.

    VP

  • PoorFellow
    PoorFellow Moderator Posts: 5,334 mod
    https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/135351#Comment_135351

    I will put your question on a list that I am compiling of issues for review this very moment to forward to an NI employee but since I am just Moderator and I do not work for N.I. then all I can do is to put in a request (which does not mean that the person will have the time to come by here !)

  • reffahcs
    reffahcs Member Posts: 848 Guru
    https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/135351#Comment_135351

    It might work, but if you have to run old versions of NI software in Rosetta mode then to me that's kinda defeating the purpose of getting a new laptop, unless you're planning on upgrading your Komplete version during the next sale.

  • ShibuyaRob
    ShibuyaRob Member Posts: 15 Member

    Hi, all. I'm not ruling our upgrading NI software at some point, I won't be upgrading the keyboard though.

    I'm not in a rush to do anything, but eventually will need to buy a new mac. Nothing lasts forever, right?

    I'm certainly not interested in having the latest versions of everything for the sake of it. Just investigating options given what I have now vs what I'd need in the future so I can keep creating.

    I don't think I'll be alone in thinking about these issues. Anyone starting out from scratch would be trying to figure out what to do.

    Personally I won't be downgraded the OS on a new Mac or running in Rosetta mode when I do take the plunge. Just my choice.

    Poor fellow much appreciated, a response from NI would be good.

  • Jeremy_NI
    Jeremy_NI Customer Care Posts: 13,200 mod
    Answer ✓

    @ShibuyaRob Komplete 12 or 14 are just bundles of products and we'll always offer the latest versions of these products through Native Access. All our products are not yet officially supported on Sonoma but most of them work anyway.

  • ShibuyaRob
    ShibuyaRob Member Posts: 15 Member

    @Jeremy_NI Thanks for message. Are there any timescales for official support on Sonama for all products? Would the mark 2 keyboard work, albeit unofficially?

  • Jeremy_NI
    Jeremy_NI Customer Care Posts: 13,200 mod
    Answer ✓

    @ShibuyaRob I don't have a date at the moment, there are many products. There were no reports of issues with our MK2 keyboards.

  • reffahcs
    reffahcs Member Posts: 848 Guru
    Answer ✓
    https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/136049#Comment_136049

    Thanks for clarifying this and welcome back.

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