Komplete Kontrol S61 MK3 firmware update

mchbox

Hello All,

Just want to share my experience and hint that might help to go smoothly throught the firmware update - I tried all options from another article, additional USB-C power adapter and so on - nothing helped, but only one small thing resolved the problems:

• I have used brand new USB-C cable, high speed and high quality with power delivery

The new cable resolved all problems and the update was just 3 - 5 minutes for the first go.

My mistake was that I assumed that the USB-C host cable that came with the instrument was the one I needed to use for the firmware update - but this cable seems to be poor quality and it was randomly failing during the update. Just the new cable resolved everything.

What is interesting that I'm using a Native Instruments brand USB-C host cable for normal operation, and it works fine, but it's not good for firmware updates.

Just consider this and try another cable…

BIF

Don't forget, even though USB-C is ostensibly able to be plugged in either way, the internal connections don't necessarily go straight through the cable to the other end.

I know, because I get different lights between the two ends of a USB-C cable when plugged into a cable tester. Flipping one end changes some of those lights to a different sequence.

I don't know how or why this is, but it is.

I have never had trouble using the included NI cable to do my firmware updates. But then again, I was using that NI cable plugged into a USB-C unpowered hub, which was plugged into a USB-C extension cable and into the motherboard's USB-C port.

Today, I'm plugged into a Thunderbolt 4 hub which is plugged into a TB4 card in my computer. The cables between my card and the hub are USB-C, so it won't count as Thunderbolt (and I can't run video through it).

But I plan to use this configuration for the next firmware update, whenever it arrives. We will see if that works.

oobe79

Everyone should better familiarize themself with USB. USB is way more complicated than it should be. The truth is, standards matter. But, cables rarely display their specification. People assume that the only difference between cables and ports are the connector types: A, B, andC, as well as micro-USB type A and micro-USB type B. However, this is not true at all. In addition, length of cable also seriously matters. And even more, the type (and length) of cable you run matters dramatically depending on whether or not you are running both data and power over the USB cable, or only transmitting data over the cable. All of these details matter.

oysterhead

@mchbox The question still remains: is your issue a matter of a broken USB-C cable, or is the issue with “all” USB-C cables included with the Kontrol S-Series?

I’d like to see an official Native Instruments response on this. They should confirm whether the included cable is potentially a source of trouble at least as far as the software update is concerned. This confirmation should be based on actual testing, not just “the cable manufacturer told us it’s ok” because apparently it might not be. However, I’m not jumping to conclusions based on the experience of one single user.

I recently purchased an S61 Mk3 and ran the firmware update without any issue, using the included USB-C cable to connect the keyboard and a MacBook Pro M1 (direct connection between keyboard and computer). So I’m not convinced that all included cables have an issue. However, thanks to the OP for sharing their experience.

A special room in Hell is reserved for those that maintain the USB “standard”. I’m told the lock to that room’s door doesn’t have a key that fits.

DunedinDragon

I pretty much circumvented all of these problems by having a separate power supply for my S88MK3, so my cable for upgrades is my existing normal USB connection.