S3 MK3 output volume master low, and low headphone volume

Stefano1604
Stefano1604 Member Posts: 3 Newcomer
in Traktor Software & Hardware

Good evening I have an S3 MK3 I took it back after a month for a family event and as I assembled everything I realized that it didn't work as before, low headphone volume I had to keep it at maximum (never happened) and during the evening I had trouble hearing in the headphones and I had to keep the master at maximum but it didn't work as before I had to act on the gain which I had never done before. The output power supply measures 12 v. Help thanks Stefano sorry for my english but i use translator

Answers

  • Quade
    Quade Member Posts: 248 Advisor

    An Active Thread Of Mine

    https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/150/traktor-kontrol-s3-low-audio-output-problem

  • respoda
    respoda Member Posts: 13 Member

    EXACT same issue here with a brand new Kontrol S4 mk3, only 2 months old. Used to sound very clean, crisp and loud, started clipping already at less than 50% main volume. Now i have to crank the master to 100% and it still doesn't clip, the bass is almost gone and it sounds noticeably more shallow and thin. I made a support ticket for a repair but I don't know if it's a HW or SW issue…this thing cost me 850 euros and have only used it on and off for two months. Haven't even used it more than ten fifteen times. I mean ******???

  • Quade
    Quade Member Posts: 248 Advisor
    https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/195162#Comment_195162

    Morning

    Unfortunately not, I highly doubt that it's Hardware related. it is more revolved around the software and the Dev Coding.

    They have released firmware back in 2022 which clearly indicates that it's not hardware-related but rather software coding.

    I have Cc'd the NI team recently but no response from them. I doubt that they will even consider looking further into this. I am using the unit from time to time.

    I am actually waiting for a Pitch slider for my Pioneer DDJ-T1 DJ Controller. I plan on using that unit again because having to abuse the volume level so excessively, it's unreal.

    Anyway, You may keep an eye on this task, perhaps bookmark it and you will receive a notification on any comments here.

    Thanks for your reply.

    Warm Regards

  • respoda
    respoda Member Posts: 13 Member

    Hi mate, thanks for your response. But with respect to any kind of outside or inside knowledge you may have, it worked for weeks without any further updates, then suddenly it doesn't. In my case also the sound quality has gone to ****, sounds like a cheap cassette player with too much treble, no lows and harsh mids. That's not normal mate and sounds rather like a soundcard or amplifier issue. I've heard that kind of power-stage failures before and it sounds eerily like that. Which is weird because to my knowledge, the device has never once been overloaded at all. I'll check updates and drivers again but tmk they are up to date and have been for some time.

  • Quade
    Quade Member Posts: 248 Advisor
    https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/195180#Comment_195180

    No problems at all. Appreciate your feedback.

    Upon the firmware release, they increased the volume DB, Worked for a short, and now I am back to square one, the same boat you currently rocking in.

    Now there is total silence with this thread and you are not the only individual who has complained about this issue. I have referred this thread as a link to all those in the community who expressed their frustration regarding this unit and its poor audio output quality.

    I highly doubt that the NI Team will be looking into this task.

  • respoda
    respoda Member Posts: 13 Member

    They will have to look into my case because i filed for a repair or exchange, otherwise i want my money back. You mention a firmware change? My firmware has been up to date since the date of purchase and until yesterday the unit played fine, then suddenly the sound has gone to *** while i haven't even used it more than ten or fifteen times in two months. There has been NO change to this unit, not software nor hardware-wise so it can hardly be a coding error, then i would have had the issue from day one, not two months later. Everything is up to date, there has been no driver update, no software update and no firmware update since i purchased it, and everything worked when it got installed. Must be hardware, at least in my case. So perhaps it isn't the same issue as you are having.

  • lord-carlos
    lord-carlos Member Posts: 3,580 Expert

    This thread is about the s3, if you have issues with the s4 mk3 it's probably a different cause.

  • Quade
    Quade Member Posts: 248 Advisor

    I do hope this information is useful

    Quote regarding the Firmware update

    "Hey @Quade ! Hope you've been well. Thanks for getting back, and thanks for your patience - we've been waiting on some updates.

    it sounds like the firmware update should be released soon, but I know we've already said this a few times.. also, just to set some expectations on what would *most likely* be expected in this next update release, would be the following:

    Finally, after 4.5 months, we have new firmware that will hopefully soon be released to the public:

    • S2 MK3 old MCU version
    • S3 old MCU version

    In addition, the new MCU firmware will be available for newly made controllers:

    • S2 MK3 new MCU version
    • S3 new MCU version

    All firmware will have the new main and headphone volume profile and the correct headphone signal polarity.

    This doesn't mean, necessarily, that there will be a louder output volume. And this is something that I might have misinterpreted, and I apologize for that. It's my understanding the firmware update will address some issues with how linear the volume curve is for the Main Out. Here is some more of what I've heard:

    • There is nothing we can do to increase the volume of class 2 devices beyond their specification (ie. S2 MK3 / S3)
    • another aspect of this is that the S2/S3 can be used with TRAKTOR or with other SW.
    • With TRAKTOR the output volume is fully controlled via the Volume knob on the S2/S3.
    • With other SW using the class-compliant drivers, the maximum volume is also controlled via the computer's volume setting. So if there are complaints, some may be related to users ignoring that the computer's volume setting is limiting the max volume output in their specific constellation.

    I really appreciate your patience through this, and I hope this brings a little bit of clarity. Let me know if you have any questions."

    Mac OS

    https://www.native-instruments.com/fileadmin/drivers/audiohardware/TKS3_FWUpdater_120_Mac.zip

    Windows

    https://www.native-instruments.com/fileadmin/drivers/audiohardware/TKS3_FWUpdater_120_Win.zip

    Firmware Update Info

    https://www.native-instruments.com/?eID=extbase&extensionName=NiServiceCenter&pluginName=niservicecenter&controllerName=Download&actionName=readme&entry=4627

  • respoda
    respoda Member Posts: 13 Member
    https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/195188#Comment_195188

    Hi, apologies, I see now in the title that I misread it as an S4 issue. Then indeed my hunch would be correct that I'm having another issue, likely hardware related since the software has worked fine since purchase.

    Still waiting for response to my ticket…

    Hope yours issue will get solved.

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