S88MK3 Sends Midi to plugin and DAW, but that's it. No browser. No Daw or transport. Plz halp. 🥲

Excited2LearnHappy4NI

Okay. So.

I started off with a unit (S88 MK3) that didn't want to connect right out of the box. It ended up showing up as a corrupted device connection and wouldn't show up as a named device in device manager, which also meant it wouldn't trigger a firmware update in the MK3Updater. I'm unsure as to whether or not this initial attempt at installing this hardware has put corrupt files on my machine that have made this process harder than it should be? After a few hours of staring at the serial key screen on the mk3 and pouring pages of support forums I determined I might have a dud, reading what support was telling other people I brought it back to the store where after a few minutes of grilling me sure it was user error, the techs confirmed it didn't want to connect and replaced it. We update firmware of the new in store floor unit on their Mac (possibly relevant?), bring it home and try again.

I have an older windows 10 desktop with a 7 o 8ish year old crosshair hero motherboard, It's my main rig and where I have all my music stuff installed. I also have a newer Intel laptop I've used for testing. When first bringing the new board in, I first confirmed what appears to be full functionality on the laptop, just as it seemed to work in store, unfortunately all my stuff is installed on my desktop and I'd really rather get that working as intended there as my studio was built around the desktop.

On the desktop side, the MK3 refuses to move past the default midi template page, midi WILL send to Komplete or Ableton AND I can play the keys and make some noise and all... but any deeper browser integration or daw controls, any buttons, all dark and locked out. I'm assuming some kinda corruption issues or USB communication breakdown as I've tested using multiple USB C hubs, powered and non and have multiple fast, high power data cables. I've reinstalled and updated: Hardware Connection Service, controller editor, Komplete and Kontakt a couple times. Updated windows, grabbed a minor update specifically meant for the Mk3 via windows update.

The device shows up now as an S88 MK3 in windows device manager and Ableton sees it as a controller in the Preferences>Midi page, but within Komplete or Kontakt ... though it shows up in the midi page within Edit>Preferences, it refuses to show up in the Controller/Devices menus of those plugins. The option is grayed out like all the other currently disconnected hardware options, even though again, in standalone plug in mode it both sees it in the preferences/midi tab and can trigger notes/sound??? And again, no browser or GUI available on the 88 MK3

Using it with the provided cable going directly into the c port on the back of my motherboard causes a series of connection and disconnection noises. It seems most direct C to C connections do the same. Using a hub, whether powered or not, the connection appears to stabilize and connects in one go, but again. Only as bare bones midi input. No deeper integration available. As a note, the board also seems to crash my computer more consistently when attempting a direct connection. A few times in this process it resulted in a blue screen... Not really much since. But thought it was worth mentioning.

Any advice whatsoever? Any direction? Should I have fully wiped the driver before trying the new board? Did I miss a file in some buried folder that screws with something? Is there a registry check or something screwing with an install? What am I missing here. 🤞😅✌️ I have a MK2 that I've loved for years but smashed a couple keys on accidentally earlier this year. Couldn't get it repaired so I've been genuinely looking forward to this replacement for a while. 🥲 Any help would be greatly appreciated. Can always spit out more details. 🤞🙏🥹

Matthew_NI

I would suggest opening a support ticket so that full troubleshooting can take place.

Also ensure you have the latest version of Ableton installed.

DunedinDragon

In Komplete Kontrol you need to have your keyboard configured under Edit/Preferences/MIDI like this:

In order for it to show up under Controller and not be greyed out and therefore detectable by your DAW.

Excited2LearnHappy4NI

I've already done that as you yourself have seen from my screenshots on my other post. I would appreciate not having to troubleshoot all the same steps with the same person. 🙏🥲

Matthew_NI

I would suggest opening a support ticket so that full troubleshooting can take place.

Also ensure you have the latest version of Ableton installed.

Excited2LearnHappy4NI

Can I get a staff members help? Do I have to directly @Jeremy_NI or something? 🥲😅

Excited2LearnHappy4NI

Okay. Things have been shuffled around a bit since I last used support. How do I open a ticket these days?

That said and considered, the same behavior exhibits itself when using the standalone plug ins, so I don't think it's strictly an Ableton issue.

Matthew_NI

https://support.native-instruments.com/hc/en-us/articles/360014498698-How-to-contact-NI-Support