Traktor Pro 4 with Xone K2 issue.

Siasia

Hi everyone,
Below is the content of the email I sent to A&H support. Maybe someone is experiencing similar issues?

I have been a user of Xone K2 controllers since 2015 and, since 2017, also of the Px5 mixer. The equipment is constantly with me on the road, and I practically use it every weekend for my performances. Over several years of use, I struggled with many hardware problems, but over a year ago, after switching to a USB-only setup, my gear started working without any issues.At the end of July this year, I bought a new MacBook Air M3 with macOS 14.5 (previously, I used an Air with an i3 processor). I also upgraded to the new Traktor Pro 4 (previously Pro 3). The equipment is connected similarly to my previous setup, meaning: the mixer is plugged directly into the USB-C port of the laptop, and the other USB port on the laptop is connected to a hub with 3 USB-A 3.0 ports, to which I have connected: one K2 controller, the second K2 controller (both with firmware v2.5.0), and the Maschine MK3.

During my first performance using the new computer and software, I encountered a problem with one of the controllers three times over the course of six hours of playing. It would randomly shut off and stop responding to any commands. Only after unplugging it and reconnecting did it start working again. For several more gigs, everything worked flawlessly until last weekend, when after about two hours of playing, one of the controllers again stopped working. Despite disconnecting and reconnecting it, the problem kept recurring every few minutes, which was extremely frustrating.

In my old setup, such things were common when I used the X-link connection between the controllers and the mixer. However, when I switched to a USB-only connection, the problem completely disappeared. That’s why I’m worried that the issue has returned now, even with the USB connection.

I should add that the problem always occurs with just one of the controllers, always the one that has the MIDI channel set to 1. I noticed that the hub I am using only has 3.0 ports. In my old setup, I used 2.0 ports. Could this be causing the problem? I’m frustrated with the situation and hoping to find a solution.

Stevan

I recon it is a HUB issue. Do you have acces to a different HUB that you could try out?

I'd also try connecting first (problematic) on directly to USB (no HUB) and second one via the LINK cable to see if the issue can be duplicated in that way.

Siasia

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/184386#Comment_184386

I’ve just bought a hub with USB 2.0 ports and will be testing it. However, I’m afraid the tests might not reveal anything. As I mentioned earlier, the issue occurred at the first and last event. For two months of playing, nothing went wrong. So there’s no other option but to test it during gigs, which is obviously not ideal because while playing, you’re constantly wondering if something will stop working at any moment.

I’ll also try the solution you suggested, but if that works, I wouldn’t have a way to connect my fourth device, which is the Maschine.

lord-carlos

Pretty sure USB 3.0 ports are USB 2.0 compatible. Getting a hub with just 2.0 might just mean it's … old?

But could still be that your current hub has a problem. Is it a powered hub? (One with an external power supply)

Cable could also be a potential culpit.

Siasia

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/184406#Comment_184406

Of course, a hub with 3.0 ports should work without any issues with devices supporting 2.0, as is the case with the K2 controller. I’m using passive hubs. I’m also considering going back to my old setup. Specifically, when I first started playing with this setup (PX5 + 2xK2), my connection method was based on X-Link. However, after some time, problems started with the controller disconnecting. At that point, I tested all possible combinations of controller order, cables, and other potential factors. I solved the problem back then by powering the controllers using USB cables connected to a power strip. This method worked for several years, but later I tried connecting via USB only to reduce the number of cables, and that worked great until I changed laptops and Traktor versions. Traktor Pro 4 still doesn’t have official support for the M3 processor. The M4 processors are set to be released this year. What does NI have to say about that?”