Technical Report: Komplete Kontrol MK3 + Logic Pro DAW Mode UI Failure

FLaNEUR_Q · 2025-06-25T05:40:19+00:00

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FLaNEUR_Q

Author: FLaNEUR Q

Date: June 25, 2025

Device: Komplete Kontrol S49 MK3

OS: macOS Sequoia 15.5

DAW: Logic Pro X (latest version)

Issue Summary

When Komplete Kontrol S MK3 is used with Logic Pro, the controller frequently enters DAW mode with illuminated transport buttons but fails to display any UI elements, leaving knobs and screen entirely unresponsive. This occurs even though Logic recognizes the device, leading to false assumptions of hardware failure or software corruption.

Steps to Reproduce

1. Connect Komplete Kontrol MK3 to Mac via USB.

2. Launch Komplete Kontrol standalone app before Logic.

3. Close the standalone app.

4. Launch Logic Pro.

5. Logic automatically detects MK3 as a Control Surface and assigns its Input/Output ports to 'Main' by default.

6. DAW mode appears to activate (transport buttons light up), but:

- Display remains blank.

- Knobs/faders do not respond.

- Track/plugin data is not visible or editable.Technical Cause (Root Analysis)- Komplete Kontrol standalone app preemptively binds the 'Main' MIDI port.- Logic, upon auto-detection, registers MK3 as a Control Surface using this incorrect 'Main' port, not therequired 'DAW' port.

- As a result:

- DAW mode is visually activated.

- But communication fails

- UI remains frozen and knobs unresponsive.

Workaround (Confirmed Solution) Important: Changing ports in the assigned Control Surface after detection has no effect once the conflict has occurred.

Proper Recovery Steps:

1. In Logic Pro, go to: Logic Pro > Control Surfaces > Setup

2. Remove the existing Komplete Kontrol surface completely.

3. On the initial configuration popup, set:

- Input: Komplete Kontrol MK3 DAW

- Output: Komplete Kontrol MK3 DAW

5. Save and restart Logic.

This restores full functionality: DAW mode, screen display, parameter control, and transport sync.

Why This Should Be Addressed

- This is not a user error, but a system-level device conflict caused by:

- The standalone app preoccupying a port Logic later misassigns,

- Logic offering no warning or validation of the selected ports,

- No visible indication that communication with the MK3 is broken.

- Results in:

- Lost time,

- Confusion over possible hardware or driver failure,

- Frustration even for technically advanced users.

Recommendations to Native Instruments and/or Apple

1. Add a warning in Komplete Kontrol app when 'Main' port usage may interfere with DAW functionality.

2. Modify MK3 firmware or NI software to:

- Clearly prioritize DAW port for host DAW use.

- Allow Logic to auto-select correct port during detection.

3. In Logic:

- Offer validation when assigning a Control Surface (e.g., detect if DAW port is available).

- Include port assignment guidance during setup.

Community Relevance

- This issue is repeatedly reported online (NI forums, Reddit, user groups) but usually misattributed.

- Users often reinstall Logic, macOS, or reset MK3 firmware without resolution.

- The true root cause and reliable recovery path are poorly documented.

Final Note

We strongly urge Native Instruments and Apple to formally acknowledge and address this issue. This conflict is preventable through software improvements and better port management guidance.

By improving DAW port detection and initialization logic, both NI and Apple can eliminate hours of user frustration and restore trust in MK3-Logic integration.

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Comments

Mavros

Thank you for making the effort to write this complete analysis including the workaround solution.

Question now why there is complete silence for more than a week from the NI people?

Matthew_NI

It may be that you're actually experiencing the following:

Problem:
Some computer chipsets have a known USB-C error that can't be fixed. This can cause sporadic problems with USB-C peripherals like the Kontrol S MK3, including connection failures, freezing, or issues with firmware updates.

Solution:
If you experience these issues, try using a USB-C hub between your Kontrol S MK3 and your computer. This can help avoid the problem and ensure a stable connection. This is critically important during firmware updates, as data loss could cause broken firmware. Make sure the hub supports both power and data transfer.

I'm not totally sure if this would be the case with/for you, but the symptoms (like dropped connection needing to be re-established) certainly sound familiar. This is both outside of our control and the leading cause of customer issues.

Now of course, it may not be your issue. But worth a shot.

You didn't explicitly mention, but in addition to the above, I'd encourage you to undertake the following troubleshooting steps and see if it resolves things more permanently:

• Unplug your Kontrol MK3

• Open Audio MIDI Setup

• Within this, open MIDI Studio

• Select Kontrol MK3 and delete it

• Replug your Kontrol MK3 and turn it on (it will show up soon thereafter)

• Ensure you have installed the latest available versions of all of the following:

Komplete Kontrol 3
Kontakt 7 or 8 or both (whichever you use)
NI Hardware Connection Service
Kontrol S MK3 firmware
Logic Pro

• Open Logic Pro (Kontrol MK3 should still be plugged in and turned on)

• Navigate to Logic Pro > Control Surfaces > Rebuild Defaults

This reinitializes the configurations for compatible control surfaces within Logic, and usually helps resolve misconfigurations.

Please do give that a go. After all, what you're experiencing is not a typical experience for our Logic users (we'd have potentially tens to hundreds of thousands of support tickets if so). Hopefully this helps.

Full disclosure: I do not work on Kontrol products, and I'm not part of the support team. For additional follow up I'd recommend submitting a support ticket online, and reaching out to @Jeremy_NI here.

Matthew_NI

- Allow Logic to auto-select correct port during detection.

It does. Reinit should be your friend here.

Jeremy_NI

@FLaNEUR_Q Please note that it's probably not a bug. I can't reproduce it and this hasn't been reported as such. There is no need to change MIDI or DAW ports, all of this should be automatic.

So, before checking if the issue is coming from power, please check the following:

Make sure that all your apps are up to date, including the Hardware Connection Service.

Make sure that Komplete Kontrol, Logic and the Hardware Connection Service all have full disk access: How to Enable Full Disk Access on macOS

Since you're on Sequoia, there are a coupls of extra steps: How to grant audio apps access to your local network on macOS 15 Sequoia

If issue still occurs, then try the following: https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/how-to-reset-logic-pro-trash-preferences

If you are still experiencin,g issues, check with a USB C hub, as Matthew suggested and feel free to reach out here : https://bit.ly/NI_Support_All

Jeremy_NI

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/232834#Comment_232834

Even though we do help users on the forum whenever we can, this user forum is nt a substitute for support. We have a dedicated support section where you can contact our agents: https://bit.ly/NI_Support_All

Mavros

Thanks but this is a bit inconsistent as the Dorico forum also a Steinberg product definitely has a combined function. If an issue is more user specific they ask to create a support ticket or if it is a known or new general issue they indicate that work is done on it by the team. There are also examples in the Cubase forum of such response. This is helpful.

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