'nother 'feature' to contend with - Firmware popup

Mister Hayman

Well I think after over a decade+ its time I parted company with all things Native Instruments.

I find myself having to disable anti-virus and switch off my external comms, just to pander : this was NI's official response to constant lockups at Live shows. No NI logging exists for one thing, which is fairly unacceptable. Literally EVERYTHING can be coded to write to the Event Viewer system these days … maybe its because they still rely on C++ which would need a zimmer frame to trundle along in modern OS and hardware environments these days ;)

So this Sat gone, I did the usual thing where I have to turn up 2 hours before a gig (unpaid btw) to set up, in case an NI element throws a wobbler. Did a perfect sound check and shut everything down for my gig start time laters - everything was connected and working fine, and left connected.

So at gig start time imagine my rage when a see a popup for an S2 firmware upgrade. From memory it said to go on NI's website - no direct link was offered - I obvs didn't have time for all that faff (remember now: I'm not connected to the internet and anti-virus is switched off … so just imagine the hassle).

Today I'm at home updating and scanning me gigging laptop and guess what: there is no pop up. Looks like the last firmware update for the S2 (MK3) was 2022 and I'm uber strict with NI updates. Plus Native Access would be flagging any updates.

Just "one of those things" ??? which might be fair in an non-cumulative issues environment…

So why should I bother continuing with NI products? Especially as I've not met one other DJ that uses NI products in my entire DJ career. I started in the 80s as vinyl rock and metal DJ and didn't know any digital DJs when I started out in that arena (I have a benign tremor in my left hand that limits what I can do with vinyl). I have probs come into contact with 50+ digital DJs, and most have sniggered at my NI set up .. I no longer have the faith or energy to stand up for it anymore .. yes I know … Carl Cox … blah blah .. its jut not enough lolz.

And by the way its pronounced "MARK THREE" not bloomin "M K THREE" grrr… lolzzz.