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long-term compatibility

Jean Vdb

Hello,

I was wondering if Native guarantees that the keyboards will remain usable over time?

Let me explain: I have an MK1 keyboard with Komplete 11 Ultimate, but it’s now become obsolete on Mac. I’m looking to switch to a second-hand MK2 or MK3 (though the MK3 is a bit too expensive for me, and the A series puts me off a bit because of the lack of a display and the light keys). But I don’t want to go through the same thing again… At those prices, I simply can’t afford it.

have a nice day

Jean

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Comments

raphaël_

given the current situation NI is in, it is not possible to predict anything about whats to come in the future.
you could wait until the preliminary insolvency situation is "over" and then decide.

in the meantime, save up for a new or used MK3 keyboard, because its the best midi keyboard i've ever used and totally worth it.

Vocalpoint

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/50332/long-term-compatibility

No such thing as a "lifetime" warranty for a S-Series keyboard.

You get a standard warranty at purchase and then you are on your own after that.

This is standard with most consumer goods.

Also - regarding your MK1 - lots of "current" Mac users continue to use the MK1 (specifically with Komplete Kontrol v2.9.6) so I am not sure what you mean by "obsolete".

PoorFellow

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/50332/long-term-compatibility

I was wondering if Native guarantees that the keyboards will remain usable over time?

Since the functionality that you refer to is OS dependent then no company can guarantee that you can keep using your devices for ever.

As for the actual use of the MK1 then I am no expert in neither keyboards nor OS , but to the extend that you can get the last supported version of Komplete Kontrol to function on your OS then you can use the keyboard - as VocalPoint wrote. With respect to the Komplete 11 Ultimate then it is possible that as you write that some of the software is not compatible with newest Mac hardware/OS , you can check compatibility here : Compatibility of Native Instruments Products on macOS . As far as I know then generally then NI only support latest three Mac OS.

If you buy one of the new NI keyboards , S-Series MK3 , then I personally would guess that unless it breaks before then you can use the keyboard for maybe a maximum of 10 years but no one can guarantee that.

Also as suggested by someone else then though we expect that N.I. survives one way or the other then the present 'Preliminary Insolvency situation' would need to be solved.

Jean Vdb

OK, and thanks to everyone.

If I update from Komplete 11 Ultimate to the Komplete 15 and use the latest Apple updates, will my MK1 keyboard still work?

At the moment, I’m having quite a few issues with Komplete Kontrol.
Some VSTs work with Komplete Kontrol and others don’t. However, the VSTs that don’t work with Komplete Kontrol do work with Kontakt, but without the keyboard connection.

PoorFellow

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/258653#Comment_258653

If I update from Komplete 11 Ultimate to the Komplete 15 and use the latest Apple updates, will my MK1 keyboard still work?

The keyboard will only work with Komplete Kontrol 2.9.6 for mac / Komplete Kontrol 2.9.6 for Windows and with what works with that version of Komplete Kontrol , other users that use KK2.9.6 will have to chime in here since I do not use that. Ref. : Kontrol S-Series MK1 EOL discussion

However, the VSTs that don’t work with Komplete Kontrol do work with Kontakt, but without the keyboard connection.

Yes, for direct connection between Kontakt 7/8 and keyboard then you would need a S-Series MK3 keyboard. And for using the MK3 you need Komplete Kontrol 3.x.x

JesterMgee

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/258653#Comment_258653

Do you mean some instruments work with kontakt and not in KK? Kontakt does not host VSTs so would be Kontakt libraries however, within KK they still load in Kontakt within KK so should work the same, only difference may be the setting to se the latest available version you have installed of kontakt or not.

Set a realistic expectation that you will be able to use a hardware product from NI for approx 8 years after it is no longer sold. Usually macOS will impose limits on how much longer harware can function IF you also want to update the OS since it inherently ties in obsolescence of all hardware through forced developer support with every OS update so once hardware is no longer supported in updates, drivers will eventually fail to install on a new macOS release. Windows seldom hhas that issue so usually can support older hardware almost indefinitelly as long as drivers can be supported.

Any hardware that relies on a computer will be destine to eventually be incompatible without maintaining a compatible environment for it, just how this world is now, disposable and all you really do is rent that hardware for 10 odd years at max with no chance for resale like old synth hardware…

Kubrak

I am not an Apple fan, but problems with MK1 are due to not support by NI, not because of Apple or MS…

NI has decided not to support MK1 in newer versions of Komplete Kontrol SW and Maschine SW. That decision goes after NI, not after Apple/MS. And that causes the problems that follow…

And NI has decided so just few years after end of sale of pricey S88 MK1…. :-( My S88 MK1.

JesterMgee

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/258946#Comment_258946

It's a tandem thing and the way Apple have designed it but NI did drop support in KK v3 completely for the MK1 making it obsolete in the process…

10 years is a product support cycle where a developer will pull support for the drivers, Apple enforce this with their updates that once a dev has dropped support the OS will likely also fail to support it due to the software/drivers not able to be installed on new OS releases. It is a way to ensure things stay current even if it forces the user to have to purchase new hardware.

Windows has always had backwards compatibility baked in, it is the reason you can still install old .net frameworks and use software and hardware from 30 years ago still however the side affect is that stability by running decade old drivers and frameworks may cause system performance issues.

Can never expect developers to support hardware forever and while the MK1 is still a great hardware product, it is now 2 generations behind. Still perfectly useable on PC with KK V2 but alas, mac is always going to make things obsolete eventually even if they still physically function just fine, solution is simply to stick on an older OS and software basically.

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