KVR Audio

mckenic · Post by **mckenic** » Thu Jul 27, 2006 11:53 pm

Sorry if this is old ground but I thought I'd post a couple of initial things as these are supposed to be the 'second batch' of KOREs. I had to wait an age but was informed before my purchase... no problems.

So I excitedly open the package this evening - and I only have 2 words thus far for N.I.... Quality Control! I say these because I'm not sure if they are inspecting these before shipping

I bought the Absynth Tutorial from ion_null (Thanks again dude!) - and my XP Laptop has A LOT of difficulty reading the disk... same thing with the KORE install DVD. My drive wont see it... gurrr... I'll get on to N.I. support but this is not my main issue.

I took the controller out of its plastic and for the 8 knobs there is 8 linier scratches on the KORE plastic... WTF.. its like someone scribed the plastic with a pin!!! Very difficult to photograph but I'll have to send on a pic of it to N.I. support. Looks like this:

Anyone elses KORE Controller like this???

On top of this - when I took the plastic protective cover off the 'Menu' button... the lettering came away with it! Again - WTF!!! The unit is manufactured well and looks nice indeed but for €510 I'd expect my purchase to be MINT!

So I think I'll register it on my Mac (if I can) to partake of the Komplete3 offer before the time runs out and ask N.I. to replace the controller unit and hope they let me download an XP installer as I cant read the damn disk!!!

Im bummed that the nifty new piece of kit aint nifty nor does it look new - but am I being a bit silly???

Other users experiences???

Cheers folks!

Dave

fabi · Post by **fabi** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 12:02 am

sorry to hear about that. i've been lusting after kore, but it's pretty much out of my price range. personally i should rather get a new computer before thinking about any other purchase €500 and above, but i'm happy for anyone who can afford this.

only too bad it's not what you expected so far.
i hope you get it sorted.

mckenic · Post by **mckenic** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 12:13 am

Thanks fabi!

If its any help - I've spent my registration fee for Uni next year on it

I have a little cash due for work done ages ago so things will be tight but managable!

I know the sound and usability are the main factors so Im thinking perhaps Im being an arse being disappointed about minor things

Perhaps I expected too much?

Thanks again for the thoughts!

Dave

diverdee · Post by **diverdee** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 12:17 am

You spend that much money on something it should be in pristine condition - personally i'd want a replacement.

fabi · Post by **fabi** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 12:19 am

as long as i'm still awake i might as well answer - i know many people who'd feel as disappointed as you, and whom i trust in their judgement.

me? i hardly ever complain, and even if a product is unarguably damaged i might catch myself feeling guilty upon the thought of demanding a refund and the only motivator in doing so will be the need for groceries or somesuch.

edit: i.e. - listen to diverdee, not me.

OverDose · Post by **OverDose** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 12:32 am

it's common stuff this days man, just send it back, my brother had to return his sl25 TWICE!! before he got what he paid for, they were reluctant at the store, but they had to replace it, i mean, knobs were falling, the screen sucked, etc.

You should have seen his face when he opened the box, he took it out and the damn thing started to fall into pieces, lol..it was sad, but i laughed a lot for some reason, he just spoke so much about it during the two weeks before he actually got it.

But then it was his turn to laugh, my axiom arrived and 2 pads didn't work, i had to send it back too, in the same store, they tried to claim that it was our fault, but at the end they replaced it, it took almost 1 month tho.

Now both work as expected and we're happy with them, we placed orders for the zero sl and the padkontrol (different store now) and we have a bet to see wich of the 2 controllers will have to be sent back this time.

You paid for something man, and you should get exactly that, never settle with a f**ked up unit, even if it still works, if out of the box it has scratches and paint falls apart, then you should get a replacement.

It's not about being silly man, they f**ked it up with bad quality control, it should be their problem, not yours.

mckenic · Post by **mckenic** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 12:45 am

Thanks for your thoughts guys... I think whats been getting to me is if someone paid me for some work or whatever I wouldnt deliver something I thought was not up to scratch (Pun intended!)

I thought I might be being a whiney bitch but I'll just email NI and explain the situation - not whine or cry just give my story and see if they tell me bugger off or whatever...

Fabi - Im usually very much the same. What got me with this was the sacrifice this will cause me and being surprised in a slightly bad way. But I think I will report it and not bitch - to see what happens.

OverDose - horror stories!!! Im glad your brother and yourself are sorted out now

but it must be a worry having to take pot luck and expecting a 50/50 result on if your new gear will be up to spec...

Thanks folks!

mckenic · Post by **mckenic** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 2:24 am

Little update... Im gonna send these vids also to NI.

So I FINALLY got KORE registered - had to set it up on my USB 1 iMac (It wont work unless USB 2 is used) registered it and downloaded the updated installer for XP... phew.

So I got my email saying the Komplete 3 update was being sent

Result! But then I got to playing with the KORE...

One of the 8 touch sensitive knobs is not touch sensitive - you gotta hold the knob down REALLY HARD for it to respond - see linked video.

http://www.mckenic.com/images/knobs.asf

Then the plastic faceplate that is scratched is also VERY loose - see linked video.

http://www.mckenic.com/images/plastic.asf

Not happy at all and off to post on the NI forum and send off a support request - will report back... TBH I've ALWAYS had great support from NI so this should be a learning experience at least - hope it goes as smooth as in the past...

Oh sorry for the carppy vid quality/lighting - dontcha just dig those spidey sheets!!!

Dave

Carbonboy · Post by **Carbonboy** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 12:18 pm

mckenic wrote:One of the 8 touch sensitive knobs is not touch sensitive - you gotta hold the knob down REALLY HARD for it to respond - see linked video.

Then the plastic faceplate that is scratched is also VERY loose - see linked video.

- dontcha just dig those spidey sheets!!!

Definitely grounds for a replacemement, it's clearly faulty.

The sheets...I'd perhaps dig them if I was 13...but I'm not, so they just look stupid

Carb.

des · Post by **des** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 2:19 pm

I also have the small lines around the knobs.

I contacted NI about this and was told that it is a result of the manufacturing process.

Well, I would think they would have fixed that after the first one came off the line. On the other hand - the lines on my unit are thin enough that I really don't notice them. However, Kore is functioning ok for me so far.

Dave
http://www.ambientstickist.com

mckenic · Post by **mckenic** » Sat Jul 29, 2006 3:10 pm

Just a short update folks...

I REALLY appreciate all your comments - thanks so much!

(Im not sure if I should mention his name so please feel free to edit should I have done something wrong)

Andreas from N.I. support contacted me yesterday and immediately offered to replace the unit! I am DELIGHTED with the service from the support team. I will send the unit back on Monday and let you know how I get on.

The only thing thats going to bum me out is being without the Hardware means I wont be able to push on with classification of all my plugs until a replacement arrives - but that is the tradeoff I guess!

I must say that Native Instruments responce thus far has done nothing but increase my faith and respect for the company - at a time when they are getting much bad press a good news story pops up

Thanks again folks for your time and thoughts - UI'll be sure to post an update once the new unit gets here!

Thank You!

Dave

diverdee · Post by **diverdee** » Sat Jul 29, 2006 3:17 pm

It's refreshing hearing a positive NI support story.
Cool that someone has given you personal guarantees & is dealing so squarely with you.
Nice one - let's hope the replacement is top quality eh

mckenic · Post by **mckenic** » Sat Jul 29, 2006 3:29 pm

[Fingers Crossed] Eeek... [/Fingers Crossed]

Dave

experimental.crow · Post by **experimental.crow** » Sat Jul 29, 2006 5:51 pm

mckenic wrote:[Fingers Crossed] Eeek... [/Fingers Crossed]

Dave

a quick perusal of the NI kore forum reveals you are not alone in issues regarding the quality of the build of the hardware unit ...

seems like your issue is being addressed ...
keep us posted ...

good luck ...

ew · Post by ew » Sat Jul 29, 2006 6:02 pm

The quality's been less than stellar on some of the units that were shipped. I know they're aware of the issues and are trying to get them solved.

I must have been one of the lucky ones- besides the feet (all the first run had feet that came off), my controller was (and is) in mint condition...

ew

So my KORE arrived today...