KVR Audio

BERFAB · Post by **BERFAB** » Sat Jan 21, 2017 4:13 pm

Just got my NI S88 delivered. Yay!

But reading the installation .pdf, setup looks a bit daunting. AND, surprisingly, I can't find ANYTHING in there that says what to do if you are using NI's Komplete Audio 6 card.

Also, can't find much by Googling around. Hoping someone here can tell me if I'm on the right track.

Here's my setup:

Win PC (8) using Komplete Audio 6 and Rockit 6 monitors. Komplete Ultimate 10 installed and recently updated using NI's newest Service Center (or whatever it's called now) protocol.

What I THINK I'm supposed to do (based on the manual and some NI Forum inquiries):

1. Don't connect the SI88. First, register the serial # and run the new service center for download and installation of drivers and the select instrument package.

2. Once I get the all clear that everything's installed, connect the S88 via USB directly to the PC. Set the Audio protocols to Komplete Audio 6 for INPUT/OUTPUT. Select Komplete Audio 6 for MIDI input.

3. Physically connect S88 to Komplete Audio 6 for MIDI Input/Output.

That's it AFAIK. But it doesn't look right to me. S88 simultaneously connected directly to USB on the PC and KA6 MIDI? Is that right?

Any help is much appreciated. Thanks!

-B

solger · Post by **solger** » Sat Jan 21, 2017 5:34 pm

BERFAB wrote:What I THINK I'm supposed to do (based on the manual and some NI Forum inquiries):

1. Don't connect the SI88. First, register the serial # and run the new service center for download and installation of drivers and the select instrument package.

2. Once I get the all clear that everything's installed, connect the S88 via USB directly to the PC. Set the Audio protocols to Komplete Audio 6 for INPUT/OUTPUT.

Yes.

Installing and setting up one thing at a time is always a good strategy.
And I'm guessing you already found the setup guide: https://www.native-instruments.com/en/p ... downloads/

3. Physically connect S88 to Komplete Audio 6 for MIDI Input/Output.

... But it doesn't look right to me. S88 simultaneously connected directly to USB on the PC and KA6 MIDI? Is that right?

Not necessary. MIDI is already handled via the USB-connection.

The MIDI-ports on the S88 (like the MIDI-ports on the KA6) are useful if you want to connect external MIDI hardware. Or if you want to use the S88 as standalone MIDI controller (without a computer): https://support.native-instruments.com/ ... a-Computer

2 ...
... Select Komplete Audio 6 for MIDI input.

Since you don't need to connect the S88 via MIDI, this step is also not necessary.

solger · Post by **solger** » Sat Jan 21, 2017 5:35 pm

double post

BERFAB · Post by **BERFAB** » Sat Jan 21, 2017 8:14 pm

solger-

Thanks so much! So at least I'm not a complete idiot.

So with the S88 set up completely through USB, my Komplete Audio 6 will still handle the audio output, as well as input for other 3rd party devices, including my guitars and mics, right?

Sounds great. Can't wait to get it all set up.

Cheers
-B

solger · Post by **solger** » Sat Jan 21, 2017 8:26 pm

BERFAB wrote:So with the S88 set up completely through USB, my Komplete Audio 6 will still handle the audio output, as well as input for other 3rd party devices, including my guitars and mics, right?

Correct.
Simply set up the KA6 as your audio device in the software/DAW you're using and you're good to go

BERFAB · Post by **BERFAB** » Sun Jan 22, 2017 3:47 pm

Grrr...

So, I think I may have made a very classic mistake and I don't know how to fix it:

I thought the USB drivers were being set up with Native Access install, and they weren't. Drivers need to be downloaded separately.

So, I plug the S88 into the PC before the drivers were installed. Now, no matter what I do (drivers are now installed, firmware is up to date) the S88 is not being recognized. The control panel shows the "!" symbol in yellow indicating that drivers are not installed.

So I'm stuck. Is there a way to solve this issue? I'm guessing deleting the existing drivers and re-installing but I'm a) not sure how to do that, and b) not sure it will solve the problem.

So I need help. Can anyone help me get this beautiful beast up and running properly?

Thanks
-B

thecontrolcentre · Post by **thecontrolcentre** » Sun Jan 22, 2017 4:09 pm

Did you try plugging into a different USB port? I think you may need to uninstall, then re-install the NI driver to get it to work ...

BERFAB · Post by **BERFAB** » Sun Jan 22, 2017 4:52 pm

thecontrolcentre wrote:Did you try plugging into a different USB port? I think you may need to uninstall, then re-install the NI driver to get it to work ...

I tried that.

When I re-ran the NI driver file, it appeared to uninstall the driver. I then re-installed and re-booted before plugging in the S88.

Is there another, direct way to uninstall the driver before re-installing using the NI driver file?

BERFAB · Post by **BERFAB** » Sun Jan 22, 2017 4:56 pm

One other thing. Whenever I connect a USB device, the PC always takes a moment to find the driver and then connect, and then announce that the device is ready to use.

When I plug in the S88, the only thing that happens is the little chirpy sound that indicates that something has been detected. But no connection protocol occurs.

Is there a way that I can force this? i.e. find the drivers and activate them and point them toward the S88? What file/program should I be nudging?

solger · Post by **solger** » Sun Jan 22, 2017 5:24 pm

BERFAB wrote:One other thing. Whenever I connect a USB device, the PC always takes a moment to find the driver and then connect, and then announce that the device is ready to use.

Under Windows a USB device driver gets installed for each USB port the device is directly connected.

The first time you're connecting any USB device to a different USB port, the driver gets installed for this other USB-port as well. So if you're always using the same USB-port, this should usually only happen the first time (before successful driver installation).

BERFAB wrote:When I plug in the S88, the only thing that happens is the little chirpy sound that indicates that something has been detected. But no connection protocol occurs.

Do you see any problems in the Windows Device Manager like mentioned in this article?: https://support.native-instruments.com/ ... 0-Windows-

You might find some additional hints in this thread: https://www.native-instruments.com/foru ... ed.267036/

BERFAB wrote:Is there another, direct way to uninstall the driver before re-installing using the NI driver file?

Usually via the Windows Programs Panel. More info here: https://support.native-instruments.com/ ... s-Computer

As a side note: Besides using Service Center or Native Access, you can also check for drivers and updates manually in the download area :

Updates (after you login with your account): https://www.native-instruments.com/en/s ... e-manager/
Drivers: https://www.native-instruments.com/en/s ... her-files/

BERFAB · Post by **BERFAB** » Sun Jan 22, 2017 7:26 pm

solger-
I appreciate you hanging in there with me on this. In the Device Manager, the IAD and DFU listings appear normal, and seem to be where they should be. Reinstalling seemed to help, and the drivers do appear when I check under PROPERTIES, etc.

When I open Komplete Kontrol (the one that installed, and updated, from Komplete Ultimate 10) on the desktop, there is a dropdown showing all the S-line controllers, but I can't seem to click any of them on. Is there another program or protocol I'm supposed to look in? My DAW perhaps? (Cubase 9)

-B

solger · Post by **solger** » Sun Jan 22, 2017 7:33 pm

BERFAB wrote: When I open Komplete Kontrol (the one that installed, and updated, from Komplete Ultimate 10) on the desktop, there is a dropdown showing all the S-line controllers, but I can't seem to click any of them on. Is there another program or protocol I'm supposed to look in? My DAW perhaps? (Cubase 9)

In Komplete Kontrol (Standalone) go to Edit -> Preferences -> MIDI and activate the appropriate S88-In/Outputs first.

For using Komplete Kontrol as plugin inside Cubase have a look at this: https://support.native-instruments.com/ ... TE-KONTROL

BERFAB · Post by **BERFAB** » Sun Jan 22, 2017 8:07 pm

Well, I'm getting some sound now. I'm able to play instruments in Cubase as well as in the standalone Komplete Kontrol. However, i have no evidence yet that the actual features of the NKS integration works. The controls light up, but are all dead.

But the actual piano keys, as well as the pitch and mod ribbons, work. So that's some progress.

Standalone KK still doesn't allow me to choose S88 as a controller (all the options are greyed out).

So, oracle solger, what's next?

solger · Post by **solger** » Sun Jan 22, 2017 8:39 pm

BERFAB wrote:Well, I'm getting some sound now. I'm able to play instruments in Cubase as well as in the standalone Komplete Kontrol. However, i have no evidence yet that the actual features of the NKS integration works. The controls light up, but are all dead.
But the actual piano keys, as well as the pitch and mod ribbons, work. So that's some progress.

OK, great.

You can check out some tutorial videos here (at the bottom of the webpage) https://www.native-instruments.com/en/p ... es/videos/

Standalone KK still doesn't allow me to choose S88 as a controller (all the options are greyed out).

Enabling the S88 inputs and outputs under Preferences -> MIDI should be enough.

Can't remember exactly if the Controller-menu is even available when using a single S-Keyboard. Or only in case you have multiple Kontrol-S-keyboards (like S49 and S88) connected and want to switch between them.

But since you can use KK as plugin in Cubase so far, you don't really need to use the standalone version and hence can focus on using the plugin version ...

BERFAB · Post by **BERFAB** » Sun Jan 22, 2017 10:10 pm

True enough. And I owe you for getting me that far.

But it would be nice to get functionality from all those beautiful multifunction buttons and knobs. Not to mention syncing with Komplete Ultimate which it was specifically made to do. Also, apparently, the manual says that there are also specific controller protocols just for Cubase.

I suspect that I may have to ultimately reinstall Komplete Kontrol and the Controller Editor.

I will follow up with your additional suggestions, but for now, I'm happy to be able to play a real piano-feel keyboard in my studio (this thing has great action). Tomorrow, I will find out the true value of the Sweetwater tech department. And I'll report back.

Meantime, again, a thousand thanks for the help today.

Cheers
-B

Installing NI S88 Komplete Control with NI Komplete Audio 6 question.