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Keys making loud plastic hitting plastic noise?

Discussion in 'KOMPLETE KONTROL SERIES' started by brettadams, 27/5/15.

  1. brettadams

    brettadams New Member

    Messages:
    6
    Hey all, I have a S49 that hasn't moved an inch since I bought it. It appears that the keys closest to the mod "wheel" make an odd plastic hitting plastic noise (almost like creeking). Anyone else experiencing this? the keys in the middle and the far right are quiet, but the keys to the far left are noisy. I take very good care of my gear, so this controller has never been banged around or misused in anyway.

    thoughts?

    Thanks,
    Brett
     
  2. jboz

    jboz New Member

    Messages:
    2
    My komplete kontrol s49 has had the same problem since I received it. I contacted native instruments and they replied 4 days or so later and gave me some story that in short said that it was normal because of the way that it is designed. I wish that I would have returned it. It's really not a very good key bed, in fact, I found a 10 year old plastic m-audio keyboard in my basement this weekend that feels much better. Native instruments claims that the key bed is a Fatar, if it is, it must be the bottom of the line. I have a moot voyager that has a Fatar key bed and it feels totally different.

    I will not be buying hardware from native instruments again.
     
  3. Al Switch

    Al Switch New Member

    Messages:
    7
    I have the same problem with a new s49.
    The keys at the end make a crackling noise, it seems to be the plastic housing that makes the noise.
    Very annoying when playing and indeed not normal for a controller this expensive!
     
  4. Kimbo72

    Kimbo72 NI Product Owner

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    240
    The key's makes lot of noise for a Fatar keyboard.
    The blacks more than the whites.
     
  5. Al Switch

    Al Switch New Member

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    7
    Possible solution!
    I was about to return it and after lifting it i felt some screws on the backside where quite loose.
    I fastened them a bit and now the cracking is gone!
     
  6. Modular Grey

    Modular Grey New Member

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    8
    Mine does the same but on the highest octave. Seems it happens when it hits the aftertouch area. Not sure whether to exchange or not.
     
  7. Libertine Lush

    Libertine Lush Member

    Messages:
    76
    I had and have the S25 and S61, respectively. Neither exhibit this problem, in case you wish to "solve" this issue by getting either instead.
     
  8. tubeaudiogear

    tubeaudiogear NI Product Owner

    Messages:
    255
    Yeah I feel for you guys, unfortunately Quality Assurance is not up to high standard here. My first S61 came with loose knobs (while some knobs were very tight others were too easy to turn), then they sent me a replacement that was even worse, light guide, transpose buttons and touch trips didn't work at all. My third s61 was not perfect either, knobs still are inconsistent like some knobs feel kinda worn out, and one of the white keys had a funny noise when pressed fast, I say had because one day just by chance I left the keyboard leaning against the wall and after that the noise is gone... So I'm not trying to say this Keyboards suck, actually I think the design and concept is great, I love playing it. It is just a shame that NI doesn't seem to be bothered by all these faulty keyboards being sold, especially at this price.
     
    • Like Like x 1
  9. Kimbo72

    Kimbo72 NI Product Owner

    Messages:
    240
    For me one rotary feels like ticking when in turn it.
    And the keybed makes too much noise for a Fatar.
    I going to bring my KK keyboard back.
    And looking for another keyboard.
     
  10. Kimbo72

    Kimbo72 NI Product Owner

    Messages:
    240
    +1
     
  11. ALDREAD

    ALDREAD NI Product Owner

    Messages:
    5.564
    +1 on the encoders , I returned one only to get another that had the same problem but different encoders , didn't want to mess around returning it again . I decided the pros out weigh the cons
    I found the keys did make a slight noise on the first c and at first there was some creaking but after a while of playing its worn in , it feels good tho ,and i don't regret buying it
     
  12. Loffe

    Loffe New Member

    Messages:
    4
    In June I received a Komplete Kontrol S61 MK2 and the first key C closest to the mod wheel had a distinct loud plastic noisy clicking sound.

    The keyboard was replaced with a new one which also have the same problem. The shop where I ordered from turned to Native Instruments. Meanwhile waiting about one and a half month for an answer the store unpacked and tried a third keyboard but it also had the same problem. Answer came from NI with the news that it's not suppose to click that way. Some weeks the shop received new units and opened two more but they also had the same clicking noise from the first key. I have been asked if I would accept a new unopened package or change to another product. I sit with the Komplete 13 bundle with collectors upgrade I bought at the same time and I would like to use the Komplete Kontroller with this else I'm not sure if they take back the software as well.

    I hope that there will be a solution to this and I would like to see some words from Native Instruments them self here about this.
     
  13. Goon

    Goon NI Product Owner

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    884
    This is a mainly user forum, contact NI direct best option via Support.
     
  14. FJ5

    FJ5 NI Product Owner

    Messages:
    21
    I noticed the exact same thing this weekend! I've owned my S61Mk2 from new for a couple of months & with mine it’s quite a few keys that make a clicking/rattling sound when pressed. Mainly F & C keys for some reason & it’s particularly bad when played near the fulcrum.

    The far left C key (like you’ve reported) is the worst & is very bad whether played near the fulcrum or not.

    The fact it's the same notes affected makes me wonder if it's a just a poor design although the fact that some have had success with replacements suggests that not everyone is affected.

    Although it's still in warranty the retailer policy is a repair for my case (outside of 30 days) & not replacement which annoys me after just 2 months of light use.
     
  15. FJ5

    FJ5 NI Product Owner

    Messages:
    21
    Further to this, the retailer replaced it, all normal now. Occasional slight click on C1 key as mentioned above but I suspect this is just a design thing. Most MIDI controllers I've owned have similar things at the keybed extremities.
     
  16. Loffe

    Loffe New Member

    Messages:
    4
    Glad to hear it sorted out for you!

    I recently visit a music store where they have a Komplete Kontrol S61 MK2 as a demo. I tried it out and all keys were working fine without any clicking noise even that C1. Also I read about others that don't have this problem so I don't think it is suppose to be this distinct clicking noise by design.

    I noticed something on the two units I had delivered to me that they practically always made that clicking sound only on the way back up after has being pressed.

    Further I discovered something on the second unit regarding the C1 key. When I pressed the key down to the bottom and then even more to activate the aftertouch fully, I sometimes had to repeat it a few times but after this the clicking disappeared for a short time. Next playing session I had to do that procedure again.
     
    Last edited: 2/9/21
  17. FJ5

    FJ5 NI Product Owner

    Messages:
    21
    Actually the 'sticky' C1 I noticed on an S49 Mk2 in a store, but then most of the keyboards on display had similar behaviour at either far left or right of keybed.

    It wasn't actually that issue that bothered me as it's only occasional, I rarely use that key anyway & the fact that so many report it suggests it's just a variation of normal.

    The rattley keys (that affected almost every F, & a couple of Cs & a G) over the full keybed was a very annoying & sounded like something was loose.

    So unless anything else happens, I'll be keeping it.
     
  18. FJ5

    FJ5 NI Product Owner

    Messages:
    21
    So a further update - the replacement has an issue too!

    When playing ANY key with anything other than light force, there is a loud vibrating noise that seems to come from the right hand side. If I place a finger on the right hand side casing & press a little firmly, the vibration stops.

    I don't think my previous one did it. So looking at maybe another replacement!
     
  19. Loffe

    Loffe New Member

    Messages:
    4
    Ouch, sad to hear.

    What if you flip the unit around and see if you carefully can tighten some screws in the region where it vibrates?
     
  20. FJ5

    FJ5 NI Product Owner

    Messages:
    21