Maschine MK1 working with MacOS Catalina / Big Sur (Intel Macs)

So I recently upgraded to a new MacBook and when trying to use my MK1 with Catalina, it did not work. I followed the High Sierra workaround that worked for Mojave, but the installer failed every time.

So, here's what I did to get it working:

Unplug Maschine MK1.

Follow the instructions here first: https://support.native-instruments....512789-Maschine-MK1-on-Macintosh-High-Sierra-

Once you've done that and the installation fails, go ahead and restart your computer.

Once restarted, go to the Library > Extensions folder (I had to search with Spotlight) and you'll see a file named "NIUSBMaschineController.kext". Right click this, click Show Package Contents.

Once inside here, go to Contents > MacOS folder, and copy the "NIUSBMaschineController" file that's in there. Go back to the main Extensions folder, paste that in.

Go back into to the Show Package Contents for "NIUSBMaschineController.kext" and copy the "Info.plist" file. Then go to Library > Preferences and paste that into your preferences folder.

Restart computer.

Once restarted, you'll see a "System extension blocked" dialog pop up. I didn't write it down, but it was something like "NativeInstrumentsMaschineGmbH" or whatever. Unlock for changes, click allow. Restart computer again.

Once your computer is restarted, plug your Maschine in and it should work right away.

I'm not sure if this same workaround will work for every legacy device, but it's worth a try if you haven't figured out how already. I'm not even sure if this is/was the proper way, but **** it worked and I don't have to dish out a few hundred for new hardware (yet).

 

Thanks for sharing this!

 

This totally works!! Excellent find my friend
I just got a new 16" MacBook Pro with no backward compatibility so was resigning myself to using the MK1 for a MIDI controller only but there is life yet!
NI - this should be made in to your (un)official work around, although best to make it clear that the extension folder is in the Macintosh HD > Library rather than the user ~/Library. I wasn't sure which preferences folder to use as there is one in both libraries so I pasted it in both, just in case!!
To anybody giving this a go, follow all the steps including the deleting and reinstalling even if you think you have installed it recently!
Cheers!

 

Thanks for sharing!!

 

Thanks for this tip, managed to get my maschine 1 now working under Catalina but how do you activate and install the maschine v1 software? Don’t really want to upgrade to v2 as it’s not free and whilst I am ok to use the hardware in midi mode, I would like to edit the templates. To activate the v1 software it tells me to use Service Centre which of course no longer works in Catalina!

 

tnyrdrgz! you are a king among men. Worked for me. Thanks.

 

Simply wonderful. It worked great for me. Catalina 10.15.5 and Maschine MK1.

I used Maschine Controller 2.8 from NI Download website.

Maschine MK1 is now running under Maschine 2 Software.

 

Hi, thanks tnyrdrgz. The workaround worked for me (Catalina 10.15.5), however, I need more help! My Mk1 now works in Catalina, but I can't authorise the library files because Service Centre doesn't run on Catalina, and NI Access won't authorise a "legacy" device. I am very unhappy about this. I can see the serial number in my NI account, but have no way to enter it into my Mac to actually use it! I have Mk2 software also (not the controller) with the same issue. Is there a work around for Service Centre? Is there any way to actually use the software library?
Thanks for any help!


UPDATE!!! I managed to get it working by updating Maschine 2 software using NI Access. Back in business, and thanks for the workaround!

 

Thank you for posting this!

Worked with my Kontrol X1 Mk1, worked flawlessly during a gig, and I also got my Audio 8 to be recognised by Traktor 3 (skipped replacing the plist file step, using the X1 file) although I haven't tested any audio output. Haven't tested with my Maschine yet. Maybe someone can add more reports so we can access this workaround's reliability..

Cheers!

 

Thanks tnyrdrgz moimemedj

This worked for my Traktor Kontrol X1 MK1. I had been looking for a workaround for months and this saved me $300 bucks!

I had to do it a second time to get it working as I skipped a restart noted in the instructions. Once I followed it to the letter, it worked just fine.

When you get it right, the X1 MK1 will light up as it used to and Traktor 3 will show a pop up suggesting you add the X1 as a controller.

Cheers!

 

Glad to hear people are getting this to workaround to work for several different legacy devices.

6 months later and several Catalina updates, still rocking!

 

Let me be vocal about this. Angry whinging hat is firmly on now.

It's understandable that NI may not want to support an old controller and it's programming libraries may not be compatible.

What's not understandable is why people can get it working, it kinda stinks of suppression so they are forced to buy new hardware.

NI need to sort this.
1) Supply the driver with minimal possible workarounds. If a KB article is required to help installation then so be it.
2) Say the driver is supplied "as is" with no support if they want.
3) They could even consider making it open source (and no doubt hell will freeze over).

BTW I don't own a MK1, I don't want this to happen to the Studio however.

 

Trying to use this workaround for my MK1 on Mojave and can't find the Extensions folder with the NIUSBMaschineController.kext file in it. I can see it in system report but can't actually access the folder. Any help appreciated.

 

I’m not getting the system lock prompt when I restart after pasting the files in. Any suggestions please?
I only want to use as a MIDI controller within Logic, not even bothered about using it in Maschine anymore.

 

It didn't pop up here neither, but you can find the dialog in System Preferences > Security & Privacy > General. Unfortunately, after allowing the 'System Extension Blocked' and restarting, the Maschine MK1 still doesn't work with my Mac.

 

Thanks so much, tnyrdrgz! I now have my MK1 running again and can use it is a controller with Logic while on Catalina!

Once the MK1 was being recognized again, I actually tried to launch the Maschine 2 software as well but it's prompting me to Activate my license (which already happened long ago). So, since service center is defunct, i installed "Native Access." It's telling me I need to re-download everything again, but all that stuff is still on my hard drive. More importantly, I'm concerned that if I go through the reinstall process, it will break my connection to the MK1 again. Having the hardware for use with Logic is enough for me, especially now that Logic Pro now has the new features that replicate a lot of what Maschine 2 did, so I'm thinking that perhaps I should leave it alone.

Anyone have insight on this that applied this fix? Thanks!

 

Check the Native Access settings and make sure the file paths are correct.

You can always back up the hack you did so you can reapply it, or do it again.

Before you do anything .. always make a backup (clone) of everything to an external hard drive...everybody should be doing backups anyway.

 

Yeah, easy enough to step back if there's a problem. Thanks. I'll go close all those midi controller tabs i have open in amazon now.

 

Has anyone got this working on 10.15.6? I’m not getting the system lock prompt when I restart after pasting the files in either - & tried the steps multiple times. @Iglu92 @SNNCRTT did u ever have any luck?

 

SAVE/BACKUP/TIME-MACHINE before to be safe but yeah this did it for me:
After you complete the installation and see the "restart" prompt - THEN go to System Preferences > Security & Privacy > General, allow the system prompts. Then go back to the installer and hit restart. Helped me with a few catalina issues.