KP3 on Mac locks up USB bus?

[Fierball]

hey folks,

I've searched around, but haven't been able to find any conversations about my current issue. I just got myself a KP3, and am loving it,

-BUT- (there's always one)

When I use the Editor Librarian software to upload loops to the device, it works exactly ONCE. I build the program, transmit, and everything works great until I try to upload a new program. MIDI port under preferences changes to "KP3 - PAD (Not Connected)", and nothing I do can change that except a reboot. No amount of plugging / unplugging, powering off / on, etc. In fact, if I unplug anything else (mouse, keyboard, etc.) they will also stop working and never come back until I reboot, so it looks like the whole bus is left in a screwed up state.

I've got the latest Korg MIDI driver (1.08?), and have my KP3 updated to the new OS (2.0). I know Windows has a higher version number for the MIDI driver, but once again I'm on Mac OS X (10.5.5). Also, in real life, I'm a computer guy, so I'm pretty comfortable with the machine. I've been looking for a Unix/BSD way to reset the USB bus from the terminal, but haven't found one yet.

My real question is "has anyone else experienced this?", and "what's the solution so that I don't need to reboot constantly?".

Thanks much,

Fierball

[salamanderanagram]

i think i heard somewhere that the newest release of mac os had a bug with recognizing certain gear but i could be totally wrong. i have win xp so i can't comment...

there is a memory card slot with the KP3 you could use if you have the right reader on your computer... that's usually what i use to move things back and forth.

[Fierball]

Is that an issue with the Korg driver? or with OS X itself? I haven't come across any info on problems with the new driver, but there was a post about the old driver not recognizing newer gear (which makes sense).

Not sure if it's a recognition issue either since it DOES work. . . once. I think general rule of thumb is that if it works once in it's current configuration, then it should be able to work more than once, but this problem has me stumped.

And yes, I can transfer stuff to the KP3 using the SD card, and will guaranteed be using it for storage and portability, but for quick auditions of loops for compatibility and such, I thought the librarian software would be really convenient. (guess the jokes on me :P )

Thanks for the prompt reply though. Still searching for more information.

[Fierball]

Just an update for anyone that cares. I've found that I have the same issue mounting the SD card with Shift-7. After I transfered some files I had made today with the KP3 Editor software, the card refused to unmount itself claiming it was "busy". I shut down all the applications, and even restarted Finder to no avail. Also couldn't unmount from a command prompt. USB is once again locked up. . .

This is getting pretty frustrating because once I get something INTO the pad, it's great fun, but getting it there is such a chore. At least I know that this is more a USB issue than the Korg driver because Shift-7 as far as I know turns the KP3 into an expensive SD card reader and doesn't use the driver at all. I've only got the one A <-> B cable here, but I'll be running out to get another one shortly. I'm hopeful that that will clean up my problem(s).

Fierball

[shamburglar]

I'm having the same problem, It's really frustrating, the librarian will be able to access the kp3 once and then loses it. Strange thing is that the computer still sees it and I'm able to recieve midi messages over usb into ableton through the pad... but the librarian/editor software will not send or recieve to the pad, this stinks because I'm trying to setup a control scheme that works for me with ableton.

[salamanderanagram]

i meant like the take the SD card out of your KP3, and plug it into yr computer and read it directly.

oh yeah...

"At least I know that this is more a USB issue than the Korg driver because Shift-7 as far as I know turns the KP3 into an expensive SD card reader and doesn't use the driver at all"

not that i actually know anything about it, but i don't see how that works. there's gotta be some sort of driver to interact with hardware. i sincerely doubt the problem is in your USB cable which seems to be what you are implying?

[shamburglar]

its definitely not a connection issue, I have tried multiple cables as well as changing usb ports, disconnecting my usb hub, just about every possible config... the editor works once and then will not acknowledge that the KP3 exists afterwards... its frustrating... I'm assuming it has something to do with OSX 10.5 because Korg has not released any new drivers in a very long time... I'm actually having similiar problems with my microkontrol... midi works fine but trying to send and recieve scenes through the editor causes nothing but grief.

[Fierball]

Changed the cable. No effect. I still have the same problems. . .

I'm not certain about my earlier statement now either. Initially it looked like the Shift-7 command put the KP3 in a "card reader" mode, and it DOES use the standard mass storage drivers to load and mount the card on both Mac and Windows (see manual page 22). However, I just tried to use an external card reader, and the computer knows that I inserted a card, but can't read it and wants to format it (like the current format is damaged, or it's a new card). Does anyone know the exact specifications for the KP3 format (ie: FAT, FAT32, NTFS, HFS, etc.)?

Anyway, I'm still stuck rebooting whenever I want to transfer something. . .

Thanks again to everyone for trying. If I find the solution, I'll be sure to post it.

Fierball

[salamanderanagram]

ya man, i'm thinking it really may be a driver issue with 10.5; pretty sure i read somewhere that some of the audio drivers weren't quite proper in the new OSX. sucks, let us know if you fix it...