OS X DJs and producers beware! Native Instruments has announced that by upgrading to OS X 10.11, (aka El Capitan), users will lose primary functionality of multiple DJ controllers, software plug-ins, and access to audio outputs on legacy hardware. With any big upgrade there are bound to be a few hiccups, but they are rarely caught this quickly.
The Curse of El Capitan
For starters, the pieces of software that are negatively affected by El Capitan include Komplete, Traktor, and Maschine. There are two alarming issues pointed out by Native Instruments with the first being an unsuccessful validation of AU (audio units) plug-ins in Logic Pro X. Any effects or instruments used in Logic Pro X on an El Capitan Mac will not be usable. This is do to with sort of signage error, but the good news is that Native Instruments is talking to Apple to get the issue resolved. We will bring more news as that information comes available, but in the time being producers should avoid upgrading their system.
The second major bug is a kernal panic when using legacy NI devices. DJs using MK 1 versions of select NI devices will find that when trying to use the hardware their Mac will crash resulting in unsaved and corrupted work. This obviously renders a DJ relying on a legacy controller powerlessm so upgrading to El Capitan is heavily unadvised if a DJ uses the following equipment:
- Traktor Kontrol S4 (MK1)
- Traktor Kontrol X1 (MK1)
- Traktor Audio 2 (MK1)
- Audio 8 DJ
- Audio 4 DJ
- Audio 2 DJ (MK1)
- Maschine (MK1)
- Rig Kontrol 3
The silver lining is that if a DJ did upgrade to El Capitan there are beta drivers readily available on NI’s website to fix the issue, with a more permanent solution to come shortly in the future.
OS X El Capitan was released on September 30th and we don’t recommend upgrading until Native Instruments and Apple addresses these issues. For the latest information regarding DJ software news keep a watch on the blog.
