Apple’s latest version of OS X, El Capitan, has now been out for nearly two months (30 September, 2015), and while there was a developer beta available for several months previously, a flurry of press notices and blog posts were shared by gear companies warning not to upgrade just yet.
Most of the issues seemed to stem from the OS update causing drivers for audio interfaces to break. A quick look at the list of Native Instruments’ problem hardware shows that it’s the older stuff that won’t work. As a completely non-expert at all things driver related, I’d hazard a guess that USB class compliancy and manufacturer drivers might be at fault.
Now that the dust has settled after the release, we’re revisiting how the bigger (and less biggerer) software houses have fared with sorting out their bugs. It’s worth noting that you’ll need to also check how all the bits of your hardware work with the software if they require drivers.
Pioneer DJ
Pioneer just announced they’ve got shiny new drivers for some of their hardware that caused problems. If you’ve got any of the stuff listed below, it’ll now work with El Capitan.
DJ Mixer
DJM-S9 / DJM-900SRT
Traktor
After releasing some beta drivers for El Capitan a few weeks ago, Native Instruments have confirmed they’ve got all their legacy hardware working with the OS.
Please note that the compatibility issues connected with Mac OS X 10.11 El Capitan are now resolved.
The latest OS X 10.11.1 update fixes the issue where Native Instruments Audio Units plug-ins did not pass the AU validation and therefore were not available in Logic Pro X.
New drivers are also available that fix the issues experienced by users of MASCHINE (MK1), RIG KONTROL 3, and older TRAKTOR hardware.
For more information, please read this Knowledge Base article.
Serato
Serato recommend not updating to El Capitan as there are issues with hardware drivers.
Software Support
Serato DJ 1.8 is now supported on the latest version of OS X El Capitan 10.11.1. You can download the latest version of Serato DJ here. There are currently a few known issues:We are working hard to have any issues fixed for the next Serato DJ release.
Click here for more information on software version / operating system compatibility.
Hardware Support
Hardware support for OS X 10.11 is manufacturer specific, and some hardware will require driver updates. Serato are working hard to fix any issues in our software but are ultimately not responsible for driver or firmware updates that are compatible with El Capitan. Please see your individual hardware manufacturer’s statement about OS X El Capitan before using Serato DJ as some devices are still not supported. Please also make sure you are running the latest driver available for your specific hardware.Issues with Pioneer devices
Please read the statement about Pioneer products and OS X El Capitan here.
Our tests show that different issues occur when running the following products under OS X El Capitan: DJM-900NXS, DJM-850.Although Pioneer have released updated drivers Serato DJ is not yet compatible when used with OS X El Capitan and the DJM-S9, DJM-900SRT and the DDJ-SZ.
Issues with Rane devices
Please read the statement about Rane products and OS X El Capitan here.
Our tests show that different issues occur when running the following products under OS X El Capitan: SL 2, SL 3, SL 4, Sixty-One, Sixty-Two, Sixty-Four, Sixty-Eight.Issues with Numark devices
Please read the statement about Numark products and OS X El Capitan here.
Our tests show that different issues occur when running the following products under OS X El Capitan: MixDeck, Mixtrack Pro II, N4, NS6, NS7, V7.Issues with Novation devices
Please read the statement about Novation products and OS X El Capitan here
Our tests show that different issues occur when running the following products under OS X El Capitan: TWITCHIssues with Reloop devices
Please read the statement about Reloop products and OS X El Capitan here
Our tests show that different issues occur when running the following products under OS X El Capitan: Terminal Mix 2, 4 and 8If you don’t see your hardware listed, or it is a class-compliant device, it should work on OS X El Capitan without issues. If you are still experiencing issues with Serato DJ and your supported device please contact the Serato Support team or contact your hardware manufacturer.
Allen & Heath
If you’ve got a Xone:DB4 or DB2, you’ll need to hold off on that update as Allen & Heath haven’t yet finished testing their drivers on both OS X 10.11 and Windows 10.
Following the releases of Windows 10 in July 2015 and Mac OS X 10.11 ‘El Capitan’ in September 2015, verification of these platforms has not yet been completed by our Software Test department.
As a result, support for Windows 10 and OS X 10.11 ‘El Capitan’ is not currently offered.
We will update this notice as our test programmes are completed, in the meantime we advise against updating your OS.
Bitwig Studio
As of v1.3.2, Bitwig Studio does not currently support El Capitan. An update is currently being worked on.
Please note: Mac OS 10.11 (El Capítan) is currently not supported, but an update is on the way. Until this is available, we encourage you to continue using an earlier version of Mac OSX.
Ableton Live
Ableton have tested the latest version of Ableton Live and found no reported issues.
The latest version of Live, 9.5 is compatible with OS X 10.11. You can download the latest Live version from your User Account.
Mixvibes Cross DJ
There are no known issues with the latest version of Cross DJ on El Capitan. Software updated to version 3.3.11 works fine.
One DJ
Version 1.8 and above have no reported problems with OS X 10.11.
My thoughts
It’s always fun to get the latest and greatest, but really, with most OSes already having pretty rock solid stability, the rush to update is mostly consumerist. I’m as guilty of it as the next person: That’s why I run a custom version of Android on my tablet, which tends to be more agile at updating. I think we can blame smart devices and web browsers for skewing our expectations of software updates. They both push updates on users, wowing them with new features and better security, and, along with app stores alerting us to new versions of apps waiting to be downloaded, have conditioned people to want what’s newest. Especially if it means getting rid of that pesky update warning icon!
Really though, there’s no real rush (barring some must-have feature you need professionally) to go out and grab a very briefly tested version of something so fundamental as your operating system. OS makers keep going on about ‘adoption rates’, but you just need to remember: You’re in control of when to update, not them (except for Windows 10 users…).
Looking over all the different posts from the big DJ tech companies, it’s fairly consistent that the problem lies with hardware drivers. Regardless of whether your software is said to be working, you need to double check that all your hardware is OK as well, particularly if you’re using something fairly obscure or niche. The advice from experts remains the same though. Back up everything, and don’t keep your workhorse laptop on the bleeding edge, particularly if you’re gigging with it.
Thank you so much for taking the time to research and create this article. I appreciate it tremendously and I’m sure others do as well.
It’s been quite a few more months than that since El Cap beta was released. C’mon Numark and others, this is ridiculous!
Yeah my V7s are totally useless with my MacBook Pro. Totally a driver issue Numark should have resolved by now. I understand the V7 isn’t new or whatever. But I’ve had them since release and like using them. Seeing Numark slacking on support is just going to push me into buying something different and trust me it won’t be something from Numark.
I’m thinking that since there have and will always be problems with hardware after updates. It’s best to go in the direction that doesn’t require a update or laptop.
Yeah my V7s are totally useless with my MacBook Pro. Totally a driver issue Numark should have resolved by now. I understand the V7 isn’t new or whatever. But I’ve had them since release and like using them. Seeing Numark slacking on support is just going to push me into buying something different and trust me it won’t be something from Numark.
I’m thinking that since there have and will always be problems with hardware after updates. It’s best to go in the direction that doesn’t require a update or laptop.
I have the feeling the brands had enough with Apple’s “down the throat” approach.
Meaning every year a new OS which needs so much adaptation in terms of coding and “debugging” that it costs a lot of money to keep holding on Apple’s arrogant leash.
This one has been especially bad too. As a self confessed “install first moan later” type, I held off updating my Macbook after El Capitan brought my iMac to its knees sound wise.
When reviewers incorporated a statement about the stability of Snow Leopard and how El Capitan could be the same, I was lifted in spirit, but the drop was twice as hard… They even haven’t fixed a simple “Finder” issue that was present some years ago!
Their ego’s are so loud they can hardly listen to the customers.
Apple needs to build upon stability and not features and half-tested concepts.
In OS land Linux Mint learned from this mistake others made on which they also occasionally stumbled upon and now build there OS’s on stable Long Term Support releases.
Kind of like Debian, but with newer “tested” feaures so it won’t break systems.
If only Linux was the go to OS for audio and visual artists, what a wonderful world it would be :)
The whole Open Source drivers concept is something to praise, so if something messes up it can be fixed by anyone who knows how to implement clean code, instead of waiting for brands to fix the issue or not even be bothered with it because it takes to much money…
Did you tried dynebolic or puredyne?
Unfortunately Puredyne has halted. I have the dynebolic in the download right now. Thank you!
I have tried several distro’s and the one for artist en creative people is Ubuntu Studio.
Thanks again nice find!
Yes puredyne discontinuity is a mesh… Try dynebolyc (I have v3 waiting for test) and share your thoughts, please.
<3 I&I <3 (powered by rastasoft hehe)
Who made this distro is right up my alley.
It has a lot of packages I like and it has the old Gnome 2 DE.
Going to install in on a PC soon, after I check for posible security issues
Thanks
i upgraded and have used Serato a few times since with no issue, but my product isn’t listed above on the Pioneer bit
As a note regarding that Windows 10 thing…
If you have a Pro version of the OS, which you should get if you’re using it for professional level things, you can control when updates get installed. Also, remember that the VAST majority of updates that Windows pushes are antivirus and firewall updates, which would generally not impact a DJ or production application.
I updated to Windows 10 a few weeks ago and have found it to be pretty much solid. PC load and all has been improved with Traktor, no question.
My S8 worked flawless with Win 7 for months and when I finally took the plunge last month to install Win 10 I find Traktor runs terribly. I get DPC drop outs constantly (more so when moving faders and encoders.
It’s actually unusable now which is a shame as I really like Win 10. I’ll try the new November patch and see of this improves anything.
That’s really strange. I experienced no changes from 8.1 to 10.
There has to be an explanation, though. I’m assuming you’re running it on 64-bit with Multiprocessor enabled?
I am Jared, and was with Win 7 too so I’m unsure at what’s triggered it.
There was another update the other day so I’ll give it a blast and see if it’s helped. The S8 has been unused for over a month now due to it which is a huge shame as I was diggin’ Stems too.
Yeah, let me know how it works with the update. I’m curious what could cause it.
I dig it. I took the jump after NI came out with their updates, but the actual reason is because I was experiencing wi fi complications on mavericks. The small changes made in El Capitan makes a huge difference in my workflow in general. I especially dig the split screen. Its visually more appealing in my opinion, and everything runs and operates great, even Parallels 10. Id say go for the update.
I dig it. I took the jump after NI came out with their updates, but the actual reason is because I was experiencing wi fi complications on mavericks. The small changes made in El Capitan makes a huge difference in my workflow in general. I especially dig the split screen. Its visually more appealing in my opinion, and everything runs and operates great, even Parallels 10. Id say go for the update.
I tried upgrading to El Capitan as soon as Numark released a new driver for the NS7ii and Serato DJ released an El Capitan update. SDJ worked great, the problem is that because of El Capitan’s System Integrity Protection there were a lot of things I could no longer do, like have custom app icons, use Total Finder, have custom dock icons etc., so I reverted back to Yosemite.
El Capitan is still NOT compatible with Traktor Audio 6, despite their announcement. NI have shown fairly terrible customer service to a friend of mine over this.
I’d say don’t upgrade. On my desktop Mac Pro, my Apogee Duet randomly disconnects and reconnects. Their support acknowledged El Capitain has a lot of issues (as of last week) with audio and it hadn’t been fixed yet.
My fancy pants Rane MP-2015 isn’t usable with my Macbook Pro at the moment. Audio works OK for a while, then I get dropouts, distorted audio.
Non-audio related, but El Capitain has created a bunch of sleep/wake issues with my 4K monitors.
And all of this for no compelling features that I use. I should not have bothered.
Pioneer DJM-T1 drivers for El-Capitan appear to be up at https://www.pioneerdj.com/en/support/software/djm-t1/#drivers
Apple dice que la culpa es de Rane y Rane que es de Apple, mientras, los profesionales que vivimos de esto vemos como después de haber gastado mucho dinero en sus productos nos ningunean al no poder utilizarlos adecuadamente. Están dejando a sus empresas a la altura del betún. Lamentable.
Ugh. I updated to 10.11.5 yesterday and my Maschine Studio is now failing to recognize. Everytime I try to install the Maschine Controller update from service center or downloading it manually from the NI website it does nothing. After finishing installation and restarting my computer I open service center and the controller update is still there meaning it’s not installing? WTF. I’m so pissed. NI has the shittiest customer service also. They don’t respond to anybody. Once they have your money that’s it.